During the 1960s when Keith Poppin started his music career, there was a global wave of black consciousness, especially in the United States with the Civil Rights Movement. And in Africa, where nationalists fought stridently against colonialism.

Those struggles inspired Poppin and many of his contemporaries to write and record socially-aware songs. He continues to do that with ‘Africa Calling’, a song he also produced.

Released in July, ‘Africa Calling’ hears the North Carolina-based singer making a case for the marginalized.

“It is inspired by the exploits and disadvantages taken of people around the world as it relates to the haves and the have nots. ⁠Africa is our motherland, so as an artist I speak to injustices that affect the nation,” said Poppin.

Best known for songs like ‘Same Thing For Breakfast’ and ‘Envious’, Poppin made his name as an artist during the 1970s. At that time, he was part of a group of artists who were regulars at Idler’s Rest, a spot in downtown Kingston, Jamaica’s capital.

Although he has lived in the United States for over 30 years, Poppin visits Jamaica intermittently to record songs with the country’s leading musicians. Some of them can be heard on ‘One More River to Cross’, his previous album, which was released in 2020.

Written By Howard Campbell