Yes We Can: Songs About Leaving Africa

Out Here presents a compilation of 15 artists from modern Africa and the Diaspora who share their perspective on migration. The CD starts with "(Still On A) Money Talk" by Nigerian rapper Rapturous from Berlin who intones "Gimme the glitz, the glamour, the fame, the fortune, that euro, that dollar, that Dolce & Gabbana" dreaming of what it could be like "if I follow my dreams." Senegalese hip-hop stars Daara J Family are present with the exclusive track "Unite 75," named after the 75 Cfa that a phone call to Europe costs in Senegal. It addresses a problem many immigrants face: the pressure to send money back home, money they often do not have. Another well-known Senegalese rapper, Matador, talks about the growing alienation the youth feel towards their home country Senegal: "The youth protest, kids organize a petition. The police catch them and beat them till they're silent - if they don't smoke ganja or drink wine, I don't know what they'll do to forget the pain." The freestyle rappers of CAPSI Revolution, also from Dakar, are even more cynical: "Illegal immigration - I know that you're destroying my continent, you empty us of the best people, to feed the depths of the Atlantic." In "Green Card" Wanlov from Ghana talks about getting to the USA by marrying an older white woman from Texas. Martin Pecheur from Cameroon sheds light on another perspective behind migration: he is infected by the "virus des sapeurs," a movement originally from the Congo that worships western designer clothes. Celebrating one's riches is also in the heart of the Coupe Decale movement from the Ivory Coast that has brought Africa a dance craze which consists of displaying the designer clothes acquired in Europe. Coupe Decale is represented here by one of the stars of the movement: Kedjevara. Ize from Cape Verde sings about going home for a different reason: he feels homesick in Paris and wants to go back to his home country to party with a funana dance. These 15 songs (containing 12 previously-unreleased tracks) reflect some of the many different perspectives on migration. Each one tells a different story that is confusing and complex, but one that is ultimately shared by many Africans all over the world. Includes a 24-page booklet with full-color photos and extensive notes about each artist.