The Hip-Hop Intellectual: A Review of Kao Denero’s ‘Heroes’ Album

Album Review: The Hip-Hop Intellectual: A Review of Kao Denero’s ‘Heroes’ Album

by Paul A. Conteh

Sierra Leonean rapper, Kao Denero, released his album titled "Heroes" early in May 2024. In this 15-track album, the rapper showcases his storytelling skills, lyrical ability, poetic flow, and intellectual maturity.

Within the album, six songs integrate themes of Pan-Africanism, Black Nationalism and Black Consciousness among other things.

In the lead track, Think About It, Kao addresses the African struggle. He incorporates a South African melody into the background music, as South Africa was a significant hub of the black struggle during the Apartheid era. He also connects the African struggle to other countries that were colonized by Western powers. This is why for example, he gave a shout out to Che Guevara.

The songs Sheku and Strasser are a symbolic representation of the Mano River Union in the African narrative. Kao mentions these two names to provide some rationale for military rule, which is something that Western powers publicly oppose but sometimes support clandestinely. Although I disagree with Kao's messaging in those two songs, I have to remind myself that the hook for the Heroes song has a reference line "my heroes", which infers that the two are Kao's personal heroes.

I believe that the track, Coming to America establishes Kao as a skilled storyteller. Here, Kao portrays a character who challenges stereotypical images of poverty, disease and war on the African continent. The song was inspired by the classic movie of the same name featuring Eddie Murphy.

Ghetto Africa deals with common themes of the African struggle like success stories, and opposition to western imperialism. The rapper uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the typical African struggle. In one of the success stories referenced in the song, he praises Kagame and his efforts to rebuild Rwanda, a country that was once ravaged by war.

Finally, in the album’s titular track, Heroes, Kao pays homage to three influential figures from the black diaspora: Thomas Sankara, a military leader; Steve Biko, an anti-apartheid activist; and Bob Marley, a reggae artist. The song consists of three verses with each dedicated to one of Kao's black heroes. Within each verse, Kao highlights the impact of another black hero who was inspired by or influenced the hero being praised i.e. Thomas Sankara = Captain Traore, Steve Biko = Malcolm X, Bob Marley = 2 Pac etc.

Kao's new project is a return to the original roots of rap, heavily influenced, I believe, by Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan. 

For this afro-fusion-infused hip-hop project, Kao Denero worked with six producers: Lord Moe, Mic Junho, Bash Beatz, Dan Kahn, Gideon, and Mad Naija. Additionally, the rapper collaborated with a group of rappers and singers, including K. Man, Shatta Wale, Fine Face, Stex, Street Vibez, and the emerging soul sensation, Keltony.

With an average song length of four minutes, this album can be streamed on Spotify, Audiomack, YouTube, and SoundCloud. It exemplifies classic Kao Denero style in terms of lyrics, storytelling, flow, punchlines, and production.

I am thoroughly impressed with the intellectual depth of the album. Kao just provided a comprehensive history lesson on many of our black heroes in Africa and the black diaspora. Apart from Kagame of Rwanda and Captain Traore of Burkina Faso, most of the black heroes have already passed away. It makes me wonder, who are our new black heroes?

Paul A. Conteh is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology & Social Work at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He is also a member of Hip-Hop Ed, a global movement that reimagines the relationship between hip-hop and education. In addition to his work in higher education, Paul is an agribusiness owner, communications consultant, and development professional.

A Story of Transformation: 'The Journey of Turning Scars into Stars - From a Child Soldier to a Humanitarian,' by Ishmeal Charles.

