Unapologetically Black But Won’t Tour In Africa

I am so sick and tired of us Africans blaming everyone else for our issues, everyone but us. I am over it.

Can we Africans just receive criticism without resorting to ” but but but black Americans do this and black Americans do that??” Most Westerners, black Americans included, are ignorant about Africa. I am not excusing the behavior but why are you bringing it up? Are you not capable of accepting criticism without resorting to the blame game?

I am African, born and bred, and Africans like to act as if black Americans owe them something when the curricula in the African educational system ironically pays very little attention to the slave trade. In fact, I learned more about the trans Atlantic slave trade when I studied abroad than I did in Africa. Ain’t that something? I grew up next to a slave port and I didn’t even know it was a slave port until I studied abroad. Most Africans are completely removed from our complicity in the slave trade. We simply do not care yet we have the audacity to have excessive expectations of diaspora blacks? Bye girl. Black Americans have their own culture and heritage. Yes, they are descendants from the motherland but they are NOT Africans. They do not owe you anything, so stop asking.

Also, let us not sit here and act like there are a plethora of places on the African continent with proper amenities to organize and host concerts of the magnitude as Beyonce’s. Let us not please. Again, I am born and bred in West Africa (Cameroon and naija). I am very well traveled in the region and I can literally count the number of venues that can support a large scale concert on one hand. Even the ones that do are poorly organized and you have to deal with shady organizers and poor security. I recently attended a show in Ivory Coast in a superb venue but the organization was a total mess.

Most of you on the internet who are always trying to come for anyone who is critical of Africans are usually African immigrants abroad or kids of African immigrants with your Western passports, utterly clueless about the realities in the motherland. Instead of blaming others, how about to you build YOUR community of Africans? Instead of worrying about Beyonce’s concert why not worry about the fact that YOU have never attended the concert of a local African artist in an African venue?

Let me ask the author of this article: How many African artists’ music have you LEGALLY purchased on itunes?? How many African artists have you financially supported? Worry about that good sis, and I am done. Africans exhaust the frick outta me I tell you.

END OF RANT!!

What is all this talk about “required pilgrimage” to Africa and African-Americans owe Africa nothing? I encourage a lot of you to brush up on your reading comprehension. The author of the essay spoke nothing of black artists NEEDING to go to Africa so their love for their blackness can be valid. What he is saying is that black artists and artists influenced by African culture should think about touring in African countries because #1, Africans are huge fans of certain western artists and would pay to see them, #2, they have the venues, safety parameters, and height of luxury to appease celebrities, and #3 if they love African culture so much and are influenced by it, why is it that there are no tour dates for Africa? Paying homage to whatever influences you is a nice thing to do (and artists do it often). It is not necessary, but is a suggestion. It isn’t also like these artists are not in demand – they are loved all over the globe. The problem is this disgusting stereotype that the whole of Africa is third-world and that is untrue. Another thing – if third-world is an issue, what the hell is wrong with performing for less money than you would make at Philips Arena in Atlanta? Is it seriously that much of an issue for a person who makes millions/billions? To the person who says doesn’t Africa has bigger problems to worry about, so you mean to say certain parts of the world dealing with certain issues aren’t allowed to want entertainment? I’m also annoyed at the comments about black American culture and black Americans, being apart from African culture and Africans. As a black American, I have a deep respect for the continent mainly because I am a descendant of the African people. It just pains me to see a lack of unity between all people of the African diaspora. Thanks to the writer of this essay for bringing up a much-ignored issue.

All African diaspora, scattered around the world, whether in the Americas or Europe carry that “rhythmic gene in our blood.” Yes, the soulfulness was birthed out of Africa but to lay claim that Africa has a monopoly on the musical genius of hip hop or rap is erroneous. The black American or African American has innovated the inherited musical gift to unparalleled levels and opened a space of opportunity for others to follow even Mother Africa.

Yet, on the same token, let’s not forget that African Americans as even Africans still have a negative perception of Africa due to the denigrating image perpetuated by white owned media outlets. This negative perception will dissuade many from coming to Africa.

A very good article. We agree that any artists ‘World Tour’ should not miss out the second largest continent in the world…For this to happen there are a few myths that need to be dispelled about Africa e.g. the food, wealth, poverty, safety, accommodation, music, politics etc..

Yes – Africa has huge concert venues that will take over 30 thousand people.
Yes – People in Africa will pay for concert ticket to see people they love and admire in concert.
Yes – Africa hosts some of the most expensive lavish hotels and restaurants than those in US & Europe.
Yes – Some of the African artists are paid more to do a concert in Africa than artists are paid for their shows in the US or Europe.
Yes – Some of the articles about Politics in Africa are actually ‘Politricks’ from the western media.
Yes – African Countries will treat you like royalty and ensure your safety throughout your visit.
Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Senegal and Ivory Coast are to name but a few African Countries that will welcome you with open arms.

We arrange for groups to visit Africa every year and to say ‘it changes you’ is an understatement. For an artists it must be hard to sing, write, speak or embrace a culture without experiencing it for oneself first. We have just returned from Africa after hosting a Reggae Festival, this included Artists who had never been to Africa before.

Unfortunately to encourage the diaspora to visit Africa is a very hard task because of the belief systems they have engrained, as stated previously mainly from western educational systems and the biased media. We will continue in our quest because we believe times will change and very soon. It will just take just a few to start coming and the rest will follow..

Can I ask why you’ve written this article as if you are African? You used “we” several times. You are British, no?

Marie Amon, these artists do not programme their own tours, their are sponsored, paid by political stooges to promote their financiers products & nothing for your eyes. If these millions you are clapping about were used to promote health, education, eradication of hunger in your neighborhood…believe you me these artists shall flock to Africa. Morality, how do you dance on your neighbor’s tomb!?!

Thanks for sharing Joel! Very well said.