African arts have been 'folklorized' by outsiders. A Montreal artist wants to change that

Afro-optimism.

This concept has shaped Vanessa Kanga's vision for the future of African arts.

Like others who believe in Afro-optimism, the Montreal neo soul artist, who goes by the stage name Veeby, professes her "deep love" for the continent and her belief that it will continue to thrive. 

More than a feeling, it has been a guiding principle in her work for over a decade, pushing her to design artistic projects meant to build bridges between African cities and Montreal and demystify stereotypes around African art forms.

"Listen, I know what plays in Lagos, in Douala, in Dakar, and when I'm in Montreal, I look at the programming and I'm like: 'No, nobody listens to that,'" said the Cameroonian-born artist who travels to the continent regularly.

"I said to myself: 'No, I can't go on acting as if I didn't see the fact that they've folklorized us, kept us in expressions that, in their imagination, are exotic, comforts them in their superiority complex as it relates to our art,'" said the Cameroonian-born artist.

Kanga also realized there were "very few opportunities" and platforms for Afro-descendant artists. 

But she wasn't going to stand by and watch it happen.

In 2012, the Afropolitan Nomad Festival was born.

Between that year and 2022, the Montrealer hosted the festival in countries like Cameron, Senegal, Benin and Ivory Coast. 

The idea was to bring Montreal artists of African descent there to showcase their art — whether it be music, dance, visual arts or fashion — and have them connect with African artists.

Each edition, she would invite key players from Canada's arts scene to travel to the continent to witness the "beauty and richness of creation on the African continent." 

"The idea was really to show them that African music is not the primitive perception we have of the drum, costumes from another era," said the founder of the festival. "Africa, especially young Africa, is modern, it's vibrant, it's hip-hop, it's pop, it's electro, it's jazz," she said. 

"Our artists fill arenas, they fill stadiums."