We went for someone that professionally plays one of the world's, if not thee, most popular sports. In this Journey post, we're introducing you all to Joël Tillema, football player at AFC, Amsterdamsche Football Club. An attacking midfielder that's dangerous on the ball. Not afraid to bang goals in or serve them on a platter to his teammates with his assists. When you see Joël coming at your goal, it's a problem. The man is talented and good at what he does, that can't be denied. And as big fans of him ourselves, we decided to introduce you all to him.
We asked him a few questions about his experience as a football player. We hope you get a better understanding of who Joël is as a person and a football player.
How long have you been playing football?
I started young, I've been playing football since I was 5.
From which moment did you know that football was your thing and you could go on far with it?
I played for my amateur club at the time, RVC Rijswijk. When I was 13, I got moved up to the age group above me. I got scouted by Ajax that season.
How was it to play for Ajax? Was it for you, like many others, a dream come true?
To be honest, I was a Feyenoord fan from when I was small hahah. But at that time the Ajax Youth Academy was already known as one of the best in Europe. I could've gone to Feyenoord, but they came later and my choice was already made by then. I had a great time at Ajax, around 12pm a van would come pick me up from school and by 10pm I'd be home. We would eat and do homework at the academy in between training. Everything was organised in a great manner. I also had the opportunity of playing in a lot of international tournaments with Ajax, all around the world.
As a young boy coming up in the world of football, did you have any players that were a roll model to you? Players that you would try and imitate in your game?
Of course! As a kid I would always be the Brazilian Ronaldo when playing football with friends. I would play like him and sometimes people would call me Ronaldo because I looked like him as well. I had a gap in my front teeth like him at the time hahah. I remember at one world cup, he had this bald hairstyle with only a bit of hair in the front. I ended up getting the same haircut hahahah.
Did you also have black roll models in football?
Yes definitely, the big guys; Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert. You would see them as a little boy, playing for the Dutch National Team and those were the football players that you could identify yourself with.
And how was it to sign for ADO The Hague as someone who comes from the city of The Hague?
That was a great thing. Everyone that comes from The Hague is also a ADO fan, even if it's just a little bit. And growing up in The Hague made it an even an even nicer thing for me.
You've played on many positions on the field, which one is your favourite?
I've actually played on every position on the field except for goalkeeper. But my favourite position would have to be the one has to be one that has been my fixed position in the team over the past years. Behind the striker as an attacking midfielder.
Does that put pressure on you? Playing as a #10 is an important role.
The number 10 position is an important role indeed, it's expected of me to score goals but also assist in goals. But I never really feel any kind of pressure because of it, I just get the regular match tension.
I play in the second division now. This means that we train in the evening. And I work during the day, so sometimes after work, I'll be home for an hour and then head to training again. I'll get back home around 10.30pm. This can sometimes be draining and physically tiring.
Looking back over the years, what's the biggest lesson you've learnt?
Your mind-set has to be 100% on go when you want to do something, if you don't you often won't succeed. When I was younger I had a totally different mind-set. Of course it had to do with the age but now I'm a lot more focused on my body, something I should've done when I was younger too.
What advice do you have for the youth with ambitions to become football players?
On number 1 is, always have fun in the game. You'll have to drop a lot of things for it and work hard. Nowadays the youth has social media, where they can follow their roll models and see what they have to do in order to get there. In the aspects of regular training, strength training and nutrition.
To you, what is the best football team to ever play the game? This can be past or present.
For me it has to be the Brazilian squad of the world cup in 98. They didn't win the world cup, but they had ridiculous players. Players like Ronaldo and Rivaldo really amazed me and stuck in my memory.
In a 4-3-3 formation, with you playing as a #10, which two players would you want next to you to really get the best out of you?
If I would have to choose from players that are active now. I would go for Frenkie de Jong, as a connecting player. And Kevin de Bruyne that can send me and find me in open spaces with his passing.
If you could transfer to wherever at this moment, where would that be and why?
At the moment I'm 31, so I'd like to play somewhere sunny and nice. And maybe quite adventurous as well, somewhere like Bali, Indonesia.
Do you have a pre-game ritual?
Uhhmm, yeah I do actually. I always put on my left sock first and then my left shoe immediately right after. And then my right sock and right shoe afterwards.
We know that you've had crazy things happen during a game for example the streaker, but would you say that that was the craziest thing happen to you?
The streaker definitely hahah! I haven't seen that often, a naked woman running on the field. She tried to run into my arms too, I would definitely say that was the craziest thing.
Aside from football, do you have any other ambitions?
Yesss, together with a friend I started a project. But I can't speak about it much. You'll all see soon enough. Aside from that, I want to be a good father and take care of my family.
If you would have to choose, no more football or no more music, which would it be?
Pfff woow, that's a difficult one. It would have to be no more music man.
And finally, what's your favourite tune at the moment?
Lil Baby - On Me. Everything that man releases is fire.
He's not very active on it and doesn't have any pictures on it at the moment. But surely we'll see things popping up relating his future plans on there.
Next on the list is an artist that has been around for over a decade. Some of you might crucify me for only just discovering his music. It's the Jamaican Reggae artist, Protoje. A big name in his genre, and for good reasons. I came across Protoje on an evening of new music hunting. Going through YouTube and just playing random songs I've not heard before but recommended by YouTube. Like Royalty, was the first song that I listened to by Protoje. The featuring of the song, Popcaan, was the reason why I decided to listen to it. But even though Popcaan did his thing and delivered a great addition to the song, Protoje impressed me more and grabbed my interest almost immediately. I soon after listened to the full album 'In Search Of Lost Time'. An album where Protoje creates a blend made in the reggae and rap/hiphop heavens. If you're a fan of both genres, then please, go listen to that album. You'll thank us later.
And final on the list, are the boys of the 'Sore' song from Ghana. I'm talking about Yaw Tog, O`Kenneth, City Boy, Reggie & Jay Bahd. This group of Ghanaian rappers popped up out of nowhere with the single Sore. The chorus of the song goes 'Yebe sore', which is Twi for 'We will rise', and rise they did. Their collaboration with the UK producer ChrisRichBeats was a success and created a hype around them. Fans of UK Hip-Hop and Drill music were on social media letting their followings know how much they rate the song. Especially for people with roots in Ghana this was a hype. To see the influence of UK music reach Ghana like that, but made into their own. Even without understanding the lyrics of the song, you will know this is a straight banger. Each artist did their own thing on this song, and killed it in their own way. Showing that African artists can be just as hard. I'm excited to see what more is to come from these guys and if the hype will grow into a big genre for more Africans. A remix of this song is expected to come out with the UK giant Stormzy, maybe that will give these boys the push they need to go even further with their music.
