World Cup:The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Global events like the on-going world cup in Germany present unique opportunities for the world to come together despite our differences and celebrate our common love for the game. But you would be a fool to think the world cup is just about soccer, it also presents opportunities for people, irregardless of race, religion or nationality to sit together and enjoy as their teams out-duel each other for the ultimate prize, the Jules Rimet trophy. In the process we learn about other cultures, other people’s way of life and maybe even appreciate them more. That’s the Good.
Invariably it also showcases the worst in us, depicted by racist comments by conservative media especially in the US by characters such as Rush Limbaugh and his vast listening base. His utterances likening Ghanaian players to monkeys, and some twisted connection to slavery just before the US match are just a few examples (One of the reasons I don’t listen to “conservative radio” shows I should point out is that I personally think they are thinly veiled outlets in the media for racial intolerance as is being depicted currently in the immigration debate but that’s an issue I will address on another day). Limbaugh, I should point out is the same culprit, run out of ESPN for racist comments made about Donovan McNabb. While my intention is not to re-live these issues, I merely point to a trend that continues on and on.
“The way I see it is this: The only way we can beat them is to roll the clock back a couple hundred years. We conservatives are always in favor of that…just ask any commie/pinko/liberal. So here’s the plan. Arena needs to go in there, shackle them up, and ship them up the Rhine just like in the good old days. And then we can put them out on the field for our team…guaranteed victory!”(Rush Limbaugh)
On June 9th, CNN’s Glenn Beck, during a commentary on the world cup insisted that “no one cares about the world cup” and that all it reminded him was racist fans in Europe enjoying a boring sport. Mr Beck was right, racism is being addressed in soccer, as bad as it may be. But he also showcases what I term ‘collective ignorance’ by the US, a lack of understanding of what goes on outside of the country’s borders. Beck’s and Limbaugh’s comments are just a drop in the ocean in a barrage of racist and negative comments, directed towards soccer nations and by extension third world countries emanating from the media, mainly in the US. Eric Wynalda’s quip about Ronaldo being a “bloated waste of space” is not only disparaging and derogatory, it is also personal and unprofessional. The fact that little hue and cry has been raised about this is testament to the fact that our tolerance of racial bias continues to go unchecked. The Ugly.
House/Techno Mixx
My attempt at versatility, is a foray into the house/techno genre. The set contains mostly heavy rhythm driven beats. I have also included some rock music that I like. The set was requested by Ntwiga, to whom I say many thanks! He provided some of the music, I added some, hope you enjoy.
Track Listing
1. Ogopafunkyjazzination - Ogopa Deejays
2. Sweet Lullaby - Deep Forest
3. Come Into My World - Kylie Minogue
4. Nuthing But Mammals - Bloodhound Gang
5. Where have the cowboys gone - Paula Cole
6. Samba De Janeiro - Bellini
7. Sandstorm - Darude
8. More than beautiful - G-Pal
9. Waiting for Tonite - Jennifer Lopez
10.Believe - Cher
11.Love at first sight - Kylie Minogue
All tracks mixxed by yours truly.
Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in PopupOnward from here
After the recent row over the Armenian brothers, I have a pretty good idea what will happen (the following events happen in real time):
*Countless blogs and editorials will be rife with reactions and stinging analysis of the government and one Emilio Mwai Kibaki. Then there’ll be public calls for resignations and investigations (actually as is happening right now).
*The usual crop of opportunist politicians will call for a march protesting the government’s lack of action. I’m sure Raila will issue a statement or two to incense the public, the government and at the same time earn some political ‘mileage’ .
*An MP will rise up in Parliament (on his/her only appearance this year at the August house) and call on the government to issue a statement and shamelessly claim to be looking out for ‘fellow Kenyans’.
*Internal Security minister John Michuki will put his exceptionally big feet into his unbelievably big mouth in an off-the-cuff comment that Kenya is as safe as the Fort Knox Bullion Depository in a scene reminiscent of Baghdad Bob’s exploits.
*Hue and cry will be raised for a week. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua will read out an unbelievably dumb commentary.
Yes, there will be alot made about the current situation, but that will last for a week…just a week. The government won’t do anything concrete (except for the ‘formation of a commision of inquiry and suspension of irrelevant people’) and we will forget about it and move on. Yes. That is what we do best…forget and move on, just like our government.
Deejaying: An Artform
I have been podcasting several mixes on different genres on my site for some time now and by now I know it’s evident that deejaying is more than just a hobby to me, it’s a passion. Deejays are transcending the traditional stereotypes largely brought about by the hip hop revolution in the 80s and into the 90s. There was the growth of rap music that inevitably popularized deejays as the guys who accompanied MCs, the invention and subsequent re-inventions of the turntable giving rise to performers known as ‘turntablists’ and scratch masters. Pioneers such as Funkmaster Flex (see profile), Jazzy Jeff (profile), Kid Capri (see profile), Magic Mike (profile), Red Alert and others at the clubs and the master of performance deejaying if you will ‘Q-Bert’ (see wiki profile)to mention but a few.
