By Yusuf Bangura
A few hours ago, Azania Noah performed almost to a full house at the Arts Centre of the Geneva International School. It was a delightful, relaxing and memorable evening of beautiful music. She treated her enthusiastic and diverse audience of different age groups to one hour of mesmerising love ballads and soulful songs with uplifting messages.
Azania’s musical repertoire is heavily R&B (Rhythm and Blues). This is not surprising if one listens to her sing. One needs to be gifted with a special voice to excel in R&B, and Azania perfectly fits the bill. This music genre comes naturally to her because of her lyrical, enchanting and deeply soulful voice.
Azania on global stage
I grew up listening to a lot of soul/R&B music. As an adolescent and young man, I was moved by the unique vocals and intricate but sweet and gripping keyboard sounds, which stirred the soul.
All of these were on display at the Geneva Arts Centre last night, with Anazia as the star performer, supported by two keyboard maestros and two backup singers whose voices blended seamlessly with Azania’s.
Among the female R&B singers I grew up listening to, the following clearly stood out: Aretha Franklyn, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Etta James, Millie Jackson, Roberta Flack, The Staple Singers, and Whitney Houston. Tony Braxton and Brandy are two of the few contemporary African-American female singers that I believe have remained loyal to an undiluted R&B tradition of soulful vocalisation. Most African-American singers now rap or combine rap and R&B.
I never imagined that R&B would fade as the music of choice among Africa-Americans and be overtaken by hip-hop. I felt rejuvenated and hopeful last night listening to hit after hit of melodious R&B songs from Azania, who clearly can be seen as a torchbearer in keeping this music genre alive. Her music measures up well to the standards set by the pioneers of R&B.
Promo for the show!
But Azania’s repertoire is not all R&B. We were treated to a well-crafted and rhythmic dance floor song * Salone nar wi yon; nar wi orl get am* (Sierra Leone is ours; it belongs to us all), delivered in a typical Sierra Leonean meringue/milo rhythm and beat style. She also did a rendition of three African and African-inspired classics—the South African *Jerusalema* by Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode; the Nigerian *Sweet Mother* by Prince Nico Mbarga; and *Waka Waka* (This Time for Africa) by Shakira, who adapted the 1986 Cameroonian hit song *Zangaléwa* of the Golden Sounds.
Azania does not only have a sweet and captivating voice; she also writes many of her songs. In addition to her rendition of famous R&B songs, we were privileged to listen to a few of her creative ballads, such as *I’m incredible*, which depicts courage and determination; *You belong*, an amazing song that imagines a life of freedom, peace, happiness and well-being (my favourite); and *Can we try again?* Azania also crafted *Salone nar wi yon*.
This was a well spent evening. Azania has really come a long way in her musical career. According to Swiss Watch Passport, she has made over 800 performances, including on French TV and at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and she’s billed to perform at the EPHJ exhibition at Palexpo in June. This is a high precision watch fair organised by the industry’s most prestigious brands, which project Azania as their ‘most highly rated singer’.
Azania is also well connected with Sierra Leone—her country of origin. Her concert was organised as a fund-raising event to support the work of the Sierra Leone NGO, All as One Children’s Centre’s programme ‘Education for All’, which provides education to children in two schools at MaSantigie and Malimba. She serves as an ambassador for the Centre. We wish her and the Centre well and look forward to patronising more of her concerts.
