Why bikos black consciousness philosophy resonates with. He tells in his own spoken words how he created the movement and set the circumstances in motion that eventually won the day. Besides the repeated recordings of biko and kruger, the constant refrain of peter gabriel s song, simply entitled biko, first released in. After leaving genesis in 1975, gabriel launched a successful solo career with the hit single solsbury hill.
Peter gabriel is the third eponymous solo album by english rock musician peter gabriel, released on 23 may 1980 by charisma records. In september 1977 leading south african antiapartheid activist stephen biko was. Biko was a more overt political song than the work of graceland, but graceland introduced millions of people around the world to what was wonderful about south african music. Steve biko served as the first president of saso and was later the publicity secretary of the organisation. Read once in university, i decided to reread i write what i like after getting it as a gift from a friend. The song is a tribute to antiapartheid activist steve biko, who died in 1977 at the hands of the south african police at the age of 30. The song is bookended with recordings of songs sung at bikos funeral. Peter gabriel sings about the death of the south african antiapartheid activist steve biko while scenes from the biographical film cry freedom 1987 play throughout.
Steve biko 19461977, antiapartheid activist in south africa. Steve biko was a key youth leader and, had he lived, would have emerged as a world figure. Peter gabriel biko lyrics meaning lyric interpretations. It made people feel good, want to dance there were so many positives in africa, yet most of us still have.
As nkosinathi biko, son of steve biko and the ceo of the steve biko foundation, puts it. It was released by charisma records as a single from gabriel s eponymous third album in 1980. Bikos testimony at the trial of his nine colleagues in the black consciousness movement reveals his positions on political freedom. Peter gabriel has always fearlessly used his music for social and political commentary. Remembering steve biko who died today in biko was an antiapartheid activist and immortalized in a song by peter gabriel stephen bantu biko an antiapartheid activist in south africa in the and he.
The second track is an instrumental no more apartheid pretty. Unlike biko, many others who died in detention for their opposition to apartheid have sunk into obscurity. Peter gabriel performs in the music video biko from his album peter gabriel recorded for charisma records. His coverage of steve biko s death in custody led to his exile from south africa. This song is about the south african antiapartheid veteran steve biko, who in 1977 was killed by police officers while in custody for related political reasons. With peter gabriel, kevin kline, denzel washington. Biko, released in 1980 on his third solo album, is the rare political song that isnt selfserving, condescending or pedantic. It appeared in the miami vice episode evan notes edit.
I saw the movie many years ago and felt deeply saddened by the plight of africans. The song is about steven biko who was an antiapartheid activist. Biko by donald woods share book recommendations with. By all accounts he was very smart, charismatic, had a great sense of humour, and could have had a key role in the shaping of a new south africa. Peter gabriel first rose to fame as the flamboyantly costumed lead singer of the innovative progressive rock band genesis. Donald woods december 15, 1933, died august 19, 2001 was a south african antiapartheid activist and journalist. Biko plainly lays out the tragic story of murdered south african activist steve biko and serves as an introduction to gabriel the activist. Biko is a protest song by british rock musician peter gabriel. And rock star peter gabriel wrote a song biko to highlight the young leaders death. Peter gabriel said in the under african skies documentary.
This song is an incredible homage to a true hero whom i admire even more than mlk because biko s passion for his cause was visceral. Interestingly, peter gabriel downplayed the significance and importance of this song. The song is a musical eulogy, inspired by the death of the black south african antiapartheid activist steve biko in police custody on 12 september 1977. This file is licensed under the creative commons attribution 2. I found a song by peter gabriel about steve biko the african actvist for nonracism in south africa. Biko tshirts on redbubble are expertly printed on ethically sourced, sweatshopfree apparel and available in a huge range of styles, colors and sizes. Why biko s black consciousness philosophy resonates with youth today. These are the words of the song biko written by peter gabriel 1n 1980. On 12th september 1977, steve biko was murdered in his prison cell.
For further information, i would suggest the book biko by donald woods on penguin. Biko was dead, murdered by the south african police. He was only 31, but his vision and charisma captured in this collection of his work had already transformed the agenda of south african politics. The legendary true story of steve biko and the friendship that defied apartheid. Slim fit, order a size up if youd like it less fitting. A man holds a picture of south african students leader steve biko, at his funeral in king williams town, 1977. Biko this song is by peter gabriel and appears on the album ein deutsches album 1980, on the album peter gabriel 1980, on the compilation album hit 2003. Stephen biko had the courage to work and speak out for justice in south africa. Gabriel wrote the song after hearing of biko s death on the news. Gabriel was thinking of writing a song about steve biko, the antiapartheid activist who died in police custody in 1977, when he came across a dutch radio station playing african music. See more ideas about steve biko, african and apartheid. Clandestine recording of crowd during steve biko s funeral lo mhla sibuyayo lo mhla sibuyayo lo mhla sibuyayo, laphalal igazi.
