Gobal Music: Mamadee II

Beautiful Soul Mamadee | 30 Days Unchained: Day 3 Saturday 12 January, 2013

30 Days Unchained/#30unchained | Day: 3 – 1/12/13 | Inspiration: Mamadee A long-time supporter of Live Unchained, Lulu Kitololo of Afri-love encourages her readers to: “Imagine all who are inspirited by Africa – all whose lives and hearts have been touched by the spirit of the continent – sharing their passion through collaboration, in the name of [...]

30 Days Unchained/#30unchained | Day: 3 – 1/12/13 | Inspiration: Mamadee

A long-time supporter of Live Unchained, Lulu Kitololo of Afri-love encourages her readers to: “Imagine all who are inspirited by Africa – all whose lives and hearts have been touched by the spirit of the continent – sharing their passion through collaboration, in the name of mutual empowerment.” When I think of singer Mamadee, who has traveled around the world (including touring with Reggae sensation, Gentleman), I think of Lulu’s words. Listening to her, I could feel how much her heritage meant to her; how much she had been “inspirited” by the continent after connecting with her family in Sierra Leone. Mamadee tells Live Unchained: “I grew up in Germany behind the wall and was always longing to see my African family since I didn’t get to grow up with them. So, that wish to see Africa and my family inspired many things, and then I finally went there. I visited Sierra Leone where my Dad is from. And now, I know even more, what I felt when I arrived there. I believe you understand better that we are all one after going to a place where everything began.”

Mamadee, Photo Credit: Born Free Records

Challenge (Find, Create or Remix an image that answers the question): What does your heritage mean to you?

Share your image(s) on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and be sure to tag @liveunchained and use the hashtag #30unchained so we can shout you out! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter to keep up with the latest #30unchained news.
…
You currently have a single out with Ky-Mani Marley, “Africa is Calling.” What does this song mean to you? How does Africa inspire you?
“Africa is Calling” means a lot to me. I am very happy and honored that Ky-Mani liked the idea Born Free and I had for this song. We focused on having a message about the place where life began. We wanted to write about our motherland and to remind everyone of its history, beauty, people and its powerful energy.
I am the child of a German mother and African father. I grew up in Germany behind the wall and was always longing to see my African family since I didn’t get to grow up with them. So, that wish to see Africa and my family inspired many things, and then I finally went there. I visited Sierra Leone where my Dad is from. And now, I know even more, what I felt when I arrived there. I believe you understand better that we are all one after going to a place where everything began.
Africa is calling and Africa is the future. I’ve actually done many songs for African causes, and I do it with all my heart. We are all Africans.

Mamadee, Photo Credit: Sven A. Dreste

One of my favorite songs is “Beautiful Soul.” What was the inspiration behind this song?
“Beautiful Soul” is inspired by a beautiful soul that I met in life. You know those souls you can trust, souls that want the best for you and souls that are happy when you have success in life? The song is about those souls that are able to love themselves and love you the way you are. Souls that know everyone has to take an individual path with no room for jealousy, or mean and evil thoughts, there is space for everyone. There are a few souls in our lives that we can have a stronger connection with than others. So, it was my way of giving thanks for those beautiful souls I’ve met so far.
Your music also feels very feminine.
Growing up with a single mom and two big sisters, obviously, I had a lot female influence. I love being a woman and I know about the strength of women.
There are many things I love about being a woman… For sure, the fact that I hopefully will be blessed with a child or more is amazing. But, living as a woman in a mostly male dominated world, I know about disadvantages and situations where women have to prove, even more, our abilities.
Since I write most of my songs, they come out of my perspective and lyrics are inspired by my experience in life as a woman.
As an Afro-German woman born in the east of Germany behind the wall, as a human being going through the ups and downs in life and always trying to remind myself, what is really important, I know what it is to be happy and to share. I see how hard it is for a woman with kids and still working, managing all those things that go along with having children. Much respect to all the moms, especially single moms.
What does living unchained mean to you?
It is a great adventure. Typically, we don’t know what will come in the next moments or in the next months. But, when I look back, over a long time, I have been able to live from my passion of music and I am grateful. Whatever else comes, I will be fine.

View the original interview with Mamdee here.
…
30 Days Unchained/#30unchained is an interactive creative countdown to the Live Unchained Anniversary Celebration. Everyday for 30 days, we’ll share some of our most popular interviews with Live Unchained featured artists. They include women creatives of various disciplines from across the African diaspora. Her creative journey will be the inspiration for your challenge. To participate simply respond to the challenge question with images (not words). Share it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest and be sure to tag @liveunchained so we can shout you out – it’s that simple. Learn more about 30 Days Unchained, including rules and prizes here. Get your daily challenge from Thursday, January 10th through the day of the big bash on Friday, February 8th at www.liveunchained.com.