Small Person.....Big Talent...

MiniSax

In our blog posts on things we like and people we like... we decided to write about Alheri's talented Saxophonist friend Amina.

Amina Abdusalami a.k.a Smallz, MiniSax, Toyin...is my awesome friend. She is so small but full of talent. Amina plays the saxophone. Now I did say she was small right! but when she hangs her saxophone in preparation to play, you keep wondering how possible, it is for her to handle the instrument. As soon as she starts playing, she keeps you watching in awe. I say she is talented because when she plays, she touches people (I mean people actually cry). Below is bit of my interview session with her:

Full Name and Age: Amina Oluwatoyin Abdusalami, 19


Maali: When did you start playing?


Amina: The first time I played a saxophone was in May 2007. I fell in love with it and I really wanted to learn. After that, I started playing professionally  in November 2007.


Maali: Who are your role models music-wise and generally?


Amina: Musically, I think Kenny G is my role model. Generally, my mother (Rev. Atinuke Abdusalami) is my role model. I aspire to be like her.


Maali: What inspires you and motivates you?


Amina: My motivation is my love for music and my passion for changing lives through the power of music. I believe music, really is food for the soul.


Maali: What are your main challenges ?


Amina: It is kind of hard to thrive as a Gospel artiste in the secular world. Also the saxophone is more common with men so of course it has some physical side effects.


Maali: What are your aspirations?


Amina: I want to become a minister in music and to also go worldwide. This summer, I will be working in a studio because I really hope to go full time into music and the gospel arena.

MiniSax 

Her latest Performance at a show

The next day at the show

*Amina Abdulsalami is a student at The American University of Nigeria Yola

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My Vintage Look- Day 1

Ok! I once mentioned I liked vintage right, will keep posting random pictures of me wearing vintage! Also found some magazines from the 80's that my dad had stacked in some room in our home in the village, I'm so excited about that will post pics soon, meanwhile enjoy my vintage or should I say thrift look pics...

Ignore the sling bag

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African Soul- World Music...Part 6 Angélique Kidjo (Conclusion)

Finally, I hope these artistes music has inspired you as well as it has us. Although we might not understand the languages they sing in, their voices prove music is universal and can transcend all cultural differences; and can be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone.


This is what we hope will  translate in our next collection as we grow as a brand, we thank everyone for supporting us and encouraging us in our quest to be better, and especially thank our family for always buying Maali even in our infantile stage. We hope that with your love and support we will be better and grow to be among the stars someday. Remain Maali (Blessed)





Angélique Kidjo  is a Grammy Award winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. BBC African Service has included Angelique in its list of the continent's 50 most iconic figures. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva" and The Guardian has listed her as one of their Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World.


Kidjo was born in Cotonou, Benin. Her father is from the Fon people of Ouidah and her mother from the Yoruba people. She grew up listening to Beninese traditional music.


Her musical influences include the Afropop, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, jazz, gospel, and Latin styles; as well as her childhood idols Bella Bellow, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Miriam Makeba and Carlos Santana. 

Kidjo is fluent in Fon, French, Yorùbá, and English and sings in all four languages.

To know more about Angélique Kidjo go to  www.kidjo.com

Listen to Angélique Kidjo 'Wombo Lombo' below

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African Soul- World Music... Part 5 Salif Keita

Salif Keïta (born August 25, 1949) is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita.


Keita was born in the city of Djoliba. He was cast out by his family and ostracized by the community because of his albinism, a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture


Keita moved to Paris in 1984 to reach a larger audience. His music combines traditional West African music styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style. Musical instruments that are commonly featured in Keita's work include balafons, djembes, guitars, koras, organs, saxophones, and synthesizers. In 1990, Keita contributed "Begin the Beguine" to the Cole Porter tribute/AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Blue produced by the Red Hot Organization.


Listen to 'Africa' below- makes you want to dance


Salif Keita - 'Africa'

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African Soul- World Music...Part 4 Oumou Sangaré

Oumou Sangaré  (born February 25, 1968, in Bamako, Mali) is a Malian Wassoulou musician, sometimes referred to as "The Songbird of Wassoulou." Wassoulou is a historic region south of the Niger River, and the music there is descended from traditional hunting songs, and is accompanied by a calabash. Her mother was the singer Aminata Diakité.

She is an advocate for women's rights, opposing child marriage and polygamy.

As a child, Oumou Sangaré sang in order to help her mother feed their family as her father had abandoned them. At the age of five, she was well known for her talents as a gifted singer. 

Oumou Sangaré is considered an ambassador of Wassoulou; her music has been inspired by the music and traditional dances of the region. She writes and composes her songs, which often include social criticism, especially concerning the place of women and their low position in society.

Her voice is heavenly, and her songs are just beautiful.

Listen to one of her songs below

Oumou Sangaré 'Moussolou'

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African Soul-World Music...Baaba Maal Part 3

Baaba Maal (born November 12, 1953) is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels.

Baaba sings primarily in Pulaar and is the foremost promoter of the traditions of the Pulaar-Fula language speaking peoples who live on either side of the Senegal River in the ancient Senegalese kingdom of Futa Tooro.

In 1998, Mal recorded "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" for the Red Hot Organization’s compilation album Red Hot + Rhapsody a tribute to George Gershwin which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease.In 2002, Maal again worked with the Red Hot Organization and appeared on a track titled "No Agreement" along side Res, Tony Allen, Ray Lema, Positive Black Soul and Archie Shepp for the tribute album to Fela Kuti,Red Hot + Riot.

He also featured on two tracks "Hunger" and "Still" on the Black Hawk Down (film) soundtrack.

Listen to 'Television' below and watch the video-nice and colourful.

Baaba Maal 'Television'

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African Soul- World Music...Youssou N'Dour- Part 2

Youssou N'Dour; born 1 October 1959 is a Senegalese singer, percussionist and occasional actor. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, in Senegal and much of Africa, "perhaps the most famous singer alive." He helped develop a style of popular music in Senegal, known in the Serer language as mbalax.


He is the subject of the award-winning films Return to Goree directed by Pierre-Yves Borgeaud and Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, which were released theatrically around the world.


Youssou N'Dour was born in Dakar. He began performing at the age of 12. He is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. A renowned singer, songwriter, and composer, Youssou's mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban samba to hip hop, jazz, and soul has won him an international fan base of millions. 


In the West, Youssou has collaborated with musicians Peter Gabriel, Sting, Neneh Cherry, Wyclef Jean, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Dido and others. In Senegal, Youssou is a powerful cultural icon actively involved in social issues.


Listen to one of my favourite songs ever!


Youssou N'Dour and Rokia Traoré Birima "Africa Live: Roll back Malaria" Geneva, 2005

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