Lemi Fights the Power

Fresh Summer 2010 news about Lemi’s work: Punch Records have put up a free exhibition called Fight the Power centred around the theme of PROTEST, be it about global pressing themes such as corporate exploitation, capitalist brainwashing and the environment or small things affecting each other’s life such as  prices going up or rubbish customer services from your broadband provider… the point is: say something about it, protest! And Lemi’s work fits in perfectly with the theme as it protests against colonial domination raising awareness of racial and social issues in Africa… so make sure you visit the interactive exhibition at the Zellig Eastside in the Custard Factory, Birmingham where you get the chance to make YOUR own protest and click here to see some more pics from the spot.

Also, click here to watch a video of Ammo from Punch Records taking us around the exhibition and giving some more info about the artworks and the aim of the exhibition.

Upcoming Nigeria50 events

To take it statistically, one out of four Africans is Nigerian. Also, Nigeria is the 8th most populous country in the world. And when it comes to its inhabitants, it might be interesting to know that more than 20 % of the total Black population lives in Nigeria, which makes it one of the most representative countries for African culture.
Where there’s man (and there are 148 million souls in Nigeria! ), there’s a place to find art, as it is a marker of man’s presence. Thus, Nigeria, comprising almost 250 ethnical groups with their own languages and customs, of which the largest are Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo, offers us a space to explore artistic and cultural diversity in its utmost richness, exotism and irresistible attraction to ‘roots’ culture. By the predictions of the United Nations, Nigeria will be one of the countries that will account for most of the world’s population increase by 2050, so Nigeria 50 is a project which offers you the opportunity to delve into the creative spirit and mentality of a quickly expanding and developing nation. Nigeria 50 is a cultural event, bringing the best of Nigerian culture – passionate, political, shocking and sexy – to fresh and eager audiences worldwide.

For the very first time the fruits of five decades of music, art, fashion, writing and style from Africa’s most exciting nation will be on tour together with twenty venues are already confirmed, in cities all across the UK and also in international locations as diverse as New York, Tokyo, Paris, Cape Town and of course Lagos, where it all began. Nigeria 50 is modelled on Fela Kuti’s super groups, Africa 70 and Egypt 80, that gave birth to the Afrobeat phenomenon, featuring performances and tributes by many of the greatest international legends in Afrobeat history. These will include Dele Sosismi, Tony Allen and Wunmi. This unique tour of superstars will be accompanied the smash hit exhibition of Nigerian album images – “Art’s Own Kind” by Lemi Ghariokwu.

For more information check out the Punch website !

Afrobeat and the Art of Lemi Ghariokwu Wahala Show

Here is the Wahala show edition which focuses on Afrobeat and the Art of Lemi Ghariokwu, filmed on location at Rich Mix during the first days of the Art’s Own Kind exhibition! Click HERE to watch the show.

WAHALA went down the RICH MIX in East London to investigate and capture the raw energy of this amaizing gathering of world-class AFRO talent in London: We meet and greet musicians Dele Sosimi, Philladelphia DJ Rich Medina, recording artist/singer/dancer Wunmi and legendary artist Ghariokwu Lemi and drummer extrordinaire Tony Allen. The event was organised by PUNCH RECORDS. A Birmingham based organisation pushing the boundaries of black culture in the UK.

voxafrica.com