02x04 - Give Me a Sign/Hip Life

[bunniefuu]

We live in a big, beautiful world.

I'm Leo.

I'm Andy.

And I'm Carmen.

Our parents work in a circus that travels

all around the world and we travel with them.

Andy: So we never know where in the world we will end up next.

[train whistling]

Carmen: But wherever we go, we know that

Luna the Moon will be there with us.

Chorus: ♪ Traveling the world as a trio ♪

♪

♪ Andy and Carmen and Leo

♪ With Luna the Moon and some new friends too ♪

♪ Everyone's different and really they're just like you ♪

♪

♪ All around the world

♪ Let's go, Luna, let's go

♪ All around the world

♪ Let's go, Luna, let's go

[whistling theme song]

Leo: Give me a sign.

Kwame: I'm open, Andy! I'm open!

Andy: Comin' at you, Kwame!

[grunting]

[bouncing]

Carmen/Andy/Leo: Oops.

Kwame: No problem. It's my papa's place.

Andy: Hey, Kwame, you dropped something.

Is this a sketchbook?

Kwame: Ha-ha... What? No.

What do you say we get that ball?

Andy: Okay!

Is this your house, Kwame?

Kwame: No, it's Papa's barber shop.

Kwando: Could it be? Customers?

Welcome to my barber shop!

Now, what are we getting today?

A trim? Maybe a color?

Andy: Uh..

Kwadwo: Let's get you shampooed!

Here at "Kwadwo's Barber Shop", we've got style!

[splash]

Now let's see...

Perfect!

Well...what do you think?

Andy: I feel like a whole new frog!

Kwame: Actually, Papa, we're just here to get my ball.

These are my friends, Andy, Carmen and Leo.

This is my papa, Kwadwo.

Carmen/Leo: Hi, Mr. Kwadwo!

Kwadwo: You mean they're not here to get the best haircut

in all of Ghana?

Andy: Wow!

Wait! What's a Ghana?

Carmen: I think that's the country we're in today.

Right, Magic Globe?

Magic Globe: Right you are, Carmen!

Today we are in the city of Kumasi,

located in the country of Ghana,

on the continent of Africa.

Kumasi is a lively city, rich with arts and crafts.

From woven tapestries...

...to sculpture...

...to many wonderful styles of painting!

Barber shops in Kumasi, like the one you're standing in,

have a history of artistic, painted signs.

Each sign is unique, showing the kind of hairstyle

you can get inside.

The signs are so beautiful and popular,

they are shown in art galleries all over the world!

Have fun in Kumasi, kids!

Andy/Carmen/Leo: Thanks, Magic Globe!

Andy: Wow, do you have a cool painted sign like that,

Mr. Kwadwo?

One that's beautiful and unique?

Kwadwo: We do!

Back in the day it was the best barber sign in town!

This barber shop has been here a long time!

Our family is a barbering family.

My greatgrandfather was a barber and his son was barber.

Then his son became a barber--

and that was my papa.

Then, of course, I became a barber.

And who knows--

Maybe someday another young barber

will be up on that wall, eh?

Kwame: Yeah, maybe.

Kwadwo: Anyway, my papa had our sign painted

when I was just a boy.

But now, it's so old and faded,

no one comes to our little shop anymore.

Especially since a barber named Kofi

opened his sensational barber shop across the street.

He's got a superdeluxe, freshly painted sign.

Andy: Why don't you just have a new sign painted, Mr. Kwadwo?

Kwadwo: That's just it! I can't find an artist to paint one!

They are all busy painting signs for the hip shops, like Kofi's!

If we don't get a new sign, we may not last another week!

I need to find an artist now!

Andy: Boy, that's a tough one.

Carmen: Andy, you're an artist.

Andy: Oh, yeah...I could paint a sign for you!

Kwadwo: Wait, really, Andy?

Are you sure?

No offense, but signpainting has an important history

here in Ghana. It's a real specialty.

Are you sure you can do it?

Andy: I'm sure I can give it a try!

Kwadwo: Ha-haaa! I like your spirit!

And I have no choice.

Okay, but you've got to hurry before Kofi takes

every single customer in Kumasi.

Andy: Sure thing!

Kwadwo: Let me know when you're finished.

I'm just going to go inside and panic.

Carmen: Whoa, look at how long that line is

at Kofi's across the street!

Andy: It'll be fine!

If I paint fast, maybe I can lure

some of that line over here!

Like that guy, and that guy and Luna and--

Wait!

