Dr. Dre and Kanye Homecoming
Life has twists and turns, like the mountains of Lesotho, a country that lost most of its land to farmers from Germany and Netherlands, during apartheid. That’s why they have surnames like that.
Only passengers enjoy mountain scenery. The driver cannot afford a second’s distraction. Unlike us, who drive without the attention, Dr. Dre and Kanye West drive in the public eye because they are part of the men synonymous, with rap music history.
The iPhone, a status symbol in Nigeria, has a companion product called Beats. Kids in Benin City or Lagos might not know or care about the Dr. Dre connection, but their headphones are a good example of the progression from the music studio to the corporate boardroom.
The top of the mountain has breath taking views but they also come with business norms and tradition that include a piece of string around your neck called a tie, how you greet business colleagues, how to hold a wine or scotch glass, how you talk and the ability to smile. Smiling is a prerequisite for acceptance, whether you understand the joke or not. You only keep your fingers crossed, it's not about you.
We drive along in life, pressing the clutch to find the most comfortable gear. At some stage we realize that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. Nostalgia sets in. We miss sounds, colors, and objects from the bottom of the mountain.
Dr. Dre and Kanye West are the only people that own their story. They know how the ride up the mountain was, and choices they made along the way. They missed home occasionally. That’s why they are back. Are you kidding, miss home with all that money? Yes they are back, because the top of the mountain comes with that irritating question, ‘What’s your name again?’
Whereas, everybody knows your name, at home.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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