Book Review - 'The Journey of From a Child Soldier to a humanitarian,' Ishmeal Alfred Charles

Reviewed by Josephine Kamara

In 'The Journey of Turning Scars into Stars - From a Child Soldier to a humanitarian,' Ishmeal Alfred Charles offers a touching account of his experience of war, how his childhood was snatched and forcibly recruited as a child soldier and his journey to his life purpose. In this book, he weaved together personal anecdotes, historical reflections, and his philosophical insights about life and humanitarian work. As Charles aptly puts it from one of the rebel commanders, 'Mercy equates to vulnerability,' and this sentiment underscores the harsh ideology that fuelled the wickedness of the rebels during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war. Through Charles’ lens, we relive these experiences and witness the transformation of scars into stars—a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is its rich portrayal of Sierra Leone's pre- and post-colonial history, the devastating impact of eleven-year civil war and the subsequent challenges of post-war recovery. Charles’ narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving history and telling our own stories. Too often, narratives about African conflicts are shared through a Western-centric lens, foreigners keeping accounts for us and narrating our past. Sierra Leoneans have been telling stories about the war, mostly narrated orally or presented through artistic expression like paintings. However, this memoir, just like Joseph Ben Kaifala’s account on Adamalui: A Survivor’s Journey from Civil Wars in Africa to Life in America and Ishmeal Beah's account on A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, offers a refreshing and authentic perspective that generations after us will use as a reference point to learn about the important events that took place in Sierra Leone. 

While the theme of war and brutality permeates the narrative, I found myself yearning for a deeper exploration of the freedom-fighting ideology these young rebels held that fuelled the conflict. The frustration of young students grappling with entrenched corruption and the subsequent exploitation of mineral resources provided a nuanced backdrop to the conflict - this same freedom-fighting narrative is what led the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) to institute a huge recruitment drive for the military in a bid to end the war. Many young people joined because they wanted to be part of this "New Military Regime" that was going to end the war - at that time, what these young people knew as participation was their involvement in movements that could end the war. These young men who were insufficiently trained became more violent than even the rebels and ended up inflicting some of the greatest atrocities during the war, yet this aspect felt underexplored in this book. Nonetheless, Charles’ first-hand account offers valuable insights of the war through his own lens and its lasting impact on individuals and communities.

I was particularly drawn to the author’s writing style, which skilfully interweaves humour and poetic language. Lines such as 'Stranded in that unforgiving wilderness' and 'The looming specter of death became an uninvited companion' evoke a vivid sense of atmosphere and emotion. I love to play with words so maybe this could be the reason why I appreciate his skilfulness on this area. Additionally, Charles’ reflection on his maternal instinct – referring to these lines, "My maternal instinct strongly conveyed her longing to hear from me, a sentiment any mother will feel when her child is trapped behind enemy lines"

For a male protagonist to describe his 'maternal instinct,' a sentiment typically associated with motherhood, departed from traditional gender norms and adds depth to the portrayal of familial bonds and in my opinion. I am not quite sure if this was the author’s aim, but I feel it challenges societal expectations, prompting me as a reader to reconsider preconceived notions about gender and parenthood or what motherly instinct feels like. There are interesting takes on gender roles especially in the first two chapters, that gave a vivid picture of patriarchal structures and norms - these could have been an interesting theme to explore deeper. 

I am particularly drawn to his humble beginnings, as it feels familiar to me. Charles imbues it with a sense of importance and as a young person myself navigating life's uncertainties, I resonated with the struggles and his unwavering determination to pursue his dreams. The questions he asked himself on the 'Turning Scars into Stars' chapter, and how he mustered all his energy to keep his dreams alive even in dark days, captures the essence of a resilient spirit. I believe his offerings here will resonate with readers of all ages.

With regards to the author’s writing style, I love how he worked out the interesting twist of how fate connected his early work back to Kono, the place where, in his words, he was abducted and recruited as a child soldier and into the mining industry. Fate, they say is not mere coincidence, but the workings of destiny and if that is true these occurrences were divinely orchestrated.

'The Journey of Turning Scars into Stars - From a Child Soldier to a humanitarian,' is indeed compelling testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I deeply appreciate Charles’ philosophy of altruism and his commitment to making the world a better place.

The author’s narrative infuses hope into the hopeless, reminding us that light always awaits at the end of the tunnel and urging readers to confront their own adversities and turn their scars into stars. As we are reminded in these lines:

“Each of us possesses a unique story – one of despair and courage, loss and victory, past and present. By harnessing our stories, we can find solutions to ongoing social issues that threaten our happiness.”