Of course there are many more artists that I discovered in the past year that I can't wait to hear more of. I'll be sure to always stay curious and hungry for new music. Lets hope this year has more great projects awaiting us. Follow our Spotify playlist to keep an eye out on what new songs we enjoy, in all genres that speaks to team African Drops.
Which artists did you guys enjoy the most in 2020 and who are you excited for in 2021? Let us know!
Thanks for reading and we'll see you for the next Journey post.
]]>But one place where the vibes are still great is Ghana. As many of you probably already know, Ghana is the place to be in the month of December. Last year the hype around Ghana during December was mostly because of all the celebrities that went. But others might already know that Ghana has been the place to be for a while now. Not because of the people that you might find there during December, but because of the country it self.
Accra in December has a whole different vibe to it compared to the rest of the year. The people are already known as some of the most friendly people you'll meet, now imagine that during a festive time. Aside from the lovely people, you'll be able to do a lot. There are many events happening in this month which means you won't ever be left bored.
For this blog post, we decided to interview two people close to us, Vanessa & Ridwan, that have had the experience of being in Ghana during December. We asked them a few simple questions about their thoughts of Ghana in December and here are their answers.
Ridwan:
What are the biggest differences between the Christmas holidays in Europe and in Ghana?
- The mood in Ghana is on a whole other level. There are street parties everywhere. And the decorations are very extreme. It's great to see.
Do you have a preference?
- Definitely, Ghana
Do you notice a difference in the mood of the people here and there?
- People are very excited in Ghana as compared to here
Aside for all the Christmas related events, what makes Ghana the place to be in December?
- Weather is great, especially comparing it to the cold days I've had in Holland. People all over the world come for holidays, so there's a lively atmosphere.
Other than all the parties and festivals, what would you recommend to people that want to visit?
• Mole Park
• Akosombo
• Cape Coast
Is December your favourite time to be in Ghana?
- Yasssss!!!!!!
Do you have a message for the people that have never been to Ghana before?
- Just Do IT
Vanessa:
What are the biggest differences between the Christmas holidays in Europe and in Ghana?
-The big differences between Christmas in Ghana and Europe is that, Europeans celebrate Christmas by sitting together with their families, eating, opening presents, playing board games.... ect. But in Ghana, it”s very very fun. It’s more than sitting down and eating with families... It’s more about parting and having fun!
Do you have a preference?
- Definitely Christmas in Ghana!
Do you notice a difference in the mood of the people here and there?
- Europeans are more closed. Not that friendly and Ghanaian are the like the opposite of that! They’re always happy and welcoming.
Aside for all the Christmas related events, what makes Ghana the place to be in December?
- Well Ghana has a lot of holidays in December(non Christmas related) There’s always an event going on!
Other than all the parties and festivals, what would you recommend to people that want to visit?
- Definitely visits Cape Cost Castle! Got some really interesting history stuff there.
Is December your favourite time to be in Ghana?
- Doesn’t really matter for me. I don’t have a favourite! Still cool either way.
Message for the people: JUST GO TO GHANA.
So as you can see, going to Ghana is heavily recommended. It's the place to be in December, but other months of the year aren't less fun.
Again a special thanks goes out to our interviewees, Ridwan (@thatkid_rid) & Vanessa (@nessamolly_). We definitely recommend checking out their Instagram pages! They both have great content that is worth the follow.
Thanks again for reading, and see you in the next Journey Blog Post!
Disclaimer: The image used for the blog post was made by Monique Spearman for Afrochella 2019
]]>All though some countries seem to have controlled the virus and are moving along with their lives, many countries haven't. And even though the amount of deaths isn't a ridiculously large number, people still died. People have lost loved ones, or have been close to losing their loved ones.
It's safe to say that this year has been tough one for the most of us. Even if you haven't directly been affected by the virus, the lockdown and everything that came with it has been emotionally and mentally draining for many. But with every challenge and tough moment in life, there are lessons to be learned. That is why, we at African Drops decided to ask our close circle two questions for this blog.
Keeping the whole year that past in mind, we asked them: 'What is the biggest lesson you have learned this year?' & 'What are you most thankful for?'. And we would like to share their answers with you, hopefully you can find yourself in their answers and maybe take in some points that you haven't considered yourself. Don't let one downfall win, a new day is a new chance to do better.
Here are our favourites:
1. 'Don't stress about things that you can't change. Instead, change the things that stress you out.'
'I'm most thankful for the people that are there for each other. You're not alone on this world, care for each other. Just the thankfulness that you can receive from the people around you is worth more than money.'
2. 'No matter how I feel, I'll never be the only person to feel that way. And it's better to talk about these things than to avoid them.'
'I'm thankful for the people I hold dearly, my friends and family, are all healthy and that I got to see them develop their talents and selves from up close.'
3. 'Even though many opportunities were seized from our lives this year, I feel very blessed by being able to say that I still have moved forward. Our capability to adapt to trying times, is not just a given. Its aided and facilitated by different forms of capital that we have access to, access which is not granted to everybody in this world. Therefore I am thankful for all the warmth and progress that I have received this past year.
Apart from counting my blessings, the most important lesson this year was learning how to be with just myself. Social isolation was very scary for many people, since you’re confronted with yourself. It was an extremely trying year, but I’m very sure I’ve come to recalibrate meaning and significance in my life, which is a beautiful lesson in itself.'
4. 'I’m grateful for my family, friends and the love that surrounds me. In trying times like these it is important to be nurtured and have nourishment. I feel blessed to end this year with my and my loved ones health. I’m also grateful for the amazing learning opportunities that have come my way and forced me to be the person I am now. Thank you 2020 for all these blessings and lessons.'
'The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is to enjoy moments and small achievements. I’m always running towards the next goal but never take the time to enjoy my achievements along the way. I learned to practice more self love and self care.'
5. 'I'm thankful for the resilience the people around me continue to show every day, making the best out of their mental health, their education and their careers despite the stress of the world's current state.'
'I think everyone was forced to be confronted with certain parts of themselves this year that they could run away from before lockdown. This year's biggest lesson, for me, was to stop running and start accepting who I am when no one's looking.'
6. 'I’m grateful for the health and safety of me, my family and friends. With everything that’s going on; the illness, the suffering and the loss, I’m just grateful that those that I love are safe and protected.'
