A number one this week by Moussier Tombola, following the song Logobitombo and associated dance being a huge hit already on YouTube.
While there's not a whole lot to the song other than a feel-good call to the dance floor, it's certainly good to see a song like this at the top of the charts. France is no stranger to rows over racism, and I reckon that songs like this, while not pushing an overtly anti-racist agenda do their bit to help further ethnic harmony more than any well-meaning and well-funded awareness campaign.
While it's obvious that the odd hit single does not necessarily reflect a more racially tolerant society, its certainly a step in the right direction and you can't help but get the impression that the UK is lagging behind when it comes to its popular music reflecting the ethnic diversity of the country.
There's a huge ethnic population in the UK, with the Indian and Pakistani community a huge one as well as communities that have evolved following the country's historical links to Africa and the Caribbean.
But this doesn't seem to be reflected in the popular music of the UK, and while there have been one or two exceptions, popular music remains on the whole an anglo-saxon dominated field, with British and American artists dominating.
There's little sign of any Bhangra in the charts or African music getting widespread commercial exposure and I don't expect that will change anytime soon.
Music can make a difference. Witness how the Two Tone scene in the late 80s evolved to counter the rise of the extreme right in the UK as effectively as any protest group.
So personally, while it might not be my cup of tea, Moussier Tombola is a welcome addition to the French charts.
Top five:
1) Moussier Tombola - Logobitombo
2) Pitbull feat Marc Anthony - Rain over me
3) Mika - Elle me Dit
4) Lucenzo - Danza Kuduro
5) Inna Modja - French cancan
No comments:
Post a Comment