Chicken for Change

Freshlyground just released a video for their new single, "Chicken to Change." If you haven't yet, take a listen to Freshlyground (members from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique) -- one of my favorite bands (listen to Nomvula, I'd Like also famous for partnering with Shakira in Waka Waka). The song satirizes Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's 30 years in power and in the video the band teamed with famous South African cartoonist Zapiro. Zapiro designed a latex puppet of Mugabe in addition to a whole cast of other African political leaders. Freshlyground were recently denied work permits to perform several scheduled concerts in Zimbabwe in part due to the political reaction to their new hit, but they're not swayed. It's already very popular. As one spokeswoman said, "The video is not an attack on Mugabe at all. It is a tongue-in-cheek challenge for him to reflect on things and become the hero he used to be, to consider his actions and surprise us. We are not afraid of his reaction. Why should we be in a democratic world?"

Talk about powerful media!

Listen to PRI's Marco Werman discuss this issue in the Global Hit, and read more about the band and their new video in an article in the Independent here.

ALSO! Just so happens that a friend and fellow fellow, Aisha Fukushima had the chance to interview lead singer Zolani Mahola while she was in South Africa. Check out Aisha's video recording of the impromptu performance of Zolani and Simon Van Gend's "Everything I Ever Wanted" at a friend's place in Capetown. While you're at it, make sure you take a look at Aisha's project: RAPtivism: Hip Hop around the Globe.