'The biggest lesson I learned is to realize how blessed I am. We’re so used to things that it makes us forget that it’s actually a blessing and a privilege. Simply just waking up is a blessing especially in these times. Seeing how much others are struggling and how I am not, makes me realize my blessings and I am extremely grateful of everything I have. I don’t take anything nor anyone for granted anymore.'
7. 'Make sure you develop yourself in every aspect of life!'
'I'm most thankful for life. Many people died this year. It's often something we forget to be thankful for.'
8. 'I guess the biggest lesson I learned is that life is just unpredictable.'
'I'm most thankful for my friends and family, and that we have the technology to stay in contact wherever we are.'
9. 'Know your worth on the basis of time and not knowledge, because often enough, you can do more than you think.'
'I'm most thankful for the new insights I have when it comes to downfall and moving further.'
10. ' I've learnt that you shouldn't pull on friendships and people. I noticed that the energy I put into people wasn't reciprocated. The moment I stop contacting people, they wouldn't start the conversation themselves. So now, I focus on the people that do give me back the energy I give them.'
'I'm thankful for many things, more than I could mention. The last few years I have been working on my inner peace. I'm training myself to really take in each moment, stop for a moment and realise that it's a special moment.'
11. 'The world is a tough place, so stand up for yourself. Stay true to who you are and treat everyone with the respect that you expect from them.'
'I'm most grateful for my close friends and family, for always wanting to listen to the things that happen in my own world.'
12. 'The biggest lesson that I have learned this year is that we as people can achieve so much for each other when we work together. This was big year for the fight for equality, and in this year many big historical moments happened because of it. We still have a long way to go, but we can be proud of what we have achieved together.'
'I'm most thankful for the fact that my loved ones and myself went through the year healthy, keeping all the setbacks in mind.'
13. 'In the past year I have learned that life doesn't always go as you had hoped. I had hoped that 2020 would be my year. My life took a massive turn, nothing went as how I planned for it to go. And to be honest, I don't mind at all. Even though I had many setbacks, I learned to find myself again and fully focus on what I want for myself and what I stand for. Letting go of things and people is hard, but I feel freer than ever. So maybe 2020 still became my year in some way.'
These were our favourite quotes. We loved being able to ask our friends this to find out what they have been through and to understand what they took out of the year. Truly messaged that we were happy to receive. We hope these quotes bring meaning to your personal situation.
We'd like to thank the people that participated in this blog of course. A big shout out to Joseph (@jcmilane), Ridwan (@thatkid_rid), Claudia (@claudiasantosx), Jesse (@jessedevr), Esmelysa, Steven (@stayvun), Jason (@jasonsieval), Anniek (@ghantas), Nixon (@nixonmukiza), Jamal (@iamjamalhussain), Maria (@mar.isindewar), Uma (@umapuma1), Fatima (@miskiyasmin).
Do you think you know who wrote what? Let us know in our comments on Instagram and Facebook. As for the other people that participated, the honourable mentions, you'll find them coming up in our social media stories soon, so keep an eye out for those as well!
Thank you again for reading and following us on the Journey. We hope you received the message they way we intended. Don't be afraid to share with your friends and family, and we'll see you in the next blog post.
Peace,
Team AD.
]]>For how long have you been doing spoken word?
About 7 years ago I had my first encounter with spoken word. I got to know a very cool spoken word artist called Tyler Koudijzer. When I saw him perform, I thought to my self "I want to do this". After that day I googled 'spoken word Amsterdam". That's how I found out about The Poetry Circle. In 2014 I followed some workshops there and over time it became my job.
What do you enjoy most about spoken word?
Spoken word is a way in which I am able to express myself properly. Ever since I was young I loved performing art, music and spoken. In my opinion spoken word is an art discipline that covers traces of all things. I like how I can spin a text to my own hand by playing with rhythm and other features from theatre.
What is your spoken word highlight so far?
For the Black Achievement Month I was able to perform at the National Ballet and Opera for Dancing Diversity. The location and the line-up were beautiful. It was an honour to be part of this. Aside from that, last year I made my own documentary 'Fufu and Appelmoes'. In the documentary I used spoken word as voice over. This was very nice to do and also to see again.
Do you ever get inspired by your African roots? In what sort of way?
I get inspired by things that go to my heart. And by the things I see in my surroundings. My African heritage is also part of that.
Do you face any challenges being a person of colour in the world of spoken word and how do you overcome those?
I think as a woman of colour you're always busy relating yourself to the white male norm. Sometimes I ask myself if I'm getting booked so a certain organization can meet there diversity quota or because they really appreciate my talent. How I deal with that is by making it negotiable. Sometimes I straight up ask the question. Sometimes I have a gut feeling but might end up still preforming but if it really doesn't feel right I don't. That's how I stay true to myself.
What is the biggest lesson you learnt from doing spoken word?
You are allowed to take space in saying what you think. When you're on stage you're basically allowed to say everything you want and in this time on stage people have to take the time to listen. When more difficult subjects are discussed its easy to talk over those. when I'm on stage for a moment this is not possible.
Do you have an spoken word idol and who is this?
I don't really have an idol but I do get inspired by a lot of spoken word artist that I find amazing. These are also people that are around me. This is not only in the spoken word style or talent. But also how they move with in the scene and what kind of beautiful people they are. Babs Gons should not be missing on this list. She almost single-handedly put spoken word on the map in the Netherlands and is still killing it. But Also Elten Kiene, I think he is a great entrepreneur and his whole vibe is infectious, his positive vigour is out of this world and is very nice to have in my presence. The list is much longer. My friends Zeinab El Boui and Sandy Bosmans always find a way to touch me with their text. Bar Guijs lifts the level of spoken word by using influences of theatre and rap. That's it for now but I could keep going.
Last year you premiered your first movie. How was is to mix footage with spoken word?
Yes, Amazing. In my opinion interdisciplinary is fantastic and I'm a figure thinker. It was very nice to mix image and spoken word together.
Did you notice a big difference in making a movie and what was this difference?
The biggest difference for me was that in the world of movies, I still have a lot to learn. The process was paired with a decent dose of doubt and insecurity because I am unschooled in this subject. Usually I am used to make a spoken word text by myself, but the movie was made together with Leon Veenendaal. It was very fun working in a team and made me feel like some one had my back. Super dope!
Can we expect more movies in the future?
One hundred percent!!
Do you have a pre performance ritual? Or something to help calm your nerves?
