about
After a serious hiatus from label activities and an extended time living in Sudan by the banks of the river Nile, Philly B is back to introduce 3 Sudanese MC’s from Omdurman and Khartoum. DM, Black Scorpion and 2Zee lace this stripped back hip hop reworking of a classic Sudanese hit, originally sung by Ibrahim Alkashif in the 1950’s. As with the original song, our offering proudly celebrates Sudanese African identity; a revolutionary statement in the face of the last 30 years of dictatorship which has seen the country carved up and separated from the south on ethnic and religious lines.
The 11th April is a significant date to release this record – one year to the day that the Sudanese people filled the streets at the military HQ in the heart of the capital Khartoum, to celebrate the downfall of tyrant dictator Omar el Bashir and the hope of return to democratic civilian rule in Sudan. The famous ‘Algyada’ sit-in had begun since the 7th of April; 2 months occupying a huge space in front of the military HQ. It was there that Philly recorded the melody to ‘I’m African, I’m Sudanese’ when the Sudanese music community hit the streets in procession with instruments in tow, playing anthems and slogans of the revolution in support for the sit-in.
The track begins with the question: “what is your waton?” A difficult concept to translate to English but a question that every Sudanese can answer. ‘Waton’ refers somehow to nationhood, but it is much more than a geopolitical concept – it is social and psychological and is reflected in everyday interactions in Sudanese society. It encapsulates community, generosity, nostalgia and and is expressed in the unbending pride of the Sudanese people. In Sudan you belong to your waton before you can say you come from a region, before you represent a town, a neighbourhood, before your family or even yourself.
Our version of ‘Ana Africi, Ana Sudani’ is an expression of Sudanese identity voiced by these 3 young MC’s at this cross roads in Sudanese history. Enjoy this record and share it; you can be sure someone you know won’t have any clue about this vast ancient land in East Africa called Sudan, much less of the Hip Hop they’re exporting.
lyrics
DM
land of plenty, Africa is our mother
genuine Sudanese, bonded by identity
a wealth of races, religions, colours & features
people of empathy & kindness
generosity lives in our souls
welcome, our joy is a gathering
shared with some good conversation
this music touches my heart
from here there's no turning back
we will build him with devotion
with freedom
with our dreams
every living civilian
in peace and satisfaction
all the IDP’s & refugee’s
returning back to their lands
we're all under one great ‘waton’
vast lands without boundaries
we'll strive to progress
& we'll learn from the past
East, West, North, South
all of us are brothers
we live together as one
wherever we are from
amplify the rhythm of our lives
& sing out its melodies
our beloved land
we are proud of you Sudan
Black Scorpion
this is Sudan, land of ‘Zol’
here is the grave of a dictator
I’m lucky
I’m an African
I’m Sudanese
leader of African nations
teacher of freedom
my rightful place
in the African Autumn
we are the leaders
defeating a powerful dictator
with our chants and songs
we gave the whole world a lesson
in peaceful protest
our country
we will build our nation
with education & enlightenment
dusting off our minds
we play catch up
we play ‘rabbaba’
we beat ‘nougara’
& ‘tumba’ with the ‘tumbara’
we come together from all parts
& form the circle of a victory dance
we say no to war
for real
we must build from scratch in 1000 ways
we will build with love & peace
under the melody of music
our diversity will make a difference
& we won't be divided
from the north
to the south
to the east
to the west
2Zee
I’m writing with the blood of a martyr
I’m looking for the missing
searching for the one who disappeared
& said farewell to the neighbourhood
about how he made a revolution for his country
& made history for a generation
sick of the injustice
they revolted in the face of a dictator
they said nostalgia might kill you
they said nostalgia is a curse
how could I ever immigrate to a strange land?
I will fight for your love my country
because your love is an instinct
even if you bring me more pain
ill truly stand by you
our country is beautiful for its people
its gatherings & conversation
just to rest on your sands
it gives me comfort
oh my country, how I’m battling
while your children fled
your son died, while these strangers live free
oh home of the Nile!
your water flows & the people are thirsty
we accepted our destiny
hoping it will accept us
the accusers will be judged
I’m sentenced with no crime
my only charge
was trying to protect your soil
the rest is history
one I will tell to my grandchildren
even if you cut me deeper
I will hide the wounds
Am Ahmed walks upright in the street
a smile in his cheek
his grandchildren by his side
he tells them of his past & the glory
credits
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