Rapping farmer a climate activist

WEST Africa has been identified as a climate-change hot spot, with climate change expected to lessen crop yields and production and impact food security, says the UN.

Largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture, the Sahel is regularly hit by droughts and floods have led to conflicts between crop farmers and cattle herders over the past few years.

Who better to talk about the issues facing farmers in West Africa than a farmer himself?

Meet Art Melody, a farmer-turned rapper from Burkina Faso. During the day, he works the land that feeds him and by night, he raps about the adverse effects of climate change.

The rapper who works on his farm on the outskirts of Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, hopes to inspire the younger generation and give them an appetite for working the land.

In the early 2000s, Art dreamt of going to Europe to improve his family’s living conditions. His difficult journey led him to Algeria where he was imprisoned before returning to Burkina Faso. He then left for Ivory Coast, Mali and Mauritania. There he met musicians and rappers who inspired him.

Art raps in the Djula and Moore languages, and knows from firsthand experience the negative impact on farm production because he is a farmer himself and he understands what farmers in the country are going through.

He decided that it was his duty to educate and raise awareness of the plight of farmers.

He told Voice of America: “If people's eyes are closed, they will always end up destroying everything, whether it is plants or human relationships.”

His songs convey the fear and emotion felt by millions of people across the region because of the impact of global warming, which is getting worse every season.

He is a farmer in the great tradition of the Mossi who are a Gur group native to primarily the Volta River basin and the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso.

Art Melody has released seven albums, his website says.

An excerpt of one of his songs: There’s nothing stopping us from planting our beets. And just wait for it to rain.

I planted my salads.

I’m just waiting for it to rain. (twice) The pain of my Mother Earth is so deep.

The wrath of the Gods rise and the sky rumbles.

Man is a fearsome predator worse than a tumor.

Climate change related to our cynical policies.

An airport against a forest. Devastation. Three-quarters of our forests burnt. Nature is overheating. Tsunamis Cathrina are signs that do not deceive.

It’s time to straighten the slope before the freefall.

Back to the earth because she doesn’t lie.

Me Art melody. Day gardener – Mc at night.

From May to July last year, the Burkinabe rapper was meant to begin a European tour to promote his album.

Due to the current health crisis, his visit to Europe was cancelled.

|