We Speak Music

Africa Oyé Festival returns to Sefton Park, Liverpool on 22nd & 23rd June 2024!

Published

6 months ago

June 7, 2024

Don Reed

The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture will take place at Sefton Park in Liverpool this June with a stellar line-up of live music, DJs, workshops and more.

On 22nd and 23rd June 2024, Africa Oyé will take over one of the region’s most picturesque green spaces in what has become a Liverpool institution since its humble beginnings as a series of city centre gigs in 1992.

Headlining the live music offering this year are Julian Marley – Grammy Award-winning son of Bob – with his band The Uprising, and the creative feminine force of Les Amazones d’Afrique.

Julian Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Lucy Pounder. Growing up as a youth in a musical atmosphere, the singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian quickly adopted a musical lifestyle and at an early age became a skillful, self-taught musician mastering bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. In 2024 Julian won the Grammy Award for the ‘Best Reggae Album’, with his 2023 record ‘Colors of Royal’, making it the14th Grammy win for the Marley family.

Les Amazones d’Afrique is a creative force formed in Bamako, Mali, in 2014 by three Malian music stars and social change activists, Mamani Kéta, Mariam Doumbia and Oumou Sangaré [who headlined Africa Oyé in 2022]. The collective has since expanded to involve many female artists from across Africa and the diaspora, including Angélique Kidjo, Nneka and rising Malian star Rokia Koné. While their cause, campaigning for gender equality and eradicating ancestral violence, is worthy enough in itself, their musical creative expression is equally powerful.

Also featuring on the Main Stage are, Senegalese electronic duo, Def MaMa Def; Tanzanian folk-fusion pioneers, The Zawose Queens; eco-friendly punks, Fulu Miziki, Ghanaian frafra gospel star, Florence Adooni; Afro-Canadian hip hop outfit, Super Duty Tough Work; Congolese rumba royalty, Nyboma; Haitian multilingual poet and MC, Vox Sambou; and West African griot, Batch Gueye.

In addition, young artists from Liverpool will kick off the daily live entertainment as part of Oyé’s ‘Introduces’ and ‘Community’ programmes. Launched in 2015, ‘Oyé Introduces’ sees local artists open the musical programme on both days of the festival – following community performances by cultural organisations from across the city region – giving some of the area’s brightest young talent the chance to share the stage with international stars.

Angolan rapper and songwriter Yilly Ruel and his band Rax Vibes performs a unique fusion of Hip Hop/Rap and Angolan rhythms, captivating audiences with his exhilarating sound, whilst Fraya Ofoeme is an aspiring singer-songwriter who has been singing since she was 4 years old.

For full line up and full details visit- www.africaoye.com

We Speak Music

From the Block to the Billboard: Kir’s Transformational Story

Published

6 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Yahne' Jackson

Today we are talking about standout stories, there’s no story more inspirational than that of Philly artist; Kir. You may recognize his motto and brand #LONGLIVEBRAND & #DABRAND. From humble beginnings on the block to lighting up the Billboard charts, Kir’s transformational journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Rapper & label owner, Kir has performed at shows with Lil Uzi, Meek Mill, Torey Lanez as well as festivals that included Rod Wave, Money bagg Yo and more! Born and raised in a neighborhood where dreams often get overshadowed by the harsh realities of life, Kir always had a spark of talent that set him apart. His early days were spent freestyling on street corners, where his raw and authentic lyrics began to capture the attention of his peers. As stated in one of his most recent uploads Big Facts Ft Yaya Flawless (Philly rapper and tv personality), “I’m out here giving them facts.” What started as a way to express himself and cope with his surroundings quickly became a passionate pursuit of a career in music. Kir’s relentless drive and unwavering belief in his craft pushed him to keep creating, even when the odds seemed stacked against him in ways he never wanted to imagine.

His breakthrough came when he decided to take a leap of faith and share his music on social media platforms. Many people caught on when he dropped “In Due Time” now standing with over a million organic streams and even more YouTube views. With each upload, his following grew, and his unique sound resonated with listeners far beyond his block. Kir’s authenticity and relatability struck extreme interest with fans, earning him a dedicated fanbase that believed in his potential. It wasn’t long before his tracks started gaining traction, and the industry began to take notice. Record labels reached out, collaborations were proposed, and Kir realized that his dream was turning into reality.

Today, Kir is not just another Philly artist but a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. His songs, which reflect his journey and the struggles he has overcome, have made their way to the Billboard charts, a testament to his talent and perseverance. But more than the fame and the accolades, Kir remains grounded, using his platform to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter where they start. His story from the block to the Billboard is a powerful reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of faith, anything is possible.

Make sure you keep an eye and ear on this artist as he’s moving fast and creating music that we need to hear more of. Whether you see him driving foreign cars or performing his dad duties just know that his music and story is always in the mix and growing. As Kir says “You can’t stop what’s already written for you.” Check out Kir on social media and all streaming platforms — especially YouTube.

Day 1’s may remember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8Fd3d4v-E&list=OLAK5uy_nv5dLMYmLI6d3u092BIp7DoOH_8A6Ce6k

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