Ritmundo

African Pop spring

Yesterday marked the start of spring, 40 years ago marked the start of the African Pop Spring, the theme of this broadcast. Because of the legendary Dutch debut of Congolese superstar Franco, spring 1984 marked the definitive breakthrough of African pop in Western Europe. Indirectly, Bob Marley was one of the trailblazers who always referred to Africa in his music. After Marley’s death (1981), his record label Island Records looked for a successor. Nigerian afrobeat star Fela Kuti caused too many problems, so they ended up with his more affable compatriot King Sunny Ade, who was launched with much fanfare in 1983.

Sound D’Afrique
Meanwhile, Island released the compilations Sound D’Afrique I & II, which were followed by other record labels such as Earthworks and Stern’s. As a result, the ‘Africa’ shelf in record stores expanded and more and more articles appeared in the press. Particularly thanks to Henk Tummers who played a guiding role in Muziekkrant OOR. In 1984, he and I started the weekly radio program Tam Tam Internationale on Amsterdam pirate radio station WHS; together with other afro-aficionados we started the magazine ‘Afrika’ (1986/87).

Melkweg & Paradiso
Amsterdam also became the beating heart of the afro-scene where Paradiso African Feeling) and the Melkweg (African Roots) took turns presenting Anglophone and Francophone pop: from Mahmoud Ahmed and Youssou N’Dour to Thomas Mapfumo and Salif Keita. The emergence of North African pop, featuring stars like Cheb Khaled and Cheb Mami, was also part of the scene. In parallel, special Afro festivals in Delft, Utrecht, and later in Hertme provided a welcome addition to Pinkpop. In September 1989, Franco gave his final concert at the Melkweg; his passing a month later plunged Zaire into profound mourning. Special Afro festivals in Delft, Utrecht, and later in Hertme provided a welcome addition to Pinkpop. In September 1989, Franco gave his final concert at the Melkweg; his passing a month later plunged Zaire into profound mourning.

Afrobeats
oday, African pop is once again in the spotlight. Alongside numerous historical reissues on labels like Analogue Africa and World Circuit, South African amapiano and Nigerian afrobeats are now drawing large crowds. However, with a twist: afrobeats phenomenon Burna Boy will skip Paradiso on June 9th… because he’s selling out the Johan Cruijff Arena

Playlist:

1) Franco & Le TP OK Jazz– On Entre OK, On Sorte KO (Belgisch CONGO)- 1957
2) Franco & Le TP OK Jazz- Minuit- Eleki Lezi (ZAIRE)- 1973

CD: Francophonic- Franco & Le TP OK Jazz: Africa’s Greatest, a Retrospective.
Vol.1: 1953-1980 (Stern’s, 2008)

3) Bamba Wassoulou Groove– Konokassile (MALI)

CD: Dankele (Lusafrica, 2019)

4) Super Djata Band– Tiefaly (MALI)

LP: Authentique (Disco Rama,1980)

5) Salif Keita– Sina (MALI)

LP: Soro (Stern’s, 1987)

6) Oumou Sangare- Ah Ndiya (MALI)

CD: Moussoulou (World Circuit, 1990)

7) Youssou N’Dour– Immigrés (SENEGAL)

CD: Immigres (Earthworks, 1983)

8) Baobab– Werente (SENEGAL)

CD: Pirates Choice- The Legendary 1982 Session (World Circuit, 1989)

9) Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star de Dakar- Mayeya (SENEGAL)

CD: Live a L’Etoile (Teranga Beat, 2014)

10) Franco & Le TP OK Jazz– Likambo Ya Ngana (ZAIRE)

CD: Likambo ya ngana- 1971/ 1972 (Sonodisc, 1993)

Concerts
Bamba Wassoulou Groove: Sat 6 July 2024- Afrika Festival Hertme (near Enschede), Sun 14 July- North Sea Jazz (Rotterdam). Salif Keita: Sun 7 July- Afrika Festival Hertme.