Issa season finale two-parter! Mwita and Wangari debate how the neglected African boy-child can be a part of the campaign for women's empowerment. They also come to terms with the fact that African culture can be malleable. In addition they look back on some their favorite moments throughout the season and reveal some self-realizations that have come about as a result of doing Ckiza. Songs Amara Brown - "Akiliz" Adekunle Gold - "Ire" Ferre Gola - "Kipele Kiese" 

CKIZA

Ep. 20 - Men Should Be A Part Of The Change!

We sat down with everyone’s favorite internet cousin, Evelyn From The Internets. She gave us a rundown on how she started out and how she fluidly switches between her internet personality and Evelyn IRL. We also talked about her trip back to the motherland and what it means for her as a storyteller. More importantly, we debate the merits of “callout culture” and address her fears of being dragged by Black Twitter. Lastly, she tells us why she’s willing to pass up on lucrative opportunities for the sake of her art and shares the keys to creating great content. Featured Songs: Sauti Sol feat. Nyashinski - "Short N Sweet" Octopizzo - "Noma Ni"

Ep. 19 - Nothing's Ever For Free Man! (feat. Evelyn From The Internets)

Our first special guest of the season is the multi-hyphenate Kenyan sensation "Blinky" Bill Sellanga. Blinky is a singer-songwriter, beat maker, producer and one fourth of the Kenyan art and music collective, Just a Band. We discussed many things, namely the importance of passing down the legacy of African music to the next generation and what we as artists and consumers can do to keep our stories alive. He also offers his unique take on the future of the Afrobeats movement, his relationship to Afrofuturism and tells us why there can never be one definitive Blinky Bill sound. Featured Songs: Blinky Bill feat. Neck - "No Touch Am" Mitya feat. Blinky Bill - "Atie" Just A Band - "Huff + Puff" Just A Band - " Dunia Ina Mambo" Just A Band - "Ha-He"

Ep. 18 - This Porridge Is Thick (feat. Blinky Bill)

We are living in a time where pro-blackness is popular. Long gone are the days where blackness was at the fringes of popular culture, the black aesthetic is at the front and center of the cultural zeitgeist. We should revel in this moment, but also take note of the problematic issues that have risen as a result of it.This week we sat down with Esther Orudiakumo, a Nigerian-American who has a passion for story-telling capabilities of black diasporic art. We discussed how hyper visibility causes some black artists to perform blackness and whether or not anything's changed as a result of these performances. We also touch on the barriers to access for minority groups within the art world as well as how we should respond to the sale of black trauma.

Ep. 17 - Perfomative Wokeness (feat. Esther Orudio)

Ousmane Sembène once said “If Africans don’t tell their story, Africa will soon disappear.” This week we sat down with Kholi Dhliwayo, the curator of AfrOURban Art, a collective that documents African urbanism and highlights the beauty in our cities. We discussed the importance of taking control of our narratives and cataloguing our history in order to have our voices authentically represented on a global stage. In addition, Kholi highlights the significance of African Art as a form of resistance to longstanding neocolonial imagery within a wider transnational context. We also debate the media coverage on South Africa’s land debate.

Ep. 16 - AfrOURban Art (feat. Kholisile Dhliwayoll)

"Hustle until you no longer have to introduce yourself," so they say. What does that even mean? Better yet, what does that entail? This week, we sat down with Remul, the founder of Chapter R interiors. We discussed how her DACAmented status led her down a non-linear path to entrepreneurship and the importance of accumulating social currency early in one's career.

Ep. 15 - No News For Me Only Pop Culture

Food is a code that expresses identity. Once a person asks how something is made, why it’s made or why its called a certain way the answers go beyond culinary learning. We get to understand a culture, habits, rituals and tradition by exploring foods from various communities.This week we chopped it up with Eden, the founder of Black Foodie, a lifestyle blog that explores food through a black lens. We discussed the importance of understanding the origins of traditional dishes and how we can tell our stories through food. She also shared her thoughts on the Afro-Vegan movement and makes the connection between veganism and ancient African diets. In addition, we touched on the global perception of black foods and what we can do show greater appreciation for that which is ours.

Ep. 14 - Injera Is Our Life (feat. Eden Hagos)

Why does Nigeria have a cultural hegemony on the Afrobeats movement both at home and abroad? The continent is a billion strong with hundreds of original musical styles yet the likes of Davido continue to get the most play. Other artists that are equally as talented remain relatively underrated and unknown. Whose responsibility is it to introduce other sounds and carry them to mainstream African culture? Join us for an enlightening discussion with Nimi Ajayi an up & coming DJ based in the Midwest. We discuss the critical role that DJs have played in shaping the Afrobeats movement and the importance of entertainers evolving their sound to suit a more global audience.

