From history to meme: “Makeba” and TikTok’s tribute to a South African rights icon

In the last few weeks, a song has entered the “for you” category of users of TikTok. “Makeba”, sung by the hitherto little-known French singer Jain, has managed to capture the attention of millions of people and reached the top of the charts. But this is not just any topic; is a bold and courageous homage to the mythical figure of Miriam Makeba, “Mama Africa”, who somehow managed to capture the world’s attention through a trends of dance.

The one responsible for the contagious rhythm of “Makeba” and its catchy lines “Ooohe!” flooding the Chinese platform, is comedian Bill Hader and satisfying dance he performs to the song. The clip, now turned into a meme, comes from a sketch from the 2015 “Saturday Night Live” show, where Hader plays a doll named Alan, whose main talent is dancing. TikTok users have taken this opportunity to sync Hader’s movements with “Makeba”, creating a real sensation on the platform.

behind a meme

However, behind this viral success is an even more fascinating story. Miriam Makeba was a prominent South African singer, songwriter, actress and activist who tirelessly fought against apartheid (a system of racial segregation) in South Africa. Her musical career took off in the 1950s, when she was part of groups like the Manhattan Brothers and the Skylarks. Her talent and her role in the movie “Come Back, Africa” led her to achieve national and international renown.

Unfortunately, the apartheid regime prevented Makeba from returning to her country after the death of her mother in 1960. This event marked the beginning of a three-decade-long exile for the artist. During that time, Ella Makeba used her music as a powerful protest tool against the establishment and she became an influential advocate for civil rights around the world.

From homage to appropriation

Jain’s song “Makeba”, released in 2015 as part of his debut album “Zanaka”, is a tribute to this notable figure in music and civil rights. “No one can beat Mama Africa / follow the rhythm that she will give you / only her smile can make all the suffering of thousands of people disappear” is part of the lyrics of the song that reflect the beauty and struggle of the activist .

When asked for his inspiration by “The Fader” magazine, Jain replied: “I really admire her because she was a strong woman and an incredible artist. When I saw the videos of her concerts, she had an aura around her full of determination and joy.”.

The revival of “Makeba” on TikTok has led millions of people to discover and appreciate the life and legacy of Miriam Makeba. The song has amassed over a million videos on TikTok, making it one of the most used soundtracks on the platform. In addition, it has generated great interest on other music platforms, such as Shazam, where it has topped the most searched song charts in more than 25 countries.

Although it has not been without questioning. Some members of the Afro-descendant community have criticized the single for cultural appropriation. Jain is a white singer of French origin, which is why she has been the subject of criticism and debate about whether she has the right to interpret and honor the music and struggle of such an important figure as Mama Africa.

“Cultural appropriation is a big problem, but the reality is that I lived in Africa. My mother is half French, half Malagasy, so I’ve been listening to African music, like Mali and Congo, since she was a child. What I want to tell people is that you can mix the culture a little bit and it’s not always appropriation. It’s just part of my own story and my own life”, she told Rolling Stone when asked about the subject, making it clear that her intention is to pay tribute and celebrate the rhythms that have influenced her own artistic path.