The Ties That Bind: Chief Boima Reflects on Politics and Music in Liberia

The Ties That Bind: Chief Boima Reflects on Politics and Music in Liberia


OKA favorite Boima Tucker (spinning for local artist Jakanese in the photo above) writes a potent piece for The Cluster Mag about the close connection between music and politics in Liberia.

"For the disgruntled youth of Liberia, Hipco, Hip-Hop in Liberian 'Colloquial English', has served as a voice for their dissatisfaction with the nation’s leaders and wealthy elite, and has arguably inaugurated the beginnings of a cultural revolution."

It's clear from the article that one cannot talk about Liberia's history without acknowledging the powerful role that music has played as a tool to both organize marginalized youths as well as rally support for corrupt politicians.

Check out this freestyle session at Shadow Entertainment Studios inside Budumbura, the Liberian refugee camp in Accra, Ghana.

Read the full article here, complete with personal photos and video taken during Tucker's recent trip to Liberia.

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​Photo illustration by Kaushik Kalidindi, Okayplayer.
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