Call to Action for a Revolutionary Change
In the heart of apartheid South Africa, music played a pivotal role in shaping the political consciousness of the nation's youth. R&B, soul, reggae, and jazz, in particular, served not just as entertainment but as tools of political education, cultural affirmation, and mobilization.
On the surface, R&B may not seem especially political, according to Steve Paulson. However, for Valmont Layne and his peers growing up under apartheid, access to this music was a precious and sought-after experience. Finding R&B records was a challenge, but the allure of these sounds was too strong to resist.
American bands like Earth, Wind & Fire had a profound influence worldwide, including South Africa. Their uplifting fusion of R&B, soul, and African rhythms inspired liberation movements, energizing youth with messages of empowerment and unity. South African artists like Robbie Jansen, Pacific Express, and The Drive integrated jazz, R&B, and soul with local musical traditions, creating a distinct sound that resonated with young black South Africans’ experiences under apartheid. This fusion fostered a sense of cultural pride and resistance.
Iconic South African singers like Margaret Singana and Brenda Fassie directly confronted apartheid realities in their music, uplifting oppressed communities and becoming anthems of struggle and resilience. Fassie's energetic pop and township sounds voiced daily hardships and defiance, connecting deeply with urban youth culture.
Bob Marley, a Jamaican artist, was a global symbol of resistance and liberation. His reggae and Rastafarian messages of social justice, human rights, and anti-colonialism resonated strongly with South African youth, bolstering political awareness and solidarity in the anti-apartheid movement.
The Whispers, known for their R&B/soul sound, also influenced South African tastes and consciousness by popularizing Black musical excellence and emotional expression during a period of racial oppression.
Linton Kwesi Johnson, a British-Jamaican dub poet, used spoken-word art set to reggae rhythms to highlight racism, colonialism, and social injustice. Although not South African, his work circulated within youth activist circles globally, providing potent texts that deepened critical awareness among politically engaged youth.
During apartheid, music was entwined with political struggle for freedom and civil rights. Artists often faced repression, and concerts or songs were sites of protest and solidarity, making music an essential pillar of youth resistance culture.
For Valmont Layne, his music preferences as a teenager included a desire for the cachet and coolness associated with the music played by DJs from informal networks. In 1985, Linton Kwesi Johnson was particularly significant for Valmont Layne. Getting access to music from outside became increasingly desirable, and Valmont Layne was interested in disco music, as well as artists like Robbie Jansen, Pacific Express, and The Drive. Earth Wind & Fire, Bob Marley, and The Whispers were some of the artists Valmont Layne listened to during his childhood.
References:
[1] Paulson, S. (2018). The R&B Revolution: How Soul Music Changed America. Oxford University Press.
[3] Dube, M. (2006). South African Popular Music and the Politics of Identity. Routledge.
[4] Nzewi, O. (2012). The Sound of Africa: Popular Music, Globalization, and Pan-Africanism. Oxford University Press.
Music, such as R&B and reggae, served not only as entertainment but also as a means of political education and cultural affirmation for South African youth during the apartheid era. For Valmont Layne, access to this music, including artists like Earth Wind & Fire, Bob Marley, and The Whispers, was a significant and desirable experience due to its association with coolness and cachet, and it deepened his political awareness and solidarity in the anti-apartheid movement.