Not really before going on stage I'll do a little stretch to get in a higher level of energy.
Why should other people start with spoken word?
First of all nothing is a must but in my opinion spoken word is a nice way of having your say and a good way to express your feelings. Next to that, I enjoy that it's something that stays once a text is finished. It becomes a mini baby that started in my head and ended up on paper. The part I enjoy most is that I can get amazed of what comes out during writing.
If we want to see preform what's the best way to find out?
Best way to stay up to date is to keep an eye on my instagram @roziena.salihu that's where I give updates on upcoming performances.
If you could request one tune to dance to which tune would it be?
Dora- Thierra Whack. This was my go-to last week. Love her. I find her funny and I can really vibe to her tunes.
We at African Drops already had the chance to see Roziena perform live recently and we definitely recommend you to also do so in the future. We want to thank Roziena once again for working with us and we hope to see you shine much more in the coming years.
Do you know someone or a subject that you'd like to see covered in the journey blog? Let us know by sending us an IG DM or an email to info@africandrops.com, and maybe it will be part of the journey soon.
Thanks again for reading, and we'll see you again for the next one.
]]>It's Tyra Talisa!
We got the chance to get closer to her by asking her questions about herself. And we would love to share the answers with you guys. If you ever get the chance to see her play, we definitely recommend it. You'll probably only be on the dance floor, swinging from left to right. But now you'll know who's making you swing and what kind of person she is. She also spoke about an interesting factor of her career, the challenges that come with it.
Enjoy!
Why did you start DJ’ing?
Music always felt very natural for me. I danced throughout my childhood, sang in a gospel choir and I taught myself to play the piano. I never really excelled in those things, but I loved doing it. I always knew I wanted to extend my love for music into a career. Right in the middle of my journey to find my passion I got introduced to DJ’ing by my cousin Milano Angelo. He saw my musical potential and offered to give me DJ lessons.
What do you enjoy the most about DJ’ing?
The thing I enjoy the most about DJ’ing is the energy of the crowd. It’s an indescribable feeling when you see how music can bring so many different people together.
How long have you been DJ’ing?
I started DJ’ing when I was 15. So, I have been doing this for almost 6 years now. I also started teaching at a DJ school about a year ago.
What genres of music do you work with?
Some people would describe me as an all-round DJ because I love to level with different kind of crowds. The music genres that pop out (and that I’m mostly booked for) are Afro, Hip-hop, Dancehall & RnB.
Which genre is your personal favourite?
That a difficult question because I love to switch it up once in a while.
Which kind of party do you enjoy the most working and which one when you’re not working?
I think that it’s actually the same for both. I love to be in an open-minded, welcoming and inclusive environment.
What has been a personal highlight in your career?
There are a few highlights in my career. The biggest event I played at was Bevrijdingsfestival Zuid-Holland, where I got to perform for thousands of people. The gig that was the closest to my roots was at Kwaku Festival (a Surinamese festival in the Bijlmer, Amsterdam). All my opportunities in other countries are also highlights in my career that I’m very grateful for.
Is there a different vibe at Afro Parties?
Yes, there is a different vibe at afro parties. African influenced music has a special kind of groove to it. It’s hard not to dance to this groove. People from all ethnicities and backgrounds are drawn to these parties. The vibe at afro parties feels like coming home for me.
Have you played in different countries?
It really is a blessing when I get to combine work with travelling. I got to perform in different parts of Germany, Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg. The thing I love the most about playing in different countries is making friends with so many different backgrounds.
Do you face challenges for being a woman in the industry?
I do face some challenges in this industry as a woman. I started DJ’ing at a young age which made me even more vulnerable for people trying to take advantage of me or not taking me seriously. The event and music industry are male dominated, which also has its upsides for me. The female DJ market isn’t over saturated yet. I would love to say that I get booked so much because of my skills, but I think that being a woman in the industry is a big reason why.
Do you get inspired by Afro Music or any Afro DJ?
I think a lot of my inspiration comes from afro music. Afro music can touch a soul even without a deeper message. That is something I thrive to do with my DJ sets.
Who are your favourite Afro artists?
The afro artists I now listen to the most are; Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, DaVido, Sarkodie, Mr Eazi, Koffee, King Promise, Tekno & Cruel Santino.
Do you always have Afro Music in your set?
Yes I do, I think that afro music is the base of my set because it is very danceable and speaks to a lot of people.
What are your future goals?
The goals for the future are to travel more for DJ’ing and make a more solid living out of it. I am also in my final year to get my bachelor’s in Media and Entertainment Management with a minor in Music Business. With my education and experience in the music industry I would also love to start an artist management agency.
What can we expect from you soon? Anything new happening?
I will be doing some live sets soon! Check my Instagram (@TyraTalisa) for more information.
We loved having the chance to interview Tyra for this blog. And we hope you readers enjoyed it too. A big special thank you goes out to Tyra again. A big recommendation to check out her Instagram and giving her a follow at @TyraTalisa to stay updated to her journey.
Thanks again for reading, and we'll see you again for the next part of our journey.
]]>Kotoka International Airport is located in Accra Capital of the beautiful Ghana West Africa. Its a hub for international, reginal and domestics flights and also doubles as military base. Build in the second world war and opened for passengers in 1958. Then known as Accra International Airport with an annual capacity of 500,000 passengers a year. In 1969 It was renamed to Kotoka International airport in honour of General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka who had a big roll in the military's coup leaded by Jerry Rawlings. In present day some people argue this name and naming it back to it's original name since it discredits Ghana's founding father Kwame Nkrumah.
In 2018 The new terminal 3 was build increasing the annual capacity to 5 million passengers a year. At this moment 25 airlines fly from and to 35 destinations world wide. So where ever you are world wide big chance there is a flight to Ghana near you.
When you start that final descent and you can start feeling the excitement of arriving. Last couple of meters and Touchdown! Its a short taxi to the final position. the doors open and everyone starts rushing out the plane. You grap your bag and head down to the most closed plain door near you. As soon as you take that first step out of the plain and it hits you. That Ghana air. Some love it some hate is but one thing is for sure you have arrived. After taking the bus to the costumes you have to wait for your suitcase. After finally gathering all your belongings it's time to pass the final checkpoint and walk in to the arrival hall. The arrival hall is the place of joy. In the arrival hall you can see everything from family reunions to full out drum performances and singing chorus. This joy is what inspired us to name our T-shirt after Kotoka international airport as we wish to share that joy off arriving
Where will we go next find out in de next destination journey blog post
]]>The first expression is classified as all-round Ghanaian.
