Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Emmerson Live in London at The Fridge Brixton

Salone Concert Live 09, Brixton, UK

A group of patriotic Sierra Leoneans in the United Kingdom, will usher in a host of events in London, slated on the 20th November 2009 at the Fridge Club in Brixton, with acclaimed music star Emmerson Bockarie. The wait is finally over; the rumors are confirmed for the first time Sierra Leoneans in the United Kingdom will get their chance to dance to Emmerson’s new –album-‘Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday?’’.

Emmerson’s new album which is currently sweeping across the country and in the Diaspora to rave reviews before launching is confirmed to play on 20th November 2009 in London. By both artistic and commercial standards Emmerson’s new album is a smash hit. The Concert will include a number of high-profile artists in the United Kingdom including a performance by Floratic Lara Band Group and Sierra Leone’s biggest DJ base of UN radio. As passionate humanitarian, Emmerson will perform in the spirit of harmony, peace and non –partisan fashion. Emmerson will perform his new Album-‘‘yesterday betteh pass Tiday?’’

The Concert is being devised by Sierra Leone’s young humanitarian Messeh Kamara who is working towards giving homeless and orphaned children an opportunity for a safe life and a good future. The Concert is dedicated to helping children who are socially neglected and rejected in the society, with an aim for creating awareness of orphans and disabled people, and the overall humanitarian needs of Sierra Leone’s children. Messeh Kamara said: “We are absolutely delighted with this Concert. Now that we can work together as a community we will be able to raise funding for specific projects which will make a significant difference to the lives of many young people in Sierra Leone. We’re very excited to work with Emmerson and DJ base while simultaneously doing work for the children and take part in nation building’’.

Click here to read the full article on Emmerson in London

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Sierra Leone Pop Music Driving Politics

In Sierra Leone, pop music is a beat that drives politics

Political debate in the African nation often takes the form of protest songs; some have even toppled governments. Mostly illiterate, citizens rely heavily on singers for an independent take on events.

Sierra Leone's engaging blend of hip-hop, Afro-pop and reggae sounds flourished after the end of the brutal, decade-long civil war in 2002, and the number of radio stations playing those tunes swelled from nine to more than 50.

Today, music here is more than simple entertainment. It has become the vehicle for a decibel-busting national political debate. With the sixth-highest rate of illiteracy in the world and a deep suspicion of the ruling elite, Sierra Leone's 6 million people rely heavily on their pop stars -- often educated and well-traveled -- for an independent take on what's going on.