Nigerian Musician Takes The Stage In China.

The number of African musicians in China, especially in Guangzhou, is growing, creating new types of harmony between the two lands Nigerian rates his singing by the dancing of the crowds to whom he performs.The vocalists' shows in Gaungdong's provincial capital are typically a writhing mix of Chinese, compatriots and other foreigners dancing to his hip-hop and R&B songs.

Lo-d - his stage name is short for "Lord's Own Design" - takes the stage of such Guangzhou venues as Kama Club, Town Bar, Duo Club and Banker Club. He sings in English and his native Igbo."My Chinese is not very good, but I hope to sing in Chinese soon," he says.

"I also want to collaborate with Chinese artists."

Lo-d lives a double life typical of Guangzhou's African musicians, who do business by day and take the stage by night. The city ranks among the country's top commodities-trading bases, which has caused its African population to swell since the 1990s.

University of Hong Kong African studies program director and author of the 2012 book Africans in China, Adams Bodomo, says there are about 500,000 Africans in China, and Guangzhou hosts the largest population.

Africans in China include at least 300,000 traders, 30,000 students, 4,000 professionals, 10,000 tourists and 10,000 business travelers, Bodomo says.

"Wherever there are Africans, there is good music - just like wherever there are Chinese, there is good food," says Su Zheng, associate professor of music and East Asian studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, the United States.

Another Nigerian singer, who goes by the stage name Stainless, also recorded in Guangzhou. He made a music video of his song Stainless Love, which can be viewed on the Chinese video-sharing website.

culled from China Daily Africa Weekly