Andy/Carmen/Leo: Luna? Luna: Hi, friends!

Carmen: ♪ Luna come and play!

Leo: ♪ Luna's here, what do you say? ♪

Andy: ♪ Luna, bright as day!

All: ♪ Show us the world, lead the way. ♪

Andy: Whoa, whoa, whoaaa!

[crunch]

Ow! My wrist!

Luna: Oh, no! Andy, are you okay?

Andy: I don't think so, Luna!

Ow!

Luna: It looks okay, just a little bruised.

But you should rest it for a while.

Andy: What?! I just told Mr. Kwadwo

I'd paint him a new sign!

I can't paint with my wrist like this!

What now, Luna? Do you know any other artists?

Luna: [sighs] Not on such short notice.

Kwame: Uh, hey, guys--

Maybe, I can do it.

I, I mean, I dunno how good I am-- but--

Andy: I knew that was a sketchbook!

Carmen: Wow, Kwame,

these drawings are fantastic!

Kwame: You think so?

Andy: Yeah! Why didn't you say you can draw?

Can you paint too?

Kwame: Well, yes. And I've always dreamed that one day

I would get to paint a sign like this.

But, you heard how proud my papa is of our barbering family.

He would be heartbroken, if he knew the truth:

That I don't want to be a barber.

I want to be an...

[whispers] ...artist.

Luna: I'm sure your Papa would understand

if you just tell him how you feel, Kwame.

Andy: Yeah! And if you paint the sign,

you'll save the barbershop

that's been in your family forever!

Kwame: Hmm, I dunno. I'd love to paint it,

but I don't want to disappoint Papa.

What if we just let him think that you painted it?

Andy: What? You mean,

you want me to take credit for your work?

Kwame: Yes.Andy: Uhh--

Kwame: Please?

Andy: I guess...

Kwame: Thank you, Andy!

Well, I guess I better-- [nervous gulp]

--get started.

Andy: Luna, I'm not so sure about this.

I'll feel wrong taking credit for something I didn't do.

Luna: I agree, Andy. But I'm sure Kwame will tell his papa

when the time is right.

Kwame, listen, I know you respect your papa

and your family's barbering legacy and that's wonderful.

But I want you to feel proud of who you are too.

Kwame: What do you mean?

Luna: [chuckles]

♪ [upbeat traditional drumming] ♪

♪ Take a look, inside of you

♪ To find out what you like to do ♪

♪

♪ Painters like painting pictures ♪

♪ Drummers like playing beats

♪

♪ Writers like telling stories

♪ Builders like building towns and streets ♪

♪

♪ When you find what inspires you ♪

♪ Make the time to see it through ♪

♪

♪ Your creative voice inside

♪ Will always be your guide.

♪

♪ Do what you love and be proud. ♪

♪ Share it with the whole world and shout it out loud! ♪

Kwame: Wow, it's amazing to see my work so big!

I feel so proud!

Andy: I think your dad would be very proud too!

Kwame: Yeah, maybe someday.

Luna: Well, Kwame, it really is a gorgeous sign.

Kwadwo: Is it done yet? Because I--

Oh my goodness!

Andy, this is the best sign in all of Kumasi!

I can't thank you enough!

Andy: Oh...

Kwadwo: Wait, wait, wait, hold on...

Everyone!

Come see our new sign and get our new haircut!

Crowd: Wow, look at that sign!

Kwadwo: Ladies and gentlemen,

I give you the artist who painted this

masterpiece of a sign!

Andy the Great!

Crowd: Woooooowwwww!

[crowd commotion]

Andy: Kwame--

That's it! I can't take it anymore!

I didn't paint the sign!

Crowd: [gasps]

Andy: I--, I mean-- I can't pretend

that I did something I didn't do!

It's wrong! I'm sorry, Mr. Kwadwo.

Kwadwo: What do you mean you didn't paint it?

You're the only artist here! Who else could have painted it?

Kwame: [gasps]

Papa...

Kwadwo: Hold on, Kwame. I'm trying to solve the mystery

of the painting without a painter.

Kwame: I know who did it.

Kwadwo: You do? Well then, who is it my boy!

Kwame: Well, I think,

it might have been...me.

[crowd gasps]

Kwadwo: Wait a minute, you?

Kwame: Yes, but, but...

Kwadwo: Kwame, why did you not tell me

that you can draw and paint?

Kwame: Well, Papa, I never said anything because I know

you have your heart set on me becoming a barber.

