Behind Everything

I had to prepare a 1 minute video explaining what the project was all about for a grant application and thought I would share. I would like to start off by mentioning that the sections mentioned in the video (interviews, culturalpreservation, etc.) are goals, not what I feel I am currently doing. All activities I mention are massive, and they all deserve the work and respect of a lifetime, but I can say they are goals I wish to contribute towards some day. Next I would like to say is more of an update. Next on the route are Malawi and Tanzania, and after that comes a break. Well maybe more than a break, a return home to focus on building upwards instead of wandering. It is time for me to build a structure, a foundation that I can work on. These past 8 months have been life changing. I am far from finding that “one thing” that I want to do for the rest of my life, if anything, it has made me realise how much I want to become a professional ‘Jack of all trades’, and master them all. I want to do movies, documentaries, events, build things the give back, support what truly matters, uplift culture and give it the attention it deserves, I want to do it all! But that won’t be possible if I don’t set up the right foundation, and remember to walk before I sprint. Corporate life is no longer, and my ambition is back. It’s crazy to think that every choice can determine who you become and who you don’t, so remember to always do what makes you feel most like YOU! In this short clip there are snippets of many artists that i have met the last 8 months, and most of them you haven’t seen yet, but you will soon, bear with me. In the meantime I would like to acknowledge and thank all of them for welcoming me to their world, their story (in order of appearance): Bajaji aka Masaba Nation (@masaba_nation_africa ) - Uganda Nyangatom tribe - Ethiopia Bongo Safari Troupe - Uganda Shady - Egypt Javs of Nairobi (@javs_.of_nairobi ) - Kenya Kissmart - Nairobi, Kenya Patrick Atude - Uganda Elgon Ngoma Troupe - Uganda Namadu Cultural Performers - Uganda Peter Akwabi - Kenya Esawi Dagher - Egypt Joseph Tawadros (@josephtawadros ) - Egypt Stay curious, stay you. Lo

First and foremost, credit to the author of these amazing photographies Andrew Brukman (@andrewthedocco ) and the detailed descriptions behind each one (finde below). The masked world of Gule Wamkulu instantly caught my attention while researching online. Every mask looked completely different, somewhere between spirit, animal, ancestor and nightmare. What made it even more intriguing was how little clear information there actually was. So I decided to come and try understand it from the source instead. Gule Wamkulu is a masked ritual tradition tied to the Nyau secret society of the Chewa people, practiced across Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. It blends drumming, dance, spirituality and social commentary, with many aspects traditionally hidden from outsiders. Tomorrow I’m hopefully meeting a practitioner through a local connection here in Lilongwe, so if all goes well, I might finally witness a small glimpse into this world for myself. 2: Mbaula appears generous, even letting people cook on his burning head, but really symbolises false generosity used to exploit and control others. 4: Chimbano, the bull that escapes the kraal, represents infidelity and warns against unfaithfulness in marriage. 5: Matako alingana (“the buttocks are the same”) is a baboon-like figure whose promiscuous behaviour mocks sexual infidelity and human desire. 7: Magwiragwira (“Mr Grab-Grab”) is a thief whose growing nose symbolises how greed and wrongdoing eventually turn against you. 8: Chuma cha ana is a multi-horned mask linked to inheritance disputes, warning against greed within extended families after funerals. 10: Adapundula warns against the misuse of magic, appearing physically crippled and sick as a consequence. 11: Bonya, named after a cheap low-quality fish, criticises dependency on poor imported goods over traditional craftsmanship. 12: Mandevu represents the foreign outsider. Often shown with a bicycle or radio, he reflects anxieties around modernity and imported influence.

