Nigerian singer and songwriter Ifé reworks traditional Igbo folk songs to inject her alternative highlife, sometimes tinged with afro-soul, pop and many other styles. Ifé contributes to the revival of highlife and the Igbo cultural renaissance. In her playlist for #AuxSons, she celebrates the blossoming of modern African music and involves us in her fight for girls’ access to education.
1. Ifé - 1967 (Ife Melu)
« This song describes an unforgettable fate, a resilient spirit and a memorial stone for posterity to carve on. It is a song that tells the story of 3 million women and children starved and killed during the Biafran genocide. This song is considered The Biafran Heroes Remembrance song, that Even in death, we shall forever remember them and their sacrifices. »
2. Nomfusi - Iqaqa
« IQAQA by South African singer-songwriter @Nomfusi is a song about a love relationship. The Xhosa idiom “Iqaqa aliziva kunuka” means “the skunk does not smell itself” which refers to the fact that people often are unable to recognize their own faults. The official music video for IQAQA was shot in Brixton, a historically rich district in the heart of Johannesburg and at the legendary Roving Bantu venue. »
3. Burna Boy - Monsters You Made
« A song that reflects on the bad governance in Nigeria and the implication that comes with the government not empowering the youths. »
4. Yemi Alade, Angelique Kidjo - Shekere
« A song that celebrates the beauty of the African woman, her resilience and uniqueness. »
5. Sona Jobarteh - Gambia
« Sona Jobarteh’s debut music video “Gambia” in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence for the Gambia in 2015. This video features the traditional Mandinka Drum called the ‘Seruba’, an instrument no longer featured much in Gambian mainstream society. By featuring the drum in this song, Sona aims not only to resonate with the deep history of the Mandinka people, but also to boost and promote awareness of this instrument both in the Gambia and internationally. »
6. Aka Blay - Take Away ft. Cabum
« Aka Blay from Ghana celebrates the lifestyle and uniqueness of Ghanaian metropolitans. »
7. Krys M - Chacun Sa Chance
« KRYS M Celebrates Cameroon culture through sounds, dance and melodies. »
8. Afrie - I am an African Girl (Let Her Know Remix) ft. Ifé & Smarty
« “I Am An African Girl” is the theme song for the #AfricaEducatesHer campaign, a rallying call to Africa’s leaders, education stakeholders, and youth to take action that safeguards African girls and women’s education during and post the COVID-19 school-related lockdowns and disruptions. This collaborative song was done by Afrie (from Uganda) ft Ifé (from Nigeria) and Smarty (Burkina Faso) and was co-produced by the AU/CIEFFA. The song is an official remix of Afrie’s song “Let Her Know”. Millions of girls in Africa are out of school due to COVID-19 related disruptions and are at risk of never returning to the classroom. We call on Africa to make a stand for girls and take action that ensures girls return to school!»
9. Bracket - African Woman
« Bracket holds nothing back as they celebrate the African woman. »
10. Chiké - Hard to Find ft. Flavour
« Chike discovers true love in the most unconventional way. »
