Project Description
MOJO Juju
“Native Tongue” Tour
@ City Recital Hall
27/11/19
(Live Review)
Reviewer and Photographer: Ro Llauro
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City Recital Hall hosted a legend on Tuesday. Mojo Juju. The unrelenting majesty of a quiet resistance. Her message is clear:
“I will not apologise for taking up this space”
Mojo Juju’s battle differs in that she does not seem to hold resentment towards those who bullied her and her brother while growing up in Dubbo. She seems to float above the forces of a prejudicial society that seems to keep trying to bring her down. It is almost as if she excuses and forgives their ignorance. She seems to understand that some people might still need time to learn to see beyond race, gender, nationality, and lineage.
Yet, her message is relentless, strong, confident, implacable.
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Native Tongue takes us inside a very personal space. Her and her brother take the stage alone for most of the show and share their personal stories, that of their father, of their grandparents. A giant Native Tongue logo makes a perfect and funky projection screen where pictures of their relatable childhood are revealed along with powerful voice overs from their progenitors. It hits home. The duo make it clear that no matter the struggles, no matter the resistance, they have made it this far and they will continue to go further.
Not waging a war against discrimination like African American rappers did in the 80s and 90s, Native Tongue shows her as a mature artist who shares her personal experience with strength and confidence in the likes of Erikah Badu and Lauren Hill.
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Indisputably beautiful and unique. A truly inspiring figure for those who feel ostracised and held back by a judgemental society.
Juju is a strong advocate for change towards greater inclusion and acceptance of new concepts of identity always supported by real world examples and conclusions from her life and that of her ancestors.
Her music is edgy, current, jazz singer influences are obvious, but with a classy pop edge that makes you want more. Smooth and catchy yet poignant and reflective.
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The confidence with which she carries herself on stage and how comfortable she feels sharing her struggles in front of the audience is riveting. A gender queer Filipino who, according to her, was never black enough, Indigenous enough, Asian enough, Australian enough, straight enough, and definitely not white enough, now stands tall. She moves along like an unstoppable train that will no longer be derailed by archaic preconceptions of identity.
R&B, Hip-hop, Soul, Jazz, and plenty of attitude. Lauren Hill, Erykah Badu. Her act is heartfelt, soulful, yet never antagonising or self-righteous.
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With the help from a few of her Pasefika Vitoria Choir, the show was powerful combination of personal, political, historical and social awareness. If there is one thing all artists can learn from her majesty Mojo Juju is how to use the powerful influence of their medium to share beautiful and strong messages of change.
Don’t miss the Aria Award Wining video for her title track “Native Tongue” below.
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Check out RO LLAURO’s gallery of this event HERE
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