Music show: James BKS’ introspective journey on ‘See Us Rise’ • FRANCE 24 English
[Applause] [Music] Hello and welcome to France 24’s weekly music show. I’m Jennifer Benraheim. Coming up, [Music] no one can tell your life story better than you. Those are the words of Franco Cameroonian musician James BKS who is back with a deeply personal new project called See Us Rise. He went from producing some of the biggest names in music to carving out a name for himself as a performer. Music is in his blood with his father being the afro jazz legend Manny Dubongo. James’ sound is truly a blend of his life experiences from pop hip hop to West African rhythms and I’m happy to say he’s my guest on today’s show. James PKS, welcome to France 24. Hello. Thank you for having me. Now your EP CS Rise takes us on quite a personal introspective journey. Now a perfect example uh being the single On My Way. Now the trailer for that song features you and your son and I saw on your Instagram that you say that it was kind of inspired by a Will Smith film. Can you tell us more about this track? It was inspired by a pursuit of happiness. You know, I love the message and like the struggle and the journey that Will Smith went through with his son and all the lessons that they learned along the way. And that’s basically what I what I try to did what try to do with uh with my son too, you know, trying to tell him that it’s okay to fall. It’s okay to have dreams and uh to keep pushing no matter what. Yeah. And on the on the track on my way, you give these words of encouragement and you say, as you just mentioned, things like don’t let anyone say you can’t do something. Now, I read that you actually felt this sort of imposttor syndrome uh that you uh didn’t find it easy transitioning from being a producer, a beat maker to actually uh performing on stage. Who or what kind of helped you take that plunge? It’s all about being able to grow in front of the world and not um not being scared of who you are as a person, as an artist. You know, I’ve been fortunate to be among so many great artists and musicians, but at one point I really needed to tell my own story. And uh no one would tell it better than me. So that’s what I did. Yep. And I heard that your first show you had quite a big name in the audience, your father. So that must have been quite encouraging as well to have him have him see you perform. Yes, that was amazing. It wasn’t something that that was planned actually. Um, but that was one of the greatest moment in my life because him being here for the first time that I actually performed uh allow me to let go of all the fears that I would have after that. You know, now one of our other uh tracks from the EP is called uh Wacka Go. We’ll take a look at a video and have a chat about it. Take a look. Sometimes I wonder if life stay with my mind. Lunch breaks together. Every day we share smiles. She understand my jokes. We they talk with they laugh. Temptations knocks on my door. But then I think of my wife. I be on my mind. No doubt on my mind through the ups and downs that you be love where I find no matter temptations. The life go for this time. You be my everything. [Music] So that was Wacko from James BKS’s upcoming EPC CS Rise. Now I believe that Wacka Go is a sort of ode to this idea of love and temptation. Uh what are you trying to say with a song? So basically, you know, when you’ve been with someone for so long that might be quite hard to make it bright or it seems bit less bright, you know, but it’s truly powerful. all the lessons that you learn with someone, how you grow with someone and and and stuff that you can pass on, you know, that that’s priceless. Yeah. Now, uh there’s another song that I really love off the EP called Indolo, and it really celebrates your African heritage. Now, you’ve worked with many African artists over the years, as I mentioned earlier, um your late father, the legendary Cameroonian musician, Manu Dango, as well as Anel Kijjo, who you actually performed with, uh in February, I believe, at the Famoni de Perry. Um, has it always been important for you to kind of stay connected or pay tribute to these African musical roots of yours? Yes, it’s truly important for me because I want to I’m not trying to show my Africanness, you know, I trying to live it and those people been around me ever since I started performing and I’m trying to pay homage and and let them know that I’m trying to do the work too, you know. Yeah. and um carry on for the traditions as well if you’re of your father. Now, speaking of Africa, we’re going to take a look at some other music releases of the week, starting with a new track by Nigerian pop star Loj. Now, his star is on the rise after his Grammy nomination for the feature on the Chris Brown track Sensational. Now, he’s back with a song called MUA featuring British R&B singer Odal. The song is also about love and desire and passion. Let’s take a look at the video. We [Music] [Music] fin. So that was the latest single from Nigerian singer Lo Jay and that’s a bit