Musician Umlilo pushes gender boundaries in South Africa
Artists in South Africa continue to push the boundaries of gender norms in popular media. In
Music
The ‘Born Free Generation’
The Fader (yes, they’re still around) has been putting up a series of posts from Johannesburg
The Rediscovery of William Onyeabor
The continued relevance or irrelevance of a musical figure to an African audience doesn't factor into that figure's "rediscovery" outside the continent.
Eastern Highlands
This Weekend Music Break features a number of strong women performers: Nosiwe, Rina Mushonga, Alicious Theluji, and the 95 year old Tututa Evora, who just passed away.
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.
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