Monologue Festival marks World Theatre Day for artists from Maputo neighbourhoods
Billy Ocean is in the house: And he’s so very totally maningue nice!
4:07 CAT | 21 Sep 2017
File photo / "I like to write songs and sing to people. I’ll continue to sing until God orders it to stop.”
Billy Ocean is already in Maputo, touching down at Mavalane Airport for the first time at around 2:00 pm on Wednesday, September 20th. With a career spanning 40 years, 20 original albums and a vast repertoire, it will be the dream of many to see this musical icon’s two-hour-long show.
His 40-year career has cultivated in him a certain sympathy and sense of friendship. Even though he was tired after the long trip, Billy Ocean gave an exclusive interview to O País in the garden of his hotel in Maputo.
He spoke freely about everything he was asked about, and smiling, too. His 67 years of age were completely erased and only a young man left before the eyes of his admiring interlocutor.
Ocean is wearing a coat and a wool cap, although the low temperatures he’s accustomed to are scarce in Maputo. It’s not the first time the author of “Caribbean Queen” has been to Africa – just that his visits are not frequent enough to cause him to remember it’s a tropical region.
“It’s the first time I’ve been to Mozambique, but it’s not my first time in Africa. I’ve been to Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Africa. I like coming here, even if I’m not a regular,” he said.
Billy Ocean is the author of several hits, songs that mark his generation. But for the artist this is not all. He promises to continue singing until he can no longer do so.
“My first musical success was in 1976, in Europe, and then in 1983. I made a world-wide success with the theme “Caribbean Queen “, and I was recording other albums. My latest album is called “Here You Are”. I like writing songs, recording and singing to people. I will continue to make music and sing until God orders it to stop,” he confessed.
The artist’s repertoire focusses on love and relationships. “Talking about love is my topic. I write a lot about relationships between men and women,” he says. But he also picks up material from his surroundings, like most artists. “I see so much around me – stories of people and experiences – because we share the same experiences, because we have blood running in us.” Basically, he concludes, his experiences will be similar to those of others anywhere in the world.
But this artist’s future is no enigma. Billy Ocean was as open as possible on the subject. He would continue producing more songs, he promised.
“I feel good. I love writing my songs and recording. Why stop? As long as people like me to serenade them, I’ll continue to do so. I’m 67 now, but I’m going to carry on singing.”
Billy Ocean will perform this Friday at the UEM Campus in Maputo, in another edition of “Moments of Jazz”. The memorable concert will bring together the artist’s finest creations during his 40-year career. Such hits as “Get Into My Car”, “Lover Boy”, “Love Zone”, “Mystery Lady” and “The Color Of Love” and other songs familiar to the public will be the highlight for this party, which also features Mozambican DJs Sérgio Butler, Fernando Luís, Miguel Xabindza and the visual artist P Mourana.
Meanwhile… in Polana Hotel:
The Polana Serena Hotel is pleased to welcome #Billyocean @MrWongo at #Maputo – #Moçambique #polanaserenahotel pic.twitter.com/XiIeSP69UN
— Polana Serena Hotel (@serenapolana) September 21, 2017
Source: O País
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