Sierra Leonean musician and activist Emmerson Bockarie is no stranger to controversy, having received death threats from all ends of the country`s political spectrum over two decades and three successive governments. Bockarie is back&nbsp;in his home country after a four-year stay in Nigeria with a new release amid heightened political friction over accusations of corruption, tribalism and partisanship between Sierra Leone`s two main political parties.&nbsp; 
 
The album '9 Lives', released in August, tackled the same societal ills that have made him a target of both ruling and opposition party supporters. Singing in the local krio pidgin, in a track called "Kokonat Ed" (Coconut Head) Bockarie sings: "Regardless of who`s in power there`ll be no change because they know we`ve made a strong decision to be blindly partisan."

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"Because of their fighting that has no expiration date and above all makes no sense the country is in reverse mode," he sings. 
Over a pulsating Afrobeat rhythm, Bockarie drives home the message that although power may shift hands, living conditions will remain the same for the poor so long as Sierra Leoneans continue to elect corrupt and incompetent officials. 
 
"We have been crying for 59 years," Bockarie told Reuters. "We deserve better. Whatever is happening between the political parties, it`s not our concern...All we are asking for is a better Sierra Leone." While the current government of President Julius Maada Bio touts a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption, the Afrobeat singer says Sierra Leone continues to face the same problems like tribalism and partisanship that led to it into a civil war from 1991 to 2002.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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The country`s two largest political parties, the Sierra Leone People`s Party (SLPP) and the All People`s Congress (APC), have alternately ruled since independence from Britain in 1961. Bockarie began making his political brand of Afropop in 2002. His 2007 album is often credited for helping turn that year`s presidential election in favour of the then-opposition APC. 
 
But by the time the SLPP regained power in 2018, Bockarie was living in Nigeria after having received death threats from APC supporters.&nbsp;Sierra Leone`s anti-corruption body summoned former president Koroma for questioning in October over allegations of graft while in office, but had to postpone after a crowd of demonstrators barred investigators from entering his property. 
 
"We`re taking the same paths over and over," Bockarie said "We`re not asking for the world. We`re just asking for basic, basic amenities like pipe-borne water."

Sierra Leonean musician and activist Emmerson Bockarie is no stranger to controversy, having received death threats from all ends of the country`s political spectrum over two decades and three successive governments.

Sierra Leonean musician and activist Emmerson Bockarie is no stranger to controversy, having received death threats from all ends of the country`s political spectrum over two decades and three successive governments. Bockarie is back in his home country after a four-year stay in Nigeria with a new release amid heightened political friction over accusations of corruption, tribalism and partisanship between Sierra Leone`s two main political parties. The album '9 Lives', released in August, tackled the same societal ills that have made him a target of both ruling and opposition party supporters. Singing in the local krio pidgin, in a track called "Kokonat Ed" (Coconut Head) Bockarie sings: "Regardless of who`s in power there`ll be no change because they know we`ve made a strong decision to be blindly partisan." Thanksgiving 2020: Remember how hit sitcom 'Friends' celebrated the Turkey day? "Because of their fighting that has no expiration date and above all makes no sense the country is in reverse mode," he sings. Over a pulsating Afrobeat rhythm, Bockarie drives home the message that although power may shift hands, living conditions will remain the same for the poor so long as Sierra Leoneans continue to elect corrupt and incompetent officials. "We have been crying for 59 years," Bockarie told Reuters. "We deserve better. Whatever is happening between the political parties, it`s not our concern...All we are asking for is a better Sierra Leone." While the current government of President Julius Maada Bio touts a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption, the Afrobeat singer says Sierra Leone continues to face the same problems like tribalism and partisanship that led to it into a civil war from 1991 to 2002. Check out the most expensive gifts that Hollywood stars have given each other The country`s two largest political parties, the Sierra Leone People`s Party (SLPP) and the All People`s Congress (APC), have alternately ruled since independence from Britain in 1961. Bockarie began making his political brand of Afropop in 2002. His 2007 album is often credited for helping turn that year`s presidential election in favour of the then-opposition APC. But by the time the SLPP regained power in 2018, Bockarie was living in Nigeria after having received death threats from APC supporters. Sierra Leone`s anti-corruption body summoned former president Koroma for questioning in October over allegations of graft while in office, but had to postpone after a crowd of demonstrators barred investigators from entering his property. "We`re taking the same paths over and over," Bockarie said "We`re not asking for the world. We`re just asking for basic, basic amenities like pipe-borne water."

Back with new Afrobeat album, veteran musician  Emmerson Bockarie asks for better Sierra Leone

Legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, who created afrobeat along with his old bandmate Fela Kuti, died suddenly at the age of 79 in Paris on Thursday, his manager told AFP.

"We don't know the exact cause of death," manager Eric Trosset said, adding it was not linked to the coronavirus.

"He was in great shape, it was quite sudden. I spoke to him at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), then two hours later he was sick and taken to Pompidou hospital where he died."

Allen was the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti's band Africa '70 in the 1960s and 1970s.

During that time the pair created afrobeat, combining West African musical styles such as highlife and fuji music with American imports jazz and funk. Afrobeat went on to become one of the totemic genres of 20th century African music.

Over Allen's thrilling beat, Fela laid out his revolutionary and pan-African message, which led him to become one of the abiding icons of the struggle for freedom across the continent.

Allen and Fela recorded around 40 albums together in Africa '70, before parting ways after a mythic 26-year collaboration.

Such was the hole that Allen left in his band, Fela needed four drummers to replace him.

Allen taught himself to play drums from the age of 18, drawing inspiration from American jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker as well as contemporary African music.

He remained hugely influential and beloved by generations of musicians.

British musician and producer Brian Eno has called Allen "perhaps the greatest drummer who ever lived".

Allen was the drummer in the supergroup The Good, the Bad &amp; the Queen, also featuring Blur singer Damon Albarn and The Clash bassist Paul Simonon, which released its second album in 2018.

He lived in the Paris suburb Courbevoie.

Legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, who created afrobeat along with his old bandmate Fela Kuti, died suddenly at the age of 79 in Paris on Thursday, his manager told AFP.

Legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, who created afrobeat along with his old bandmate Fela Kuti, died suddenly at the age of 79 in Paris on Thursday, his manager told AFP. "We don't know the exact cause of death," manager Eric Trosset said, adding it was not linked to the coronavirus. "He was in great shape, it was quite sudden. I spoke to him at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), then two hours later he was sick and taken to Pompidou hospital where he died." Allen was the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti's band Africa '70 in the 1960s and 1970s. During that time the pair created afrobeat, combining West African musical styles such as highlife and fuji music with American imports jazz and funk. Afrobeat went on to become one of the totemic genres of 20th century African music. Over Allen's thrilling beat, Fela laid out his revolutionary and pan-African message, which led him to become one of the abiding icons of the struggle for freedom across the continent. Allen and Fela recorded around 40 albums together in Africa '70, before parting ways after a mythic 26-year collaboration. Such was the hole that Allen left in his band, Fela needed four drummers to replace him. Allen taught himself to play drums from the age of 18, drawing inspiration from American jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker as well as contemporary African music. He remained hugely influential and beloved by generations of musicians. British musician and producer Brian Eno has called Allen "perhaps the greatest drummer who ever lived". Allen was the drummer in the supergroup The Good, the Bad & the Queen, also featuring Blur singer Damon Albarn and The Clash bassist Paul Simonon, which released its second album in 2018. He lived in the Paris suburb Courbevoie.

Legendary drummer and afrobeat co-founder Tony Allen dies

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