Mama is a song loved by Liberians and the children of the Matsiko World Orphan Choir; written and performed by Liberian National Treasure, Kanvee Adams.
Reel Stories Founder, Mark Lee Hegarty, asked the choir in the USA in 2022 if they would like to record the song. The answer was a resounding YES!
Mark Lee returned to Cardiff, Wales (in the UK) and produced a new version with longtime musical partner Al Steele from The Korgis. Al then joined Mark and the choir in Seattle at the end of their tour in August 2023, where they recorded the vocals for the song.
The song was mixed at Shabbey Road Studios, Caerphilly in Autumn 2023.
Mark Lee visited the choir in Monrovia, Liberia (West Africa) and helped them record a video for the song, the camerawork of which is provided entirely by the kids themselves. As you can see, they had a blast filming!
The children of the choir are currently touring the US and wanted to celebrate Mother’s Day, sending a message of love to their mothers and grandmothers. This new single celebrates that, and it’s already been enjoyed all over the USA, Europe, and Africa.
The artwork for the single is very special, as it has been built around a photograph of the children when they met Nobel Peace Prize Winner “Mama” Leymah Gbowee.
Madame Gbwoee is a long-time friend of Matsiko, who the kids refer to as ‘Mama’, and she kindly gave us permission to use this artwork.
