In 1994, Gil Scott-Heron’s spoken word track « A message to the messengersPleaded with artists to use their influence to improve and defend their communities. Now, building on the concept of Scott-Heron, comes The messenger, a new investigative documentary podcast that introduces audiences to places, genres, and issues of deep cultural and political significance that have rarely been explored in audio.
The show, produced by Spotify Studios, Dreamville The studios, et Awfully Nice, suit la superstar Afropop Bobby Wines transformation into a global icon leading a political uprising in his home country, Uganda. He explores the decades of injustice Ugandans have faced as he tells the story of Bobi Wine and the role musicians play in the struggle for social change across Africa. The messenger is hosted by artist Dreamville Low, who will go behind the scenes to explore the prolific Ugandan musician-turned-activist.
For memory spoke to Bas about his interest in telling Bobi Wine’s story, the task of being a “messenger” and the song he wrote especially for the podcast.
Why were you attracted to The story of Bobi Wine? What have you learned?
I believe in using my platform to talk about certain things that have a social effect on me. Bobi Wine is an inspiring musician because he sacrificed everything to go all the way in this direction. It’s inspiring, it’s commendable. In this process, I learned that Bobi is incredibly brave. Braver than me. I don’t think I would be able to do what he does. He really risks everything for a noble cause and a selfless cause.
Why do you think it is important for artists to take on the task mentioned in “The Messenger”? How do you try to accomplish this with your own work?
I think it’s important because artists are the voice of young people, they have the attention of young people and they have a great social impact. People listen, people hook up, and people care. If you can be a platform for some issues and be a platform for people, you should.
I try to talk about stories that are relevant to me and my peers. I try to tell their stories, their struggles. My stories, my struggles. I try to take a step back.
The podcast comes with an original song you created, ” Fire smoke. Tell us the story behind this song. How does the song fit into the podcast?
I didn’t face what Bobbi did, but we’ve all faced adversity or beaten the odds to some extent. That’s what this song is about. It is a question of perseverance. It’s about going up, like the smoke of fire through heat and through destruction and rising above. So I just tried to embody my own struggles and the struggles I live for my people, and it ended up being a bit cut from the same fabric that Bobbi embodies and represents. It was fair and consistent.
Other music featured in the podcast includes works by DJ Moma, French Montana, Fela Kuti, and Kendrick Lamar. Why did you choose these artists or these songs?
They all paint a scene. That’s the interesting thing with rating a podcast. It’s not like you’re writing a song and you know there’s going to be a music video going with it or releasing an album and there’s all of these images associated with rolling out the album. People have to see the setting of the story when they hear your voice, so songs are very important as they place the listener in certain scenes of the story.
What is your “message to the messengers?” “
Keep using your voice, keep using your platform, keep spreading stories that interest you. Don’t be cynical. Make an effort – as insignificant as it may seem.
Listen to the message. Catch Stockings’ original tracks in the first season of The messenger.
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