 Josephine Kamara was a 2023 Poda-Poda Fellow. She is a girls’ rights advocate with 10+ years of experience.

Freetown's Dreamers

Unu mek wi shek smɔl. Di poda poda de fɔs i tayt.

1787 was the year emancipated slaves arrived in the Province of Freedom, later named Freetown. They came to a land that promised to bring their dreams of freedom and ownership to fruition. A century later, Africans from all over the continent came to fulfill their dreams by pursuing an education at Freetown’s Fourah Bay College, nicknamed the Athens of West Africa; Merchants also arrived at Freetown’s shores with dreams of becoming wealthier. Years later, the city has evolved into a smorgasbord of cultures, and is still home to dream chasers.

Legendary Sierra Leonean Musician and political commentator, Daddy Saj, circa 2006 declared his dream on the song ‘Sorriest Part’. Saj envisioned a Sierra Leone where the basic amenities are available to every citizen; a country that caters for its citizens; a state that upholds the rule of law. But almost two decades after releasing ‘Sorriest Part’, this vision remains a figment of a creative mind. Walking through the streets of Freetown, one realizes that Saj may never see his dream come true, but his vision is reimagined and pursued by young Sierra Leonean creators.

Aprɛntis a beg tɛl yu drayva se if i nɔ ple Salon myuzik, wi nɔ de go.

In his debut offering, Game Time, Prodigy Sim uses his exceptional storytelling to share his version of events on ‘The City’ while airing the life and perils of many creators in Freetown. The toils of getting an education (or a backup plan) while pursuing your passion or ideas

"So ar begin write

A few lines down every night

Even though exams was in sight"

And the possibility of making it big weighing against the loneliness experienced by the dream chasers

"In the city where anything can happen

Where you're left alone like a bachelor"

Prodigy Sim, via the same song, shares his dream of being self-employed, an entrepreneur. Honestly, it is a dream many creators share but only few attain for a plethora of reasons, and fear of failure tops this list; the irony right?

"Scared to fail now my biggest - FEAR

Scared to chase my dreams cause I - FEAR"

Freetown remains a symbol of hope. However, its streets are littered with dreams shackled by fear. It may be the fear of failure, inconvenience etc. In his project, Land of Magic, Kadrick dedicates a track to exploring fear. He illuminates his doubts, angst and the uneasiness that comes with being a Sierra Leonean creator.

“I swear sometimes I wonder if

A world where dreams come true can really exist

I can't even ponder it”

Being a creator in an underdeveloped country means lack of tools, limited access to mediums or platforms to share your ideas, limited opportunities for remuneration and other hurdles that come with underdevelopment. These realities have hindered some, but they have also inspired others to create phenomenal art.

“This is for the dreamers with insomnia”

The paradox of pursuing dreams is sleepless nights. In his debut project, If I'm Allowed to Dream, Jjoe Saymah raps of the allure of being a rapper while illustrating the castigation that many young creators in Freetown have to live with. Saymah knows these hurdles too well; from his parents’ desire of him getting a white-collar job, to the depression that often comes with creating.

“Imma put in the work

Dey hustle lek two four seven

Get too much potential for lef untapped"

Freetown is filled with potential; potential hit makers, potential legends, and potential entrepreneurs. But, in a system that does not cater for creators, the lagoon of potential is where most creators languish. Jjoe recognizes this and declares his intention of not remaining untapped; he also challenges other creators to “put in the work”.

Centuries after the first emancipated slaves arrived, the dream may have evolved, but it is still driven by the desire for ownership and to live a better life. To achieve this dream the onus rests upon creators to remain consistent in excellence and build structures that foster ingenuity and longevity.

Long Live the Dream Chasers.

Drayva as yu tek di kɔv, lɛf mi na da jɔnkshɔn.

Marco Koroma is a freelance writer and content creator based in Freetown. He blogs regularly at afrikandude.wordpress.com . He is also the Co-Creator and Curator of Tok U Tok , an open mic and live music event in Freetown.