A CHAT FROM LONDON : What does the death of Bongo Flava singer Mangwea tell us?

Most ingredients are here. Dying young, dying overseas, mystery and speculation. Like Steven Kanumba (around this time last year too) Albert Kenneth Mangwea (pictured) passed away leaving doubts, while just starting to flutter wings, hence the South African trip.

 A comment by a Ugandan reader in Global Publishers blog called the Bongo Flava artiste   unique amongst East Africans who should have even collaborated with big guys like Akon.

Award winning 40-year-old Akon (Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam) is of Senegalese origin, born in the USA and has worked with Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and Eminem. He performed in Dar es Salaam in 2006.  

One saddened London post graduate Tanzanian student said of Mangwea: “He was very, very gifted. His free style was unmatched. He was like the Eminem of Swahili rap.”

Issue here is Eminem is not renowned for taking drugs; the American rapper is extremely hardworking and disciplined. He has been ranked one of the world’s best music artistes by several magazines. Therein smiles the legacy. Like Eminem, the late Mangwea was brilliant with free styling, which translates in layman terms as a gift in using, improvising and inventing words.

I am not a fan of Swanglish but find delight in such lines from the 2006 hit “Mikasi”:

“Bora uweke kesho ule chai

Asiye na kitu bora abaki;

Tusishikane mashati,

Tuanzie Masaki, kuna bonge la pati

Mitungi hii mikasi.”

The use of Mikasi (scissors) is inventive and figurative; only if you know youth slang would you actually understand what this gifted poet was rapping, six years ago. There are several strands regarding Mangwea, who was born in Morogoro in 1982.

Let us begin with the speculation.

Known artistes who indulge in intoxicating substances then kick the bucket always attract the notion of a “mysterious death.” Since Mangwea’s drug taking habit was no secret, first reaction was to connect his end to a drug overdose. But then fresh stories of poison, fake or expired drugs, all pointed fingers to “dirty work.” The medical spokesman said Mangwea’s comatose body oozed blood from ears, nose and mouth.

Dismaying.

Very.

 South Africa is a tough place.

 Although it attracts many Africans – lives of foreigners are edgy and dangerous. In March, a young Mozambican taxi driver was killed after allegedly being tortured by local police. Many who have lived in SA feel they should “piss off” despite the assistance given to their cause during the cruel Apartheid era. To hear Africans dying in that country is sad for the continent. Where are our natural riches and who are they helping?

Let us look at the life style.

Tasting a life of honey and celebrity life is relatively new to young Tanzanian musicians, yet normality across the planet. African American guitarist Jimi Hendrix (1970), singer Janis Joplin (1970) and lately British singer Amy Winehouse (2011) are few high profile examples of extremely talented young people who died under the influence of intoxicants shortly after sniffing fame and fortune.

We in poor developing countries have more to lose from such reckless life styles.  Look at pictures of Mangwea’s mother. Does she look glamorous? She was a single parent, a widow. In fact Mangwea was just about to rebuild his dad’s grave. Surrounded by poverty an artiste in Africa has a bigger responsibility than the likes of Amy Winehouse.

Today’s Bongo Flava artistes (i.e. Lady Jay Dee, Professor Jay, TID) are much better off than the generation of Salim Abdallah (died in 1965), Mbaraka Mwinshehe (1979), Kassim Magati and Marijani Rajab (1994) and James Mpungo (2010).  Except for Salum Abdullah, who ran his own small business, these naturally gifted musicians remained paupers to the end. Mwinshehe died in Kenya following a car accident that left him bleeding because he could not afford a blood transfusion.

How do you spend your money? Lady Jay Dee has a club.  Nyumbani Lounge. This is excellent – a role model for many, especially women. That is why the plight of Ray C’s drug taking is embarrassing.

What lessons then?

In the developed world, stars who have managed to keep discipline glow to old age.  Compare two great Brazilian football legends: Mane Garrincha (considered the best dribbler in history) and his contemporary Pele. While the latter was more disciplined, Garrincha died of liver damage due to alcoholism aged only 49 in 1983. Sober and self-respectful, Pele, 72, continues to inspire, shine and represent Brazil.

In music compare very articulate and gracious, drug free guitarist Carlos Santana, 65, to Jimi Hendrix. Santana always admits Hendrix was phenomenal. But one died and the other is still flowering. There is a surge of more disciplined artistes these days; exercising and taking care of health: Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney, aged 69 and 70 respectively are multi-millionaire models.

I should finish with a 2007 quote from Spanish musician Manu Chao (Jungle Drums interview London): “We don’t need leaders; everyone should be a leader.”