But the truth is... I'm an artist.

Kwadwo: My-- son-- is--

an artist!

Hahaha!

Kwame: Wait, you mean you're not disappointed?

Kwadwo: Of course not, Kwame!

I never said you have to be a barber!

Kwame: Really?

Kwadwo: You can be whoever you want to be!

Kwame: Oh, Papa!

Luna/Leo/Carmen: Awww.

Kwame: Andy, did you hear that?

I don't have to be a barber! I can be an artist like you!

Andy: Yes! Now we can be art buddies!

But first...

I think your painting is missing one last thing.

Kwame: You're right!

There!

Kwadwo: "Art by Kwame"!

Now everyone will know that my son painted this.

And I'm gonna have so much fun cutting that new haircut!

Crowd: Me first!

Kwadwo: All right, line starts over here!

Kwame: Ready? Carmen: Yeah!

Got it! Heads up, Andy!

Andy: Oof! Look whose wrist is all better!

Leo: Cool! And all's well that ends well,

because Kwame got a chance to share his art!

Kwame: Oh, you just reminded me!

Another barbershop asked me to paint their sign,

so I'm heading home to start sketching!

All right, see you guys later!

Andy/Carmen/Leo: Bye, Kwame!

Leo: Kwame is so cool.

I'm happy he was finally able to show off his talent.

Carmen: Yeah, and look at how popular that hairstyle

has gotten around here!

Luna: Oh, I'll say...

I have never looked better!

Andy: Whoa, Luna you look good with hair!

Luna: Well, it's all thanks to you and Kwame!

Andy: I loved learning about the beautiful,

painted barbershop signs around here.

But I wanna see much more of Kumasi, Ghana!

Luna: There's always new things to learn wherever we go.

But remember, there's always tomorrow!

♪ [whistling theme music]

Carmen: Hi, it's Carmen with a folktale from West Africa

called The Story of

Lightning and Thunder.

Way back in the very distant olden days,

Lightning and Thunder

weren't up in the sky,

they lived right down here on Earth.

Lightning was an unruly ram

and Thunder was his mother, a sheep.

On rainy days, Lightning loved nothing better

than running around crashing into things.

Wherever he went, he left a trail of destruction behind him.

Thunder: Baaaah.

He also screamed and yelled

in a screechy voice,

causing people to cover their ears.

All the villagers complained and complained until the King

told Lightning and Thunder

to move to the outskirts of town!

But that didn't help at all.

It just made Lightning yell and scream louder!

[screaming/lightning crashing]

Well, that was it, the King ran out of patience!

He ordered Lightning and Thunder to leave Earth right now

and go live way up in the sky!

That is why, when it rains

and you hear Lightning crashing and booming in the sky,

you can also hear his mother, Thunder,

shushing him, telling him to please keep it down,

so they don't get into even more trouble with the King!

The End.

Carmen: Hip Life.

Hey, Andy, whatcha doin?

Andy: I heard we're in a city in Africa,

so I got out my photo album from our trip to Nairobi, Kenya,

which is also in Africa.

I can't wait to see more wild animals, like in Nairobi!

Carmen: Yeah! African cities must all be

kinda the same, right?

Leo: Right.

Carmen: Maybe Magic Globe can tell us

what African city we're in today!

Magic Globe: Sure can, everybody!

Today we are in the city of Kumasi,

in the country of Ghana,

on the continent of...Africa!

Remember, a continent is different from a country.

And Africa is a very large continent

with many different countries,

and in those countries,

there are many kinds of cities.

Carmen: But they all must be pretty much the same,

because they're all in Africa, right?

Andy: With wild animals!

ROAR!

Magic Globe: Well, Kumasi is actually a big,

busy, modern city. It doesn't have any--

Andy: What about music, Magic Globe?

Magic Globe: Well, definitely music.

Ghana is home to a style of music called hiplife,

which is a little like American Hip-hop,

but with a sound all its own.

But I didn't get to finish telling you

that there actually are no..

Andy/Carmen/Leo: Yeah hiplife music! Whooo!

Carmen: Thanks, Magic Globe!

Magic Globe: Umm, hello?

I don't think you heard what I was saying about wild animals.

You guys? [laughter]

Okay then! Have fun in Kumasi everyone!

Andy/Leo: [wild animal sounds]

Andy: Hiplife music is awesome!

Carmen: Maybe I can write a Ghanaian hiplife song

about wild animals.

It can start like this...

♪ [folk guitar music]

Akua: C'mon Akua, you're the Ghana kid.

