Music and the Obama victory

by Daniel Brown

Article published on the 2008-11-19 Latest update 2008-11-21 07:31 TU

( Photo: Reuters )

From the beginning of the US presidential campaign, Democrat candidate Barack Obama had the support of much of the American music community. World Tracks listens to the opinions of African and American artists like Cheick Tidiane Seck, Samuel James, U-Cef and Chiwoniso as they share their experience of the historic vote.

Rarely have musicians from all walks of life rallied behind one candidate as much as they did for the Illinois senator. And Obama’s long presidential campaign often rang out with songs, like “A Change is Gonna Come”, recorded by Sam Cooke in 1964.

This was one of Sam Cooke’s last songs which also inspired Obama in his acceptance speech on 4 November. That’s when the President-elect stated “a change has come”.

Artists were inspired by Obama’s journey from obscurity to the White House. Some, like Will.i.am are household names who amplified the politician’s words. "Yes we can" by the Californian singer featured a glittering array of guests, including Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Scarlet Johansson and Herbie Hancock.

Word spread to the global community of musicians and soon songs were being released in Europe, Africa, Asia and the West Indies. “O! Oh Obama” by the Compagnie Créole, one of the longest-running bands in the French West Indies included the following words: “You’re a messenger of peace”, “preaching love and hope in all our hearts,” they sing. “Even in the baobab trees, people sing Obama.”

Well, no one was able to prove that. But clearly there was a buzz in the air for Obama, which we decided to investigate. Chiwoniso, the articulate singer from Zimbabwe who has recently emigrated to the States, for example, was fulsome in her admiration: "He's a great man and very intelligent," she confided to World Tracks.

"Insofar as leadership qualities are concerned he has intelligence, the desire to change things, the communications and this very powerful presence, he's an incredible person", she said.

Over 200 people gathered in a brand new club in northern Paris called Saraaba. This French-Senegalese institution held an all-night party around music and the American elections. Cheick Tidiane Seck, Toure Kunda, Nzongo Soul, Mark Mir and many other artists turned up to follow the vote and exchange opinions on the impact of a presidency led by Obama.

One thing was clear, however. No matter what Obama’s presidency brings, artists like Chiwoniso and U-Cef will dip their musical pens into the veins of American realities to mirror and sometimes sway the politics they witness.

Obama’s own musical tastes go from Yo-Yo Ma and Howlin’ Wolf to Bruce Sprinsteen and Bob Dylan. Names that, the international music community hopes, will reflect a humanism and intelligence they feel has been absent from American politics for so many years.