User Comments

1. 

   7/31/08

   acousticguitarist

   This is crap.
   
   Africa has produced Salif Keita, King Sunny Ade, Ali Farka Toure, Geoffrey Oryema, Bassekou Kouyate, Angelique Kidjou....the list is so long.
   
   This is an insult to everyones intelligence and it is a clone of American music. A sad state of affairs really.
   
   The young man no doubt has a lot of talent but what else can you expect from the idol conglomerate that has little to do with music.
   
   I'd be embarrased to be associated with anything like that if I was an African of any type
   
   I would like to hear this person do HIS music, something that reflects who he is and not just be another product.

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2. 

   7/31/08

   gerri50

   I must say too that it wasn’t the best piece of work out there and when I first watched videos of his performances I kept on wondering how he managed to win. But, what is done is done and he has walked away with a good chunk of cash (in Zimbabwean terms) and a record deal that will make him a one hit wonder (if he is lucky).
   Surprising though there are number of people who think he is GREAT!!
   
   As for association I don’t mind being associated with that. It is no where near what my president has given the world.

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3. 

   7/31/08

   acousticguitarist

   association, i didn't really mean that in too bad a way. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I would be disappointed because it doesn't represent the culture.

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   1. 

      7/31/08

      gerri50

      Ahh, I get what you are saying. I know a number of Zimbabweans over here in NZ who if they had the chance to would not have watched the show because they were not signing - in the case of the Zimbabwean guy, Shona or Ndebele (the two main languages of Zimbabwe). Their argument would be they might as well carry on paying attention to what entertainment the west has to offer - if they are watching a African performing then they want them to keep it African.
4. 

   7/31/08

   acousticguitarist

   It is possible to take music of one culture and add your own spirit to it, to make it your own.
   
   A great example is Angelique Kidjou doing Jimi Hendrix's tune Voodoo Chile
   
   www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ACprQXFwI
   
   There are many ways to interpret music
   
   Jan Akkrman from Holland did a wonderful version of Rodriguez Concerto de Aranuez on electric guitar, Jim Hall the jazz player did a jazz version of the same tune.
   
   Music is a an expression of who we are

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5. 

   7/31/08

   gerri50

   I guess you are right.
   
   You can stay true to who you are and mix things up a little and make it into a masterpiece.

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