Music is A Language: My Experience in Ghana

Douglas with a copy of High Life Time 3

Ebo Tylor receiving an exemplary award

There's so much talent in Africa that I think if we had the right civilization to utilize it, there is no continent richer than this cradle of mankind. Two weeks ago I was privileged to attend ACCES conference organised by Music in Africa hosted in Accra Ghana. Chale (Ghanaian icebreaker term for Friend),there is music in this continent, and there's so much authenticity in West African bands that one can only admire. What is taking so long for the society to embrace art as a legit profession and a source of income? Why are we forcing ourselves to be aligned with the Western Style and  end up revamping the cliche of  'Starving artistes?' Right from the first performance on the night of 28th November 2019 by the legendary Ebo Tylor to the last night epic presentation of the Mokoomba band from Zimbabwe, I am still nursing the imaginations that this conference brought my way with the likes of FRA Band!

Yaa Yaa with the writer after a short interview

Yes, I mean it when I say nursing because consumption of works of art for me happens consciously unlike food where I delegate the duty to my enzymes and intestines. I could only but admire the high level of competence that was graced by great communication skills (non-verbal) among the players on stage.The drummer, guitarist, singer and/or the violinist knows exactly where to stop, start and continue! Without Music Sheets! Oh, that we would mimic this kind of collaboration, teamwork skills and trust in our endeavors as young Africans in the daily struggles for change in this continent. Wouldn't Africa be miles ahead?

As I observed the bands play, I imagined the hours of practice invested in the works. I wondered whether or not these young people have 8-5 jobs and doubted if that excellence can be achieved by occasional meetups where someone comes only at convenient times. Then it dawned on me that all these bands were international stars and that means a 'formal employment' might not be their cup of tea. They would be branded incompetent and lazy. These are people who have gone against all odds, and decided to work on their brands and it's no wonder they are shining. I hope you as my reader (not just musicians) are learning something about success.

Kyekyeku

During the day, there were a lot of workshops and seminars that at one point made me struggle with choosing what to participate in. When I mentioned above that the musicians play so well from memory and not sight reading, the point has nothing to do with them not valuing education. In the main hall was John Collins, a Ghanaian of British Decent and Kyekeku (Pronounced as Checheku), a renowned guitarist and a band leader enlightening us on the history of Music in Ghana. I have to confess that that was the first time I came across the term High Life Music. I was appalled by how a 'normal' guitarist can be so rich in history, understanding music theory and customizing it in the African context. I am more confident that Africa is rich! The discussion and the short presentation of the early music in the country was enticing enough for me to purchase the 600 page book (The most Expensive text I've ever bought) by John Collins entitled "HIGH LIFE TIMES."

A moment with Ghanaian Promoter, Katinkah

Partners such as Boom Play, Appraise music store helped enlighten us on the marketing strategy for musicians. Theirs was a general call that live streaming is a disruptive business technology that every musician needs to be aware of, if indeed they want to succeed commercially. When was the last time you bought a CD, or as a musician, how are the CD sales so far?

Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters, chale, I fell in love. I fell in love with Yaa Yaa's music! I have to confess that sometimes I feel that I am the odd one out. I get an invite to a big event (Well not so big as I am yet to be that famous here) and all artistes have come with playbacks which they sing along and act like DJs. You know, that feeling you get that you are the odd one out and since our audience is okay with that, your performance looks like one from Mars if not Pluto. As a string player, you play carefully because if your string
happens to snap, none of the artistes will come to your rescue. Wasn't it fun when this happened during the performances and the lead guitarist asked for a nother guitar while his was being tuned and trust me, except for music nerds like me, no one could notice.

Yaa Yaa on stage

YAA YAA(BertherBridget Kankam), comes on stage and introduces the percussion with her majestic art on the tom drum. I saw great energy especially when she psyches her team in dancing to the original compositions that everyone would join in regardless of whether or not you know the language. We had a chat the following day and something struck me. Well, not all, but for a few that I've met, when an artiste gets to perform in such a high end event, they at most have a minute for you, and sadly, it's normally, "Hi, I'm good!" I managed an interview with Yaa Yaa and there's so much wisdom that I will share in an exclusive post to come.

A group of guitarists and 
composers/producers consulting

 This post won't mean a thing if I don't talk about the respected legend Obrafour when it comes to rap music in Ghana. His original name is Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko.  Prior to his coming, we were in a workshop with producers. This was a continuation of the presentations each one of us was giving on our works. I got to showcase my piece on forgiveness which you can get by clicking on the link Msamaha This was termed as very emotional by the audience among whom was a lead HipHop Producer, Mr. Koffi. One can only wonder the power of music. That the mind can decipher a psychological piece even without words is just a miracle. That is when I got to learn a lot on film scoring that has been part of my desire for as long as I can remember. BY the way, some days to come I will be starring! Now, people were not ready to break for lunch lest they miss a seat to hear Obrafour. 

