Art Radio reflects on Africa

This week Art Radio reflects on Africa. We are creating the space to reflect on what Africa means today? using a compilation of work by some of our favourite African musicians.

Art Radio is a platform for sharing music and sound art. Listen and be inspired to create.

 

Art Radio Call for Content

 Art Radio is a platform for sharing music and sound art. The station is managed by dj afifa. This is a general call for content from artist. musicians, producers and interested persons. 

Music for Highways

Music for Highways is a project by dj afifa Here is a description of the project by dj afifa.

 

In Jamaica, road expansion and the creation of highways dominate the urban landscape. At least one person dies everyday in a road accident. Starting in 2015, new roadways have been created in the Barbican area, Constant Spring Road, Hagley Park Road and the Mandela Highway under the Major Infrastructure Development Project, (MIDP).

Whenever I use these roads I am constantly thinking about ways to improve the safety of the journey.

The new Mandela Highway for example "features construction of a 3.5-kilometre six-lane corridor with a two-lane overpass bridge, two new three-lane bridges, and a two-lane service road adjacent to the main roadway".

The design of the new roads has negatively affected my driving experience. On the Mandela Highway for example, I notice how exhausted I feel from the intense concentration it takes to drive along this 6 lane Highway. I usually use music to help me focus and enjoy driving. Once, I decided to listen to a talk programme instead of music and was surprised at how sleepy I began to feel. I immediately started to think about the importance of music for driving and wondered whether there was a “music for highways?”

I made a short video with Orandi Harris driving across a section of the Mandela Highway to find out about his driving experience and what he listens to while driving?

Here are some additional questions to think about

1. Do you listen to music while driving?
2. What music do you prefer to listen to while driving on Highways?
3. What songs would you recommend for driving on highways?

Additional Resources

Loop Jamaica- Jamaica's deadliest roads

Voice Notes and Sound Clips

Voice notes and sound clips is a soundscape produced by dj afifa. The is a 5:55 length composition of voice notes and sound clips collected by dj afifa featuring music by Sheibo Sekito


Voice notes and sound clips is the first in a series for the music and memory project by dj afifa. 

Listen to Voice notes and sound clips here 

Download voice notes and soundclips here 

Sound Culture University returns

Sounds of Life will relaunch the Sound Culture University at the Music Depot store in Half Way Tree, Kingston on Thursday October 4.

Sounds of Life has partnered with the Music Department at Music Depot to offer a 2 week Introduction to World music course.


Sound Culture University started as a series of public discussions and presentations in Emancipation Park. The first Sound Culture University was held on Friday May 6, 2011 at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston Jamaica.

The University focuses on understanding the relationship between music, society and culture. The gathering provides an alternative space for music lovers, artist, producers, and musicians, to engage in music, share ideas, and gain new perspective.

Previous sessions of the Sound Culture University have included:

• The Musician as Artist 
• Hip Hop Culture in Jamaica
• Afrofuturism 
• Feeling Music hearing Dance
• I love house music