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A Visit to Madagascar

Thu, Jan 8 Listen

Madagascar is a big island with a big heart, occupying a special place in Afropop's musical imagination. We have visited this one-of-a-kind island in the Indian Ocean several times and brought back joyous music and fascinating stories. We'll hear Dame of the ground-breaking roots revival group Mahaleo give us a musical landscape of different Malagasy instruments--kabosy, valiha-- and styles--salegy, tsapika, sova, hiragassy--in the amazingly diverse Malagasy cultures. We'll visit other...

The Golden Age of Cuban Music

Thu, Dec 25 2008 Listen

(Part 1 in a two-part series marking the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.) On January 8, 1959, Fidel Castro and his ragtag army marched into Havana and proclaimed victory in the Cuban revolution. Much of the world knew Cuba primarily from its 1930 megahit "El Manicero" ("The Peanut Vendor") and from the mambo craze of the 1950's. After Castro came to power, the economic, political and cultural doors between Cuba and the U.S. would soon be shut. The doors opened briefly for tours...

The Rise of the Religious Music Industry in Kenya: Gospel From Roots to Rap

Thu, Dec 18 2008 Listen

Missionaries and nationalists rubbed shoulders in Kenya as early as 1906, when Kenya was a young, British colony. Christianity has long been closely allied with local, cultural expressions: however, it was only with the spread of radio in the 1940s that choral makwaya groups began to be heard by mass audiences. Hymns, arranged in 4-part harmony and translated into African languages, mark the humble beginnings of what has become a robust industry in Kenya. Today, Christian-themed music...

Afropop Roadshow 2008

Thu, Dec 11 2008 Listen

With new visa fees, a weak dollar, and the decline of the CD business, it's not easy for foreign musicians to mount a successful U.S. tour these days. And yet they keep on coming! On this program we catch up with an exciting collection of hearty, traveling Afropop musicians. We'll hear insights, memories and fabulous music from Zimnbabwe's Chiwoniso, Umalali and The Garifuna All-Stars, Lobi Traorandeacute;, Joep Pelt, and more.

Afropop Artists Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the U.N.'s Universal Decl

Thu, Dec 4 2008 Listen

In this special edition of Afropop Worldwide, cutting edge African artists Emmanuel Jal from Sudan, K'Naan from Somalia, Angelique Kidjo from Benin, El Hadj N'Diaye from Senegal as well as Michael Franti from the U.S. celebrate the 60th anniversary of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed on Dec. 10, 1948 in the wake of the horrors of World War II. The artists share their thoughts and feelings about the fight for human rights in their countries and around the world,...

Afropop Worldwide Stocking Stuffers 2008

Thu, Nov 27 2008 Listen

Here it is--the moment you've been waiting for! It's the moment we open the envelopes to see who wins Afropop's honors for the ten best African, Caribbean, and Latin albums of the year. Plus we'll play selections for the guitar lover, dance fanatic, Arab music lover, percussion discussionist, etc. on your holiday shopping list (including yourself)!

Afropop Vignettes: Festivals Around the World

Thu, Nov 20 2008 Listen

In the next installment of our ongoing celebration of Afropop's 20th anniversary, we travel to our favorite African music festivals. In terms of ambience and fantastic artists not yet known on the international world music festival circuit, they can't be beat. We travel to festivals in Stonetown, Zanzibar; New York City; Detroit; Dakar, Senegal; Fes, Morocco; Recife, Brazil and others to enjoy concert highlights and soak up the scene.

Africa In America 2008

Thu, Nov 6 2008 Listen

Amazingly, some of the most creative and interesting African music acts springing onto the scene are not based in Africa. For years, Afropop Worldwide has spotlighted the work of Africans making bands in the United States, and talented American musicians creating African music. The crop keeps getting better. This music-rich edition samples the techno roots fusion of Burkina Electric, the Kenyan benga meets rock 'n' roll fusion of Extra Golden, desert blues innovations from Markus James, new...

Megaconcert In Dakar, Senegal

Thu, Oct 30 2008 Listen

In our continuing celebration of Afropop Worldwide's 20th anniversary, we return to one of our favorite cities--Dakar, Senegal--to hear an extraordinary all-night concert in front of 70,000 fans at the national stadium. Featured are Senegal's artistic royalty--Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal, Thione Seck--as well as lesser-known artists. We also visit the home of the one and only Baaba Maal.

Music and Islam: From Prohibition to the Science of Ecstasy

Thu, Oct 23 2008 Listen

Islam's complex relationship with arts and culture across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia presents special paradoxes and intrigue in the realm of music. Islam has been used both to nurture and curtail musical expression. This program delves into the historic roots of this debate, all the way back to Baghdad in the early centuries of Islam. Case studies highlight sublime and ecstatic music from Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan and more. Author and Middle East specialist Joseph...

