Ethnomusicologist Oyebade Dosunmu (PhD 2010) will give a Brown Bag Lecture for the University Center for International Studies African Studies Program on Thursday, October 27 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at 4130 Wesly W. Posvar Hall. Dosunmu's lecture, titled From Hepcat Beat to Afro, explores the development of Nigerian pop music.
During the 1960s, Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule. A renewed self-determination captured all Nigerians, especially the youth. Traditional West African music began to sound like a remnant of the colonial path and young Nigerians turned to Euro-American pop/rock music. This movement was not without its critics, including the notable Fela Kuti who instead of emulating western music, created his own contercultural genre, AFROBEAT. Dr. Dosunmu will be chronicling the various countercultures of Nigerian pop music and how these cultures arose. You are all welcome to join in this exciting discussion and to learn something new about Nigerian popular music culture.
For more information about this event, e-mail Sarah Amanfu or call 412-624-8143.