Chalé Meaning friend. This word can be used in every setting from joking around to expressing disbelief. You can't visit Ghana without hearing it on a daily basis. So Chalé lets get learning!
languages
Twi: is the most spoken language in ghana and is spoken by the Ashanti people.
Ga: Ga is spoken by the Ga- Dangme people mostly located around the captial city of Accra
Ewe: Ewe is spoken by the Ewe people that can be found in the east of Ghana and Togo
Hausa: Hausa is spoken by the Hausa people that can be found in the north of Ghana and spanning in surrounding countries
Greeting when you see someone
Twi: Agoo
Ga: Miiŋa bo!
Ewe: Woé zɔ
Hausa: Sannu
How are you doing - I'm doing good
Twi: Etesen? - Me ho yε
Ga: Te oyɔɔ tɛŋŋ?- Mi yɛ ojogbaŋŋ
Ewe: Ɛfoa? - Me fo. Wo ha ɛfoa?
Hausa: Yaya kake? - Ina yin kyau
What is your name - My name is..
Twi: Yefre wo sen? - Yefre me [your name]
Ga: Te atsɛɔ bo tɛŋŋ? - Migbɛi ji [your name]
Ewe: Nkowode? - Nkɔnye nye [your name]
Hausa: Menene sunanka? - sunana shi ne [your name]
Goodbye !
Twi: Nante yiye
Ga: Yaaba jogbaŋŋ!
Ewe: mia dogo
Hausa: ban kwana!
This was our first introduction to some of Ghana's languages but there is so much more to learn in the future. Want to be part of one of our journey blog post? Contact us and let us know what you would like to share with the community!
]]>To ensure that the dishes chosen are tasty, I decided to contact my favourite chef in the world. Someone that cooks better than no other, and who else could it be than my own mother. A woman that could cook anything and it would taste great to me. Not just because she cooked every dish with love, but because she's actually great in the kitchen and is able to combine flavours in amazing ways. And of course she was more than happy to help out by giving me two recipes for this blog post.
The first dish I asked a recipe for is a classic, and I'm sure many of you have either eaten before or have heard of. It's of course Jollof Rice. For years, debates have been going left to right about which country makes the best Jollof Rice. Although I haven't tried many Jollof dishes from various countries, I am still biased that my mother's is the best.
The ingredients used for a table of 2-4 people:
Start by blending the ginger, garlic and cloves until it becomes a paste. Once that is done, you blend the diced fresh tomatoes, red bell peppers and one of the onions. Remember to blend these two separately. The blend of ginger, garlic and cloves can be overpowering and you will add this paste in a smaller amount to the dish at a later stage.
Now that you have these two blended mixtures we move on to the cooking. Chop up the remaining onion into small slices. Put a cooking pan on top of a low to medium fire and add the oil to the pan. Once the pan and oil become hot, add the sliced up onion and let it cook till the slices of onion become brown. Then add two tablespoons of the ginger, garlic and cloves paste into the pan. Stir for a bit and add in the powdered pepper.
Then add in a bit of tomato puree, about 2 tablespoons, with the other blended mixture of fresh tomatoes, onion and bell pepper. Throw this into the pan and stir till all ingredients mix together. Now it's time to add in the chicken stock and salt. Mix again till it becomes one mixture. Add the tablespoon of thyme and the bay leaves into the pan.
Let this stew cook on a low to medium fire to avoid burning for about 30 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally. Then add in the washed rice with a cup of water. Make sure to stir and mix the rice with the stew so the rice absorbs all the stew. Bring the fire to a low level. Then cover the pan with a lid and let this mixture simmer for another 30 minutes. And voila! You've cooked my mother's infamous (to me) Jollof Rice dish.
The next dish I decided to go for was a personal favourite for years. This is something that you must try when going to Ghana. And I am sure many countries in Africa have their own variation on this dish. A snack that is sold on the streets of Ghana in the evening. It can be eaten as a snack or after your meal, accompanied by peanuts. This great dish is called Kelewele.
Ingredients for a table of 2-3 people:
Begin with blending the sliced onion, ginger, cloves, alligator pepper, selim pepper and wede aba together into a paste. Once that is done you move onto the plantain.
Peel the plantain and slice them into small pieces. Slice them into sizes of the picture shown below. Once done cutting them up, put them into a bowl. Add the powdered pepper to the plantain. Then add some of the blended paste, depending on how much spice you can handle. We recommend about 4 tablespoons of it. The rest of the paste you can save in the fridge for another time.
Stir the paste and the plantain to make sure the pieces of plantain are covered in the paste. Add salt to the mix, again the amount depends on how much you prefer. Cover the bowl with cling film and let it sit for an hour or two.
Once the plantain has marinated with the paste for a long enough time, put a frying pan on the fire at a medium level. Add oil to the pan and wait for it to become hot. Once the oil is hot, put the Kelewele in the pan and let it fry till it becomes a nice brown colour, as shown in the picture. Once ready you can decide whether you want to serve it with a little bowl of peanuts on the side. And enjoy!
Big shoutout to my mother for these recipes, and we hope you enjoy these dishes as much as we do!
]]>African music hasn't always been as popular as it is now. Many people didn't consider listening, and others didn't even take it serious. But to us at African Drops, African music has always been a part of the household. We decided to look back at some of our favourite songs from back in the day that our parents and family members blasted at home or at parties. Songs that we now still love to hear and give us a feeling of nostalgia. And we are sure that these songs will hit close to home to some of the readers. We recommend that you play the songs while reading this.
First up on the list is the song Tuobodom, by the artist Nkasei. An absolute classic for us. This is a song that you immediately remember when hearing, you remember what a tune this is and your most fond time hearing this song is. That time you went to Ghana in the summer to visit family. And one of your cousins that live in Ghana introduce you to the Ghanaian genre of Hiplife.
Hiplife then, was a genre that dominated in the segment of high school, college and university students in Ghana. Where artist like Sarkodie, Samini and Nkasei shined. These artists were loved by many and were stars of the Ghanaian music scene. Sarkodie being one of the fastest rappers of the country. Bringing a Twister / Busta Rhymes type flow and style but in the Ghanaian language. Samini (then going by the name of Batman) being one of the fathers of the genre. A versatile artist that was able to make hits in many different genres and still loved by many.
