SILA & THE AFROFUNK EXPERIENCE |
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| As a child growing up in a small village in Kenya, Sila remembers tuning in to a shortwave radio for the latest pop offerings from the West. By way of a faint, crackling radio signal, Sila first became acquainted with the guttural howls and shrieks of the Minister of Funk, James Brown. �One of the first James Brown songs I remember hearing on shortwave radio was �I Feel Good.� Growing up very poor in my village and having a song like that play on the radio was very inspiring,� Sila, says. ||||| Embracing his African roots and his love of funk, Sila channeled James Brown for inspiration and six years later, with the help of his renowned cast of bandmates, he�s achieved success without having to compromise his heritage (he sings in both Swahili and English) or his musical tastes. �James Brown has always been someone who�s influenced me quite a bit. From his perseverance to his political life and his very poor background, it�s all been an inspiration to me. � His determination and the fact that he never gave up � I see that in me,� Sila says. �When I came here I never imagined I would sell out venues and entertain people in a way that James Brown entertained me. Believe me, I�m not saying I�m the next James Brown, but I do feel he�s in the soul of music.� Website: www.victorsila.com | ||