Akua Naru: Miner’s Canary

To me, the significance of a canary is how it’s beauty permeates through its entrapment. That is to say, for a bird often kept caged, it finds its self expression through melody rather than soaring. This analogy is apt for most black bodies, voices and minds that feel marginalised and exploited. Akua Naru’s exploration of the black condition is done with a poet’s sensitivity and presented with the zest of a passionate activist. The music explores ways in which we can still create our art in spite and perhaps because of the circumstances we find ourselves wrestling with.

This album is thus the Canary’s nest and simultaneously the Miner’s diary.

Through songs like Seraphim, we hear about a love transcending physical interaction and even shrinking distance when she raps “You stay by my side like Mozambique and Madagascar”. This is a refreshing take on relationships, these ones serve more than our physical desires and grow us (removing us from our self indulgence so we can actually become one with another being).

Such subtle lyrics are matched by soothing jazz lyrics, meant to nourish the mind and/or soul. It’s like foam bath for your ears. Naru’s strength is an appreciation of the intangible values often realised after deep introspection… much like a miner learns more about themselves after toiling the soil in search of gold. The theme of appreciation continues on the heartfelt tribute to author Toni Morrison, in the song that shares her name. The position of female leaders and role models is touched upon in both this song and One Woman; simultaneously soothing the listener and educating them on the value of the black woman’s voice and body.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this album is the relationship between a Miner and a Canary. Both seem entrapped in their quest for personal freedom. Whilst one digs… the other sings, both expressing themselves in spite of their current situations. Perhaps this album is as melodically sound as it is illuminating because it seeks to answer the age old question “why does the caged bird sing?”.

In light of all the social upheaval around the world and more specifically for me South Africa… this album serves as a soundtrack for the strife, knowledge and love black bodies create in these moments. And reminds me the Miner and the Canary’s positions are more alike than I thought!