Takun J is Liberia’s premier Hip-Co artist. In terms of musical genre, Hip-Co (Co as in short for colloquial) is uniquely Liberian. In short, it’s music of the vernacular, the way that people relate to one another. Hip-Co evolved in the 1980s and has always been socially & politically bent. In the ‘90s it continued to develop through the civil wars, and today stands as a definitive mark of Liberian culture.
Takun’s music reflects the climate of Liberian society and his songs expose a flawed and corrupt system of governance. His song “The Police” led to his arrest and beating at the hands of those he dared to critique. If you want to find Takun J, take a trip down to Carey street, Monrovia’s hub for local musicians. His abode plays host to gatherings, parties, and shows all throughout the dry season. Lately, Takun J has been collaborating with Nasseman, Liberia’s leading Reggae star. Nasseman’s forthcoming album, “Redemption Time” features their collaborative track, “Down in Africa”, an anthem of the struggle and corruption endemic throughout the continent.
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Together Liberia was a pilot media development project intended to empower local communicators to share their own stories through training, equipment donations, and relationship building. This film was created by graduate student Chris Giamo.
Learn more at togetherliberia.org