Emerson (Sierra Leonean musician)
Encyclopedia
Emerson Amidu Bockarie better known by his first name Emerson is an internationally recognised Sierra Leonean afropop
musician and the biggest and most famous musician from Sierra Leone at present. He uses his music against political corruption
in Sierra Leone, while addressing the struggle of poor Sierra Leoneans. He sings mostly in Krio
and English
.
to parents from the Mende
ethnic group
. In 2003, he recorded his first album titled Borbor Bele. His first single ‘U Go See Am’ was an instant hit as he directly called out Sierra Leoneans to stand against corrupt politicians who never live up to their promises. This song was nominated for best single at the Sierra Leonean Premier Music Awards (PMA) in Freetown in 2004. Shortly after his first single, he released his second album single titled 'Borbor Bele', depicting a corrupt civil servant or non-governmental organization employee who steals public resources. There was an attempt to ban the ‘Borbor Bele’ title track in Sierra Leone, but it was unsuccessful due to public support and it continued to play on the radio. The song received unprecedented airplay. His third song titled 'Tutu Pati' was his most commercially successful song to date. Emerson's album overall was highly successful at home and internationally.
Emerson's regular attack on politicians did not stop after the release of his award winning single Borbor Bele; he went on to release a controversial song titled Tu Fut Arata, which in the opinion of many helped to oust the then ruling Sierra Leone People's Party
and eventually ushered in the All People's Congress
of Ernest Bai Koroma in 2007. In the first year of Koroma's rule Emmerson released a song, 'We Go Wap', that warns that the people can change the APC government in the next election if they rule like the previous SLPP. True to his words, Emmerson released another song, 'Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday', which apparently sent shock waves to the government of Ernest Koroma.
Emerson just recently released his debut music video reflecting most of the songs on the Borbor Bele album. The music videos themselves clearly depict vivid scenes of life in Sierra Leone.
Afropop
Afropop or Afro-pop may refer to:*African popular music*Afropop Worldwide, a weekly radio program from Public Radio International...
musician and the biggest and most famous musician from Sierra Leone at present. He uses his music against political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
in Sierra Leone, while addressing the struggle of poor Sierra Leoneans. He sings mostly in Krio
Krio language
Sierra Leone Krio is the lingua franca and the de facto national language spoken throughout the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Krio is spoken by 97% of Sierra Leone's population and unites the different ethnic groups in the country, especially in their trade and social interaction with each...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
.
Early life and career
Emerson Amidu Bockarie was born in Sierra Leone's third largest city of KenemaKenema
Kenema is the third largest city in Sierra Leone and the largest city in the Eastern Province with a population of 128,402 in the 2004 census and a more recent estimate of 169,937...
to parents from the Mende
Mende people
The Mende people are one of the two largest and most dominant ethnic group in Sierra Leone, along with the Temne. The Mende make up 30% of Sierra Leone's total population or 1,932,015 members...
ethnic group
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
. In 2003, he recorded his first album titled Borbor Bele. His first single ‘U Go See Am’ was an instant hit as he directly called out Sierra Leoneans to stand against corrupt politicians who never live up to their promises. This song was nominated for best single at the Sierra Leonean Premier Music Awards (PMA) in Freetown in 2004. Shortly after his first single, he released his second album single titled 'Borbor Bele', depicting a corrupt civil servant or non-governmental organization employee who steals public resources. There was an attempt to ban the ‘Borbor Bele’ title track in Sierra Leone, but it was unsuccessful due to public support and it continued to play on the radio. The song received unprecedented airplay. His third song titled 'Tutu Pati' was his most commercially successful song to date. Emerson's album overall was highly successful at home and internationally.
Emerson's regular attack on politicians did not stop after the release of his award winning single Borbor Bele; he went on to release a controversial song titled Tu Fut Arata, which in the opinion of many helped to oust the then ruling Sierra Leone People's Party
Sierra Leone People's Party
Sierra Leone People's Party is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, along with the All People's Congress .-Formation:...
and eventually ushered in the All People's Congress
All People's Congress
The All People's Congress is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, the other is the Sierra Leone People's Party . The party was founded in 1960 by Pa Mucktarru Kallay, Allieu Badarr Koroma,Alhaji Sheik Gibril Sesay C A Kamara-Taylor, S A T Koroma and Abu Bakarr S Bangura...
of Ernest Bai Koroma in 2007. In the first year of Koroma's rule Emmerson released a song, 'We Go Wap', that warns that the people can change the APC government in the next election if they rule like the previous SLPP. True to his words, Emmerson released another song, 'Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday', which apparently sent shock waves to the government of Ernest Koroma.
Emerson just recently released his debut music video reflecting most of the songs on the Borbor Bele album. The music videos themselves clearly depict vivid scenes of life in Sierra Leone.
External links
- http://standardtimespress.net/cgi-bin/artman/publish/article_2072.shtml