Monika (Karlsson) Cherry (1943 - 2009)

Born 8 Feb 1943 in Markbygdens kyrkobokföringsdistrikt, Sverige

Died 29 Aug 2009 at age 66 in Farstorp, Kristianstad, Sweden

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Biography

Monika "Moki" Karlsson (1943–2009), was a Swedish painter and textile artist. She met and married the musician Ahmadu Jah (1936–2018) who was in Stockholm to study engineering at university. Jah was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, the son of a tribal chief. They had a daughter, Neneh Mariann Karlsson, in Stockholm.

Neneh's parents separated early and her mother married the influential American jazz musician Don Cherry, who helped raise Cherry since birth. Cherry took her stepfather's surname. Neneh Cherry is now a famous musician. Her most recognized song is "7 Seconds," a duet with Youssou N'Dour. It is a song about racism; a child has seven seconds after s/he is born before they experience racism. The song is sung in French, English, and Wolof.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neneh_Cherry

https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moki_Cherry

https://www.discogs.com/artist/487644-Moki-Cherry

7 Seconds