Obase-Aboli pursues African unity through music
Obase-Aboli is a Ghana-based Cameroonian and his collection of songs reflects his desire to see the continent unite more solidly for the benefit of her people.
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According to the artiste, the release is timed to be part of this year’s AU Day celebration which has the theme – ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage:Levers for Building the Africa We Want.’
The word ‘Ujhasuma’ was coined by the musician using a number of African socialist policies including Ubuntu (Humanity)-South Africa;Ujamaa (Familyhood)- Tanzania; Harambee (Togetherness) –Kenya; Akwaaba (Welcome)-Ghana and Mbangsuma (Solidarity) –Cameroon.
So the album is in reality a tour around Africa as Obase-Aboli sings in different African languages and invokes African ideas worth tapping for the overall good of the continent.
Tracks in the collection include Elaka Oboso (Move On), Banaba Africa (Children of Africa), Leh Le Mbo Ndem (Tell The Supreme) and Africa.
“What I have done, generally is to pay homage to the rich rhythmic heritage of Africa. My passion is to create something long-lasting for the world,” Obase-Aboli says. “We have so much in terms of music and we can conquer the world when we properly project what’s ours.”
Obase-Aboli’s main instrument is the xylophone though he plays a variety of others.
He is keen to help dispel the notion that the xylophone fits well only in a traditional African context.
To him, the instrument has a big part to play in contemporary African and other styles of music from across the world.
The musician says shows to launch the album have been pushed to November due to uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic at the moment.
The Ujhasuma Africa album will be available on several digital platforms including Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, Napster and Itunes Store after the release.