Theaters are buzzing once again with moviegoers who are anxious to see the continuing story of the epic space saga that took them to a virtual galaxy far, far away almost four decades ago when the original Star Wars movie first appeared on the big screen. The curiosity of many is aroused to know what became of their favorite characters and what fate awaits them and the empire next.
Since the credits rolled across the screen for the last time in 1983, marking the conclusion of a galactic era with the movie Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi, there have been a myriad of books written, movie spin offs produced, television series, and music videos all based on the Star Wars theme. Now, with the 18 December 2015 release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the excitement of seeing Hans Solo and Princess Leia back in action after such a long “hiatus” is helping box office sales to soar. In fact, the movie broke the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend.
In conjunction with the release of the new movie, music artists such as Alex Boye’ are producing Star Wars themed music videos adding their own unique flair to the story. This week’s “Video Find of the Week” features Alex Boye’ and his African Tribal “Star Wars” Cover of Adele’s song “Hello.”
The about section of Alex’s official website has this to say about his Africanized style of music:
Paul Simon did it with his multiple Grammy winning trip to Graceland in the 80s. Elton John drew us all into his “Circle of Life” with The Lion King in the 90s. Now, with over 200 million total YouTube views and counting, entertaining sensation Alex Boye is “Africanizing” the pop landscape once again, infusing the explosive rhythms and various languages of his ancestral continent (he was raised by his Nigerian mother) into a highly anticipated upcoming debut pop album—a dynamic collection that perfectly embodies the singer’s belief that “music has no passport.”
Alex was born in London, England in 1970. His mother and father are both Nigerians. While pregnant, his mother went to London while his father remained in Nigeria. By his own admission, Alex never knew his father. His mother remarried and worked for the London Underground cleaning tracks at night. One day she told him that she was going to Nigeria for a couple of weeks for a visit, but she did not return until eight years later. As a result, Alex spent much of his youth in foster homes being raised by Caucasian parents. He describes the Tottenham neighborhood where he grew up as “tough.”
As a teenager, he listened to the sounds of Motown, including artists such as Stevie Wonder, Kool and the Gang, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and Otis Redding. At the age of 16, while working at a McDonald’s in London, he was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by a manager. Without his mother’s knowledge, he was baptized soon thereafter. He performed in public for the first time while serving as a missionary for the Church.
Alex states that even with his strong Nigerian background, he “never focused on the African culture in any of my music before. . .. For years, my mother urged me to put some African influence into my music, but I kept insisting that it wasn’t a commercially viable genre. . .. It’s exciting to see so many people responding to pop with an African twist. I’m humbled by this opportunity to expand my musical scope and reach so many people who are enthusiastic about my new journey.”
