– What inspired you to write “Mamalé”, and what message do you hope listeners take away from the song?

I was inspired by my own story, growing with my mom, after my dad past away , I wanted to celebrate all the moms , because they are the back bone of each families . Being a dad today, I wanted show in this song particularily in the clip video , how important it is for a kid to a father figure in his life. The message shared is  positivity, love and that , We should cherish life and the people around us . 

– Your music seamlessly blends different influences. Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how different genres have shaped your sound?

I was influenced by Afrobeat growing up in Africa, my dad love s Fella Kuti , when we moved to Canada I discovered soul , Rn’b , gospel with folk music  , growing up listening to artist like  Steve wonder , Boyz to men , Éric Clapton and singing in a gospel choir had a big influence in my music and shaped it definitely! 

– How does it feel to see your music resonate with listeners around the world, and what do you think sets this track apart from your previous work?

I’m humble and amazed, let’s say that English is not my daily language meaning that I’m surrended by French speaking language, I decided to write in English and that  gave me more possibilities and allow my music to travel to more places that I could have never imagine 

The post Get To Know Olivier Cheuwa appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

So, as we celebrate Kwanzaa and focus on the seven principles, let’s remember to patronize black businesses – seven days a week!

Day 1

Umoja (Unity)
Let’s strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race, by encouraging all of our friends and loved ones to support black businesses.

Day 2

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Let’s define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak up for ourselves to ensure that everyone we know is familiar with the power of black business.

Day 3

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Let’s build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and work to solve them together.

Day 4

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Let’s build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses, using them as a medium to promote growth, and to profit/benefit from them together.

Day 5

Nia (Purpose)
Let’s make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to traditional greatness.

Day 6

Kuumba (Creativity)
Let’s always do as much as we can to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to support black business, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7

Imani (Faith)
Let’s believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle to keep black businesses in the black!

Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture.  During this holiday season, let’s take time to support black businesses and celebrate all that we mean to each other.  We will then have a brighter future for us and generations to come!

The post Happy Kwanzaa appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.