Podcast
Dr. Anderson Isiagu’s Podcast (DRAIP)
The musings of an African kid about all things music, faith, and culture.
Why I No Longer Want to Use the Word “Griot”
Anderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
June 6, 2025
For decades, outsiders have lumped Africa’s jeliw, gewel, onye akwa, and countless other culture keepers under one imported label—“griot.” The word traces to Portuguese criado (“servant”) and 18th-century French colonial records, yet it still dominates textbooks and music syllabi across the continent. When we swap living, indigenous names for a foreign catch-all, we flatten rich, distinct roles—praise-singer, historian, drummer, spiritual adviser—into a single colonial shorthand. True decolonization starts with language: retiring “griot” and restoring the authentic terms rooted in each community’s tongue.
Black And Afraid (I Just Want To Live)
Anderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
March 1, 2024
Gratitude fills my heart for your willingness to engage with my music and for the steadfast support you’ve shown. I warmly encourage you to immerse yourself in the melodies and messages of this song, to ponder its themes, and to extend its reach by sharing it with those dear to you. Let’s spread the word, inspire reflection, and foster a community of listeners who are moved not just by sound, but by the profound messages we navigate together.
Not Funny, Lord: Trusting Through Trials
Anderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
May 25, 2024
Discover how faith can guide us through life’s toughest trials in our latest blog post, “Not Funny, Lord: Trusting Through Trials.” Explore personal stories of resilience, the biblical tale of Job, and the unshakeable trust that sustains us during hardships. Learn how to find strength and purpose through unwavering faith. Join us as we delve into the profound lessons of suffering, trust, and divine humor.
Maximizing Your Vocal Potential: A Succinct Guide to Selecting a Vocal Coach and Honing Your Craft
Anderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
November 4, 2023
Vocal coaching is an important factor in taking the voice from a raw, undeveloped form into a seasoned and technically sound shape. The coach is familiar with all shades of vocal faults as well as appropriate diagnosis and exercises for solving them. The expertise of a coach is needed in detecting bad vocal habits that are disguised as good singing but in the long run tend to lead to over exertion or premature careers. The importance of a good coach cannot be overemphasized, which underscores the need to research extensively and carefully when choosing one.
ATILÓGWÙ: MAKING A CASE FOR THE PARTICULARITY OF AESTHETICS IN IGBO TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE
Anderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
November 14, 2018
Different cultures have different ways and ideologies around the concept of beauty, hence using the Atilogwu dance genre, it is obvious that the so called non-literate cultures of the world possess a concept of beauty which is today known as aesthetic among scholars
Paul Livingstone (Sitar) and Abhijit Banerjee (Tabla) – Ragas and Rhythms of India: A Review
Anderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
February 16, 2019
On Wednesday October 30th, 2019, at the Drinkward Recital Hall, Harvey Mudd College, Paul Livingstone presented an Indian music concert as part of the Ken Stevens ’62 Founding Class Concert series. Livingstone presented an evening Raga, which he performed on the Sitar, in collaboration with Abhijit Banerjee on the Tabla. The atmosphere at this concert could be described as serene and meditative, it could be likened to a feeling of being transported out of the physical realm.
Latest Posts
Why I No Longer Want to Use the Word “Griot”
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
June 6, 2025
For decades, outsiders have lumped Africa’s jeliw, gewel, onye akwa, and countless other culture keepers under one imported label—“griot.” The word traces to Portuguese criado (“servant”) and 18th-century French colonial records, yet it still dominates textbooks and music syllabi across the continent. When we swap living, indigenous names for a foreign catch-all, we flatten rich, distinct roles—praise-singer, historian, drummer, spiritual adviser—into a single colonial shorthand. True decolonization starts with language: retiring “griot” and restoring the authentic terms rooted in each community’s tongue…
Read More
Highlife Music Showdown:
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
October 7, 2024
Ghana vs Nigeria – The Controversial History of West Africa’s Legendary Genre 🎶 Ghana or Nigeria? The Highlife music battle goes beyond what you think! 🇬🇭🇳🇬 From its roots in “Palm-Wine” music from Liberia, Highlife has evolved into one of West Africa’s most iconic genres. But who really owns the sound? In this video,I dive deep into the cultural conflict, musical differences, and surprising history behind Ghana and Nigeria’s Highlife rivalry. 🔥 Highlights: Click on the Link and watch till the end for the ultimate answer! 🎷🎸 🌍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into African music and culture!#HighlifeMusic…
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Not Funny, Lord: Trusting Through Trials
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
May 25, 2024
Discover how faith can guide us through life’s toughest trials in our latest blog post, “Not Funny, Lord: Trusting Through Trials.” Explore personal stories of resilience, the biblical tale of Job, and the unshakeable trust that sustains us during hardships. Learn how to find strength and purpose through unwavering faith. Join us as we delve into the profound lessons of suffering, trust, and divine humor…
Read More
Black And Afraid (I Just Want To Live)
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
March 1, 2024
Gratitude fills my heart for your willingness to engage with my music and for the steadfast support you’ve shown. I warmly encourage you to immerse yourself in the melodies and messages of this song, to ponder its themes, and to extend its reach by sharing it with those dear to you. Let’s spread the word, inspire reflection, and foster a community of listeners who are moved not just by sound, but by the profound messages we navigate together…
Read More
Maximizing Your Vocal Potential: A Succinct Guide to Selecting a Vocal Coach and Honing Your Craft
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
November 4, 2023
Vocal coaching is an important factor in taking the voice from a raw, undeveloped form into a seasoned and technically sound shape. The coach is familiar with all shades of vocal faults as well as appropriate diagnosis and exercises for solving them. The expertise of a coach is needed in detecting bad vocal habits that are disguised as good singing but in the long run tend to lead to over exertion or premature careers. The importance of a good coach cannot be overemphasized, which underscores the need to research extensively and carefully when choosing one…
Read More
Cry No More (2006)
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
February 11, 2023
Cry No More (2006)
by Anderson Isiagu…
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OFFERTORY IN MEDIEVAL TIMES AND THEIR PARALLEL TO MUSIC IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
December 16, 2020
When we observe our lives and the activities we engage in from day to day, we are able to gather quickly the things that are important and indispensable for a satisfactory and rich experience. Since the time of antiquity to present day modernism, music has continuously remained an important part of our existence and the shared experiences that unite people. Great writers and thinkers such as Aristotle, Chalcidius, Guido of Arezzo, Boethius and Augustine have written extensively about music and over time, music has continued to garner mor and more attention to this day…
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Concert for Unity with The Yuval Ron Ensemble: A Review
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
December 12, 2019
The California Lutheran University hosts an artist and speakers series regularly. One of them is the concert for unity which held at 7PM of Tuesday October 15th, 2019. This installment of the series featured the Yuval Ron Ensemble, a group dedicated to the performance of music from the Middle East, irrespective of their religious affiliations…
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‘The Word became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us’- A Concert by the Heritage Christian High School Choir: A Review
ByAnderson Isiagu, Ph.D.
December 9, 2019
It is not common to witness a high school choir Christmas concert performance that has all the trappings of a professional, well- funded group…
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