Track IDs: 1. Otim Alpha & Umoja - Tongwen (@otimalphaofficial 2. ⁠Makelele Sound System - Long Welkom (ft. Masaka Masaka) @masaka___masaka 3. ⁠MC Yallah & Debmaster - Kubali (@mcyallah , @debmaster_the_real_one ) 4. ⁠Masaka Masaka - Cut Right Through 5. ⁠Nihiloxica - Asidi (Slikback Remix) (@nihiloxica , @slikback ) 6. ⁠Nakibembe Embaire Group & Gabber Modus Operandi - 140 (@nakibembe , @gabbermodusoperandi ) 7. ⁠Arsenal Mikebe - Okuleekaana (@arsenal_mikebe ) 8. ⁠Afrorack - bassPlus 9. ⁠Authentically Plastic - Polycollision (@authenticallyplastic ) Oooooh what a ride Uganda has been SHEESH! Chapter 5 of my expedition of my project across Africa (@behind__everything ) checking out what sounds are travelling around, can’t wait to get back home and process all the info. Once again, big shout out to Dom (@d.glare ) and Baaz (@bazil.lizab ) for taking care of us so much whilst in Kampala, and also for showing me these artists in this post to check out. This post is a big representation of the sound of NyegeNyege (@nyegenyegefest ), these guys are doing big things out here, much more than just a festival, they doing good to the local artists and elevating everyones game, big up. Much love, Dilan

Uganda has been the gift that keeps on giving, I’m in awe and can’t believe how much I have had the chance to experience in only 1 month. I have loved every single country so far of my year long project documenting music around Africa (@behind__everything ), but Uganda has a carved a permanent place in my heart and cannot wait to come back. I have sooooo much footage, and the puppy in me can’t wait to polish it all and show you asap, but it is going to take me a while as I have to carry on with the project and focus on capturing as many stories as possible before my summer break. Tomorrow at 6am I go to Malawi, and have heard so many good things about it, let’s see what my luck has ready for me. I want to give a massive shoutout to @nyegenyegefest , especially to Bazil (@bazil.lizab ), Dom (@d.glare ), and Arlen (@moroto_hvy_ind )for helping me have the best experience of Uganda I could ever ask for. Also a massive shoutout to my dear friend Isaac (@ispol_ ) for joining me on this leg of the trip and helping me with all the production. This is just a sneak peak of whats to come, so stay alert, and as usual, stay curious. Love, Dilan

I always get goosebumps when I see big communities embracing old traditions being passed down, especially the younger generation feel proud of who they are. I’m feeling extremely fortunate to be seeing a lot of these first hand in my year long project around Africa learning about traditional music (@behind__everything ), and although South Africa is not on my route, I thought I’d share regardless. I tried looking for all the original dancing troupes to credit them, but all the videos I have found are from other accounts, so if you know them please let me know so I can tag them! Stay curious, Dilan x

Yesterday we got to witness the Bongo Safari dancers from Gulu (Northern Uganda) rehearsing their high energy Acholi dance. It was absolutely mesmerising, not only for us, but for all the villagers nearby, and that got me thinking. What struck me most was the crowd forming around them. People stopping, watching, smiling, locked in. You could sense that pull of wanting to be part of something so alive and so together. This is how traditions continue. Don’t get me wrong, of course there is need for organisations and external support, but it all starts with those who practice and embrace their culture, their traditions, and acknowledging that all of this constitutes their identity. There is no better way to honour your past, than embracing it yourself. Seeing so many people engaged in their roots throughout the countries I have travelled so far, is motivating me to do the same back home, in Spain. Maybe thats the next step when my Africa journey ends? So much history and traditions on the brink of vanishing. This will be my 2 cents towards not letting that happen. Stay curious, Dilan

Track IDs: 1. Zuli - Where Do You Go (@zulimusic ) 2. ⁠Nadah El Shazly - Dafaa Robaai (@nadah_elshazly ) 3. ⁠Rozzma - Hout (@rozzmarozzma ) 4. ⁠Ice_Eyes - Maps of Despair (ABADIR Remix) (@ramiabadir ) 5. ⁠Kareem Lotfy - Fr3sh (@kareemlotfy ) 6. ⁠3Phaz - Exploit (@3phaz_ ) 7. ⁠Panstarrs - Khally Balak Hatmoot (@panstarrs__ ) 8. ⁠Carl Gari & Abdullah Miniawy - Zawaj (@abdullahminiawyofficial ) 9. ⁠Hashem - Albi (@hiss.eg 10. ⁠FRKTL - Strange Attractors (@frktl ) 11. ⁠Itfll - Estemara Umru Mesa Today we got Hassan Abou Alam (@hassanaboualam ) on the recs and giving us a glimpse of his take on his Egypt, his Cairo, from the plugged in electronic perspective 🫶🏼 He has selected a beauty of tracks, club hitters, downtempo, and as a true egyptian, he didn’t miss on a dose of bass. This is all part of my journey around Africa for a year learning about music and stories that come my way (@behind__everything ), sometimes traditional, sometimes electronic. This is Hassan’s. Stay curious, Dilan