A Capella Night - Live from the Melkweg

Thu, Oct 2 2008 Listen

Zap Mama, led by Marie Daulne, is a force to be reckoned with. Their fierce vocal power and poise is always delivered with a sense of theatrical whimsy. Zap Mama deliver a brilliant set at the Melkweg Club in Amsterdam followed by Black Umfolosi, the powerful 12-man group from Zimbabwe. Other a capela wonders include Cuba's Vocal Sampling with an impressive percussion sound, all done through vocals.

GlobalFest 2008 and Looking Down the Road Ahead

Thu, Sep 11 2008 Listen

We go to New York City for the annual globalFEST concert marathon, the biggest one day global music extravaganza in the country, to take in some choice concerts by: Fallou Dieng, a rising star of Senegalese mbalax; 84-year-old Dominican son maestro Puerto Plata; master accordionist Chango Spasiuk playing Argentina's chamamandeacute; style; and others. Plus we hear some of our favorite new projects by major artists such as Orchestre Baobab, Toumani Diabatandeacute; and other landmark African...

Afropop Worldwide's August Dance Party Marathon, Part 2

Thu, Aug 21 2008 Listen

Don't stop. The dance party continues with soukous Congo style, soukous Dar es Salaam style, Ricardo Lemvo with Congo-meets-Latin in Los Angeles, Hugh Masekela's update of his smash hit "Grazing In the Grass," Manu Chao's anti-globalista jump-up, Vieux Farka Tourandeacute;, Daddy Yankee's massive reggaeton, and more.

Afropop Worldwide's August Dance Party Marathon Kick Off

Thu, Aug 14 2008 Listen

August is a flat out dance party marathon on Afropop Worldwide. We'll groove for three weeks in a row, starting with handpicked gems from summer dance parties past. Get ready for a fast-paced set sure to make your heart smile and your hips swivel. Featured artists include a Papa Wemba classic from a 1996 set, Eddie Palmieri at the heart of the New York salsa scene, the African-Latin boundary breakers Africando (featuring Guinea's Sekouba "Bambino" Diabate on soaring vocals), Cheb Mami hotting...

Afropop Worldwide's Shout Out to New Orleans

Thu, Aug 7 2008 Listen

Longtime Afropop Worldwide correspondent Ned Sublette joins host Georges Collinet, as we talk to DJs and musicians on the ground in the Crescent City, where the music goes on every night. From funeral dirges, to jazz, to Hip Hop, we'll get an up-to-the-minute look at how this great American music city is doing in the summer of 2008. We'll hear music by Dr. Michael White, Terence Blanchard, Lil Wayne, and more.

Sfinks Festival 2001 Highlights

Thu, Jul 24 2008 Listen

Our two-part special on summer festivals continues with highlights from the Sfinks Festival near Antwerp, Belgium in summer high season. This annual three day Afropop and world music extravaganza has a soft spot in its heart for Brazilian music, and today we'll hear from the edgy artist Pedro Luis and his roots rock band. Also featured is Mbulu from Mozambique with their updated, multi-generational version of marabenta music. Ghana checks in with classic, joyful highlife from the African...

Afropop's Summer Extravaganza Live in Concert

Thu, Jul 10 2008 Listen

Nothing beats a beautiful summer day for enjoying Afropop live. We have recorded many magical moments of Afropop artists in concert at summer festivals around the U.S. and Africa. Today, we present the best of the best to you.

A Visit to Mombasa, Kenya and Zanzibar

Thu, Jul 3 2008 Listen

We start in the Indian Ocean port town of Mombasa to hear the one-of-a-kind taarab music of the Swahili people that combines African, Arab and Indian influences. Featured are top stars such as Maulidi Juma and Musical Party. We also drop in on one of the raucous women-only wedding parties. Then it's south to Tanga, on the Tanzanian coast, to hear Golden Star and Zahira Swale. And we wind up on the famed island of Zanzibar to enjoy Culture Musical Club and the irreplaceable 90-something Bi...

The Brazilian Diaspora in the United States

Thu, Jun 26 2008 Listen

There's a lot of fantastic music being made by Brazilian artists living in the United States. For sure, they have a large audience: it's estimated that over one million Brazilians have immigrated here over the past 25 years and there are sizeable Brazilian communities in cities all over the U.S. And that's not to mention the ever-growing legions of non-Brazilian fans of samba, capoeira, forr?, bossa nova, choro, Brazilian jazz and other styles that are so important to U.S musical life. We'll...

Shout Out: Colombia and Cuba

Thu, Jun 19 2008 Listen

In our next installment of our "shout out" series, where we talk with leading deejays in Africa and Latin America about what's rocking their country's airwaves and dance floors, we're going to Colombia and Cuba. Banda la Republica, Colombiafrica the Mystic Orchestra, Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco, Gente de Zona and more are featured. Noted author Ned Sublette is our producer.

