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Ben
was born at Enugu, Nigeria
His
music and early life were shaped by his experiences as a boy
soldier, shouldering a kalashnikov at 15 as his country was
torn by civil war, sitting as a refugee in village squares
in a moonlit night and just playing
Later
appearances in South Africa with Nelson Mandela and Desmond
Tutu and involvement in peace and justice initiatives followed,
his songs reflecting a heart felt plea for justice, truth
and love
His
earliest memories of music go back to live street performances
(mainly of percussive instruments, very loud music blasted
from speakers mounted on vans- especially in market places,
street dancers etc..) and W / African Hi-life music (a kind
of genetic folk rock)
His
musical influences are largely shaped by his mother who listened
to largely Miriam Makeba
Church
music also featured strongly in his upbringing
These
influences are coupled with the likes of James Brown, Jimmy
Cliff, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Fela Kuti and inevitably The
Wailers
Music
was a way Ben passed the time during the civil war in Nigeria
His
songs are in the melodies of spirit and life
Trying
to deal with whatever truths make them both work together
Ben
moved to Europe in the 1980’s and settled in the Midlands
He
released two albums within a short period of time
"Nkiru"
[meaning freedom] and "Generation", both produced by Bob Lamb
of early UB40 fame, sold a modest 3000 copies each in the
UK with minimum press and publicity
The
American market was more receptive with 25,000 of each album
sold until the demise of the small independent label responsible
for distributing the material
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Bob
Marley once wrote "he who knows it feels it".
It’s
fitting then that the best person to talk about the futility of
war is someone who has experienced it first-hand.
At
the age of 13 Ben Okafor served as a boy soldier in the Biafra army
during the Nigerian civil war, seeing his family displaced before
the path of advancing forces, and much of what they had worked for
disappearing before their eyes.
At
a time when many are asking "where are the protest songs?"
Ben has written a song in the best tradition of reggae music to
reflect on the current world situation.
"Reggae
isn't so much a style", says Ben, "as a people, a culture, an attitude.
"With
it’s origins in slavery, oppression and injustice it’s also a powerful
vehicle for reflecting on the current world situation".
Released
in the UK on 24th March Ben’s single, "thing with war", calls us
to remember our common humanity:
"..thing
with war
Is not only the fact that we keep
From thinking "nobody wins"
As with each victim
We are to blame
For how we choose to defend our human ways"
Bringing African folk music, reggae, ska and a little jazz is
not only natural and inviting to me, it is also extremely cool
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| Ben
Okafor |
The
music of Ben Okafor moves effortlessly between the best of African
reggae with its rich lyrical heritage, classic folk protest songs
in the vein of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song and driving reggae beats
betraying the early influence of Peter Tosh, the Wailers, and Marley
himself.
Ben
explains his motivation for music making:
"I
am excited by freedom to move reggae music into places where it
really has no restrictions.
"I
have been in love with it from my youth and want to make contribution
that further opens it up to, maybe, more and more spheres.
"Bringing
African folk music, reggae, ska and a little jazz is not only natural
and inviting to me, it is also extremely cool.
"This
is where I am taking my music and it fills me with excitement."
Ben Okafor.
Ben’s
third and latest album is called Coffee With Lazarus.
The
album sees reggae music moving into places where there are no restrictions,
with some African Folk, ska and a little jazz thrown into the equation.
Ben
Okafor sings with passion on this deeply personal and conscious
album, drawing on political issues to songs more closely to his
heart.
Recorded
in Woodstock, New York, and produced by Harvey Jones [whose recent
work includes Donna Lewis] this represents some of Ben’s strongest
material to date and introduces a definite transatlantic feel into
his strong base of African reggae.
A prolific
live performer, Ben has toured in The States, Nigeria, Denmark,
Sweden and South Africa.
To
try and win a copy of Ben's latest CD "Breakfast with Lazarus"
submit the answer to the following question to the form below.
What
does "Nkiru" mean?
| ENTRY
FORM |
| Your
personal information will only be used by the BBC for the purposes
of administering this competition. Forms must be received by
midnight, Friday 28th March 2003. Entrants can be of any age
but must have permission of a parent if under the age of 16.
Please read the rest of the competition rules before you enter. |
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