Jabali Afrika turns Goddard into dance hall
By Mamus Ngeseyan
What do two Kenyans, two Cameroonians and one Mswati have in common? The answer is simpler than you think. The answer is Jabali Afrika.
The group’s five members, Joseck Asikoye, Tanash Henri, Justo (Jus) Asikoye, Dumisizwe Bhembe and Donald Bossadi, performed their “shake and bake” rhythms in Goddard auditorium on Friday, Jan. 29 at 9 p.m.
Jabali Afrika sang hits such as “100% Parracent,” “Stranger” and “Cost Of Living” to an audience that did not mind turning the aisles into impromptu dance floors before taking over the stage and bringing the auditorium to life.
Beginning a career by getting fired hardly seems like a typical success story, however this was the first part of Jabali Afrika’s journey to success. After joining the Kenya National Theatre in 1993, they were soon dismissed for not “fitting in” with the theater’s image. Consequently, they participated in a talent contest that won them much national recognition and took them to over 30 cities in Europe and the Middle East.
In the summer of 1995, the band ventured across the Atlantic to the United States where they were featured on the television shows “Good Morning America” and “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” These appearances spurred much interest nationwide for the then-eclectic band playing percussion instruments they could barely afford.
As they toured various cities, many found themselves wondering what to call the kind of music Jabali Afrika played. To some, it was easier to call it world pop, or better still, worldbeat. Joseck Asikoye, singer and conga player prefers the term “roots” to describe the band’s style, saying, “Some people think it is reggae, but it’s African music with a modern orientation.”
Jabali Afrika draw influence from Osibisa, one of the first African bands to crossover onto the British Charts during the 1970s. Jabali Afrika has also been influenced by Kenyan musicians from the 1950s like George Mukabi. However, currently, Jabali Afrika are the ones influencing the international music scene as they are changing how African music is viewed overseas.
Their passion to address problems in society and promote the positive side of Africa is at the core of what inspires them to make music. One of their songs, “People’s Voices,” was banned from Kenyan airwaves because it supposedly incited election violence witnessed in 2007. However, the band released another song, “Ask Yourself Why” to raise awareness about who is to blame for the people’s hardships.
Even though every member writes songs, in order for their music to remain educated, entertaining and true to what is being talked about, it is necessary for them to apply some “Jabali Magic.” This term refers to each member fulfilling his or her role in realizing the potential of each song that is written and produced.
For Jus Asikoye, every song comes with its difficulties and triumphs, however Joseck Asikoye adds, “Our song-making process goes through a rebirth, from perfection to imperfection to perfection once more. It is just hard to move from imperfection to perfection.”
For those who attended the event, it turned out to be more than they had bargained for.
Sophomore Krystnell Storr said, “I thought it was a unique cultural experience. I liked the fact that they used their music and everyone can relate to that.”
Sophomore Maria Adamson, who got to contribute some of her drumming skills to the performance, said, “It was so much fun. It was great because it involved the audience, the whole event just had so much energy.”
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