runnin' on replay

...what's been playing on constant repeat in my head, all week...

...john forté's brilliant new track "runnin' up that hill"--he's back, y'all. i cannot wait to see what he'll come out with next...

'in jamaica' by k'naan and buckshot from the k-salaam and beatnick mixtape 'where the streets have no name'...fiyah!

...the acoustic version of jah cure's 'to your arms of love'...just because!

Currently listening:

The Renaissance
By Q-Tip

Release date: 2008-11-04

runnin' on replay

inspired: celebrating africa

one of the loveliest discoveries i've made in a while: Celebrate Africa!

the project was started by two sisters, Chioma and Oluchi Ogwuegbu:

having had enough of 'images of starving children, stories of corrupt politicians, famines, etc,' they decided to embark on a road trip around africa in an attempt to 'celebrate all that is beautiful on the continent from her peoples to her cultures, languages and religions.'

their mission is to: 'contribute to changing the negative image of Africa and encourage Africans and the world to begin to see the beauty in the continent [and to] promote a sense of identity and unity for Africa’s people.'




a noble mission indeed. rather than complain about the lack of positive images of africa in the media, these women are actually doing something about changing these images. about shedding light on the positive aspects of this struggling continent. in addition, they're giving back to the countries that host them throughout this journey.





they now intend to visit 22 countries in Africa, by road, over the period of 15 months. they intend to volunteer for non-profit organizations in each country, and will film their journey along the way.

you can follow their blog on their site and check out the photos, as well.

this is something i've always wanted to do, but never had the courage.
for those who have never been to the continent, this is a beautiful introduction. for those of us who live here, it is a brilliant reminder.

all images (c) Chioma Young 2008

Currently listening: The Dusty Foot Philosopher By: K'naan Release date: 2005-06-23

inspired: celebrating africa

Oscar Kamau Kingara

Kenyan Human Rights Activist Killed

BBC News A prominent human rights activist has been shot dead as he drove his car in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Oscar Kamau Kingara - an outspoken critic of the government's alleged practice of extra-judicial killings - was murdered along with a colleague.

There are reports of student clashes with police near where he was killed.

A UN report last week called for Kenya's top policeman and the attorney general to resign for failing to address police impunity.

Mr Kingara was shot dead near State House, the official residence of the Kenyan president.

Read more of the news story here: BBC NEWS.

Oscar Kamau Kingara was a lawyer who started a non-profit organization called the Oscar Foundation:

As an organization we invasion a society in which all persons shall demonstrate their commitment to children and young persons. Exercising vision and leadership to assert respect for the rights of the child and young persons especially within families and communities where such respect must begin.

The youths are educated to respect the rule of law, more so the foundation encourages the poor and the youth to seek justice through the law and due process and not through violence or any other unlawful means.
--Oscar Foundation--

through this foundation, he sought to empower those without voices, to ensure their active participation in the decision-making process. he focused on the promotion of legal literacy, especially the domestication of international laws, so that people--youth in particular--were aware of their legal rights and obligations. one of his key achievements has been the establishment of the Oscar Foundation Free Legal Aid Clinic Kenya (OFFLACK) which is a mobile legal aid and access to justice service. it is the first non-profit organization to provide legal aid and rescue service to sexually abused children to other victims of sexual violence by providing 24-hour rapid response lines.

The policy of the foundation is non violence and we stand by revolutionizing the NGO sector by conducting demonstration not on the streets but through the power of the pen.

his work and his dedication are an inspiration to us all. may his soul rest in peace.

Oscar Kamau Kingara, 1971-2009

Oscar Kamau Kingara

y'all ready?

'dreamer'

'america' (live)

K'naan's album "Troubadour" is out today.

y'all ready?

Alison Des Forges: 1942-2009

on february 12th, Alison Des Forges, a human rights activist who documented the horrors of the Rwanda Genocide, was killed in a plane crash in Buffalo, New York.

her account of the Genocide, 'Leave None to tell The Story' powerfully recounts the massacres that took place before and during 1994, and she has been one of the foremost voices of those whose lives were so brutally taken and irreparably damaged.

in recent years, i have taken issue with some of her methods and her general approach, but as a student of human rights and as a Rwandan, i had great respect for this woman who believed so fiercely in her mission and who was passionate about Rwanda and the region.


may she rest in peace.

here is the statement from Human Rights Watch:
Leading Rwanda Expert Killed in a Plane Crash


Letter from Rwanda, Alison Des Forges, New Yorker 1995

Alison Des Forges: 1942-2009

soul food: afropolitana: k'naan--'waving flag' and 'somalia (live)'

a glimpse into the forthcoming album from K'naan: Troubador

'waving flag'

when i get older

i will be stronger

they'll call me freedom

just like a waving flag.

a melodious tapestry of tragedy and hope encapsulated in a such simple refrain.

'somalia--live'

so what you know about the pirates terrorize the ocean

to a never know a simple day without a big commotion

it can't be healthy just to live with such a steep emotion

and when i try to sleep...i see coffins closing.

more on his journey here.

soul food: afropolitana: k'naan--'waving flag' and 'somalia (live)'

afropolitana: 'majority report' by ian kamau

'i'm no minority/so this is my majority report'



'i got a bullet called change/and i'm aiming at your mind'

ian kamau: music
ian kamau: words

Currently listening:

Troubadour
By K'naan
Release date: 2009-02-24

afropolitana: 'majority report' by ian kamau

afropolitana: wayna "my love"

afropolitana: wayna "my love"

soul food: THE adele

i assumed the song i posted in the last entry was by this Adele, but it wasn't. here's a favorite of mine from Adele's '19' album....



loves it.

soul food: THE adele

soul food: adele erichsen

i just wanna be drunk/so i can forget about you.



word.

EDIT: i just discovered that this isn't Adele but, rather Adele Erichsen who is a little known musician from Norway. huh. still love the song, though

soul food: adele erichsen

soul food: don't call it a comeback!

new website!

reportedly, he plans to release three albums in 2009, without the help of label.
*let the squeals of glee commence*


Currently listening : Santogold

By Santogold
Release date: 2008-04-29

soul food: don't call it a comeback!