Eastern Uganda is being an absolute treat so far 🫶🏼 We were on the bus going from Kampala to Mbale, as we had arranged to meet a couple artists that @nyegenyegefest has kindly put is contact with (thanks Basile and Arlen <3), and I was doing a bit of research during the journey. As we passed through the Busoga kingdom, 1 of 5 traditional Bantu kingdoms, I learnt about their local music Bigwala. As usual, the beats are percussion heavy, but on the not-so-positive side, as usual again, it is a local tradition that is on the brink of being forgotten. This hss been by far the most recurring theme of my year long project learning about music in Africa (@behind__everything ). Local heritage constantly struggling to remain documented. Preservation of local heritage is far to big of a topic to touch on a caption so Im going to stop here. I hope you enjoy this small collection of representative pieces I have found online, very valuable sources coming from the @singing.wells . I’ll shortly share actual field recordings on Imbalu (circumcision ceremony) and the music behind it (Kadodi), a very sensitive topic I would love to shed some light on from what I have heard here so far. Love always and stay curious, Dilan x

Nairobi’s chaos is unmatched, and the city for sure embraces it. First thing I noticed when I arrived where the buses (matatus) painted with all sorts of graffitti and people competing to get their matatus full to hit the road. I had a chat with an Uber driver and he told me about the subculture called Matatu Nganya, the concept being heeeeeeavily modified buses, outrageous custom designs, and soundsystems that will make your eardrums twerk. You hop on, and enjoy the ride, get on when you want, get off when you’ve had enough. I did my research and ended up meeting @javs_.of_nairobi , met on the Friday, he told us all we needed to know, and told us to join the next day. And so we did. This i just a quick edit as I was a little too excited, but more videos will come soon explaining more about this crazy fever dream.

Jimmy you legend!! Had so much fun chatting with him, we have a full hour interview of pure storytelling and knowledge that I will be dripfeeding you all shortly. If you are ever in Nairobi, make sure to add this stop to your itinerary, you just need to go to Kenyatta marlet and ask for Jimmys place. Ball is rolling over here guys say whaaaaat 🔊

Okay so the Luo are one major ethnic groups around Lake Victoria (between 10-12% of Kenya’s population), spanning western Kenya into Uganda and Tanzania. Their musical traditions have always been deeply rooted in storytelling, rhythm, and string instruments like the nyatiti, an eight-stringed lyre, and as Enok says, the flute and horn too, hopefully I can find some the next couple days whilst I’m still in Kisumu. Benga however comes later, emerging in the 1960s after World War II, as these traditional sounds began moving into an urban, electrified setting. Guitarists started translating nyatiti patterns onto electric guitars, keeping the same structures but pushing them into a band format. So Luo music and Benga are not separate genres, Luo is Charmander and Benga is Charmeleon (no idea why I used this example but it’s what ur getting x). Anywho, I honestly caaaaaan’t wait to have a team someday, because I honestly have soo many stories and videos yet to edit and my puppy energy wants to show you everything right now but it will take me some time to edit through everything, but Kenya is giving me so much and I still have almost 3 weeks left before Uganda. Remember the full Africa project is @behind__everything Stay curious! Dilan

Embrace making a fool of yourself, it makes life a lot more fun 🥸 A quick recap of my favourite shared smiles during this journey of a lifetime, and I can’t wait for those that are to come! Stay curious, and stay cringe boyyyy! Love, Dilan