From Afrobeat to “Afrobeats”: Rediscovering the Pioneering Lijadu Sisters and Nigeria’s Musical Past Through KONKOMBE
Renewed international interest in the Nigerian Pop Music Scene of the 1970s, and the Lijadu Sisters specifically, comes with the re-release of the 1979 documentary “Konkombe.” Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu’s groundbreaking work and feminist stance in that era’s male-dominated music scene, continue to resonate today, making this revival a noteworthy cultural event.
Lijadu Sisters
I recently had the privilege of screening the documentary for the first time, directed by the late British filmmaker Jeremy Marre (1943-2020) as part of his influential “Beats of the Heart” series.
Set against the backdrop of a nation still contending with its colonial past and asserting its postcolonial identity from its diverse ethnic and cultural groups, “Konkombe” offers a vivid glimpse into Nigeria’s vibrant musical heritage.
While it featured a range of influential artists, including King Sunny Adé, Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, Sonny Okosun, I.K. Dairo, and Ebenezer Obey, its chronicle of the Lijadu Sisters is drawing particular interest in this revival.
It includes a global series of screenings and events including these announced dates (thus far):
- London, UK: October 16, 19, and 20 at Rio Cinema
- Brooklyn, NY: October 29 at BAM Rose Cinemas
- Chicago, IL: November 7 at The Block Museum of Art
- Los Angeles, CA: November 13 at Vidiots
- Lagos, Nigeria: December 8 at Jazzhole
The screenings, punctuated by discussions and Q&A sessions with surviving artists including Taiwo Lijadu, provide audiences with a unique opportunity to reassess the film’s significance and introduce it to a new generation.
This week, Akoroko Premium subscribers received a retrospective exploration and a celebratory reintroduction of the Lijadu Sisters, within the context of the re-release of “Konkombe: The Nigerian Pop Music Scene.
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