Lack Of Black Aritsts

mark · Mary of the 4th Form

Lack Of Black Aritsts

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I saw that. There have been accusations of racism. I seem to remember for Band Aid II there were numerous black artists. It must be just down to who happens to be available/willing to take part. No-one could accuse Bob of being racist! Maybe some black artists will come forward now to perform, but I think most of it must have been organised by now?

mark · Mary of the 4th Form

Jules wrote:

I saw that. There have been accusations of racism. I seem to remember for Band Aid II there were numerous black artists. It must be just down to who happens to be available/willing to take part. No-one could accuse Bob of being racist! Maybe some black artists will come forward now to perform, but I think most of it must have been organised by now?

Must make it clear that I wasn't accusing Sir Bob or anyone organising the gig for being racist.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

No not you, it was in the papers! Here is Bob's defence ...

http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,15516754-7484,00.html

oeokosko · House on Fire

Jules wrote:

No not you, it was in the papers! Here is Bob's defence ... http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,15516754-7484,00.html

As I read this, bouncing along to the wonderful interweaving guitars of Bana Maquis, I am so depressed to continue reading these fob-offs by Geldof and his entourage.

Apparently these are his email addresses - geldof@msn.com and geldofinfo@msn.com - you can try mailing him on this topic. I think the incoming emails are filtered by someone, so Geldof may not get to read them all personally.

-- Edited by oeokosko at 14:10, 2005-06-05

motema2004 · Tonight

I was thinking about this topic all night. Maybe the idea was more like if people gave a benefit concert for, say, the recent Tsunami victims...would there be Indonesian musicians? So I am feeling it's a little condescending, or perhaps distant, another expression is "handout" as in "dole". I'll give him the benefit of a doubt & wait to see what comes next; maybe he didn't think this way & we are taking it wrong. I still want to add that African performers are what's needed, not talking just about skincolor--it's about the continent 2005 is the year.

techpunk · Lookin' After Number 1

dont really see the differences in people, between skin colours: havent for years.

this is about humanity, surely?

iluvbobgeldof · Never In A Million Years

does it matter what the skin colours of the artists performing are? The skin colour does not determine how good of a musician someone is. The ones chosen were chosen for their outstanding talents and the fact that they are known world-wide. If there were African artists like these than i am sure that they would have been included

rattus · She's So Modern

Geldof is a pragmatist and this is a political event. I think it would be patronising and misguided of him to insist on a line line up based on race/colour...an event of this magnitude demands the most popular, biggest selling artists on the planet in order to get the attention of a global audience, and they just happen to be all of his white rock star mates.

It's a sad situation but Youssou N'Dour, and Baaba Maal just won't get the numbers watching no matter how talented they are.

Personally I won't be watching the show, middle of the road entertainers like Coldplay, Elton John etc. are just not my cup of tea but I know that many millions will watch simply because these are the artists that they buy into.

iluvbobgeldof · Never In A Million Years

i agree entirely with you rattus, but i will definately be watching the concerts

dale40000 · Mary of the 4th Form

i totally agree with u 100%, there should be more black artists at this event, and even some music from african culture. this festival is just another excuse for a dull Indie Fest. the band line up is no boring and predictable.

meekus · Tonight

Snoop Dogg, Ms. Dynamite, Will Smith, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, and P Diddy will all be at Live 8. How, in any way, can you call the event planners - especially Bob Geldof - racists and biggots?

Are you guys ok?

motema2004 · Tonight

Some of us meant African artists from really Africa now, like Khaled, Rachid Taha, Lucky Dube, J.B. Mpiana, Mahotella Queens, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Oliver Mtukudzi, Affro-Muzika, Soukous Stars, Habib Koite, King Sunny Ade, Africando, Ihashi Elinhlophe, Soukous Koumbele (each city of Live8 also has some of their own local residents who are African), like that, since the shows are for Africa--not the entire venues to be African but just at least have SOME Africans.

-- Edited by motema2004 at 15:44, 2005-06-11

meekus · Tonight

What is wrong with you people?

Not only is this issue completely trivial, but some of you somehow manage to make every other subject turn into the same issue.

Why is it that every one of these subjects somehow gets turned into the lack of African American artists?

How many people around the world honestly know all of the African bands you all mention?

How many people will care if they play or not?

How many people honestly feel that there is a true injustice by Bob Geldof not letting the true Africans play in something that will help them?

Only you people.

