Janelia ~ I’M AN AFRICAN

The daughter of an American father and Nigerian mother who was born in Houston and raised in Nigeria, singer-songwriter Janelia brings a unique multi-cultural vibe to her exotic, highly rhythmic mix of reggae, neo-African and world fusion music. Living in Baltimore and nominated for the 2006 Nigerian Entertainment Award as Artist of the Year, the multi-faceted artist conveys her dual citizenship, musical and otherwise, in the hard-hitting autobiographical lyrics to the title track of her new recording I’m An African. Over a hypnotic reggae and African flavored rhythm track, she sings “I’m an African/Born and bred in the USA/Second generation immigrant/Want to be myself in this hip-hop world.”Set for U.S. release on July 5 and in Nigeria in September, I’m An African chronicles Janelia’s spiritual and musical quest to discover who she is and where she fits in the world as a citizen of two fascinating but distinctive cultures so distant from each other. Singing in English and Yoruba, the language native to Southern Nigeria but which is also spoken in Brazil, Cuba and other South American countries, the singer finds a compelling and entertaining way to give voice to those who also find themselves at a cultural crossroads. The title track is an anthem not just for Africans but also for anyone who holds a connection to the cultures of that continent where human beings originated. “Just Kala” laments the old fashioned way people once fell in love and asks why couples’ fear of commitment prevents love from being as free as it once was; “Baba Wa,” a combination of spoken word and Afro beat, is a pointed political song asking essential questions about why Africa is in the state it is in today—i.e. why don’t people love each other, why are leaders so corrupt and why are they squandering their rich natural resources?************************************************** ************ ************************************************************ **