TUGGS.T.A.R PRESENTS.....

“THE AFRICA E.P: FROM HERE TO THERE AND HOME AGAIN” was an attempt to tell part of a story of African migration and settlement. It is a period in history that has not had a lot of exploration, and I love to bring untold stories to light. I was able to draw on my own family’s story as inspiration to elements in each poem. 

After going home to Ghana in December 03. I realised a lot of my material for the LP concerned my relationship with hip-hop. I didn’t have anything that could strongly connect with my people back home. The African poems I had written were done after the concept of my LP was devised. Thus I decided to precede the LP with an EP for it was more important my first offering connected with the people and communities I spawned from. 

I always believe that it is important to be true to the foundation that made you. I am aware “The Africa E.P…” won’t obviously attract people outside politics, Africa or poetry. It is heavy in subject matter and delivery, at times humorous but overall very intense. However I am a politicised Ewe, Ghanaian, African and Pan-African from the conscious community in London whose favourite form of expression is poetry, who loves fusing history in my subject matter. That is my foundation and I hope this E.P shows that.
For those looking into African thought and want to become acquainted with a true commentary and heartbeat of Africans in Britain, then this will satisfy that thirst. I don’t purport to be the voice, though only one of many voices with an opinion and perspective that usually isn’t heard outside the home. 

These words weren’t designed to please anyone but to tell the truth of words from my heart. I feel most commercial black music eg hip-hop and R&B is designed to be pleasing with irrelevant subject matter to the lives of Africans worldwide. Poetry unbars us and gives us back our voice. 

I apologise for the length of some poems. However, I have much to say and feel too few people speak on subjects that need to be spoke about. Too many of us are too afraid to speak our mind on issues affecting us as black/African people. My words are not meant to offend though to only speak the truth the way my heart sees it. I hope as I grow as a writer I will stream line the length of my pieces. But here is my first offering I hope you enjoy it.

“THE AFRICAN C.D: FROM HERE TO THERE AND HOME AGAIN”
Loosely based on the journey of my family and myself.

INTRO
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
Produced by The Insomniax
I figured with so many great speakers on the C.D it was appropriate to have minister Farrakhan talk about the importance of the spoken word in this time, which goes into the beginning of our migration. The plane journey that began the story.

GENERATION CHANGE…(FROM HERE) featuring Corine
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
Vocals Corine Gray
Produced by The Insomniax
Tells the story of the journey of Afrikan people to Britain, both those from the Caribbean and the continent, for although they came from different destinations. Their problems were shared. 

God Save Their Queen
Written and performed live by Tuggs.t.a.r
Looks at how many Africans after being born here usurp a British mind state and sometime belittle their own culture. It is largely a consequence of images from the media and insults from other people (especially ignorant black people) in school. (Loosely based on my pre-Africentric beginnings.)

HERE OR THERE …
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
The brief follow up points the finger at why we are so quick to distance ourselves from our African culture. Accusing the media and parents as contributing factors of this thought.

HOME SWEET HOME
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
Produced by Afro drums by Panji for Pidgen music
The next part has him/me return home and gain a greater sense of who he is. He has a greater understanding of himself and attacks his former self for the ignorance he espoused. Osaygefo Kwame Nkrumah blesses the end of the track. A Big thanks to K.Ananse for hooking up Panji’s drums, people back home really loved this one. A big thanks to my sister Bernice who gave me the “Home Sweet Home” song that I attempt to sing in the beginning when I returned for my 21st Birthday.

PRAYER INTERLUDE
My cousin belongs to International Central Gospel Church, in Tema and he gave me a magnificent tape of his head pastor Otabil, who eloquently brings the bible to life for his parishioners. He Critiques bad politics and demands better practice for Africa in a way I haven’t heard any pastor on the continent speak. I was initially going to put minister Farrakhan on this track. However, if the minister was a Christian and born in Ghana, he would be Otabil. I felt the world should know his name…

CHOSEN PEOPLE COLOURED DARKER THAN BLUE featuring Corine
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
Vocals Corine Gray
Produced and Arranged by The Insomniax
After going back to Ghana, a few times and analysing the society, and speaking with friends and family, I give a hard-hitting commentary on some of the situations, which seriously bothered me and affect Africa and Ghana’s development, again Pastor Otabil drops perfectly with his hard-hitting commentary. (Also a re-working of Curtis Mayfield’s “These People Coloured Darker than Blue”)

OUTRO
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
A look into what is gained, and what is lost as a result of migration. Inspired by my parents and dedicated to all those who took the step.

BONUS
HERE OR THERE featuring Malcolm X
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
Produced by K Ananse i 4 pidgen music
Arranged by The Insomniax

“Here or There” was just going to be an acapella. But when K Ananse (from Ghana) sent back his produced work the beat was fantastic and the Malcom X quotes so apt. He sent over the full speech and there was so much Malcolm said that I thought I needed to expand his role. Malcolm was so instrumental in my development that having him there added spiritual significance to the c.d.

ODE TO TORONTO  (Tale of Two Cities)
Written and performed by Tuggs.t.a.r
Produced & Arranged by The Insomniax
I was in Toronto for a year and that made me the poet I am. Again I said I wanted to deliver a piece that was a reflection of my foundation. This piece didn’t make it on the album, but it has relevance in black migration. For African and Caribbean’s migrated in droves to Canada, specifically Toronto, and face similar problems to communities in Britain.

CONTACT:
www.tuggstar.com
tuggstar@yahoo.com 
www.myspace.com/tuggstar

All tracks recorded live at Departure Lounge studios
Battersea, south London
Contact: 0207 223 0700

Front cover designed by
Elayne Thomas of identity images 07949881814

THANKS
A big thanks and praise to the Almighty for bringing for showing me the next few steps on my journey and the importance of this C.D to that. To my mother and father, this whole process made me look into your lives, your struggles and sacrifices and I thank you for what you have done for us, I hope you’re proud and thanks for letting me use your photographs. To the Insomniax, one hell of a talented bunch of producers I thank you for your time in putting this together. You really came through. Mark Anderson, spar from long time, this was a long time coming. To all who blessed their voices to help fulfil the vision. Shaheed, DJ Wonder, Hakim, Oneness, Tubbs, Linette, a special big thanks to Karyl in Canada for hooking me up with Corrine, I feel privileged to work with someone with such a special voice, you managed the ewe words too. I thank Elayne Thomas for coming through for the photos and design for the front cover and inlay. 

To all those in real life who occupy the real time line these events reflect. My grandfather ‘efo’ and biological grandmother ‘Teacher,’ to my non-bio grandmother Granny Saeda, all your love and life have been instrumental in making me. To Public Enemy for finding me, to Malcolm X for inspired me, to Farrakhan for guiding me, to my Ghanaian family for embracing us with open arms when we re-united with you in 1994. That was the first time in my life I felt whole. I love you all in words I can’t describe.