Current Feature
             (To access Africa Anthems, click on the link Feature 1)
(To access Observations on the Kenyan music scene,April 2001, click on the link Feature 2)

Uncle Sam of Africa's African Beats radio show on London's Choice 107.1 fm  

As the presenter of the popular African Beats programme on London's Choice 107.1 FM radio station, Uncle Sam frequently interviews guest musicians and other prominent people. Some of his guests are connected with various charities and they have the opportunity to publicise their work or forthcoming events. Some of Uncle Sam’s studio guests in the past two years are: Kanda Bongo Man (Congo), Mose Fan Fan (Congo) Afel Bocoum (Mali), Nafthali Kouyate (Guinea), Lagbaja (Nigeria), Dorothy Masuka (South Africa) and Souad Massi (Algeria).
I decided to throw out a few questions to put him "on the other side of the fence"!
A bit of background info about him: Sam was born in Ghana in 1950 and stayed there until 1977. With a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana in Legon, he went to Nigeria to teach at a seconday school in 1977 for 6 years. In 1983 Uncle Sam moved to Britain to study accountancy and has been there since then but often travels to other countries, for example within the past twelve months he has been to France, South Africa and Ghana.
Now for the questions and answers!
1 First of all, when did you start presenting the African Beats show on Choice FM?
Sunday 7th May, 2000 at 3 pm.

2 Do you remember some of the tracks you played for that first broadcast?
The first track I played is called Ozim Zim, by the Mariott International Band of Ghana. This track is my signature tune as well. Other tracks include Salif Keita's Bolon, Africando's Gombo Salsa

3 Was it the first radio programme you ever presented? Yes

4 Was your programme the first of its kind on Choice FM, or did they have other African music programmes before?
No, we started with four shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-11pm, Saturdays and Sundays 3-5pm of which I presented the Sunday one jointly with Ata P.

5 What made you decide to become a presenter of African Beats?
Curiosity. Just a challenge to myself.

6 What changes or improvements would you still like to have for your programme and why?
It had always been my desire to play more of African Hiphop, i.e. "young" music from Africa or by Africans abroad. I use the narrow definition of "African" here, meaning people born and bred in Africa and/or born in Africa but living abroad.

7 What aspect of your presenting your programme is most rewarding for you personally?
When people call in to thank me for playing a song from their country or region. I love that because it is my aim to make people feel homesick, or nostalgic.

8 While you lived in your homeland of Ghana and then for a few years in Nigeria did you listen to the African popular music of that time?
I am always into it. But my real collections started when I arrived in London in December 1983 to study Accountancy. I made friends from all over Africa and they introduced me to their music.

9 Do you think African popular music is becoming more popular in Britain and even world-wide in the 21st century?
Britain has a lot of catching up to do if they want to rival France as a centre for African music. But I think African music has made a big improvement in the UK. Thanks to all the labels and promoters. Bands such as Orchestra Baobab, the Malian musicians, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have helped.

10 Finally, what's your all-time favourite African music album?
Impossible to answer. Maybe Aki Special, which has 'Sweet Mother'.