And if you didn't already know, Bob Geldof never reads these posts. So your insignificant matter will never reach the head hancho in charge. Quit complaining and watch the show. For cryin' out loud...

oeokosko · House on Fire

meekus wrote:

What is wrong with you people? Not only is this issue completely trivial, but some of you somehow manage to make every other subject turn into the same issue. Why is it that every one of these subjects somehow gets turned into the lack of African American artists? How many people around the world honestly know all of the African bands you all mention? How many people will care if they play or not? How many people honestly feel that there is a true injustice by Bob Geldof not letting the true Africans play in something that will help them? Only you people. And if you didn't already know, Bob Geldof never reads these posts. So your insignificant matter will never reach the head hancho in charge. Quit complaining and watch the show. For cryin' out loud...

African, not African American in my case.

I think it merely shows how isolated Geldof has become from the music industry if all he could think of when setting up this project was to consult his contacts' book and come up with the same old tired formula - even though it is supposedly about generating awareness, rather than money this time. I hope a younger lot will take up the mantle and bring in some new ideas for the next event, presenting Africa in a positive light rather than just as a hopeless basket-case.

motema2004 · Tonight

Meekus, it's African not African American, the music's different;and also, it's not an entire show of Africans, just one or two per venue, for this worldwide event. Seems logical if the idea is to help Africa, one would expect to HEAR music from the place you're helping. If you don't like to hear it at the show, that's your opinion, but Sir Bob whether he reads this forum or not should be thinking about that, as the organizer!

meekus · Tonight

Correction:

Is is your opinion that Bob Geldof should be thinking about this. It's logical to you. Woo hoo! Maybe not to other people.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Youssou N'Dour is performing in London...

oeokosko · House on Fire

RE: Lack Of Black Aritsts

rattus · She's So Modern

Heres a different, albeit neo-con/rightwing, angle on this debate:

"In this epic clash between St Bob and DJ Andy, one recalls Henry Kissinger's observation on the Iran/Iraq war: it's a shame they both can't lose."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/06/07/do0702.xml

motema2004 · Tonight

Youssou N'dour evidently has a wonderful booking agent. Will he be the one African artist carrying the entire continent on his shoulders? Two more weeks to go. We'll see! Thanks, all, for your input.

oeokosko · House on Fire

rattus wrote:

Heres a different, albeit neo-con/rightwing, angle on this debate: "In this epic clash between St Bob and DJ Andy, one recalls Henry Kissinger's observation on the Iran/Iraq war: it's a shame they both can't lose." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/06/07/do0702.xml

I rarely go anywhere near the Daily Telegraph, and the sort of uninformed, smug poison exuded here for uninformed, smug readers is why.

"... the oldest stereotype of all - that say what you like about these darkies, but they've got the most marvellous sense of rhythm." These DARKIES? Sounds more like bigotry than stereotyping.

"The point is we all know Africa can produce wild, vibrant, exciting jungle rhythms." JUNGLE rhythms? I suppose he thinks people in Africa live in the trees.

"... but if the rude fieldhands break into something catchy enough when Andy Kershaw's passing ..." RUDE fieldhands? I suppose these are the ones who are not allowed into the trees.

Of course, the main thrust of the writer's piece was on how corrupt leaders are stopping Africans making money efficiently (by being more like 'us').

But for an informed view on what types of African music there are, and how they have developed in the last fifty or so years, we can all learn from the forthcoming BBC Four series African Rock 'n' Roll Years (also in this forum).

oeokosko · House on Fire

meekus wrote:

Correction: Is is your opinion that Bob Geldof should be thinking about this. It's logical to you. Woo hoo! Maybe not to other people.

Live 8 : the lack of Africa: http://froots.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=392

Live8 (part 1): http://www.charliegillett.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=752

Live8 (part 2): http://www.charliegillett.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=767

Live8: Africa Calling: http://www.charliegillett.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=808

Serguei · Like Clockwork

Why is it that every one of these subjects somehow gets turned into the lack of African American artists?

Meekus, although he is left-wing, stil thinks the way American think - as if other countries did not exist :)

For those Americans that don't know geography - black Africans are not those who live in Harlem. :)

They have their musicians in Africa too - not just in the USA or Europe. And those musicians if help to our markets could bring more money in royalties to their countries then any help Bob's Live8 can do. The problem is - they and those who take part in the concert are the competitors.

-- Edited by Serguei at 17:25, 2005-06-19

motema2004 · Tonight

African, not African AMERICAN. Obviously there will not be many African artists (one) and it's not going to change. Good wishes for the shows all the same, no hard feelings, OK?

motema2004 · Tonight

www.afropop.org is now announcing Live8. That's another informative site about African music.

meekus · Tonight

You taking my words out of context has everything to do with my political views...