Music of the Animal Kingdom Lodge: Ya... by Khadja Nin

On this fourth installment, I’m venturing more into the pop realm but still with an African sound that fits comfortably in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Burundian singer Khadja Nin recorded four albums in the ’90s and found success in Europe with her third record Sambolera. She sings in the Swahili and Kirundi languages, and her comforting sound sets just the right tone for the resort. The songs featured in the Jambo House lobby (and beyond) come from Ya…, Khadja Nin’s fourth and final album.

“Mama” opens the 1998 release with a powerful song about her mother that really shows off her voice. This music video depicts the performer at her best and brings a lot more to the opening track. Six songs from this album have been part of the resort’s soundtrack, so you’ve likely heard a few if you’ve stayed there. “Embargo” likely refers to the trade embargo put in place in 1996 against Burundi after a coup. “Turasa” provides another plea for understanding with lines that translate to “people of the world are comrades/all are alike“. The music for these songs is upbeat and feels hopeful to support the message.

“Mzee Mandela” depicts the South African leader as “our father” and shows the promise in his example. It’s one of the album’s strongest tracks and connects him to the larger struggle. The quiet “Afrika Obota” is a cover of the 1976 song from Gabonese musician Pierre Akendengué. That prolific artist has been writing and performing for more than 40 years. Finally, “Like an Angel” is another inspiring song with lines that translate to “may God protect you like an angel“. There’s so much to like throughout the full Ya… album.

Discovering African Artists

What I’ve really appreciated about this blog series is the chance to learn more about such talented African musicians. While it’s within the context of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the goal is really to expand my horizons. Khadja Nin is another great example of an artist that deserves a lot more attention. I’ll definitely be listening to Ya… in the future along with albums by Samite, Telek, and Ayub Ogada. There are still a lot more artists to cover in this series, and I can’t wait to keep going further into this fun project.