DJ Americana

Why do African DJs insist on speaking with a faux semi-American accent?! Argh. Well, I should moderate this by asking why do Kenyan and Ethiopian DJs who do their shows in English strive for the Americana? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not being funny or nuffin’. I love America and Americans. Love ‘em. Wish I was one. Thinking of being one for next Halloween. And some of the American accents can sound quite authoritative – like my mate’s deep Colorado brogue or Whoopi Golberg’s street-smart “why the hell aren’t you listening to me” twang – and even sweet – like Reese Witherspoon in almost any movie.

But why do these DJs do it? It’s all “like” and “I don’t know about you guys, but…” and “whatever” and “Oh. My. God.”. And I’m, like, shut-up, you know, beatches?

Ashamed of their real accents? Belief in a formula that successful DJs are American? Assumption that listeners will listen more? Maybe it’s just the overwhelming cultural imperialism of the US of A. Fellas wearing baggy pants and baseball caps and the majority sporting waistlines that would intimidate a sumo stable. Same same.

Do I fight against it? Or sit back like a twinkie, wearing a hoodie? I’ll think about it as I chew on some grass, cradling my right to bear arms (with bare arms… in a way that only the truly svelte can get away with… ahem). Meanwhile, y’all come back and see me, y’hear?

(Afterthought: Imagine if the Australian accent was the paradigm of international DJs… The language of the self-deprecating smart-arse with little respect for authority… nope, would not go down well in Ethiopia…).