African Graphic Novel

Last week-end, or ironically on June 12, I received a very interesting graphic novel called: June 12, The Struggle For Power in Nigeria from Abraham Oshoko. I have a special interest on the subject having spent quite some years in the country. But this book could appeal to a wider audience for several reasons: it is a good change from European or american comic books, it is an amazing and disturbing / revolting political event that many westerners are not familiar with, you should support local African Artists who are starting - thanks to the internet - to gain a wider audience but who still need much more exposure than the rest of the world and finally you could somehow draw a parrallel with what is currently happening in Zimbabwe even though the consequences in Nigeria were not completely as dramatic as they are now in Mugabe's country. You can visit Kachifo website if you want to purchase it directly from there for 1,800 Nairas or choose a more convenient option through Amazon. Also, for the record, I was very glad to incidentally get to talk to my best Nigerian friend, Sam, yesterday who is still living in Port Harcourt trying to survive the Nigerian struggle.

How e be Sam-O?

African Music Rediscovered

Over a decade ago, I saw him at the Airport hotel in Port Harcourt, and a couple of years after his death, Barclay issued 4 absolutely essential vinyl boxsets of Nigeria's legend Fela. He is one of the few African artists whose importance has been recognised out of Africa. Since then, many people rediscovered afrobeat and have even been directed, if the curiosity is there, to highlife or juju music. I clearly remember the day I heard Sir Victor Uwaifo's Guitar Boy on the radio, while in Warri in the Niger Delta, for the first time in the early 90s. My secretary was singing along and I nicknamed her Mamie Water as a result. By then, those 70s records were not reissued on CD and it was near impossible to find the original vinyls. I eventually did but the sound quality was very poor. On a trip to Benin City I even nearly made it to Sir Victor Uwaifo's house ready to ask for a copy from the mastertape. I caressed the dream of creating a label and making the western public aware of those great tracks. Alas. Years later some labels did a better job than I would probably have done. AfroStrut re-issued some lovely albums and compilations and many followed. The latest in the list is Brighton based label Soundway Records and they have just put together an amazing compilation of Sir Victor Uwaifo's lost classics. An essential purchase from the man who became the first African to be awarded a Gold disc on this continent. And for the small story, he is so popular in Nigeria that you can write him a letter simply addressed as “Sir Victor Uwaifo Nigeria” and out of the 150 million people of Nigeria, the letter will be delivered at his door step. Or so the legend says.

Listen / Download 'Guitar Boy' here

Purchase the album here

Nigeria: Kingdom of Benin

Maybe it is the fact I spent a good share of my life in Nigeria but I really was delighted by the exhibition that is currently showing at the Quai Branly in Paris. It really spoke to me as all the Art on display was pretty familiar and was bringing back memories of a long time gone. If you happen to be in Paris before the first week of January you should rush there as it is a rare opportunity to witness such an extensive, rich but comprehensive display of this very important period in the history of Africa.