Little Steven’s South African Adventure
The making of Paul Simon's "Graceland" album was controversial. But it seems we didn't know the half of it if Steven Van Zandt is to be believed.
Music
Don’t tell anyone
New music videos from Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon, Mali, Congo, and Ghana, make up Weekend Music Break Number 66.
Fokn Bois in a Dutch village
It is not clear what Ghanaian duo Fokn Bois, on tour in the Netherlands, was doing visiting a boring Dutch town, Liesbeth. But it turned out to be fun.
Weekend Music Break 65
There’s plenty to choose from what musicians have been releasing during the holidays. So here’s a
How not to write about Duke Ellington
Everything that is wrong with Adam Gopnik's New Yorker essay on Ellington (and the Beatles).
Our Favorite Album of 2013
I’ve had Shane Cooper’s “Oscillations” in my possession for the past four months. From the onset, it
An interview with Ghanaian artist Sarkodie in the lead-up to his new album
Few rappers on the continent have been as prolific as Sarkodie this year. The Ghanaian emcee
South African Jazz for Nelson Mandela
A playlist of jazz tunes dedicated to South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela.
Four Women Musicians from Niger
Safiath, ZM, Habsou Garba and Fati Mariko: producing diverse sounds in rap, hip-hop and soul.
Miley Cyrus has Nigerian parents
Parody performers, the Naija Boyz, take on Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball." It is unclear what they're trying to say.
The people need a new myth
The Brother Moves On is not anti-ANC. Their new music rather speaks to the ideals of the liberation movement and asks if this is what we fought for.
King of Soukous
An Adieu to Tabu Ley Rochereau, the master rumba singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Azonto Americana
The Ghanaian dance music craze has finally arrived in the United States after sweeping Europe and the continent. Will it catch on here?
Weekend Music Break 63
We kick off our weekly installment of new music videos with OttawaParis-based Mélissa Laveaux riding the
Bombino: Nomad, but much more
Bombino, the Tuareg musician from Agadez in northern Niger, wants to show the world the multiple, and often joyful sides of life in the region.
Weekend Music Break 62
10 new music videos from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Kenya, Mali, Burundi (via Belgium), South Africa and Nigeria
L’Afrique Est Un Pays
Dutty Artz and Africa Is a Country co-present the EP, "L'Afrique Est Un Pays," as a gift to Africa is a Country readers. For a limited time you can download the EP by liking our Facebook page.
Moonshine Roots Music and Fela Kuti
Valerie June admires Fela Kuti, Ali Farka Toure, Miriam Makeba and a Nigerian blues singer she once heard in her car, but can't remember their name.
A window into South Africa’s jazz history
The first full color photographs of the vibrant, underground jazz scene that flourished in South Africa in the 1960s.
Weekend Music Break 61
Your weekly collection of new tunes and videos — this week from Zambia, Ghana, Jamaica, Mali,