Press release | Arts & Culture | 16. March 2015

On March 21, Music In Africa celebrates premiere in Germany – panel discussion and concert

The aim of the “Music In Africa” online platform is to enhance the popularity of African music throughout the world and promote international collaboration between artists. This event marks the first time that this joint initiative of the Goethe-Institut and the Siemens Stiftung has been presented in Germany.

 

The presentation on March 21 will accompany a concert by Senegalese hip-hop artists, who are visiting Munich as part of the “Dox Dajé” exchange program. Among the musicians taking part are the underground pioneer Matador and the rapper Keyti. Before the concert begins, the West African musicians will be taking part in a panel discussion, chaired by the music journalist Jona-than Fischer, about the role of hip-hop in Senegal’s development and the increasing importance of interaction between continents.

 

Program:

 

6 p.m., Muffatwerk Studio I: Presentation of “Music In Africa”
and a panel discussion entitled “Senegalese Urban Art & Culture”

Welcoming address by Dr. Nathalie von Siemens, Managing Director and Spokesperson of the Siemens Stiftung, Johannes Ebert, Secretary-General of the Goethe-Institut and Dietmar Lupfer, Managing Director of the Muffatwerk.

 

Presentation of “Music in Africa”

Eddie Hatitye, Director of the “Music In Africa Foundation”, has been responsible for setting up the online platform. This will be the first time that the project has been presented in Germany. Together with Jens Cording, project manager at the Siemens Stiftung, and Dr. Norbert Spitz, Institute Director and Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Eddie Hatitye will be describing the project’s exciting start-up phase, in which over 100 professional musicians, scientists, journalists, managers and educationalists from all parts of Africa were involved.

 

Panel discussion on “Senegalese Urban Art & Culture”
The subsequent panel discussion will examine the work of the “Dox Dajé” exchange program, in which Senegalese musicians are collaborating with Munich-based hip-hop artists. Topics for discussion include the role of hip-hop in shaping political opinion in Senegal, what the German and Senegalese scenes have in common, and the value of exchange programs between continents. Participants: Eddie Hatitye, Director of the Music In Africa Foundation, Amadou Fall Ba, Director of the hip-hop center Africulturban, Dietmar Lupfer, Managing Director of the Muffatwerk and the Senegalese rapper Keyti. Chair: Jonathan Fischer, Munich-based journalist, and DJ.
The presentation and panel discussion will be held in English.

 

Anyone interested in closer acquaintance with the panel members and representatives of “Music In Africa” is cordially invited to come to the Café Muffathalle after the panel discussion for light refreshments.

 

10 p.m., Muffathalle: “DOX DAJÈ” – Concert featuring Senegalese hip-hoppers
Highpoint of the evening is a concert featuring five Senegalese musicians. These artists have come to Munich as part of the “Dox Dajé” exchange program, initiated by the Muffatwerk and Association Africulturban Pikine-Dakar, for a week-long collaboration with top hip-hoppers such as Main Concept and Blumentopf. The concert musicians are the underground pioneer Matador, the MC P.P.S the Writah, Ciré Dia, DJ Gee Bayss and the rapper Keyti. The Senegalese music program is curated by Amadou Fall Ba. The “Music In Africa” concert is part of the “MünchnerStiftungsFrühling” program.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Free admission.

Venue:
Muffathalle Munich
Zellstraße 4, 81667 Munich

Related links

Panel discussion

Concert