Last Thursday I attended a screening of Homegrown: Hiplife in Ghana at Berkeley California's La Peña Community Center. The documentary done by Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi follows Ghanian Hip-Lifers V.I.P. (Vision in Progress) over a 10 year period in which they ascend to the heights of the Ghanian music industry and make a global splash with their brand of Highlife music mixed with Hip Hop technique and style. It's an inspirational story, and since the DVD is available, I definitely recommend a purchase and local screening, even if just amongst friends. It's just the kind of thing that can motivate you if you're looking for a Ghana win on Tuesday when they play Germany in the World Cup.
For a great article on the formation of Hip Life (as well as Ivorian Coupe Decale) read this interview at Afropop.org.
When I visited Sierra Leone in 2006, V.I.P.'s Ahomka Womu was a big hit. It's a great fusion of the Highlife rhythm with rapping and electronic beats. Check out the video below:
Go Black Stars!
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