1st Person Africa
Entertainer Jidenna Takes Us on a Journey Through His Love for Africa By Nasha Smith
G
rammy® Award-nominated multi-platinum rapper, singer, and songwriter Jidenna weaves elements of Africa into his life and art. On his sophomore album 85 to Africa, he connects the sprawling diaspora through a mix of hip hop and afro beats. Jidenna also sits on the board of Birthright AFRICA, a global nonprofit committed to providing a free educational trip to the continent for every youth and young adult of African descent aged 13 to 30. But most notably, he grew up in Nigeria and takes an annual trip to the continent. So far he has visited 11 countries and is already plotting his next trip. From the romance of Mozambique to the ‘bomb’ Moi Moi, the multi-hyphenate entertainer shared all his African favorites.
Travel Noire: What is your favorite memory from your first trip to Africa.
We had a great time.
TN: Where have you felt happiest in Africa?
Jidenna: I grew up in Nigeria until I was six. But then I didn’t go back for about 12 years after that. And when I went back I went to Nigeria and my favorite experience was going to the movies. They had just opened this movie theater called Silverbird and I saw Black people in the mall, and Black people going to the movie theaters. I grew up in Boston so I hadn’t had the experience that people in Atlanta, or certain parts of LA, for example, have had in terms of seeing an all-Black movie theater or cinema. I love that people were so excited about it when they just opened.
Jidenna: Honestly, every single country has its charm. What I love the most is getting a place that has a nice view where I feel like I can see the landscape. The beautiful thing is in a lot of Africa you get this mixture of really developed parts and then underdeveloped in terms of the building infrastructure, but I like the rawness of it. There’s this promise that always hovers over the cities. There are never overly manicured or pedicured palm trees the way there are in LA where I live now. I actually appreciate the naturality of a lot of African cities. And then, obviously, the rural landscapes are always beautiful as well.
TN: Where was the last place you traveled to in Africa?
TN: Where have you felt most at peace in Africa?
Jidenna: I flew from South Africa to Uganda, because I was meeting up with a woman. She invited me to come back to town after the 85 to Africa tour, the Africa leg of it. So I flew up there as if it was the United States of Africa. I flew right up — quick little flight — and didn’t cost me much.
Jidenna: I found a lot of peace in Mozambique. I found peace because it was one of the most romantic countries that I’ve been to in Africa. Some people will say it’s because of the romance and some ethnic groups there, in combination with the romance of the Portuguese influence during
16 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | Jan 2022
