Music is the weapon
During Christmas 1980, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba performed at a concert in Lesotho that deeply challenged and disturbed South Africa’s apartheid regime. The record of that concert is being reissued.
Hugh Masekela
The revolution in four-part harmony
A good time to bring back this piece—first written in 2002—on the power of song to fuel political struggle.
The boy called Hugh because he loved the trumpet
Lesedi Tshane's grandfather played with Hugh Masekela. He would later study with Masekela and replace Masekela on a bill with Abdullah Ibrahim.
Hugh Masekela’s musical modernism
Masekela wanted to craft a sound that avoided “world music” caricature while not simply mimicking the American Bebop he was so enamored of.
South African Jazz for Nelson Mandela
A playlist of jazz tunes dedicated to South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela.
What joy sounds like in German
Bonus music break: Abdullah Ibrahim, John Tchicai, Gato Barbieri, Barre Phillips and Makaya Ntshoko performing live on German public television in 1968.
Hugh Masekela’s ‘Stimela’ gets a makeover
Wynter Gordon's remake of 'Stimela' suggests more challenging possibilities.
Paul Simon’s Graceland Reconsidered
Paul Simon's Graceland album and tour defied the cultural boycott, yet some argue it positively influenced South African music and politics in the late 1980s.
Hugh Masekela’s Football Skills
There's no record that Hugh Masekela could play football. But he acted like he could kick a ball in a music video.
Hugh Masekela Goes to the World Cup
Hugh Masekela and his son, Sal, together explore the people, culture, landscapes and history of South Africa.
South Africans fought for freedom, but won democracy
The famed South African musician Hugh Masekela has a history of speaking his mind on postapartheid politics.