of a teaser for his album that is due to drop this summer. Now James, you’ve worked with many angophone musicians uh over your career. You used to live in the US uh such as Snoop Dogg, Ja Rule, and Will I Am. I’m very interested to know who is on your bucket list. A dream collaboration that you’ve not had yet. Uh probably I would say Childish Gambino. Oh, that’s a good one. Yes, I love his work and his approach of music. Oh, interesting. What do you mean by that? What do you like about his approach? He’s different, you know. He not trying to sound like anybody else but him. and uh he always take us in his journey and uh that’s truly inspire inspiring. Okay. Well, if you know anyone connected to Chall Gambino is watching the show, make this happen please. Now, you’ve also worked uh in the studio with PD. Now, it was a few years ago and he’s actually going on trial this week with charges against him including sex trafficking and rape. Uh if convicted, he could face life in prison. Now, James, I’m interested to know what was your reaction when news broke of his alleged crimes? I mean, I was saddened by the situation, you know, I’ve never had the the opportunity to actually meet him. Okay. But, um, he means so much for the music industry. He’s just sad. It’s a sad situation and a sad legacy. Yeah. For him. Yes. Now, we’re going to move on to my album of the week. Uh, and it’s from American singer Calli Uch. The Grammy winner is back with Sincerely. The album is inspired by an undisclosed lifealtering event that she recently went through. Now, she is keeping her cards close to her chest, but she did reveal that the recent events made her want to find joy even in the darkest of moments. Let’s take a look at the video for the very aptly titled song called Sunshine and Rain. [Music] I do believe in karma. When will I forive my heart for always getting me in trouble? God knows I play my part and always understands me. So used to everyone misunderstands. Wish I didn’t let my emotions run away. Now James, you worked as I mentioned before uh in the US for many years as a producer. uh what kind of lessons or methods did uh you take uh back with you to France from uh having worked you know worked there and that you put into your debut projects like um Wolves of Africa part one and two and this latest one. What is any kind of uh tips or tricks? Um just be truthful to who you are and and uh don’t be shy about your work. You know you never know what can uh please someone. Um, just show your music, show who you are, uh, as a musician, as a producer. Um, I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of people, but, um, the best, uh, I would say situation that I had was working with songwriters who allowed me to express myself freely. And even with beats that I had like for years, they were like, “Nobody knows them beats, so it’s new to us, you know, just show your work and you’ll be fine.” And who would you say out of the artists I mentioned earlier that you’ve worked with in the US, who would you say, and like looping back to the inspiration for CS Rise, who gave you kind of the best words of encouragement, would you say? Um, I would say Idris Sela. I mean, there there’s so many. Uh, I’ve learned a lot working with Willam as well. Okay. You know, I learned a lot about stripping down, you know, making the beat simpler to to be able to connect with people. Not trying to impress as much, you know, but connect like find the right connection and spark the conversation, you know. I’m very jealous you got to work with Idris Ela, but hopefully he’ll come on the show one day. Now, we come to the end of the show and I want to thank James BKS for coming in to speak to us about his upcoming EP, See Us Rise, and that is out on the 23rd of May. Now, before we go, just enough time to tell you all about the latest mixtape from British alt pop singer uh Pink Paneres. Fancy Vat celebrates all things British and Kitschy, like in the video we’re going to play out uh called Tonight. It’s definitely seems to be a bit of a nod to the series Bridgetgerton. We’ll leave you with that. And now, for more arts and culture, you can head to our website or our social media. There’s more news coming up on France 24 just after this. [Music] Come on. It’s like come on. I waited all this time. Now I guess it’s time I can try. A million things I can say. But baby, I’ll wait. I leave my bedroom with my post to serve you up. I do this because you’re my superstar. My superar. I look at you and I wonder why so [Music]
In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Franco-Cameroonian musician James BKS. He’s gone from producing beats for some of the biggest stars like Snoop Dogg and will.i.am, to carving out a name for himself as a performer. Music is in his blood, with his father being the late Afro-jazz legend Manu Dibango, and James has continued his legacy by embracing his African musical roots. He’s back with the EP “See Us Rise”, a deeply personal and introspective record.
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