Fête de la Musique — World Music Day

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-By Aisha Sambo

Aworld without music would have no meaning to many, as music gives flight to imagination and self-expression, and we have African culture to thank a lot for its contribution to music. From being a young child listening to nursery rhyme and folk songs to being older and discovering trap music or highlife, the genres of music are enjoyed and listened to by many all over the world. So as June 21st marks World Music Day, we take a look at the origins of the day and its journey so far in shaping African music.

Also known as Fête de la Musique, World Music day spotlights the significance of music in our respective cultures. It originated in France and was first held in Paris on the 21st of June, 1982, with thousands of citizens across France coming out to play and listen to music. This day is also known to be the longest day of the year. In October of 1981, Jack Lang, Minister of Culture of France, appointed Maurice Fleuret as the Director of Music and Dance, and the two conceived a plan to bring out musicians to play together on the street of Paris the following year. In 1982, Maurice thought of bringing people out on the street when he discovered a study of the cultural habits of the French and it stated that one young person out of two, played a musical instrument. Ever since, Fête de la musique became an international phenomenon, celebrated on the same day in more than 700 cities in 120 countries, including the United States, Germany, Canada, India, Italy, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and Japan, including Nigeria. The day is used to promote music in two ways, first to encourage amateur and professional musicians to perform in the streets, and secondly so that many free concerts are organised, and all genres of music are made accessible to the public.

As they said, “music is the food of the soul”. That simply explains the reason why despite the lockdowns and restrictions on gathering, music keeps on playing globally. Unlike in the past when music was limited through the mode of listening, now with technology advancements, music is more accessible. Showgear and its affiliated partners in Nigeria had plans for the 2020 world music day, they announced the schedule of events for MAKE MUSIC LAGOS 2020 as part of the buildup to the upcoming celebrations. Make Music Lagos, which is now in its 5th year of existence, is going to be exclusively online for the first time following the restrictions on large public gatherings by the Lagos State Government. The Make Music Lagos 2020 organisers have also announced that they will be launching the ‘COVID Took My Job’ initiative to provide support to selected industry professionals whose livelihoods have been adversely affected as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s difficult not to acknowledge the influence of African music on a global scale as so many genres are being infused together to create new ones. Many genres of popular music like blues, jazz, afrobeats, salsa, and rumba derive from the influence of musical traditions from Africa, taken to the Americas by enslaved Africans. These rhythms and sounds have subsequently been adapted by newer genres like rock, and rhythm and blues. Recently a huge debate erupted on Twitter about the heritage of Beethoven, one of the greatest composer’s of all time. The theory floating around on the Internet questioned if Ludwig van Beethoven was black – and it turned out the debate had been alive for nearly a century. Since the controversy started last week, pictures and names of countless other brilliant black composers such as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – have been brought to the world’s attention. An argument I found interesting suggested that Beethoven’s music is heavily influenced by Moorish or North African heritage. Beethoven’s use of rhythm and dynamics was new to western music and his emphasis was often put off the beat. Characteristics of his music have been used to prove that Beethoven was black, that he was influenced by the music of Africa. To a degree it may be true, but such a bold claim may take the argument too far.

Since the 17th century, Africa has played a huge role in shaping music all over the world and African music is as diverse as the topography of the land, Africa comprises of thousands of different styles of music, but many “experts” of regional music tend to separate African music into two distinct groups: North African Music which is strongly Arabic and Islamic in nature, and Black African music or that which is centralised in the West, Central and Sub Saharan regions of Africa. Music has travelled so far and is continuously evolving, Music does not exist in a vacuum as we continuously influence each other through music. Salute to the many ways of art and music – both making and enjoying it – brings people together with the power to heal, connect and inspire, we need music now more than ever.

From personal experience working at live shows and developing concepts for artists, the best of artists are truly the ones who are open to learn and unlearn, the ones who can afford to share their inner most feelings and thoughts, the ones that respond to current events and situations in there lives. These have been, and will continue to be the outliners of great Music. Fela once said “I must find my identity in Africa and then I will find myself” and in recognising and searching for music from the past, we are beginning to appreciate and recognise what Africans did for music and their contributions to many successes for songwriters, music producers and performing and recording artists around the world.

HAPPY WORLD MUSIC DAY
This article is dedicated to The Rainmaker Majekodunmi Fasheke AKA Majek Fashek, Nigeria singer-songwriter and guitarist, who died on the 1st of June 2020.