Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent

Vice senior editor Faloyin breaks down the long-reaching impacts of colonialism on the African continent. Narrating his own work, he begins with a vivid ode to his hometown of Lagos, Nigeria. Faloyin then leads listeners into a series of short essays with nuanced reflections on history, pop culture, politics, and the internet. His accessible writing style and equally engrossing narration showcase his tight storytelling and meticulous research. He mixes broad overviews of topics from different regions and countries with close-up analyses. Standout moments include a history of dictators and emerging youth leading political movements. Other absorbing topics include a deserved condemnation of the “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” song, Jamie Oliver’s butchering of jollof rice (a classic West African staple), and the colonialist tropes in the viral internet sensation of #Kony2012. In his Nigerian accent, Faloyin takes care with his pronunciation of names and places in other languages. This listen is pitch-perfect for those looking to go beyond the standard, antiracism titles for something fresh and approachable.