Next up is another Ghanaian classic, but this one is more of a party one. A tune that we got to appreciate more and more with age, Odo Nwom by Kofi Nti ft Ofori Amponsah. If you were ever a child at a Ghanaian party of any kind, at a birthday, family gathering or a wedding, you'll immediately have the image of all the aunties dancing to this. Waving their handkerchiefs up and down and the uncles all feeling young again after a few drinks and killing the dance floor. That's what they thought they were doing at least.
Just like the previous song, Odo Nwom was in a genre of its own. It was a hit among others in the genre of Highlife. Another genre that originated from Ghana. Where the melodic and rhythmic structures from Akan music is combined with the use of western instruments. A genre that was a favourite for most parties hosted by Ghanaians.
Next up is a big one. A song that immediately put a smile on my face and hyped me up the moment I heard the beat drop. If this song doesn't make you throw your shoulders from side to side like the artist in the video clip at 3:10, then I don't know what will. It's Daddy Lumba - Aben Wo Aha. Another party classic, this was the song that would get all the uncles and aunties going. Doesn't matter what they were doing or who they were talking to, when Aben Wo Aha comes on, you had to go dance.
Multiple award-winning artist Daddy Lumba not only had the moves but knew how to make people move with his great voice and rhythmic beats. With a music career that has been around over the span of three decades. It's safe to say that Daddy Lumba is one of the greats in Ghanaian music.
Last and definitely not the least, a love song that surely has a special place in hearts of many Africans. A song that isn't just for the Ghanaians, but one that actually comes from our friends from Nigeria.
2Face - African Queen. A song that many have heard and love, one that you can't help but sing along to. A song that I personally believe should be played more often. Not only a beautiful song, but a reminder that black is beautiful, that Africa is full of queens and has produced many queens around the world.
These are the songs that we chose to share with you. Of course these songs can be found in our African Drops Spotify Playlist. We hope that these songs have a special place for you readers. And if they don't we hope that these songs are also enjoyed by you.
Go check out the playlist and give it a follow, and let us know on social media what oldies are gold to you.
]]>
First we are introducing Jamiro Elabeidi 24(@_mirooo_). Jamiro is a young physiotherapist from the vicinity of Leiden. Next to being found on the track, he works in Voorschoten and Rotterdam and gives bootcamps in Leiden as well. Athletics being his biggest hobby he still finds plenty of time to bust out some dance moves in styles like kizomba and semba. His more relaxing hobbies are playing guitar, video games all night, and watching Netflix series and anime.
Jamiro started athletics at an age of 16 years old and the last 8 years have been a blast. He lives for the rush and excitement during races. Together with the great community he can't think of anything not to like about the sport. Jamiro is a specialist in sprinting. He runs the 60,- 100,- and 200m sprint and shines best on the 60 meter. With 4 trainings on track a week and additional recovery training and workouts at home athletics. Trainings are comprised of, strength training, speed agility. Tempo-trainings, plyometric, short sprints, long sprints, starting training, relay training and much more. We had some questions on Jamiro's experince and views on his sport.
What is your athletics highlight so far?
- There have been a lot of highlights so far, but I think the biggest is my silver medal at the Dutch indoor national championships 60m sprint in 2019. The time that I ran, 6,71 seconds, was 0,06 removed from the European championships 2019. What made it so special is that it came out of nowhere. My goal was to just reach the finals. I honestly didn’t expect that I would come in second place.
What is the biggest lesson you learnt by doing athletics?
- The biggest lesson I learned has to be discipline. Always show up at trainings, always try to finish it to the end. Keep working even though the goal is far away. I honestly think athletics made me a much better person overall.
Why or how did you start with athletics?
- I was always a fast runner, but I really started after I applied for a sport education when I was 16. During the admission test there was a short sprint (30m). After I ran the organization came to me and told me I was the fastest runner of the day. There were about 300+ people that day, so that really made me think that I should try it out. I started athletics that summer and the following winter I got 5th place at the junior nationals. After that moment my mind was set and I haven’t stopped since.
Do you have an athletics idol and who is this?
- I admire a lot of athletes, both professional and those I often race against. But my biggest idol has to be Churandy Martina. Even before I started running I was in awe of his speed and his positivity. What makes this more special is that just one year ago I trained with him and the other pro-athletes in the Dutch 4x100m relay team. That’s how your idols become your teammates.
Do you ever get motivated from your African roots? In what sort of way?
- Definitely! It’s one of the things I’m most proud of. Being of mixed descend (Suriname, Dutch, Libyan) has made me able to connect to different roots and cultures all separated by customs and believes. And even though I’ve lived in the Netherlands my whole life, have a Libyan last name, I feel most connected with the Creol Suriname side and always have been. The only thing I regret, is that I don’t have direct sub-Saharan African place / country from which I know my roots originate from.
Do you face any challenges being a person of colour in the world of athletics and how do you overcome those?
- The biggest challenges I’ve experienced probably come from finding sponsors. But that is a issue can also stem from other causes, like how good I was/am, is there a budget for it etc.. I’ve always found it hard to really point the finger to colour when there are a lot more factors to consider.
Besides that I haven’t had any personal challenges in this sport, for which I am very grateful.
The challenges I face outside of athletics stem from simple things, like being distrusted, being insulted, both directly and indirectly etc… I try to overcome this by just trying to be the best person I can be for myself and no one else. I won’t let my colour, or how my colour is perceived by other, decide where I’ll end up!!
Do you notice an increase in Afro diversity in the world of athletics? And what sort of impact does this have?
- Athletics is a sport that is mostly dominated by people of African descend. At the top level the stereotype about people from west-African descend being good sprinters, and people with east-African descend being good long-distance runners are very much true, not considering the exceptions of course. At the national level or even amateur level that shows a lot too. There are always people of African descend participating in one event or the other.
Do you have any future goals with athletics?
- My biggest goal is the Olympics. Tokyo 2020 is a long shot so my focus is on the next Olympic games in 2024. Besides that I aspire to run at at least one European indoor championship.
Do you have a competition da ritual? Or something to help with good luck?
- My biggest ritual is to stay calm, laugh before a race, have a good time and enjoy the moment. My best times always come from days where I didn’t feel pressured or had low anxiety. When the pressure is too much my times suffer for it.
Why should other people start with athletics?
- I can’t explain the feeling u have when succeeding at your goals. From running a personal best, to seeing your friends and teammates succeed. It’s amazing!! And at the very least just put your children in it to let them learn some discipline.
What would you like to see next from African drops?
- More accessories, like necklaces, watches, maybe a backpack things like that!
If you could request one tune to dance to which tune would it be?
