A photo taken in Shanghai in 2014 of singer Mariatu Kargbo, who performs Afrobeats songs about China. / Photo provided to CGTN
She puts an African spin on cherished Chinese songs; she has taken Sichuan Opera face-changing to world pageant stages; and she is driving Afrobeats music through recording and releasing new singles. She also makes time to teach basic Chinese language skills through a children-focused online video channel.
Meet Mariatu Kargbo, a Sierra Leonean who is blending elements of African and Chinese art in her music and performances. Mariatu, who also goes by "the Black Pearl of Africa China" and the Chinese name "Maliya," released the track "Made in China," an upbeat, danceable track in the Afrobeats genre that has her singing Chinese lyrics, which she often combines with English verses and phrases.
"Afrobeats makes people move. It's electric; when something shocks you, you have to jump. Afrobeats in China is quite new, but we are pushing it. Things are changing in China; people are listening to music from different parts of the world, not just Western music. You can exercise to Afrobeats. Young people are starting to pay attention now, so Afrobeats has big potential in China. We have to make sure the words we sing are catchy and move people towards the music," said Mariatu.
Mariatu Kargbo, aka the Black Pearl of Africa China, performs on stage at a women's basketball competition in Zhuhai earlier this year. /Photo provided to CGTN
Much of her music is based on her love for China as well as her home continent Africa, where she blends language and genre elements with sounds from Chinese opera.
"When you love a culture, you love a country, you will never leave. When I am writing my lyrics, I think very deeply about things that are happening to people. When it came to "Made in China," I have lived in Beijing, and I see the beauty in the city. Everywhere that I go, there must be something that is made in China… There is a lot of space and a lot of opportunities for the song… China is like my second home. I know it better than any other part of the world, and it's the place I fell in love with. It is the place where I have the opportunity to share my talent with the world, and the place where I have the opportunity to share the culture of Africa."
Sierra Leonean singer Mariatu Kargbo gives a vocal performance in Beijing in 2008. /Photo provided to CGTN
Her journey in China began in 2004 when she entered a beauty pageant linked to an international kite festival in Weifang, Shandong.
"It was not just about beauty, they also look at your talents and cultural exchanges. I was in China for a month at the time, but I fell in love with the country. Sometimes when you have a destiny waiting for you, in spite of the language and people's doubts, nothing will change it."
Later, she went on to study Chinese at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and eventually entered more talent contests.
"My 'Chinese mom' helped me enter a talent competition in China; I was lucky and blessed to place fourth out of tens of thousands. I was singing Chinese opera and everyone was shocked to see an African woman singing Chinese opera. I brought my African style to the Chinese genre. It was nice and unique. I saw that I had a space here [in China] to push my career, music and talent."
Singer Mariatu Kargbo draws on Chinese heritage in her performances, including elements from Sichuan Opera. /Photo provided to CGTN
While in China, she developed her language and Chinese cultural heritage skills, including the famed Sichuan Opera art of face-changing. Mariatu took the act, which amazes people with its lightning-quick mask changes, to the stage of the Miss World pageant.
"I was representing Sierra Leone at the Miss World pageant finals in 2009 in South Africa. The face-changing allowed me to represent China and Africa in a great way. I learned the movements, and I made sure that I had strongly had them. Miss World gave me the opportunity to perform this for millions of people around the world. And I did it with African beats and style." Although she knows the secrets of the act, she is keeping mum. "Not even my baby will find out. And I still know how to do it," she joked.
Singer Mariatu Kargbo teaches viewers basic Chinese skills through her online video channel Small Small Chinese. /Photo provided to CGTN
On top of her music career, Mariatu also teaches people basic Chinese through a video channel called Small Small Chinese. Here, she and a few co-presenters present Chinese words and phrases for food, colors and greetings, among others, in a child-friendly way.
"In my language in Sierra Leone, we like to use catchy words. 'Small small' means simple, or step-by-step. When I arrived in China, the language was difficult for me… Seeing these challenges for different people from around the world who live in China, I came up with Small Small Chinese. I started Small Small Chinese to help students, businesspeople and tourists learn simple conversational skills, such as speaking to a taxi driver. So it teaches important words that will help you with daily life and for people to understand you. Even though the words are very easy, they are helpful for children and adults, so young and old can learn the basics together."
Singer Mariatu Kargbo performs on stage in an African-inspired outfit in 2009. /Photo provided to CGTN
Coming next from Mariatu are two covers of Chinese songs featuring her special Afrobeats spin.
"One is a cover of a Chinese song titled 'Hao Yi Duo Mei Li De Mo Li Hua' about a beautiful flower that I sing in an Afrobeats style; it features the South African ululation sound. It sounds similar to elements in Chinese opera. The other song is called 'Pengyou,' which means friend, also a cover, which was sung by the late Zang Tianshuo and is about bringing people together. I tried to do them in a fast, Afrobeats style. I start them with a Chinese rhythm and then in the middle it speeds up."