Tendai MWARI!
Makorokoto egore idzva!
Afenhyia pa!
Odun de!
Happy New Year
As we bid farewell to the Kwanzaa season 2023-4, we feature an exlusive interview with Baba Kwame Steve Cobb and Mama Chavunduka Sevanhu who created the pre-emient Kwanzaa suite Seven Principles thirty years ago. In the sleeve notes to the original release renowned poet and publisher Haki Madhubuti remarked:
“The significance of the release of Seven Principles by Steve Cobb and Chavanduka not only in its progressive and enlightening musical concepts, but in the important fact that they control the production process from start to finish.
This is the first CD that I am aware of, totally dedicated to the celebration of Kwanzaa. Seven Principles is a monster CD, a first rate production, with music that is lively, memorable, food and body shaking, intellectually challenging, culturally progressive and in tune with the concepts of Kwanzaa.
It is obvious that the music and lyrics of Seven Principles were inspired by the best of what Kwanzaa is really about. The corrective and life giving saving practices of concepts embodied in the Nguzo Saba, (Seven Principles).
This is not unexpected when we look at the key personnel responsible for Seven Principles, Steve Cobb and Chavunduka. They have been active in the African community of Chicago for years. Chavunduka, as a singer and song writer with many years of experience continues to live and work in the tradition of her politically progressive family. Her voice is contagious; we are attracted to it, not only because of its sound and range, but because of the music she sings and interprets as a particularly conscious artist, she is in the tradition of Miriam Makeba.
In his twenty years of experience, percussionist, singer and writer, Steve Cobb has travelled extensively taking his rhythms to every corner of the world. His contributions to black music can be heard on the recordings of Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers and many others. His drumming combines a strong African tradition with the best of the new progressive rhythm and blues jazz stylings. Cobbs muscial and lyrical insights have peaked in this production of Seven Principles. He has mastered a winning formula for message music. It is clear that here we have an artist in the musical mode of Gill Scott Heron, Max Roach and Paul Robeson. The observance of Kwanzaa each year is now an important culturally bonding progressively uplifting African celebration.
It’s practice over the last 25 years has helped to define the uniqueness of Black people in this land. I am sure that if given the right type of national airplay Seven Principles will become as synonymous with Kwanzaa, as is, Nat King Coles, Christmas song to Christmas.
However this is a recording with year round attraction. It can be easily used for other rituals, weddings, naming ceremonies, birthdays and rights of passage.
The eight core selections are dedicated to and inspired by the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. We are musically serenaded into Seven Principles with, its Kwanzaa Time, a kind of connecting piece that puts their concept into context. Its a spiritual vocal and rap rationale for the importance of Kwanzaa.
The messages are not didactic because the producers artist did not forget the first lessons of good music – make it listenable. Seven principles is entertaining and we listen to it because its artistry elevates us and takes us to the creative sides of our minds. Steve Cobb and Chavunduka are not only to be supported, but congratulated for staying in the tradition of Kwanzaa and that of any liberated people: producing art that rises above the limited expectations of others while elevating the consumer, if only for an hour, into a world that is not demeaning, sexually exploitive or insulting to his or her own personhood. We are blessed.” (1)
With this as a foundation we will explore how we can use the Nguzo Saba, the seven life principles to assess where we are at as a people and plot a course to liberation
(1) Haki Madhubuti (1993) Seven Principles: Cultural music that doesn’t insult the Movement in us. Cobbala Productions
Applying Seven Principles: Foundations and Projections
Our Special Guests:
Baba Kwame Steve Cobb and Mama Chavunduka Sevanhu: are internationally renowned musicians and songwriters that have worked with the likes of Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers, Charles Stepney, Jerry Butler and Leroy Hutson. In 1993, through their Cobbala Productions company they created Seven Principles, the first full length Kwanzaa CD. The set has inspired generations of Kwanzaa celebrants and has become the official soundtrack to the season. As young activists they both cut their teeth in Chicago’s grassroots movement around the likes of Dr Jacob Carruthers, Haki Madhubuti and Dr Conrad Worrill through organisations like the Institute of Positive Education, the Black Peoples Topographical Research Center and the Black United Front.
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.