There is a lot to recommend about peter gabriel two aka scratch which came out in 1978. Biko is a song by peter gabriel, featured on the album peter gabriel in 1980 and released as a single that year. Biko german this song is by peter gabriel and appears on the album ein deutsches album 1980. Its about steve biko, a black south african antiapartheid activist.
Gabriel did his research, reading three biographies as well as a book of biko. Studios, peters third selftitled album was produced by steve lillywhite. His video sledgehammer remains the most played music video in the history of mtv. This song is a protest song by peter gabriel and was inclued on his third album in 1980.
Gabriel took note of the killing and began studying biko, reading three biographies about him. Subjected to 22 hours of interrogation, torture and beating by south african police on september 6, 1977, steve biko died six days later. He could have been a very positive force in africa. Biko book, 1978 biography of steve biko by donald woods biko song, 1980 song about steve biko written by peter gabriel. Written by peter gabriel the single features a live version of the song. Steve biko s grave, ginsburg, outside east london, south africa, september 12, 1997. An exhibition at the apartheid museum traces the life and death of black consciousness leader steve biko, to show what is behind the icon. It is about steve biko, a noted black south african antiapartheid activist. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that. Gabriel sang german vocals on top of completely new recorded instrumental and backing vocal tracks. Biko is an antiapartheid protest song by english rock musician peter gabriel.
His books exposed case and were the basis of the movie, cry freedom. Revisit our september 1986 interview with peter gabriel. This book covers the basic philosophy of black consciousness, bantustans, african culture, the institutional church and western involvement in apartheid. Biko by peter gabriel with lyrics all rights to artists, publishers, etc. At that time the law forbade biko from speaking to more than one person at a time. Peter gabriel on 30 years of womad and mixing music with.
Musician peter gabriel turns 70 ramblin with roger. Donald woods, biko s close friend and a leading white south african newspaper editor, exposed the murder helping to ignite the black revolution. It has been said that one of the main obscurations of biko narratives is that biko s death has become the centre of his story. Feb 26, 2015 the definition of black consciousness this is the paper produced for a saso leadership training course in december 1971 by bantu stephen biko. This is a book that should be taught in all political science classes, but really i am glad it is not.
It remains an absolutely phenomenal collection of ideology penned by the great steve biko. Peter gabriel steve biko black history books black presidents african diaspora african american history black power black people black is beautiful. Steven biko sat naked in a prison cell and waited for nineteen days. Steve bantu biko, activist against the south african apartheid government and leader of the black consciousness movement, died from head injuries while in police custody 34 years ago today. He could have been a very positive force in africa and a leader young people all over the world could have identified with. Biko, apartheid and raising consciousness peace is our.
Bantu stephen biko was a young south african leader who died in 1977 as a result of injuries received during interrogations by the south african security police. Books can be a much better source of social comment than rock songs, and yet rock. Published sunday, 17th september, 2017 by susan aka peacefull. The song was included on gabriel s third album, peter gabriel 1980. Biko had been arrested by the south african police in late august 1977.
After that, i became a big peter gabriel fan, buying the first two albums, then security and its german counterpart 1982, with the hit shock the monkey. The second track is an instrumental no more apartheid pretty good but sounds a little bit 80ish. Biko by peter gabriel is not simply a political rally song with an ability to facilitate. Peter gabriel s song characterising the influence of steve biko is as apt today as it was in the 1980s. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to all 115 people who died in south africa prisons from 1963 1990 in their quest for a better world. Compilations of bikos writings are published in the book, i write what i like, where biko says. Includes a live version of biko recorded in cleveland july 27, 1987. Donalds book biko had formed part of the inspiration for the song as. Gabriel was thinking of writing a song about steve biko, the antiapartheid activist who died in police custody in 1977, when he. Why the song i believe steve biko was very important. Biko restaurant, a basque restaurant in mexico city. It was released by charisma records as a single from gabriel s eponymous third album in 1980 the song is a musical eulogy, inspired by the death of the black south african antiapartheid activist steve biko in police custody on 12 september 1977. It began, as did his political activism, with his 1980 hit biko.
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