Blitz the Ambassador was born Samuel Bazawule in 1982. He was born in Accra, Ghana. As a child he was awarded for his visual art, but soon he developed a love for hiphop from his older brother’s Public Enemy album. He became known in school for historical rhymes. In 2001, he moved to the US to attend Kent State University where he performed at several live shows and even opened for a few well known rappers. In 2004, he recorded his first self-released album, Soul Rebel. He then moved to New York City where he recorded his second album Double Consciousness in 2005.
In his song Dikembe, he talks about his proud African heritage. Speaking in a few lines in an African language and translating simply as “You can’t fuck with us”. He shouts out Moroccan artists, including K’naan, Shad, Nneka, Baloji, and Sarkodie. He uses many metaphors, referencing Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and China Achebe. After researching the word Dikembe, I gathered that it is a popular African name for boys but nothing else. The song specifically refers to the basketball player Dikembe Mutombo and the way he comically wages his finger at the other team when he blocks a shot to the net. The song features a strong turntable sound, a bass clap and a very prominent church organ sound. It is an enjoyable, short piece with an upbeat.
The video takes place in Rabat, Morocco and features a lot of the urban community there. Interacting with many of the locals there.