August 1, Benin
Maybe not the most popular artist in Benin today, but the country’s independence day is a
Music
Music Break / Ana Tijoux
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1jFThFnGTY&w=600&h=373] Last week in Bolinas, CA, my friend, Kora McNaughton (she lives in Santiago), got me
The Bang Bang Club
Journalists in South Africa are picking up on how the film, "The Bang Bang Club," treats some of the Bang Bang Club's black colleagues. And other Weekend Specials.
July 26, Liberia
The oldest republic in Africa, Liberia–formed in 1847–celebrates its independence today. Chances are Dumyarea, the song we
Music Break / Stromae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vr1nyXu4Ts Stromae seems determined to turn every song on his 2010 album Cheese into a hit.
The Planet of Hip Hop
One of the founders of Cape Town rap music label, Pioneer Unit Records, talks about the local hip hop scene, talks about the coloured Afrikaans and Xhosa rap scene there.
Music Break / The Plastics
Music video for the Cape Town band, The Plastics. They worked with Gordon Raphael, who also produces
Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela
South Africa’s first democratic president is 93 years old today. The artwork is a collaboration between
Ken's Song
Some rural flavor from Hambale, Zambia. Filmed by David Tree. H/T: Adrian Bischoff.
Liberian identity for a new generation
Young people in Monrovia create a new music genre. Junior Freeman is at the heart of this musical revolution.
Lady Gaga lives in Lagos
Goldie’s allusions to madness typify a common theme present in the music of many of today’s successful female artists.
A nice saxophone solo
Pop culture is often at its best when it accurately reflects reality, so it’s no surprise that our music, like our history, is repeating itself.
Independence Day: June 27th, Djibouti
Earlier this year, Djiboutians marched the streets of their capital (where more than half of all
The music of Madagascar’s young people
Celebrate a country's independence day by featuring some of the music of its young people. This is Madagascar's turn today, June 26th.
June 25th, Mozambican Independence
In celebrating Mozambican independence day, we made a list of the most popular music videos in mid-2011.
Music Break
I forgot. I wanted to give AIAC’s Boima a shoutout for his Ghetto Balms Mix Tape
Music Break
Some new Ghanaian hiplife from PAPPYKOJO.
Jadakiss and the King
Hip hop is usually associated with revolution and counter culture. But American artists, who visit the content, usually side with power. Like Jadakiss did in Swaziland
Dakar Hustle
http://vimeo.com/20927993 Video for spoken word from Senegalese rapper Keyti–remember him? Keyti was one of the stars
Music Break
Rapper Stalley, late last year, channels Muhammed Ali. He could have done without the racial epithet.