Ep. 13- What's A Great Product If Nobody Buys It? (feat. Nimi Ajayi)

Church business, a prickly conversation topic in most African households. Christianity is a remnant of colonial presence and it’s widely been adopted across the continent. Among it’s requisite practices is consistent tithing by parishioners, rich or poor. This week, Nigerian citizens took to Twitter to debate the practicalities of tithing. Many of its’ citizens have to make a decision between giving to the church or paying for their basic needs. Is it fair for the church to expect them to give considering their economic circumstances? How does one reconcile churches amassing wealth while some members of their flock struggle to make ends meet? Lastly, just how transparent should these churches be with their finances?

Ep. 12 - Why Do You Want To Take Away My Gulfstream?

The term “cultural preservation” often comes up when one discusses the effects of modernization on the African continent. What good does it serve us to preserve traditions? Similarly, the value that each generation places on the past is constantly evolving. What aspects of our culture should we abolish, what should we keep? This week, we attempt to answer these questions via the documentary A House Without Snakes by Daniel Koehler. As per The Atlantic, the film is a moving depiction of a centuries-old culture on the front lines of modernization. It observes the life of two Botswana Bushmen and the challenges they face reconciling the past, present and future.

Ep. 11 - I Tend To Be Thotty On Some Days

This week we discuss trending topics at a very high level. These matters will be discussed in depth later in the season. How do long-standing attitudes towards gender and sexuality contribute to dysfunctional relationships and enable domestic violence within Diasporan communities? What does this mean for the modern African man and woman? In the case of Winnie Mandela, what happens when the patriarchy continues to undermine the legacy of feminist icons? How can women ensure that their stories are written truthfully and cement their rightful place in history? As for Cambridge Analytica, who is really at fault? Should there be a reckoning after these revelations? Lastly, is the onus on policymakers or consumers to safeguard personal data? Truth, laid bare. Get into it.

Ep. 10 - Power, Politics & the Patriarchy

We live in a world where we often come across people from heterogenous backgrounds. As a result a socio-ideological consciousness known as code-switching creates an avenue where one can navigate a global identity and local cultures. We often code-switch in an effort to fit in, but what happens when our efforts are not recognized or accepted? Code-switchers also confront questions about personal identity often times choosing to highlight the intersections of these identities rather than favor one over the other. This week we sat down with Miriam Ayoo, a singer-songwriter and activist who grew up in America, relocated to East Africa and now lives in Europe. She shares her personal experience with navigating various cultural spaces and what she draws from to define her sense of self.

Ep. 9 - We Are All A Bunch Of Misfits (feat. Miriam Ayoo)

The societal ideology surrounding sport is that it's one of the few things that brings diverse groups of people together. As such, the popularity and globalization of sport have led to an ever-increasing migration of black athletes from the global South to the West. However the narratives in media continue to perpetuate stereotypes and increase social boundaries, especially as it pertains to athletes of African descent. This week we sat down with Adam Musoke, a Uganda-Merican who offers up his personal experiences as a semi-pro soccer athlete. He discusses the ways in which these media narratives often played to his disadvantage. We also discuss the complicit role that sports fans play when it comes to consuming these stereotype-laden narratives.

Ep. 8 - For The Love Of The Game (feat. Adam Musoke)

The rise of the #MeToo movement has set off a global debate on instances of sexual harassment that go unchecked. By the same token, parallel movements on the continent like #MenAreTrash and #MyMatatuStory are forcing the diaspora to come to terms with its own cultural reckoning. But why now? What is it that makes these movements prominent and effective? Join us for a conversation with Nemo Kimiri, a health services professional who is committed to ending sexual and gender based violence in Africa. She recounts her personal experience with #MyMatatuStory and offers a roadmap on where we can go from here.

Ep. 7 - Men Are Trash (feat. Nemo Kimiri)

The naturalista movement has awakened a new political consciousness and created room for cultural resistance across the diaspora. This begs the question, can hair (or lack thereof) ever be apolitical? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Roshie Anne, an upcoming fashion designer & lifestyle blogger. She shares her experience with navigating the politics of black hair and explains how becoming a baldie brought her closer to living her truth. We also discuss the importance of soul flames as it pertains to living an authentic life.

Ep. 6 - Soul Flames (feat. Roshie Anne)

CKIZA (swahili for listen) is podcast focused on the idea of home for Africans living in the diaspora. We feature individuals who are from or drawn to the continent and showcase the ways they are redefining the African narrative. Music will be at the heart of the show with each episode featuring a sound track functioning as the literal backdrop from which the conversation we are having will unfold.

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CKIZA

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