Nadeem Salaam“Since day one, my music has always been one that is meant to uplift and with time, this has been consolidated. My music is a call to humanity, a call for peace, justice and freedom for all peoples. It’s more centered on African politics where there is a patent dissatisfaction between the people and the leaders,and It’s our call to get Africa back on the right track.”
You are from the West African savanna of Burkina Faso (“Burkina”, from Mòoré, may be translated as “men of integrity”, while “Faso” means “fatherland” in Dioula. “Burkino Faso” is thus meant to be understood as “Land of upright people” or “Land of honest people”) from what I understand.
Has has that impacted you? Any correlation with your life philosophy?
“My country drew its name from the revolution (1984-1987) with the great Thomas Sankara who inspired and continues to inspire the whole African youth through his ideas and achievements in such a short time. He taught us self-confidence, self reliance and the possibility for Africa to develop itself from within. Of course this helped shape my life philosophy, as well as my music.”
“Walking down the streets of Harlem reminded me that the struggle for equality was still going on and that we need to keep our fire lit as I witnessed a people in quest of a better future, trapped in a system. The song was recorded and used in a documentary about the Black people’s life in Harlem named The Streets of Harlem.“
You used to be in a group called ‘2 Kas,’ can you talk briefly about the experience, from what I understand it’s a West African group that has had some popularity in the region?
“2KAS was a hip hop group from Burkina Faso which was successful around 2002-2005, just before I came to New York in 2005. It was composed of me ( Mano), Kafyss, Sane and Abi Cool. We were solicited much for performances, and the group was popular for its unique hardcore style which was better expressed in the song ” Ya 2KAS” which became a challenging war cry for the youth of Burkina Faso.“
How have you grown as an artist since 2003s album “Anges le jour/Diables la nuit” which means “angels in the day/devils in the night” which is a political exposition of African abuse of power
“Since day one, my music has always been one that is meant to uplift and with time, this has been consolidated. My music is a call to humanity, a call for peace, justice and freedom for all peoples. It’s more centered on African politics where there is a patent dissatisfaction between the people and the leaders,and It’s our call to get Africa back on the right track.”
“Fela Kuti along with artists like Tiken Jah Fakoly are a source of great inspiration to me, as they say loudly what everyone thinks so quietly. African spokespersons cannot close their eyes to our reality; artists along with writers are the mirror of the society; so for African artists to be talk about the rain and the good weather is just irrelevant and unrealistic. The legacy of such artist lives on, inspiring coming generations.”
Do you have an album out, or one coming out you want to let people know of?
“I released singles during my stay in the US while working on my album which is almost ready, and should come out very soon.” – Mano
This years June 21st festival has such a diversity, really from all over the world! Spain, Switzerland, Africa, Queens, NYC and Brooklyn, NY of course! Thanks for much for adding to the great diversity to this event, and I am simply humbled by your drive and empowering messages. –