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African Cup of Nations Music: Gabon Gets An Anthem

by Miriti Murungi

The 2012 African Cup of Nations (ACON) is about to jump off in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in roughly 24 hours. I don’t know what to expect on the field so I won’t make any predictions. I mean I could take a couple of swings but does anyone really know what to expect out of the opening match between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Libya? We could be in for a tremendous spectacle with both sides having something to play for -- the hosts playing for pride on home soil, versus Libya playing for a nation that has recently gone through some, shall we say, explosive times. (more…)

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Culture

Didier Drogba and Magic System Hit the Airwaves

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Didier Drogba joins his buddies from Magic System once again. This time the guys take it to the Skyrock studios in Paris. If you can’t get enough of this, try on the full Magic System video featuring Drogba and his Ivorian teammates. You are sure to recognize a few faces. (more…)

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Culture

Thinking Outside the Box with Aloe Blacc

by Miriti Murungi

More MLS lessons. Thinking outside the box can create something beautiful. Watch what Aloe Blacc does to Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean.

And then the more up tempo version of I Need a Dollar: (more…)

Culture | Music
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Culture

The Mos Def Swagger — “World Premiere”

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Who doesn’t spend time pondering how MLS should feel? I’m thinking that it should be something like this. A bit of soulful swag. And what a classy mic. (more…)

Culture | Music
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Culture

Evolution of Style: Jay-Z and the Parallels Between Music and Soccer

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Close your eyes and imagine Jay-Z is talking about soccer. Well, you can open them if you want to watch the video too, but open your mind to the parallels between the journeys of musicians and soccer players …

Culture | Music
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Culture

Global Music Inspiration: Sway’s “Black Stars” Represents Ghanaian Football

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Getting back to the music, I thought I’d take you to a bit of an oldie (erm, 2008) but goodie.

Sway, a British rapper of Ghanaian background (who has previously collaborated with Liverpool’s Ryan Babel and Babel’s protégé, Perry Mystique), put together this ode to Ghana called “Black Stars.”

It’s always nice to see an artist give a shout out to his/her home. As you’ll quickly see, “Black Stars” is an anthem giving it up to all that is Ghanaian, from Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, to actors, MPs, and, of course, footballers. (more…)

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Culture

World Cup 2010 Rewind: No One Does Pre-Game Like Bafana Bafana

by Miriti Murungi

I’ve said it before. Bafana Bafana’s pre-game might just be the most entertaining in sport outside of the New Zealand All Blacks absolutely terrifying haka.

You may have witnessed Bafana Bafana singing and dancing coming out of the tunnel for the opening World Cup match against Mexico. But you should know, that wasn’t a one time thing. Their song and dance is rooted in Zulu cultural expressions that have stood the test of time, and in many ways have transcended culture in the same way that the Haka has become more than a Maori war dance.

Since we’re on the topic, instead of getting nostalgic looking at videos I’ve already seen, why don’t I just share a few moments from Bafana Bafana pre-game festivities that I love watching. (more…)

Culture | Music
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Culture

The Asamoah Gyan Dance: Origins Revealed

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

It’s possible that Asamoah Gyan’s stellar performances in his first Premier League season have been overshadowed by Bolo Zenden’s equally impressive old man dancing. But all of you can rest assured that Bolo won’t be stealing Gyan’s spotlight forever. Why? Because Gyan is just too talented.

In the African game, success on the field inevitably intersects with the music industry. Benni McCarthy, Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Eboue and others know that when you make it big, you have to be in a music video. Gyan, under his stage name, Baby Jet, now has the video under his belt, which I believe automatically puts you in the running for African Player of the Year. (more…)

Culture | Music
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Culture

American Soccer Music 2.0: From All Fours to Upright

by Miriti Murungi

“USA! USA! USA!”

Yes, I get it. You’re American. Me too.

That’s where we started. Armed with knowledge of our country of residence and an ability to abbreviate, we launched the USA chant on unsuspecting eardrums. Unsure of what else to say, other than perhaps, “Ref, you suck,” or other expletive-ridden versions like, “Ref you [insert expletive] suck,” we pushed the USA chant to its limits, alternating between stiff chants and Jersey Shore-esque fist pumping while repeating the same three letters over and over again. And I’m glad we did it, lest we be confused with our neighbors to the north. You know, the ones with the socialized medicine. (more…)

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Culture

Shakira’s Remake of “Waka Waka” Hurts My Soul

by Miriti Murungi

I’m sure by now many of you have heard Shakira’s “Waka Waka”, a white-washed remake of an old Cameroonian song by Zangalewa masquerading as a World Cup anthem. As I’ve heard Shakira’s version throughout the tournament, I’ve been quite confident that puppies somewhere have been dying. And then something odd happened. I started humming “Waka Waka” everywhere and I’ve been hating myself ever since. (more…)

Culture | Music
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John _in_VA: Miriti, I loved your article. You are an excellent writer. Many US soccer fans wonder how a country as...
Mark Stevens: It’ would be prudent to note that the translation of “calcio e’ un...
Bob: An excellent, thoughful piece. As referenced, it is fair to both want increased Hispanic (and African American)...
Jen: Thank you so much for the answer. We are near Pittsburgh, and he does play on a travel team and cup team, which...
dreamingpixel: “Debussy – Claire de Lune”.. amazing work

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