They Call Me K.O.F.Y.
Posted by popkitchen | Filed under Uncategorized, music
A frequent objection to Serbian pop music scene is that it bears no reflection of realities of life in our country, that musicians are too involved with themselves and without ambitions. Then again, the same criticism could be applied to music scene in general. Anywhere. Posture over attitude, crate digging over originality, even indie bands are preoccupied with their appearance, interviews are filled with increasingly scandalous statements, music is consumed on a go, Ipod can stash more and more gigabytes, no one cares. It is so hard be surprised. To be astonished.
What do you say then to a person named Winston Kofy Ahman, performing under the moniker K.O.F.Y., who claims to be a crack dealer from Lagos, Nigeria, which he fled (after apparently sharing a prison cell with Fela Kuti for engaging in anti-government activities) to Jamaica, then Miami, Basel, only to settle in Belgrade of all places.
On the EP Return on the Secretary General, he muses about his life, calls Egyptian President Mubarak on the phone, complains about slow Internet connection and inability to use washing machine.
Over D.I.Y. electronics, K.O.F.Y. affronting us with our gaping ignorance of Africa by playing on stereotypes - Africans speaking in simple sentences, about trivialities like “eating lunch and dinner every day”, they are black “like coffee is black”, corrupt (“I can be brutal to my enemies, but I can be very grateful to my friends”). Gaddafi also stars as a character in one of the songs.
This is all a bit contrived, but done masterfully. K.O.F.Y. blends politics, local concerns with global topics, pop with performance. While we ponder matters of post-colonial politics, or author’s real origin or intentions, as you can escape a feeling that a practical joke is played on you, K.O.F.Y. stepped deeply into the “heart of darkness”. Like Kurtz he joined the natives (“It is I who rule Africa”) and is having a grand ol’ time.
In accordance with “global economy” you can download the product of it for free. A very sincere recommendation.
Tags: Africa, K.O.F.Y., music, politics
