Afrikan Boy Criticizes Capitalism And Modern Slavery In ‘Mr. Kunta Kinte’

Afrikan Boy. Image courtesy of the artist.

Last year Afrikan Boy made a bold statement about the plight of refugees with “Border Business.” The Naija rapper returns with another socially-aware record, this time using wit and a Kunta Kinte reference to comment on everything from the nature of the music industry to dead-end jobs and, of course, slave names.

“Mr. Kunta Kinte” sees Afrikan Boy exploring fast-paced rhythms as he rhymes over booming, percussion-filled production. The music video is just as upbeat, as it follows a young man who escapes from reality through daydreams of Afrikan Boy humorously performing dance-inducing rituals on him.

“In the song, I refer to Kunta Kinte’s life; despite the struggles, the slave remained positive and never let his head down. The title of the song was really a metaphor for new age artists becoming slaves to the system and the industry,” the MC explains to Okayafrica.

“I didn’t want my music to come out of a baked beans factory—different packaging but the same old stuff. I want to remain unique and keep my identity, I guess that’s why the character Kunta Kinte fit so well with the song. I ask questions about 9-5 slavery and capitalism, working for minimum wage, prejudice and racial abuse,” Afrikan Boy adds.

Peep the music video for “Mr. Kunta Kinte” below and check out the tour dates for Afrikan Boy’s upcoming UK tour.

Afrikan Boy Tour Dates
Apr 20, Electric Circus Edinburgh, UK
Apr 21, Band on the Wall Manchester, UK
Apr 22, Headrow House Leeds, UK
Apr 23, The Albany Deptford, UK
Apr 24, The Green Door Store Brighton, UK
Apr 27, The Boileroom Surrey, UK
Apr 28, Bungalows & Bears Sheffield, UK
Apr 29, St Mary in the Castle Hastings, UK
Apr 30, The Small Horse SC Bristol, UK