Mariama

It was Music Freedom Day on 3 March, a day on which the focus is on musicians who have to deal with censorship. This censorship can sometimes even lead to arrest and torture.
Because every day should really be a Music Freedom Day, this Mariama programme focuses on African artists who have to deal with censorship. For more information, check the website of Freemuse, an organisation that fights censorship: www.freemuse.org
The music by the first four artists was forbidden because they masked terms or criticized openly the leaders of their country. More famous names like Femi Kuti and Oliver Mtukudzi have also had to deal with censorship.

Femi Kuti
Censorship comes in different levels. In Somalia there are even religious lunatics who try to ban any type of music altogether. Therefore, to give the Somali artists some heart: two songs from Somalia.
It is not far from Sudan to North Africa, where music played a large part during the recent protests.
Rap seems to be the ideal form of music for delivering some fiery message. Reggae too is real ‘rebel music’. It’s no coincidence that these imported styles of music are both very popular in Africa.

1. Beng beng beng – Femi Kuti (Femi Anikulapo Kuti)
   CD: Shoki shoki (1999) Barclay 5590352.
2. Wasakara – Oliver Mtukudzi (Oliver Mtukudzi)
   CD: Greatest hits – The Tuku years (2010) Sheer Sound SLCD 035.
3. Rebel woman – Chiwoniso Maraire (Chiwoniso Maraire)
   CD: Listen to the banned (2010) Grappa HCD7249.
4. Magat milkitna dulaa – Mariem Hassan (Baba Salama / Boika Hassan)
   CD: Deseos (2006) Nubenegra INN11282.
5. Somalia don’t shame yourself – Maryam Mursal (Abdi Kader Hassan / Soren Kjaer Jensen / Yusuf Aden)
   CD: The journey (1998) Real World 8452362.
6. Cidlaan dareemaya – Waaberi (trad. / Abdi Aden Kayes / Maryam Mursal)
   CD: New dawn (1997) Real World 8441642.
7. Salam Darfur – Abazer Hamid (Abazer Hamid)
   CD: Listen to the banned (2010) Grappa HCD7249.
8. Dhalem – Emel Mathlouthi (Emel Mathlouthi)
   CD: Kelmti horra (2012) World Village WVF 47906.
9. Rais lebled – El Général (not specified)
   CD: From the Kasbah : Tunis to Tahrir Square – Cairo and back (2011) Network 495135.
10. Bayi yoon – Daara J Family (A.F. Seck & M.L. Seck)
    CD: School of life (2010) Wrasse WRASS262.
11. Quitte de pouvoir – Tiken Jah Fakoly & Didier Awadi (Tiken Jah Fakoly / Didier Awadi)
    CD: Coupe de gueule (2006) Barclay 9823320.
12. Non au racisme – Fadal Dey (Fadal Dey)
    CD: Listen to the banned (2010) Grappa HCD7249.
13. Apartheid is nazism – Alpha Blondy (Alpha Blondy)
    CD: Radical roots from the emperor of African reggae (2004) Trojan 6512050020.