Time elapsed, entered a short man, with a hat covering clean but very dark long dreadlocks almost reaching his waist. The room became frighteningly silent and he began to talk. Now I am fond of writing the main points from speeches; it turned out I was going to be writing everything! With the release of yesterdays Wajinga Nyinyi by the Kenyan rapper King Kaka, now I know that RAP just means Rythmic African Poetry as defined by Obrafour.  Never had I heard a successful rapper speak in a humble manner, attributing his success to God and when asked how he manages to write epic pieces he said; 

I am a student of the Bible. My mother brought me up training me in the fear of the almighty God. I took that up. In my work, I reckon that I am speaking to families and so, dignity is important, I need to inspire generations (Paraphrase).

Douglas in ACCES studio on collaborations

This popped  open a section in my mind that was blocked years ago as I joined High School. I composed a lot of songs and some of them were pieces for rap. Sadly, none of them got an extra ear because the role models I'd have wanted to look upto were just profane. Either about sex, alcohol or drugs. If you are in Kenya, find out hip hop artists in Kenya around 2004 and beyond. Since then, I wouldn't listen to a Hip-hop piece until after campus but still, getting my hands on writing rap gave me chills. Maybe, it's time!
As always, making friends is a good thing to help one appreciate diversity. The show was over and I had friends back where I was staying. The names I remember( I am poor with names at first instances) are Maiu Pachamama and Ibrahim. Perhaps because they were my company at the beach. The photos below include them and a few others at the residence.

The writer at the Ghana
Academy of Arts and Sciences

 I am sure, those who know me have been wondering how I got there, because Ghana is miles away. My gratitude goes to Music In Africa for giving me the opportunity to participate and Prince Clause Fund for facilitating my travel and accommodation. Thank you for reading!

The writer is and artiste at and founder of Dowe Music &Arts as well as the pioneer of Art4Leadership.

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Take Off I

Lake Como at night

Como is a beautiful place. Well I know that's an understatement but what can one say? Normally, a city with many big buildings and substantial traffic is accustomed to noise, rowdiness leave a lone carelessness.  The same is not true about Como. The hills that surround Lake Como with their natural flora and fauna from which exude the God given fresh air demand calmness in return for the serenity they offer. And the people there have danced to the tune of mother nature. You will see trees around every building, including the famous Como Cathedral with it's incredible Gothic design. I'm told it was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Checkin in at Como City

Ladies and gentlemen, may I indulge you in this and other upcoming episodes of my journey to Italy attending the World Manufacturing Forum under sponsorship of Africa Innovation Leaders. I have been in this fellowship since last year and last month was the end that resulted in the above opportunity.

Lake Como from Cernobbio 

The forum took place in Cernobbio which is one of the towns around the lake. Right from the first speaker to the last in the Entrepreneurship session, the overriding theme was Collaboration. There was a constant reminder from everyone of them that if we are to succeed in the nex revolution, we must come and work together. Africa, Europe, Asia, America and the Arctic were all recognized as part of the globe that will neccesitate change. Stay tuned for some of the great quotes we got.

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WAKE UP! IT'S MORNING

Bishop TD Jakes Addressing Entrepreneurs 

“I hear people from outside talk about opportunities in Africa more than I hear Africans talk about opportunities in Africa…the globe today is ready for your Idea,”

NunuNtshingila, the Regional Director Facebook Africa pointed out this truth during SOAR AFRICA 2019 as she stood up to address enthusiastic entrepreneurs.

SOAR AFRICA is a platform for African Leaders to get peer mentorship, knowledge sharing and executive engagement that embraces servant leadership. 5^th-6^th September 2019 mark the inaugural dates for the event that has been the talk of the day at least by many in the country for the past one month. The event brought together admirable leaders not only in the business world but also from the Public as well as the Spiritual aspects of life. 

The main speaker being Bishop TD Jakes from the US, the audience were surely blessed by his colleagues of the day including Strive Masiyiwa, Joshua Oigara (KCB), Sylvia Mulinge(Safaricom PLC), CS Fred Matiang’I to mention but a few.

There had been a fuss all over the media about the charges to the event but some of us just chose to focus on the main thing, which was, “SOAR AFRICA.” I was not going to afford this summit but was positive that at least I could get some nuggets of wisdom even if it meant through leaked videos or the social media titbits. 

