Featured Exhibit
Zaire 74 Continued
Much like the audiences, Muhammad Ali expressed great interest in the festival and musicians, with excitement for B.B. King, James Brown, and The Spinners.
Ali attended the festival to the joy of fans, but it is unclear whether George Foreman attended the festival, and certain that President Mobutu did not in fear of assassination.
The diversity of the performers was expressed in not only nationality but also in the musical styles present. This breadth of musicians led to an intersection of cultures, eras of music, and philosophical ideas. Looking at American musicians B.B. King versus James Brown, each came to prominence in the 1950s, yet they represented different segments of the African American music canon in blues and funk/soul. Each could trace their influences back to Africa though, representing a shared ancestry.
Similarly, some African musicians at Zaire 74 also drew influence from American musicians, such as the Congolese T.P.O.K. Jazz Orchestra who incorporated African musical traditions with jazz. These influences emphasize the shared musical ecosystem that the Pan-African foundation for Zaire 74 stimulated.
Even though American attendees were largely unfamiliar with African and Caribbean artists, African crowds knew much of the African American performer’s work. Yet, Zaire 74 occurred during an important period when African music began to steep into the American musical canon. While Zaire 74 may seem like an aside from the iconic bout, the ideal soundstage was set for the fight with this rich cultural exchange and embracement of ideas of self-determination and African pride.
