For the October ONpodcast, we asked the Cologne-based collective Demask to introduce us to artists from their network. They suggested Zimbabwean performance artist and activist Jordan Chanetsa to host the two episodes! Jordan is artist in residence of the participatory residency program of Demask, In-Haus e.V. and the Akademie der Künste der Welt.
«In this episode I decided to spotlight 2 artists who are from Southern Africa. I am very intent on using this space to spotlight these artists as I do believe that sometimes artists from southern Africa are ignored and if they are spotlit then its usually the same people being given a platform.
I enjoy the music being created by these two artists and I’m so grateful to have been able to share part of their journey with you. In this episode I will be featuring music TAPIWA and Francis Buseko who I think are both amazing artists doing some amazing work. I strongly admire people who are taking the time to do the work and putting in the hours as it motivates me to want to do more and more regardless of what circumstances I may find myself in. Im grateful to be a part of such an amazing group of people from such an amazing region that is rich with so much culture and raw talent.» – Jordan Chanetsa
TAPIWA is an electronic music producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ from Harare, Zimbabwe.
Drawing from the nostalgic rave influences of the 90s and a colourful palette of modern electronic, his unique mix of dancefloor ready sounds and infectious pop sensibility will get you on your feet and geared to move.
Francis Buseko is a Zambian photographer, creative director, writer, singer and muse whose goal is to push the limits of queerness and masculinity as it pertains to existing as so in a highly-censored country. Through their work, Francis wants to ultimately dismantle the stereotypes and taboo cultures that surround queerness in Africa while turning hyper- masculinity on its head through their many mediums of expression; be it music, photography,film, self-portrait, written or spoken word.
Jordan Chanetsa is a multi-disciplinary artist and LGBTQIA+ rights activist and works as a consultant for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in working spaces. Jordan is a founding member of the Harare Queer Collective (HQ), which works to create safe spaces for Zimbabwean LGBTQIA+ people. As a presenter and media personality, she regularly addresses the difficult realities of the LGBTQIA+ community in Zimbabwe on radio shows and podcasts.
In 2019, Chanetsa was honored by the Dutch Embassy in Zimbabwe for her commitment as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence” campaign. Chanetsa was also selected to participate in the “Young Leaders Program” of “Women Deliver”, an organization that promotes gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women.
Every month ONpodcast offers a new perspective into the independent scene of Cologne. What it is about and who it is with is entirely up to the host: in two episodes they give us insights into their life and work within the experimental music scene and share conversation, stories and music.
Mastering by Kerim Butz