You should be able to write a hiplife song about your life.

But it's just-- missing something.

Hmmm....

♪♪ Huh?

♪♪

♪♪ Woah! That's it!

♪♪

Excuse me!

♪♪

[zoom/fwoosh]

[screech] Andy/Carmen/Leo: Woooahh!

Andy: Okay, you're officially the coolest.

Hi! I'm Andy!

Carmen: And I'm Carmen!

Leo: And I'm Leo!

Akua: What's up! I'm Akua.

Better known as The Ghana Kid,

when I'm performing my hiplife music.

Andy: Hiplife music?

We just heard about that.

Carmen: Wow. You make hip-life music, Akua?

Akua: Yep. I write hiplife songs about

what my life is like here in Kumasi, Ghana.

Carmen: Can you tell us more about hiplife music, Akua?

Akua: Sure. Hiplife is my favorite music.

It combines Ghanaian popular music called Highlife,

with music from around the world,

including American hip-hop!

I mix beats and music samples on my computer,

and then rap over them with lyrics about my life.

I was working on a new song when I heard--

[gasps] That!

Carmen: My guitar?

Akua: So, you're the guitar player?

Your riffs are amazing.

Perfect for my new song.

Carmen: Really? I'd love to help you with your new song, Akua.

We were just singing about how excited we are

to be in Africa today!

Akua: Awesome!

Okay, Carmen, listen to this b*at

and just play what you feel! Carmen: Can do!

♪ [funky bass b*at]

Andy: Oh, snap!

Leo: That's one funky b*at!

Carmen: How's about a little of this, Akua?

♪ [funky guitar strumming]

Akua: I'm into it! Now let's see.

Something like this--

♪ My life here in Ghana, may have things you did not know, ♪

Carmen: ♪ Like Lions and rhinos, and zebras on the go! ♪

Akua: Hmmmm... Carmen: Wha-- what happened?

I thought that sounded cool!

Akua: This song is supposed to be about

my life in Kumasi, Ghana Carmen.

Lions, rhinos, and zebras

have nothing to do with my life.

Carmen: They don't?

Akua: No, I mean, there are wild animals in some parts

of the continent of Africa, but not everywhere!

Especially not here in a big city like Kumasi.

Carmen: Well, we've only been to Nairobi Kenya,

so we haven't seen much of the rest of the continent of Africa.

So we sing about the stuff we know, like lions!

Akua: I see.

Okay, well, I've got things to do.

Songs to write.

Carmen: Wha? But Akua, we were just getting started.

Leo: And we wanna keep making music!

Andy: And gettin' down with sweet dance moves!

Akua: Okay, I'll see you guys around.

It was nice meeting you.

Carmen: Akua! Akua!

Wait!

Andy: What just happened?

Carmen: I messed up.

Akua says I don't know what her life in Kumasi is about,

and I guess she's right.

I really want to play music with her.

That hiplife b*at of hers is so cool!

It sounds like...

That!

Luna: [beatboxing]

Andy/Leo/Carmen: Luna!

Luna: Oh, hi guys!

Carmen: ♪ Luna, come and play!

Leo: ♪ Luna's here, what'ya say! ♪

[terrible beatboxing]

Andy/Carmen/Leo: ♪ Show us the world, lead the way! ♪

Luna: Have you guys heard the new music by The Ghana Kid?

It sure is bumpin'!

Is that what the kids say these days? Bumpin'?

Andy: This kid does! Bumpin!

Carmen: Luna, we just met Akua.

You know, The Ghana Kid.

And she's the coolest!

I wanted to write a song about Africa with her,

but I sang about all the wrong stuff and she left.

I think I made her sad.

I want to apologize.

Luna: Oh, no! Well, I know where Akua lives.

Let's go talk to her about it!

[screech]

[vroom]

Leo: Wow, Kumasi is awesome!

Andy: Yeah, I don't see any lions.

No elephants, no giraffes.

It's almost like a city.

Carmen: It's exactly like a city.

Akua likes to write songs about her life in Kumasi

and I just assumed that included wild animals.

But I got it all wrong.

Luna: Ooo! Here's our stop!

That's Akua's apartment up there, Carmen!

Andy: Just like apartments back home!

Carmen: [sighs]

Maybe you guys should stay outside.

I'd like to apologize to her personally.

[knock-knock] Uh...Hello?

Akua? Akua: Carmen?

Carmen: Yes it's me. I came to apologize.

Akua: Come on in.

