Globalwize Radioshow #447

25/04/2024Listen To Another 'African Presence' Special With The African Music Archives' Artist in Residence 1key
 

Today, we are excited to present you with show #447 of WeltBeat host and selector Jean Trouillet's far-reaching Globalwize format, which happens to be another 'African Presence' special broadcast. Recorded in the Bali Bistro located on the campus of the Johannes-Gutenberg University in Mainz back in February, this edition of the Globalwize Radioshow was organized on the occasion of the retirement of Anna-Maria Brandstetter, who – among many other things – was in charge of the university's co-operation with the University of Kigali. The show features the African Music Archives' (AMA) latest 'Artist in Residence' Eric '1key' Ngangare. 

"1key is a multi-lingual hip-hop poet, spoken-word artist, blogger and advocate of Kigali’s blossoming live music scene. Born in 1981 to a Rwandese mother and Congolese father, 1key spent his earliest years in Goma, eastern DRC. After suffering the repercussions of the 1994 Rwandan genocide in the eastern DRC, 1key moved to Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, where he continued his secondary education, which he completed ‘back’ in Rwanda. After studying Food and Science Technology, he pursued a career in translating and advertising before establishing himself as an artist first in Kampala, now in Kigali."

As an Artist in Residence at AMA, 1key worked with recordings from the archives' vast collection and created a set with re-imagined songs from the vaults, which he presented live for the event in February. Before the performance, however, he sat down with PhD student Tom Simmert and AMA director Dr. Hauke Dorsch for an interview, sharing some stories of his past and giving insight into his musical background. You can now stream the full show exclusively via greedio on Mixcloud.

AUTHOR: Lev Nordstrom