You can imagine the joy when I got a message to express interest in attending the summit through the YALI alumni email. KCB had decided to sponsor a few of us. That is one of the mails I normally respond to first, doing the necessary before asking questions. Doesn’t Steve Covey advocate for pro-activeness in his 7Habits of Highly Effective People?

Let’s just say I had to attend this no matter the circumstances. I had been down with a fever and I once thought about cancelling my travel plan but… Years ago I read a book with a title “THE PRINCESS WITHIN” by Sarah Jakes which made me admire the man, her husband. I looked forward to becoming a resilient husband, open and honest as well as God-fearing. 

So, when an opportunity comes to hear and see the man you read on paper and/or watched on electrons, what more can one ask? The fact that he is a man of God showing the world that business can be clean and money after all was meant to serve man and not the other way is inspirational and maybe for once…I had to pause because I think the statement needs its own sentence break.

For once, young Christians (and even believers of other religions) have evidence that being religious is not a license to foolishness and poverty as it is always shoved down our throats right from primary school by some who believe in nothing. 

According to TDJ, the success of a nation is like a table. The four legs are Entrepreneurship, Religion, Political Leadership and Technology. Knock any of them off and there you have a crisis. He advocates for an inclusive society where children, the youths and the elderly are part of the cake baking process.

I could see the passion he has for Kenya and the longings for the rising of the black continent. We danced to the beat led by the stamping of his foot encouraging Kenyans to start marketing their products.

“Success is no longer a local Idea…business is a brand. A brand is a promise…a promise is built on trust. Make it easier for people to trade with you…It is not about who’s next…find people who do what you can’t…collaborate…” 

A few months ago, during the National Youths and Devolution Summit, the speakers emphasized on the need for young people to advance from noise to voice. TDJ called on Kenyans to channel their energy into marketing their products because,

“We (outside Kenya) need your products, we need your music, your normal to us is amazing…the wind is right for your dream…wake up! Wake up Kenya, it’s morning!”

To sum up this write-up, my salutation goes to Joy Wachira, the founder of SOAR AFRICA for dreaming big and helping us get the motivation we needed to forge ahead. To KCB and the Yali Fraternity, one day books will be read as people overseas will be looking for the formula that made Africa arise, these titles shall be remembered.  Meanwhile, let me finish reading my copy of SOAR authored by Bishop TD Jakes. You can order it online at Amazon 

A section of young Entrepreneurs after the summit

Dear reader, thank you choosing to read this post under Art4Leadership with sponsorship of Dowe Music &Arts. We endeavor to highlight the positive change taking place in Africa as we rebuke the stench of evils that thwart her progress. Please stay tuned.

The writer has sole responsibility for the post.

Douglas Ogutu is a gifted 

musician and writer

 at Dowe Music & Arts

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A LETTER TO YOU

Retrieved from Pratisthamishra

RE: 14^TH FEBRUARY MEN CONFERENCE AFTERMATH

The above matter refers.

First, I render my apologies for not attending the men’s conference as I had a function dubbed “Touch A Soul” reaching out to children abandoned by some of you. I am writing to find out the outcome of that meeting. Days have gone since then and I submit to you that all is not well. We are headed south. We have left our place, fellow man.

I rarely watch TV but man, the news all over the place is not good. Fellow man, you take a woman out, enjoy the bliss, then when she notifies you of the new development; your phone loses network, your car develops engine problems, you get a new job in another city and you continue with your life? But why, why couldn’t bar this that if zipping up was a goal too far to reach?

I feel you man. Yours is a divorce case. Well, painful it was. However, those bundles of joy (I mean children) had nothing to do with you two before you started whispering sweet nothings, borrowing airtime for chats and meals at big hotels. They are missing you. The mother is busy covering up your absence with a flashy life style she can afford, thankfully for her unwavering determination. I hear them-children giggle with plastic joy, while the suppressed subconscious mind is screaming in my ears, “Could you be our daddy?” Man, where are you?

I am your daughter’s teacher. I am your son’s mentor. That's fine. But Man, you’re still alive and you are just there to let them see a father figure in me? Fellow man, when I read the episodes, watching the interviews with the children on celebrity status and I don’t see you even on the footnotes, it breaks my heart. That another man can access passwords to your daughter/sons’ phone at the tender age, you left him to be the one showing him/her what site to and/or not visit while you wine and dine doesn’t disturb you? Like for real, fellow man, we can do better. So, you are comfortable flipping through your memory, remembering 9 months after the notification a child was born and through the years you’ve never even talked…

I’m talking with you man. I know you pledged to be responsible. But the law leaned against you. Things are changing. Go back. Demonstrate you can. Your child needs you. Not your money, s/he needs your breath, the knowledge on how you keep calm even in drastic situations. Fellow man, I was hoping this was the content of the men’s conference in February. I think I was wrong. What did you dudes resolve?

