RADIO SHRINE proposes a historical and a musical journey to explore all the paths that African culture has used to achieve its present richness and to realise that its past influence over the world’s cultures unites us rather than divides us. RADIO SHRINE considers a return to the roots and a historical perspective view of African culture.
Africa enslaved, colonized and later marginalized by a so-called independence, was in the forefront of worlds civilization - the Black Pharaohs who built the pyramids also thought the world great disciplines. Generation after generation Africans and Diaspora Africans through imposed education and religious systems, were forced to believe by its colonizers that their traditional ways of life were barbaric and uncivilized – a veritable “dark continent”.
However thanks to archaeology and science, plus the spirit of resistance of generations of Africans and Diaspora Africans aided by conscientious anti slavery and anti colonization citizens in the western hemisphere, Africa’s place as mother of Western civilization is more and more coming to light.
We would like to acknowledge the work of various generations of acclaimed or un-sung heroes the likes of Frederic Douglas, Toussaint Louveture, Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, MalcolmX, Martin Luther King, etc. Also In the 20th century, music became one of the most effective weapons used for the awakening of human conscience worldwide to the genocide committed and still being perpetrated towards Africans and their historical contribution towards today’s civilization. In this respect we can talk of the likes of Bob Marley, Burning Spear and many others.
Notably from the African continent, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was one of the major advocates of Africa’s contribution to world civilization. During his life time, he fought through his political actions and his music, against military dictatorship and colonial implantation in Africa. Hence RADIO SHRINE’s consecration of his works are the conduit-pipe to carry on where he stopped. Since the passing of this illustrious son of Africa, other artists have taken up the call notably: Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (Nigeria), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Ivory Coast), Antibalas (USA) and also young Hip-Hop groups from West Africa like Positive Black Soul (Senegal). RADIO SHRINE intends to highlight the messages of these groups and other frontline African and Diaspora African artists and writers in collaboration with interested organisations dedicated to bringing together various cultures taking queue from the African stand-point. To this end, RADIO SHRINE plans to propose catalogues of music, literary and audiovisual materials that will highlight Africa’s contribution to civilisation.
Finaly, as a former associate of Fela, I’m convinced that the highlight of Africa’s contribution towards world’s civilisation will help to bridge the clashes of today’s civilisation.
Permit me to add that it is not only passion for African values but with determination and conviction that I intend to see through this project for the pleasure of all.
Mabinuori Kayode IDOWU (aka ID)
COPYRIGHT RADIO SHRINE 2008
