I kissed the ground as soon as I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac. The smell, the temperature, the vibration…it was so hot, tranquil and spiritually rejuvenating to stand on African soil for the first time ever in my life… And it was so powerful that, for my first time, I got to visit Niamey, Niger …a country that according to one of the U.S. Embassy officials is the “poorest” country in the world. I learned that France takes all of the Uranium out of Niger to power parts of their country and in return provide very little infrastructure or support for the people back in Niger. I say that because I learned of another alarming stat that the mortality rates for the youth of Niger is high at times because the water isn’t the cleanest to drink and gastrointestinal illness result in the inevitable – the water is not clean, you’re dehydrated… you drink it.. get more sick..get more dehydrated and continue to drink…it’s almost like the “Wolves” story the “Let’s Get Free” Album by dead prez.
Traveling alongside Shola Adisa Farrar, a super talented singer, songwriter, and vocal coach, I was honored to learn a ton on this trip and it was super humbling that a country like Niger was my host.
We made our way to the music school to work with the local musicians and singers in preparation for the Wake Idol singing contest that coming weekend. I formed a relationship with all of the participants involved and although I was present to host a music business workshop for the week, I was happy that I got to engage with the singers that Shola was coaching as well. My love is music production, beatmaking, and rap so I do hope that I get a chance to share that skill in the near future with students and participants. I do have a music business skill as well and was proud that the U.S. Embassy of Niamey allowed me to share the knowledge that I have.
The musicians in Niger have many challenges in that there is actually no music industry there. It does not exist. So we are all on the forefront of creating that structure and it was just BEAUTIFUL to be on the frontline with some of the greatest musicians in the world organizing ourselves to take that on.
I cannot share too much more about my experience because it is truly impossible to articulate in words. I was so spiritually stimulated and activated being in a country of extreme spiritual wealth and kindness paralleled with extreme “poverty” so to speak. Many times I use music production to express every and all things that I cannot put in words…the irony being that I actually can rap…so I should be able to articulate this journey in way more detail but… lol, all I know is, when stepping foot on African soil for the FIRST TIME EVER and walking through the space, vibing through the city, taking in all of the colors, smells, vibes, love, and energy… Africa felt like meeting my actual mother (I love you mom), but in the geographical form, all over again. I felt like my mom birthed me all over again. I absolutely adore the love, light, and protection my physical Earth has given me to this day…I love my mom so, so much and when in Africa… EVERYTHING felt like her…the vibration was so comforting, blissful, empathetic towards me and loving… Africa felt like my mom and I know NOW why she is called “Mama/Mother Africa.”
Fast forwarding to the tail end of the one-week residency in Niger, we had a quick TV spot that aired nationally and internationally promoting our experience and the concert…and oh yes…we had such an amazing wrap-up concert where our students performed for the community, Shola sang, we collaborated live and I ended up dancing in addition to rapping for the audience… It was amazing. So much love in that room…wishing you guys were all there!
I would like to give thanks to the U.S. Embassy of Niamey for taking such great care of Shola and I. I truly look fwd to future opportunities to travel within Africa to teach music production, MCing and Music Business.