My daughter is overseas. We (son and I) await her. When she comes, I will teach her. She won’t live by the phrase “What a man can do, a woman can do better…” what does that even mean? I will teach her to be the best of herself, compete with herself just like her brother is learning now. I will teach them both, that a man can not live without a woman and yes, a woman cannot live without a man. That it is fallacious to claim that, when one has a boss of the opposite gender, not to say a caretaker at home. “This world is full of double standards,” I will let them know. That when you educate a woman you have not educated the whole world, neither can one boast of having sound leadership by exalting a man alone. “Both you my son and daughter must be educated, trained, and mentored equally,” they will hear from me. That no one is weaker.

 Fellow man, well, I may not be present physically everyday due to my hustle: however, I want them to know that I am present.

Lastly, fellow man. I hope you join me in this pledge. I pledge to be a father when I become one. I pledge to be actively present. I pledge to let keep my child out of the quagmires of my relationship, wisely showing her why I had to choose the present life style. I pledge to be there and provide guidance, my child shall learn pertinent things first from me, not some other son of man. This I believe, is Art4Leadership

N/B: I am married and armed with the following truths:

Divorce doesn’t have to be drama.

Children should not suffer for my lifestyle.

I will do my best to keep it that way, but I am not immune to a break-up. It’s just by grace.

The opinions expressed in here are solely owned by the writer.

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FEEL THE BEAT: ART4LEADERSHIP "03

Our third edition was entitled MZALENDO which is a swahili word for "PATRIOT." It was a wonderful event bringing together young people over a conversation about Patriotism. We are grateful to our Speakers: Ms. Shikoh Kihika, the founder of Tribeless Youth and the NakuruYouth Bunge President Mr. Philip Ng’ok. The duo challenged the bright minds to take initiative realizing that the change Africa needs is within us.

The event started with a performance from Dowe Music Band with patriotic music from iconic legends like the late Oliver Mtukudzi. The audience would later on be treated to an own composition that left everyone pledging to stand for what is right and promote Nationhood.

During the panel discussion, Ms. Shikoh maintained that the youths need to read the constitution not only to demand for their rights but also to be able to fight for the less fortunate. In the same vein, Mr.Ng’ok called out for Servant Leadership attitude as well as the love for one another as Citizens.

A presentation from the youngest guitarist-Kyle stunned everyone and when asked how he managed to learn the instrument and could play effortlessly, he said, “Just feel the beat.” 

This in my own opinion is a great insight about life in general. One needs to study how systems work, in order to either fit in or course a change. Dear reader, do you want to bring about real transformation? You’ve got to do some study, listen, read and observe, in Kyle’s word, feel the beat!

Then came the opportunity hour! Various scholarship opportunities were broadcast with fellows and alumni sharing tips on how to make applications. Among other institutions represented were YALI RLC, Mandela Washington Fellowship (which is on course currently until 3^rd August 2019), Chevening which was represented by Mr. Stuart Kasozi from Uganda, Emerging Leaders Foundation represented by Anne Kinyua, Cohort 6 Alumnus. The Kenya National Library Services was represented by it’s ICT officer Mr. Joseck Olala who shared a number of authentic courses offered at the Library free of charge.

Now you know, you don’t want to miss the next event which will be announced here in due time. Stay tuned and be a good citizen or at lead, Mzalendo!

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Last week ended well with performance from Douglas, the CEO Dowe Music & Arts performing at the 2^nd Youth Symposium on Devolution. The conference dubbed, “Putting Youth at the Center of Devolution” saw young people from across Kenya and with diverse backgrounds learn a lot on matters governance.

 Ms. Caren Wakoli, the founder of Emerging Leaders Foundation emphasized the need for Kenyans to reconsider strengthening the family bond as a move towards sound leadership. She decried the erosion of morality in society and encouraged youths to go for value based systems rather than circumstantial decision making that influences Africa’s Constitutional Amendments.

Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, the CS for Devolution enlightened the youths about their rights within the counties and the country at large. He stressed the issue of citizens putting leaders on the spotlight with regards to the responsibility given during and after the elections.

All in all, it was a wonderful two day occasion with everyone pledging to move from just being sounding bells but being the real voice of change in a tag named: From Noise to Voice. The songs Say No To Poor Leadership and Carry On Africa graced the occasion leaving the participants with something to ponder. Here is what the event hosts talked about the performance. Authentic Music Appraised

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