ISSUE 8
“Afro Invasion!: Breaking the Sound Barrier “

Written by Nubian Princess

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DSRPT:What do you believe are the positive impacts of African music becoming popular in America?

BP:Uniting and bridging the gap between Africa and the Diaspora and the rest of the world. People are being able to connect with Africa. Now people are interested in visiting Africa to experience Africa beyond the music. Which is helping Africa grow economically as well.

DSRPT: Do different countries in Africa have their own sound?

BP: Definitely yes, they do have their own sound. Ghana is known for Highlife and Afrobeats. Nigeria is known for Afrobeats. South Africa is known for Amapiano. East Africa is known for Bongo Flava. Difference countries are known for different things and different sounds.

DSRPT: Could you highlight some examples of how African music has influenced and enriched American music styles and genres?

BP: Some an American artist are tapping into African sounds. You have like Chris Brown tapping into Afrobeats, Rae Sremmurd, Drake.  And also African artist are now tapping into American music. Like for example Burna Boy’s new song “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”. Right now this type of music is bringing people together so I believe this is very very important.

DSRPT:What is your favorite afrobeat song or album right now?

BP: My favorite Afrobeat album would be Burna Boy “African Giant”. So far is the best African album of all time. Because nobody has made that type of body of work from Africa. It talks about politics, having fun, the struggle, it was a mixture of everything. So if you’re black or whoever you can relate. The stories and struggles that we all go through. He told the love stories, politics, real life stuff, people going through stuff. a spiritual moment in there. it was a little bit of everything. We can all relate, we can all call ourselves African Giant.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSRPT:How do you think the commercialization of African music in the American market affects its authenticity and cultural significance?

BP:I would say, some artists try to blend in to make themselves more commercialized in the American market.

DSRPT:Has the popularity of African music in America opened up new opportunities for African artists and musicians to gain recognition and success on the international stage?

BP:Oh definitely! I can use myself as an example. Before I started playing African music I was focusing my attention on every genre. I can play any genre.  Between 2013-14 I decided that in order for me to stand out, I have to go back to my roots and I was trying to figure out what was going make me stand out and all I could think about was going back and playing music from my country.

DSRPT:How do you want to affect the world?

BP:I look at myself as the African Music Ambassador. It’s not only music. I have a brand called Afrobeats to the World. My goal is to push African music to the world.


DSRPT:How do you see the future of African music in America, and what potential changes do you anticipate in its influence and reception?

BP:African music has been around for along time.  But I feel like now the world is getting to know more about African music.