I got four:
- Semba tune: Monami, puto portugues
- Kizomba tune: Tu És a Mulher, C4 Pedro
- Soca tune: Hello, Kes
Do you have something else to share or announce?
Try some Surinamese food at RotiEnzo. All made by my lovely mom! Located in Roelofarendsveen, about 20min away from Leiden. It won’t disappoint!!
Tribez, a student association based in The Hague aim to empower and educate students with African roots through various activities. Their activities range from networking events to fun theatre shows. A student association created as a collective, and something they can truly be proud of. We at African Drops decided to showcase this student association by interviewing some of the members. We asked them questions to get to know them better, personally and as a whole. We spoke to the members of Tribez, Fatima Osman & Rudy van der Beek.
Rudy is one of the founding members of the association. Before the summer of 2019, he started a meeting with a group of friends with the idea to start an association. He took the initiative in the beginning of the process of starting this up and he had a key role in the growth of Tribez. He mostly coaches board members by having meetings with them on an occasional basis. This happens on individualistic basis, but also as a collective. For the training weekend he also provided the board with workshops on organizational skills.
Fatima been a member for a little over a year now, she joined in October 2019. Not only does she have a beautiful face (as she modelled for African Drops), she is smart too! She has climbed up the ranks within Tribez, starting as a committee member of activities, she currently holds the role of Board Member of Communications & Public Relations. She is responsible for the Communications & PR of the association, together with her committee. She leads her committee with the promotion of their association, its events, but also establishing their house style and tone of voice. Take a look at their Instagram page to get an idea at @sv.Tribez
Why did you join Tribez?
'I really missed the sense of community during my study career, I wanted a way for me to further develop myself in a safe space. You could say I wanted purpose and community, that’s exactly what I found.'
What things do you enjoy the most as a member of Tribez?
'I truly enjoy the sense of belonging and having a safe space to make mistakes and grow. I enjoy the people, the vibes and the fun we have together. I have a governing position this year and throughout my journey I realise that it is a continuous process of learning and developing.'
What are the challenges you face being a part of Tribez?
'We’re a young association in the Hague and we want to set ourselves apart from the others. Making our vision and ourselves known to the public comes with challenges. I want this association to be a household name in the Hague and further expand within the country and having patience for this vision is definitely a challenge for me.'
What is your favourite activity?
'Our get together activities, I really miss the social interaction in real life. Due to miss Rona we’re limited in our physical activities but we have quarantine streams on our IG, with topics such as hair care, BLM and black authors. I do have to say my favourite activity to participate was the #dontrushchallenge it was so fun to do!'
Do you feel like you are more in touch with your roots due to Tribez?
'Yes, coming from a place where the inhabitants were predominantly non black it was hard to relate and receive real understanding for my needs and struggles. I’m not surrounded by my own people in all forms, Africa and it’s diaspora. I am learning everyday about our internal differences and how it actually makes us beautiful.'
How did Tribez help you grow as an individual?
'Definitely in my professional life, I find myself comfortable and known in social settings and engaging with people have never done that in a professional setting. I’ve developed networking skills, communication skills and how to present myself to others. I have gained tremendous work experience by being part of such a young and vibrant association and all the responsibilities that come with it. I’ve gotten to know my strengths and areas of improvement'
Have your expectations of the association been met?
'So far yes! It has been challenging and exciting. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting amazing individuals, people I would not have met in my regular student life. This ranges from the diplomatic attaché of South Africa to the mayor to likeminded ambitious students.'
Who inspires you the most within Tribez?
'That’s difficult for me to answer. Many individuals inspire me but if I have to pick one, it’s gotta be Rudy van der Beek. He’s achieved so much by himself and has broken down previous barriers for us to build upon. What inspires me the most is how motivated he is to take everyone with him on his journey and wants to see us all succeed.'
Why should other students join the association?
'My number one reason would be to have a safe space to develop and further your position in this society. There a clear trends with student associations, and it’s a shame that BIPOC do not always have a place to fit in. Tribez stands and thrives on inclusivity, we are our community and we want to take every.'
Why did you join Tribez?
'My reason for joining, or to put it in better word, starting this association was because I felt that there was a lack of this kind of association. Most “mainstream” associations do not always cater to the need of students with a bicultural background. The student population has changed over the last 30 years, but the changes in the educational field do not go as fast to take this new diverse student population into account. Being part of an association and/or community can be very beneficial for students, this is where students can discover themselves, develop themselves and learn how to network.
Because many students with a bicultural network are often first generation students, they already start at the educational field at a disadvantage compared to their native Dutch/white peers.
Personally I have also encountered this disadvantage and discovered this fairly late in my journey as a student. With this association, I hope to fill the need for many students with an African background to make the best out of their study time while they learn new skills, learn to know more people and that this can play a role in their foundation where our students become young professionals.'
What things do you enjoy the most as a member of Tribez?
'My position in this association is kind of different from the regular members, mostly since I have a coaching/overseeing role. What I enjoy the most is seeing the growth and developments of the members. Seeing shy or insecure people blossom up and finding their skills, and seeing people who for the first time have been part of a Black Community makes me happy. It is amazing to see how this association impacts each individual student.'
What are the challenges you face being a part of Tribez?
'People not being on time. Jokes aside, a challenge I foresee in the future is the sustainability of the organization. Do we still exist in 3 – 5 years? Personally I hope it sticks for a few decades.
The thing with many multicultural organizations is that (board) transitions can often be a reason for an organization not making it. We are quite limited with our choices for selecting candidates because being part of a board can be quite an overwhelming unknown thing for students with a bicultural background.
Also, being part of an association is quite new to our target group too. Therefore, we really have to invest in building up students so they can actually are qualified to be in a board.'
What is your favourite activity?
'I am quite biased because I gave an activity myself. I would choose between the Leadership workshop or the LinkedIn Networking workshop I gave. I enjoyed giving the workshop for such a large group of students. Of course, as the person giving the workshop, I am critical to some things which could be smoother that day, but it was an amazing experience.'
Do you feel like you are more in touch with your roots due to Tribez?
'As far as I can be possible. Coming from Suriname, a diaspora country, your knowledge to your roots only goes as far as the arrival in Suriname. Recently at an event there was a spoken word artist, who argued that a person from Suriname with African roots should still be perceived as African. As people with African roots in Suriname are the only cultural group not completely in line with their roots prior to arriving in Suriname.