Carmen: Listen, Akua,

I'm sorry for upsetting you earlier.

Wild animals are the first thing I learned about Africa,

but now I realize that all of Africa isn't the same.

Your life in Kumasi is full of different amazing things.

And I really want to know more.

Akua: Thanks, Carmen.

I guess we could all learn more about each others' lives.

I know I'd like to tell people more about mine.

That's why I'm writing this song.

Carmen: Yes, I get it now.

And speaking of your song, Akua--

I'm still available if you need some guitar.

Akua: Awesome, Carmen.

That's just what it needs!

Akua/Carmen: Let's finish this song.

♪

Both: 'Sup?

Luna: Hey, guys! Everything okay?

Carmen: Yeah, I sure learned a lot about

Akua's life here in Kumasi.

Sometimes people think they know all about someone

because of the country or continent they're from.

Andy: Akua, it's great that Carmen knows

about your life now, but I wanna know too.

Leo: Yeah, me too!

Tell us about your life here in Kumasi.

Carmen: What do you say, Akua?

Should we do your song?

Akua: Let's do it.

♪ [funky hiplife b*at]

I've got some things to say that might be helpful.

♪ [funky guitar b*at]

♪ Yo' world, yo' friend, yo' neighbor, this is Ghana ♪

♪ This is me, your one and only One and only Ghana Kid ♪

♪ All the things you think I'm doin' ♪

♪ Are the things I'm never doin' ♪

♪ All the things you think I've done ♪

♪ Are the things I never did.

♪ Check out my street look, hard and long ♪

♪ Do you see wild animals Roamin' here and there? ♪

♪ Do you see the way you see me Is a teeny bit wrong? ♪

♪ Do you think that life in Africa's the same everywhere? ♪

♪ Brothers and sisters take a look inside my city ♪

♪ old and new, solar powered kinda pretty ♪

♪ Yo' world, yo' friend, yo' neighbor, this is Ghana ♪

♪ this is me your one and only, one and only Ghana Kid ♪

♪ I ride my bike, Play sports like you ♪

♪ I grew up on the computer Watching movies like you did ♪

♪ Open up your eyes, Tell me what you see ♪

♪ Traffic, tourists, New technology ♪

♪ You're you, I'm me, we're the same and kinda different ♪

♪ We have things we wanna do And things we wanna know ♪

♪ I go to school and think about the whole wide world ♪

♪ I got things I gotta say, and things I gotta show ♪

♪ Yo' world, yo' friend, yo' neighbor, this is Ghana ♪

♪ this is me your one and only, one and only Ghana Kid ♪

All: ♪ Our world, our friend, our neighbor ♪

♪ Our world, our friend, our neighbor ♪

Akua: ♪ Yeah, this is me, your one and only Ghana Kid. ♪

Ya' hear what I'm saying guys?

Andy: Yeah, totally Akua! Thanks!

Leo: I still love wild animals, but now I know

they're not everywhere on the continent of Africa.

And that your life here in Kumasi, Ghana

is cool in other ways.

Akua: Next time, we write a song about your life

in Mexico City, Carmen!

Carmen: Ha-ha, that sounds great, Akua.

Akua: Now, I don't need to also explain to you,

that not everyone from Kumasi is a rapper, right?

Carmen: [laughter] Nah, I think I got it now.

Andy: I wanna write a hiplife song about my life.

Just call me...

DJ Froggy-Fresh!

Akua: Well, I best be off now.

Got more songs to write!

Carmen: Thanks, Akua.

I loved getting to know you.

Akua: Me too.

And thanks for your help with the song.

You are amazing. Bye!

Carmen: Bye! Andy: Bye, Akua.

Leo: Thanks for sharing your hip-life music with us!

Carmen: And thanks for being our Hip-Hype-Moon, Luna!

Luna?

Luna: [beatboxing]

Andy: Hey! Nice beatboxing, Luna!

Luna: Thanks, Andy!

I'm glad you three got to learn more

about Akua's life here in Kumasi.

Carmen: Yeah, Akua had so many

interesting things to say about her home town,

and it's nice to learn we aren't so different.

Luna: That's right.

It's our differences that make us who we are,

but if you look close enough,

you'll find that we also have a lot in common.

Carmen: I'm looking forward to learning more about

other African countries.

Luna: Of course, Carmen.

There's always more to learn about

any part of the world we visit,

but remember, there's always tomorrow.

♪ [slow, funky theme song]

♪ [theme music]

♪

♪