Graceland

Under African Skies Politics in Music

Discuss in your group the film Under African Skies about the making and
aftermath of Paul Simons album Graceland. Prepare to record your
discussion by making informative and instructive bullet points. Consider
the following:
What was apartheid, and what does it translate as? The The State Of
Being Apart was a system to segregate people though race. In
South Africa the NP forced rules and legislation upon three
different types of people with different races (Black, Indian and
Coloured)
Who were/are the ANC? African National Congress, to support the
rights of Black Africans (South Africa)
What was the boycott the ANC and Artists Against Apartheid wanted
enforced? That segregation in general is wrong and equal rights
should be obtained.
What were some opportunities for employment in South Africa for the
black population during apartheid? Low Wage income, money was
spent in shops that were allocated for the race. Food would often
be scarce and would be basic rations when available. Manuel
labour would be a custom and !!!!!!!!!!!!!
How successful do you think black musicians could become? Black
musicians would struggle to find a place in the music industry
and would often have to play to all black crowds. Such as Stimela
an African Afro-fusion local band would be often playing to
crowds whilst the crowd were severely beaten during and after
the show. The band were also often wanted by the White Police
of South Africa.
What opportunities did Paul Simon offer the musicians he worked with on
the album? Paul Simon helped fuse the African musical styles and
elements, to the American and British Pop Media scene. He also
helped show how much talent African musicians have. This then
proved that despite race there is no difference between
Musicians from across the world.
Why do you think the ANC wanted the black South African musicians to go
home during the Graceland tour? They wanted to keep as much peace
as possible people were being killed daily, and this gave a wrong

idea, getting in the way of the politics. White and Black south
africans saw this as a threat, as they felt as if the White people
where getting their way and saying that even with rules that
they can still make music. This wasn't needed the rules needed
to be stopped completely rather than covered up.
What are Paul Simons views on when politics and music clash? He didn't
know is views and didn't want to harm anyone when creating
Graceland.
Do you think the Graceland concert in Zimbabwe proved that the making
of the album was a good thing or should Paul Simon still not have gone to
South Africa? Yes as it allowed everyone to enjoy music together
despite their race, the timing wasn't good but i think in the long
run it really helped the segregation however in the long run this
really pushed the anti racist movement and because the album
was so widely publicised this really showed people how bad the
situation was over in south Africa.
Who was Dali Tambo and what was his overall opinion of Paul Simon
recording Graceland? deli thought what Paul simon done was a
good thing i think that be just though it was at the wrong time
and that he should of stuck to not engaging to south Africa
because by him going over there i think it showed some people
that it was alright what was going on out there. Paul didn't help
himself either because i think that he thought that he didn't
want to get into the politics because it was not his place but by
him staying quite it showed some people it was ok what was
going on out there.
The album introduced South African music to many other countries, was
this a good thing for the anti-apartheid movement? yes i think this is
because it publicised what was going on out there and i think
that it brought more people to the anti-aparthied movement
Should Paul Simon have gone to South Africa to record the album
Graceland?
yes i do think that paul simon should of gone over there because
he brought so much publicity to the anti apartheid movement.
however he did break a huge un boycott to enter into south
Africa. furthermore although he ignored the UNs boycott he
showed that music had nothing to do with race or colour and he
was only over there for the music although he did fall for the

music and culture.

Unit 19 GC3 comment critically, with reference to examples,
on how politics has affected music makers and users in
society.