Since becoming part of this association, someone within our group from the diaspora did a heritage test to know more of her roots prior to the Atlantic Slave Trade. I have not yet decided if this is something I should do, but I embrace her finding more of herself through this test.'
How much African influence do you see?
'One of the concept names for Tribez was Ubuntu. Which is a Bantu term which can be interpreted as “I am because we are”. The origin of this philosophy is from the Southern part of Africa. This philosophy was also something which came into the discussion when coming with our mission and vision.
A majority of the students have an African background, the rest from its diaspora. Our culture, social events and target group is inspired by Africa. At our events you would not find “bitterballen en kaasblokjes” but cultural food which also takes allergies and diet wishes into account. Within our association people have the space to be as timid or “as extra” as they want to be.'
Have your expectations of the association been met?
'To a large extend, yes. If I look at the strength of the brand of Tribez, and if I look at how we are currently set within The Hague, we definitely have set some major achievements. Though, I wish we had more frequent activities. But this is of course because of the pandemic, which we cannot influence. But despite the pandemic, last year we have reacted very versatile with organizing live streams on a weekly basis on numerous topics. And even with this livestreams, I felt that the execution was very professional.'
Who inspires you the most inside Tribez?
'More than one person. The journey of many students inspire me in many ways. For example, Imaibel Pinas. She is a student with a visible impairment, therefore she sees as good as nothing. Despite her condition, she is very active within the association where she can, and I enjoy how she is finding her place within this community. Also Maxence Vrede, I recognize a lot from my younger self in her. She started off as quite shy and unsure of her skills. Yet, in a short period she is growing exponentially. Also the chair Maria Toko. I cannot think of anyone more fit being able to be the first chair of this association. She is very multi-talented, wise and strong. I could not be able to inspire prospective members the way she can and is truly the leader this association can use for its starting phase.'
Why should other students join the association?
'If people want to be part of an empowering community, want to do and learn more outside of their study and want to rediscover more sides of their heritage, then this organization might just be the place. Based on feedback, we notice that students who come in become part of this new community, learn more every day and enjoy this wonderful experience.
Also, by being active within our association you receive a lot of coaching and training. We try to find everyone’s skills and talents. It can be something artistic such as singing or theater, to something as presenting and writing. Our aim is that everyone who has been active in Tribez becomes a highly skilled young professional. You can also choose to just be part of the fun side of the association and join our many get-togethers (pre-covid).
Because of our branding, being a member of Tribez is also good for your network. With testimonials of students applying their skills in their new workplace or internships. But also Tribez playing a role with them getting an internship.'
That concludes the interviews, we'd like to thank both Fatima & Rudy again for making time for us to answer our questions. It was a pleasure to get to know more about Tribez.
For anyone who is interested in Tribez and wants to know more, you can always check out their Facebook page, Instagram page and Twitter page. Tribez is recruiting new members for their committee until the 30th of October, which is next Friday. If you would like to become a general member and be invited to their events are more, you can sign up for that all through the year.
You can find their pages and sign up form through this link:
https://linktr.ee/sv.tribez
]]>
At African Drops we want to share Africa the way we see it through our Journey. We want to share information of cultures, people and places. After covering music it's a must to continue with the activity that starts when the music comes on, also known as Dancing.
While dancing Uma enjoys the sense of freedom and the thrill off learning new things.
'I do see more influence of afro in other styles and a lot of afro fusions; for example - afro house, afro contemporary and even afro in high heels. I also notice a lot of hip hop and R&B artists collaborate with afro artists.'
At African Drops we take pride in knowing where and by whom our products are made. That's why we would like to introduce our tailors to the community.
First off we are meeting Jacob.
Jacob (33) is from the coastal town Ada, Ghana. One day a friend from Canada and asked for Jacob's help. She wanted to give her friends some unique gifts back overseas. They bought some fabric at the market and asked a seamstress to make some clothing out of it. After receiving positive responses on his designs he decided he wanted to do it more often. He started working with the seamstress to learn the craft. When he could afford his own sewing machine he started for himself.
When sewing Jacob is fully in his element. Fully relaxed at work he has no problem with expressing himself through his products. That's why he has been a tailor for over 10 years now. His specialties are bags and shoes in all fabrics. He loves Kente and Batik especially with the colours green and yellow and a dash of red.
Jacob likes to get challenged by his clients and uses these challenges as inspiration for his own projects. In his free time, he likes to sing and make music. Next to that Jacob is a computer hardware engineer and is known to help the whole neighbourhood with their technical difficulties.
We met Jacob just like you meet everybody else in Ghana, through a friend. We asked Jacob to work with us on the bags for the Akwaaba drop. But as we are friends you will get plenty more chances to get your hands on some of Jacob's work.
Next up we introduce Francis (57) but we know him as Uncle Caution. Uncle Caution is from Accra, Ghana's capital city. At a young age Francis fell in love with the art and craft of tailoring, so he decided he wanted to became a designer and he made it happen.
Music is something that has been loved by us from the beginning of time for us. Music has always been involved in our lives and will definitely remain in our lives. From dancing to music all the way to making music. We have a love for music that comes from Africa, but also music that is inspired by Africans. And of course, music made by people of African descent. That is why our playlist isn't only filled with afro tunes, but music that we feel fits with us, African Drops.
Our playlist is not the only form of music sharing that we'll be doing. From time to time we will be sharing blog posts in the topic of music. These can contain anything from a top list, to music recommendations and discoveries, and interviews with artists.
For our first music blog post, we decided to include a local artist that we know of. His music can be found in our playlist and he goes by the name of Yacn A. Wastara. An artist that has been active for 5 years in his genre. A fresh voice that graces any tropical beat it touches. Truly an artist to look out for, with a collection of songs that will make you bop your head and move your hips without you knowing it.
I got the chance to speak with Yacn and ask him what music is to him. Music to Yacn is life. It's a way of capturing vibes, vibes that you can't express in words but feel through his music. He makes music to express himself and share his feeling and vibe with us. Just like for us, Yacn grew up surrounded by music. He comes from a family where music was always there. A family that was always singing and dancing, but he is the first to actually become an artist. With his music he wants to bring people together, if that's on the dancefloor or at home.
These are things that hit close to home for me. And that is why Yacn is an artist that fits with what African Drops is. Go check out his instagram to stay updated with new releases and upcoming projects at: @yacn_wastara
And of course, don't forget to check out his songs Ela & Nakuwaza in our African Drops Spotify Playlist.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2vzy08KUr7S6APABggAQmb?si=qo5gRZIPSne7KMTn7B2wOw
~
]]>