The way I view it, there are two main types of deejays. Battle Deejays and Club Deejays. Battle deejays are primarily turntablists who bring skills such as scratching, MC-ing , re-mixing live tracks and beat matching to the table. They are competition specialists. The second type is the Club Deejay. This category mainly has beat matching specialists whose performance is based more on the music they play (based on the crowd they’re playing for) than their ability to control and work the turntables - they are not and should not be the center of attention (if you are, this might be a problem depending on the attention you get - you’re either doing very well- or very badly!) , they are crowd pleasers. Which category do I place myself in?
I hope none. The best deejays on the market are both battle specialists and beat matchers extraordinaire. During the big memorial weekend a few days ago, I walked up to one deejay and we started talking about deejaying as an art. Kid Capri was his icon and he took exception to the fact that I claimed Kenyan deejay crews are quickly catching up and surpassing international deejays. Infact I sampled The Homeboyz mixmaster Deejay John whose battle skills and beat-matching ability in my opinion are second to none on the scene and rank among the best in the world, yes there I said it. And I mean this world too. He took exception. We agreed to disagree.
What is it with this mentality that just because they’re Kenyan, they can’t out-duel some of the better known American deejays? If anything the emergence of crowd moving deejay units such as Code Red!,House of Funk (Kisumu), Black Supremacy and the ever present Homeboyz should serve notice that we are beginning to see the emergence of deejays as more of entertainment units rather than just “that guy who played at my aunt’s wedding”. With the phenomenal growth of the Kenyan music industry over the past 5 years, just as the growth of hip hop in the states in the early 80s to the 90s, the deejay industry has spawned a great deal. Again, growth in one invariably leads to growth in the other as was witnessed back then and also now.
Like any other art form, deejaying is evolving. Sure turntables will forever be a part of the game but new additions to the market include the industry leading Pioneer CDJ Digital Vinyl turntables and the DVJ series just out that are changing how deejays play music. In addition, cutting edge technology such as Rane’s Serato Scratch Live, which provides software that enables turntables and CD Players to play music directly from a computer are eliminating traditional forms of music medium such as Vinyl, Tape and CDs. No longer is it necessary for me to carry a stack of records or several volumes of CD holders to a club or venue. All I need now are my laptop, CDJs and a mixer which not only saves time, it also eliminates the need for extra space (when I travel) and less hassle looking for a particular track that you think the crowd would love.
A friend commented that deejays who play music from laptops using CD players are cutting corners and are not as good as the industry pioneers. He cites this as one of the reasons he no longer deejays, I say that’s not true. This is the same sheepish mentality that holds us back both as performers (in the art of deejaying) and as an industry. If you’re not willing to adopt new technology then you’re stuck in the past cursing at the future. You might as well revert to the pre-internet era and get rid of your cell phone, don’t bank online and avoid using ATMs altogether. These new technologies have revolutionized the industry and made it more exciting. What’s more, they have made it easier to learn the art of deejaying which I personally view as a big step forward keeping in mind that when I first started to learn how to Deejay, the only machines were at my neighbors’ house – two Gemini turntables and a mixer, see how far we’ve come since then. What’s even more exciting is the continous entry of female deejays into the industry some more notable ones for me are The Homeboyz DJ Lil Mo, former Carnivore DJ duo of ‘Sugar and Spice’ and I’m sure Mocha has more examples herself being a deejay.
And that’s not all, recently the world famous Berklee school of Music adopted Turntable Techniques, as one of the classes offered in their curriculum lending credence to the fact that we are now overcoming those traditional stereotypes and accepting it more as an art form, just as much as music composition, literature and such. In addition, Pioneer’s DVJX1 released two years ago enables deejays to mix music videos. Veejaying is the deejaying of the future. One such DVD I watched was mixed by a DJ Luz. That thing on the floor was my jaw, such skill as I have never witnessed before. I am excited about the possibilities. On to the future.
Being Kenyan
Message on above shirt reads
“I’m a Kenyan. Uta Do!”
translated:
I’m a Kenyan. What are you going to do about it!?
Nuff sed (sic).
It’s good to be Kenyan,
.Not because we have the most beautiful country with natural beauty abounding – which we do.
.Not because we have gone through hard times as a people and still can afford to smile and laugh at the end of the day – which we do.
.Not because we are bar none when it comes to our champion athletes who set standards the world over – which we are!
.Not because we boast a rich culture, a society of over 42 tribes and countless dialects living together in harmony for a long time. All this in a continent ravaged by war and famine: yet we still remain peaceful – which we do!
.Not because we will cheer our team as if they were champions even though they face massive odds against them or are losing - because we will!
.Not because we beat the odds despite the ‘developed world’ issuing Travel Advisories against us yet their citizenry continue to visit again and again and again - Because we do!
.Not because I was born, raised, educated, instructed, advised and guided by Kenyan mentors who have far more vision and know-how than Harvard graduates despite never setting foot in an Ivy league classroom – And they don’t have to!
But because I just am. I’m just Kenyan. And boy it feels good!
Happy Madaraka day people.
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About
Magaidi.com is the journal of the African kid. A diary of sorts, a collection of musings and a discussion point on the way forward for the motherland.
