Living The Highlife

So as of Sunday night the second term of the international Red Bull Music Academy kicked off at a former slaughterhouse called the 'Matidero' in Madrid Spain. It's been a few years since i've been asked back to be a part of the team here, and I gotta say it's pretty cool to be back. Once again the most incredibly inspirational musical two weeks of ones life and the last few days here have been exceptional.

Lecture highlight so far include Nile Rodgers of the seminal band Chic, the man that produced some of the biggest records to come out of the UK in the 80's - Trevor Horn and the first lecture that i hosted which was with Ghanian legend Gyedu Blay Ambolley. Gyedu began making music in the 60's at a time when post-independance Ghana was alive with a heaving club scene and live music scene that earnt it's capital city the title of 'Swinging Accra'. Gyedu broke down the origins of a style of music known as 'Highlife' which became the dominant musical force around Western Africa at the time.

I could go on, but check the lecture yourself below....

Lecture: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley (Madrid 2011) from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.