Emerson Amidu Bockarie

Emmerson Bukhari

TFB: how have you been able to maintain and stay true to yourself as an artist (in your music) and as a person"

Emmerson: I believe in humility, i believe that everything has been be possible through the high power, it all fell into place because i don't get caught up in the hype.

I & Emmerson

This is how the conversation with Emerson began on a sunny friday Freetown Afternoon in hill station overlooking the city. I was in awe, truly in awe. This has happened only on three occasions when i've met an artist or pubic figure i respect. Scenario number 1, when i met D'bi Young. She is everything in person and more that she is in her art. Scenario #2, Aminatta Forna (that's for another post), her humility was refreshing. Scenario # 3, Meeting the Emerson Amidu Bockarie, pioneer in the Sierra-Leonean music industry. I remember vividly coming to freetown in 2002 for 10 days and been introduced to his music via the radio and family members who kept buying his cds for me, i was hooked. After i left i continued to search out his music bu youtubing his videos, trying to find articles on him, anything information that would allow me to better understand this Sierra-Leonean artist that was inspiring my spirit to move back home. Artistically, his music was my first connection to Sierra-Leone and wanting to understand what it meant to be a youth living in post-war Sierra-Leone. His lyrics were radical, conscious, bold, political , grassroots and planted in daily reality. People connected with him in a very real way, and jams like TUTU PARTY just had one feeling good, personally, that was one tangible way in which i felt  somewhat connected to my homeland.

On Rise, Emmerson's New Album:

TFB: what was the inspiration behind Rise? what were you trying to achieve?

Emmerson: This album has been three years in the making. The idea has been around for awhile now, we took our time with this album. We wanted to take Sierra-Leonean music to the next level, we wanted to expose people to different beats, vibes and ways of enjoying music. We went to Banjul to check out the music/arts scene, went to Nigeria and checked out the scene and for three years we tried to figure out how we could incorporate those elements while keeping it authentically Sierra-Leonean. After awhile due to set backs and things that needed taking care off, we put the project on hold. It took Timya coming to Freetown for a concert and telling me that i was really talented to get us  re-energized and re-inspired. I realized we had been sleeping, it was time to wake up and put something great together.

 TFB: and?

Emmerson: And we produced Rise, it stays true to Sierra-Leone, [...] People think that's it for the album.  They like it now despite the hesitation as first, but they think since its released and has had air play that that is it.  But we are just beginning and we are going to take it to places that will surprise many. 

...I then go on to singing the first song from his album, Emmerson smiles, and i grin like the excited kid i was.

Heyden Adama & Emmerson

TFB: describe Emmerson now in 2 words? And Emmerson in the next 10 years?

Emmerson: Emmerson now is humble and adventuours. Emmerson in the next couple of years.....an Entrepreneur.

TFB: how about happy and rich?

Emmerson: I am already happy, i don't let anyone or anything disturb that. Rich is to simplicistic, rich in what way? Listen, the money, it comes, it will come I am not worried about that. Right now, i'm humbled and determined.

As  the afternoon meeting came to an end i remained elated to have met him. Emmerson is a pioneer because he believes in him self, is rooted in humility and expressing his authentic self. Emmerson does Emmerson, no apologies just big aspirations backed with hard work, focus and a deep love for what he does. That is how he has managed to stay successful for so long in the Sierra-Leonean music industry and the world has yet to experience him at his best. Truly a Sierra-Leonean gem...

    fambul dem this is how we do...

*this is a snippet from the entire interview that will feature once the blog is renovated shortly!