1 Oct, 2009

Wanlov the Kubulor live @ Slave Church

WANLOV THE KUBOLOR

With: AARON BEBE SUKURA (seperewa, xylophone); ERIC OWUSU (percussion); AGBEKO GIDI (gome); AYUUNGU ATAMBIRE (kolgo); JOHN KENNEDY NTUMY (trumpet); WANLOV THE KUBOLOR (voice, koshka, frikyiwa)

WHERE/ WHEN: Slave Church (Thurs Oct 1, from 7pm); Slave Church (Sat Oct 3, from 7pm)

On his return to Accra after a seven-year stay in the US, the former computer science student turned musician, Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu, started a label which injected new creativity into a stagnant hiplife scene and appointed himself as spokesperson for the city's downtrodden - Wanlov the Kubolor. In Accra's parlance a Kubolor is a rascal or truant; one who does not appear to be under parental control or guidance, always on some adventure like Kofi Babone.

On any given day in the Ghanaian capital, you're likely to see the barefooted, mud skirt clad Kubolor, alone or with fellow musicians, playing his two koshkas or his atenteben as his fans, young and old, follow-follow, dance and sing along. Not since Fela Kuti, had any African artist been able to combine popular appeal, social consciousness and musical experimentation so successfully. And like Fela, Wanlov creates present-tense music which blends Pidgin rap with Ghanian folk music. With added myspaceness and great facebookality.

Selected Recordings: Green Card (Pidgen Music, 2007)