Emmerson Bockarie
Sierra Leone’s music maestro, Emmerson Bockarie says there have been numerous attempts to bribe him if only to compromise his lyrics. The man who has smashed virtually all records in the music business in Sierra Leone - biggest and fastest selling albums of all time - also says he remains unperturbed by talk that there is a threat to his personal safety and security. Many believe BORBOR BELLEH and MUNKU BOS PAN MATCHES - two of his songs - are the two most popular songs the country has ever witnessed. Emmerson is probably the most consistent musician serving as a social conscience of society. His latest album, SURVIVOR is sensational, and blares in virtually all cars, clubs and homes, and on radio stations. The biggest hit in his latest album, MUNKU BOS PA MATCHES is more than just a piece of music. The 15-minute long hit talks about greed which has characterised the politics of a country with an arrogant and intimidating man called ADEBAYOR whose interest is to buy anything and everything for himself. With other politicians whose interest is also their pockets and those of their friends and families. He sings about leaders whom he compares to primitive people exposed to a matchstick who for the first time come by a matchbox. You can imagine the excitement and waste, he dramatises. In the following interview with Umaru Fofana, Emmerson Bockarie talks about ADEBAYOR, his impact on Sierra Leonean politics, fear for his safety, among others.
Interview: Emerson Bockarie
Politico: Emmerson your album SURVIVOR seems to be rocking the nation. Tell me what is it about this song called ‘Munku Bos Pan Matches’
Emmerson: It’s a call to action for the government. Hmmmm (chuckles). ‘Munku bos pan matches’ is a satire. It provokes the attention of the government because personally I feel that they have disconnected themselves from us; they are so far away from the people. They should not forget that it is the people that voted them into their positions.
Politico: And who is this man that keeps buying everything?
Emmerson: Oh that’s Ade-ba-yor…
Politico: …and who is he?
Emmerson: Adebayor is Adebayor. (laughs). It’s a man that buys…emmm…it’s a man who has shares in all the companies in the country. He is using our natural resources, and he is saving our country’s resources in foreign accounts all over the world. Adebayor has over…emmm… I mean we are counting the houses Adebayor has bought. It has even come to my notice that Adebayor wants to buy the national stadium too… (chuckles)…That’s a joke.
Politico: Clearly it’s quite a big song that seems to resonate with Sierra Leoneans all over the country…And in the song you also talk about favouritism, nepotism and party membership in exchange for jobs.
Emmerson: Absolutely…absolutely! The song addresses those issues. It’s a call to action. We want them to understand that we are not fools. We will not sit down like our mothers and fathers did, paying no attention to what’s going on. We are not politicians but to some extent we get involved with the political systems. We feel like if nobody is voicing our opinions and our cries we will voice them out ourselves. And I think it’s time we bring to their notice, the general public and the world that this is what is happening in Sierra Leone…this little corner.
Politico: Just about exactly 10 years ago you did a song called ‘Borbor Belle’ and another one called ‘two-foot arata’ - two-legged rat - which an apparent allusion to politicians stealing the country’s resources. And many people say that those songs helped bring an end to the government at the time. Do you have any regrets?
Emmerson: Well that’s what a lot of people say, that it was Emerson that voted the past government out of power…It was the people that voted the government out of power …
Politico: …Well you are being humble but they probably acted, many believe, because of the lyrics, your lyrics.
Emmerson: Well I am just playing my part here. I believe we all have a part to play. What I will keep doing is doing what I do. I know I am appreciated for that, that’s why I am taking my time because I know what I am playing with. It’s just like hot fire. Sometimes I feel pressured because I know exactly the position that I stand on. What I promise is that I will not take advantage of that situation and start doing the wrong things. God has given me a talent, I believe I should use it in the right way and for the right reasons, and not the wrong reasons.
Politico: Is it your hope that these things will change by way of people voting the government out [as they did before]?
Emmerson: I think it would come to a point where…emmm…I think what we need is sensitisation. Keep educating our people because, I mean, it’s clear that most of our people are uneducated and most of our people cannot make judgment for themselves. They depend on other people’s judgment. Basically, I think it’s our responsibility. All of us, be you journalists, musicians and whosoever you are, it’s our responsibility. Forget your benefits from the government, forget what you are gaining from all angles. I think we should start paying attention to the country coz it’s not a secret that Sierra Leone is not prospering. Sierra Leone is not improving in anyways. All we see is construction of roads. The question with the construction is when will it complete? When did they start constructing these roads? That’s the only thing that’s happening. Every one of us should start contributing towards the development of this country.
Politico: The government may want to argue that the roads had long been neglected so it will take some time for them to be completed.
Emmerson: ‘Vuvuzella’…propaganda machine…
Politico: Meaning you don’t believe, you don’t believe them?
Emmerson: No! No! No! Why would I want to trust them? Come on…we started with Agenda for Prosperity. We have taken how many years now? They should start pointing out to the youth because that was the purpose of the agenda for prosperity: ‘That we are going to concentrate on youth and make sure youths have employments. We will make sure that the education system is in place’. It has taken eight years and it remains two years. I think it’s about time we started pointing out how the youths have prospered from this Agenda for Prosperity. You cannot point to one Sierra Leonean except members within the government and friends and families. Those are the ones that prosper. Come on so why would I want to trust them with road construction. I mean they should tell us when the roads would be completed. That’s what we are waiting for.
Politico: Do you want to see them out of power?
Emmerson: That’s not my intention. I don’t think that’s my decision to make. That’s the decision of the people. All I am doing here is make sure I tell the people and preach to the people exactly what’s going on in the country. Coz this is my country. Like I told you earlier if I start using my talent for the wrong reason it would come back and affect me in future and I would not want that so I am trying my best, I am human but trying my possible best, with the help of God to make sure that I use my talent for the right reasons.
Politico: You talk about bribery going on. Has anybody approached you personally to bribe you to influence your songs?
Emmerson: Well that would always be the situation but you understand how Sierra Leone is. I will not cite instances but I would just say it’s possible. It has happened in the past and it happened again and it would continue to happen. I just want to assure people that I will continue to be Emmerson the last man standing. ‘The iron way nor day ben’.
Politico: And finally are you scared? Do you feel threatened?
Emmerson: I believe in the God of Israel. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I know that God will never let me down.
Politico: But you do feel threatened?
Emmerson: To be frank I feel relieved. I feel like I am in my home town... in my country. There may be tensions out there but I feel protected by the Almighty God. I mean unless the lord watches the house the watchman watches in vain.
Politico: Do you plan to launch your album?
Emmerson: Absolutely we are working towards that.
Politico: And are you frightened that they might penetrate the crowd?
Emmerson: They may sabotage things towards launching my project but I can’t lie about that. My fans are responsible. So I am not looking forward to any fracas.
(C) Politico 18/05/16
