I attended ICSE Gathering.
The Guest speaker was Ms. Yukari Umemoto who started a music company ‘AMP MUSIC’ in Africa.
She went to the koch Slum in Nairobi, Kenya and met talented musicians there.
African musicians have been promoted by her company and their music have been distributed to all the world via internet services such as iTunes or amazon.
Her ambition is to create jobs for those who have talent but are unknown by the society yet.
About AMP music production company
AMP music was established 3 years ago.
They promote African Musician who mainly live in slum.
There are a lot of talented musicians in koch slum in Kenya but they haven’t have the chance to distribute their music. To connect their talent with market, Ms Umemoto started the AMP music production company. Now the company has 51 musicians and their music is listen in 60 countries)
Their music ranges from Hip Hop, reggae, to Pops. The lyrics are mainly about their lives.
People said that their music is hope for the people in slum especially for kids. The kids in slums enjoys joining the musician to sing and dance together. Music has very important role for them.
About koch slum in Kenya.
Koch slum ( Korogocho is official name ) is one of the largest slum neighbourhoods of Nairobi. Home to 150,000 to 200,000 people packed into 1.5 square kilometres.
it is interesting that in Kenya, primary education has covered almost 100% area even in slum and they are taught in English. So almost all people can speak English.
Their life condition is severe but they are doing effort to improve their life.
Most of them are Christian and they go to church. To enjoy praying by singing and dancing with loud music, which is their special style.
In slum, they have their original radio station. People bring their original songs or music to the station, and play them there.
Now they have the chance to share their music to all over the world.
Yuji HIRAI