321 : Janka Nabay

Lately, True Panther Sounds has become the home of global joyjams so it makes total sense they would release an EP of breakneck bubu music made during the Sierra Leone civil war which ended in 2002. These songs were recorded under the constraints of conflict, yet Janka Nabay (somehow) made them awesome, inspiring and bursting with urgent ebullience. He answered our 321 questions.

Janka Nabay – Eh Congo [mp3] [Buy]

1. “I’m the bubu king.”

2. “I’m a musician .”

3. “I’m married.”

1.“My song, Lek U Culture. I love it because it caused Sierra Leonean to love their culture.”

2.“Wanna be Starting Something, by Michael Jackson. I love the song because from the first beat, I couldn’t believe that a black man made this song. I was so amused.”

Michael Jackson – Wanna be Starting Something (Live, Bad Tour, 1987)

1. “I wish the bubu musicians of Sierra Leone would go on a world tour with me.”

Janka Nabay’s EP, Bubu King is out now on True Panther Sounds.

01.03.10.