Summer 2008 Concert Previews

Thu, May 22 2008 Listen

The summer season is always the best time to catch touring Afropop and Latin stars. As always, in this 2008 edition of our annual summer concerts program, we pick our favorites so you can plan your summer around when these artists come to your town. Seun Kuti and Egypt '80 from Nigeria, Vieux Farka Tourandeacute; from Mali, Bajofondo and others. We'll check in with some of our favorite free summer music festivals--Central Park SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn, Detroit's Concert of Colors,...

Sierra Leone: Celebration, War and Healing

Thu, May 15 2008 Listen

When Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961, Freetown swayed to the beguiling, breezy lilt of palm wine guitar and danced to the funky pop of Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats. Once a center of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Sierra Leone became an improbable amalgamation of indigenous peoples and repatriated Africans freed from slavery. Thirty years of political and economic disintegration led to a horrific civil war that claimed tens of thousands of victims and created a generation of...

Sudan: A Musical History

Thu, May 1 2008 Listen

Sudan presents a uniquely complex Afro-Arab history and culture, and this program tells the country's story through music. A vibrant tradition of pan-Sudanese music was flowering in 1989 when an oppressive, Islamist government came to power. Many major artists then left the country, creating a far flung musical diaspora. Others--such as Mohammed Wardi, and Abdel Gadir Salilm--remained behind, weathering years of conflict and division. On this program historian Ahmad A. Sikainga helps...

Afropop Vignettes: Puerto Rico

Thu, Apr 24 2008 Listen

From the early days to the present, Puerto Rico has always been a creative, prolific epicenter of Latin music. And the music traveled to New York with the large immigrant Puerto Rican community. We'll hear roots styles such as bomba and plena to salsa maestro Tito Puente and the contemporary leading sonero Gilberto Santa Rosa to today's reggaeton superstars out of San Juan.

South Africans Remember: The Music that Helped Beat Apartheid and Celebrate

Thu, Apr 10 2008 Listen

As part of our 20th anniversary celebration, we are proud to encore one of our all-time favorite programs, celebrating one of most exhilarating events of the 20th Century, the peaceful transition from the evil system of apartheid to a democratic, non-racial country. With all Africa's troubles today, the extraordinary wisdom and forgiveness of Nelson Mandela as he led South Africa to freedom is a miracle that we should not forget. The music of this era is a vivid reflection of the emotions and...

Africa in America 2008

Thu, Mar 27 2008 Listen

Amazingly, some of the most creative and interesting African music acts springing onto the scene are not based in Africa anymore. For years, Afropop Worldwide has spotlighted the work of Africans making bands in the United States, and talented American musicians creating African music. The crop keeps getting better. This music-rich edition samples the techno roots fusion of Burkina Electric, the Kenyan benga meets rock 'n' roll fusion of Extra Golden, desert blues innovations from Markus...

Afropop Travels to Brazil for Old School and New School Flavor

Thu, Mar 20 2008 Listen

We go to Rio, Salvador de Bahia, Recife and Sao Paulo to visit with some of the greats--Gilberto Gil, Joao Bosco, Gal Costa, and others. Brazil is exceptional in how new generations of artists incorporate the work of their elders and at the same time add their own flavor for exhilarating results. We'll enjoy the conversation between Luis Gonzaga and the roots revivalists such as Chico Science in Recife and then hear the latest from Carnaval 2008. And in this year that marks the 50th...

Fula in the House

Thu, Mar 6 2008 Listen

As they led their livestock herds through West Africa in search of greener pastures, the Fulbhe--also Fula, Fulani, or Peul--spread a powerful music culture as well. Fluttering bluesy flutes, keening vocal melodies and bubbling percussion rhythms are strong elements in Fulani music, but the sounds are as varied as the deserts, forests, mountains, and riverside towns the Fulbhe have made their homes. On this program, we explore Fulbhe music from Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and elsewhere, and...

Africa and the Blues

Thu, Feb 28 2008 Listen

The recent death of Malian guitar legend Ali Farka Tourandeacute; has inspired a new round of speculation about the roots of the blues in Africa. Tourandeacute; famously argued that the beloved American genre was "nothing but African," a bold assertion. Among scholars, Gerhard Kubik's book Africa and the Blues has gained recognition as the most serious and penetrating examination of the subject. This program in our Hip Deep series will be produced in collaboration with Kubik, allowing a rare...

Baaba Maal and Ali Farka Toure, Live Acoustic

Thu, Jan 10 2008 Listen

Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal and his longtime musical companion Mansour Seck (both inductees into the Afropop Hall of Fame) perform an absolutely sublime set at the Hackney Ballroom in London. Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, rest in peace, takes the stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a set that evokes his beloved northern Mali. This program is dedicated to the memory of the one and only Ali Farka Toure who, sadly, passed in March 2006 at the young age of 66....

Afropop Worldwide (Africa)