An internet image search for "Lagos thugs" will bring up dozens of press photos of young Nigerian men carrying improvised weapons in the streets of West Africa's largest city, above stories decrying their uncivilized behavior. No matter whether they're looting or protesting police violence, it seems like they're all called Lagos thugs.
A young Afrobeat ensemble has co-opted this dismissive pejorative for their band name. It's their way of tweaking the powers that be: The real thugs in business suits and uniforms, Nigeria's ruling elite who in the last six decades have managed to turn their country into Africa's wealthiest failed state.
On their debut album, Chaos, Lagos Thugs are made as hell and they're not going to take it anymore, just like their forefather Fela Kuti. You'll hear both the Thugs and Fela this week on an all-African episode of Global A Go-Go (Sunday February 11, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site), along with new music from Sahra Halgan (Somaliland), Jembaa Groove (Ghana via Germany), Mama Sissoko (Mali) and much more.
Podcast: radio4all.net/program/117337
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/series/Global%20A%20Go-Go
Artist | Country | Song | Recording | Label | Year
Oliver Lake | USA | Separation | Matador Of 1st & 1st | Passin' Thru | 1997
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros | England UK | Global A Go-Go | Global A Go-Go | Hellcat | 2001
Diepkloof United Voice | South Africa | Round And Round | Hamonizing Soweto: Golden City Gospel & Kasi Soul From The New South Africa | Ostinato | 2023
Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited | Zimbabwe-USA | Huya Tiherende | Ndikutambire | Chimurenga Music Company | 2023
Lagos Thugs | Nigeria | Kalakuta President | Chaos | Immensum Music | 2024
Fela And Afrika 70 | Nigeria | Sorrow Tears And Blood | Black President | Arista | 1981-1977
Christine Salem | La Reunion France | Anou | Mersi | Blue Fanal | 2021
Moonlight Benjamin | Haiti-France | Simidò | Simido | Ma Case | 2020
Sahra Halgan | Somaliland-France | Sharaf | Sharaf - Single | Danaya | 2024
Jembaa Groove | Germany-Ghana-Benin-Israel-Portugal | Dabia | Dabia - Single | Agogo | 2024
Celestine Ukwu & His Philosopers National | Nigeria | Ejina Uwa Nya Isi | Ilo Abu Chi | Philips | 1974
Azuka Moweta & His Anioma Brothers Band | Nigeria | Uwa Nekwuke Mmadu | Nwanne Bu Ife | Odogwu Entertainment / Palenque | 2023
Super Biton De Ségou | Mali | Diarabi Muso | Afro.Jazz.Folk Collection Vol. 2 | Mieruba | 2023-197x
Mama Sissoko | Mali | Boma Ma | Live | Mieruba | 2024-1998
Mohamed Tangoudja | Mauritania | Kori | Wagadu Grooves: The Hypnotic Sound Of Camara 1987-2016 | Hot Mule | 2024-2007
Sali Sidibe | Mali | Djen Magni | Tounkan Magni | Syllart | 1988
Adja Soumano | Mali | Dja-Dja | Kokabéré | Bolibana | 2004
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