Ekow Alabi Savage: Blending Reggae and Highlife for a Global Audience

Ghanaian musician, Ekow Alabi Savage

Music is inspirational, even if the lyrics are in a foreign language; it still draws people to the dance floor. One of Africa’s musicians who has gained international recognition with his sweet blend of Reggae and Highlife is German-based Ghanaian musician, Ekow Alabi Savage.

At the time when Africa’s dream of autonomy was slowly becoming reality, and the first President of Ghana joined the youth to build a modern nation, Ekow Alabi was born in Ghana in the city of Cape Coast, once the capital of the "Gold Coast.”

YOUSSOU N'DOUR RETURNS TO SFINKS FESTIVAL

Youssou N'Dour

As large and updated as African music is, one of the names making African music popular is Youssou N'dour. His regal garment in the Senegalese mbalax is thicker than any esteemed armor meant to be achieved in the vibrant Tama, percussion, and marimba-influenced style.

A good product truly doesn't need any advertising. Youssou has dominated African music for over two decades. He has played, toured widely, and collaborated with many international singers. Sfinks festival is not a new place for him.

Youssou played there a couple of years ago. Surprisingly, the 35th edition of this year's festival has brought him back to the podium to entertain the people.

Youssou has succeeded in transporting mbalax to the far extreme of the global platform. His concerts in Europe and America attract a large audience. 

Born in Dakar, Senegal 1959, N'dour is a singer endowed with a remarkable range and poise as a composer and producer. He absorbs the entire Senegal musical spectrum in his work.

Named "African artist of the century" by the English publication Folk Roots, at the threshold of the year 2000, Youssou has made mbalax famous throughout the world for more than twenty years of recording and touring in Senegal.

He remains a revered figure in his country and in the ever-growing worldwide Senegalese diaspora. 

He has a duet with many international stars, including Peter Gabriel and Neneh Cherry. For more information on his second appearance at the Sfinks festival, go to http://www.sfink.be/.

Manu Dibango in Conversation with Joel Savage: Reflections on Music, Legacy, and Life

Joel Savage and Manu Dibango


Manu Dibango is perhaps one of the world's best jazz saxophonists. A true international superstar, with a career starting in the '50s. At 15, he was sent to Paris to prepare for a professional career. 

 

He is a tireless globe-trotting musician. Last year, he played for hundreds of fans at the "Mano-Mundo festival" in Antwerp, and this year he was invited once again to play at the "Pole-pole festival" in Gent. Both cities are in Belgium. Now he speaks to me about his passion for music.

 

The Fall of Apartheid: Lucky Dube on Music, Freedom, and His Role in South Africa's Liberation Struggle

Interview of Lucky Dube at Pole-Pole Festival on July 4th, 2004, (Belgium) By JOEL SAVAGE



Lucky Dube is, no doubt, one of the best reggae artists the world has ever produced. His strong dissemination of melodic messages about racism, exploitation, and oppression has won him acclamation all over the world. 


On July 4th, 2004, in Linkeroever-Antwerp, after playing live, he granted this exclusive interview to the Voice Magazine Belgian Correspondent. Joel Savage

 

TV: When you started music at a young age, did you ever dream that one day your music would be widely accepted by reggae fans worldwide today?

 

Lucky: Well, I have an idea. Really, this was a dream for me. I wanted it to be like that, even though I didn't have a clear vision of how big it could be. But I have an idea: I wanted the music to reach people everywhere in the world.

 

TV: Many fans think that you are another Peter Tosh in the field of reggae, with strong lyrics of liberation. How do you react to this credit?

 

Lucky: It's a great honour, really, because Peter Tosh was the greatest musician that ever lived, and so I respect him so much, and to be given the same stage as he is a great honour to me. I do really appreciate that.

 

TV: On one of your albums, "Soul Taker," there is a special track called "Teach the World". Please, what inspired you to write such a great song?

 

Lucky: Well, "Teach the World" started actually because when we go around, there are a lot of things that we see and people from different countries, different cultures, and everything. But only to find out that people don't know much about Africa. 

 

They have some misconceptions about Africa and just want people to teach each other. People in Africa must teach the outside world about their culture, beliefs, and everything, and want the outside world to teach Africa about its culture.

 

TV: You fought against apartheid in your songs. How did you feel ten years ago, to see apartheid falling like the Berlin Wall in 1989?

 

Lucky: It was great because it was the biggest dream I had at that time. So I was very happy when it finally happened. I knew I was part of it in some way. So I was very happy when it happened.

 

TV: You played in Washington, D.C., on September 20, 2000, with Joseph Hill's Culture. What was your experience with that group, since Joseph's message in the music is in line with yours?

 

Lucky: Well, it has been great with Joseph Hill. You know I have done many concerts with him. He is one of the good men in the music industry.

 

TV: Being a South African, you have visited many African countries. Have you ever visited war-torn countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia, since you have thousands of fans over there?

 

Lucky: Yes, we have visited those countries.

TV: That's great to hear that.

 

TV: Reggae in jail, reggae in church, everybody likes it. That's a true statement by you. But why is it that reggae music is given less attention than any other music? Is it because of its strong message?

 

Have a copy of this great book to read the interviews of your favourite reggae and African artists.

https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ?