Nipsey’s immigrant hustle
Eritrean-American rapper Nipsey Hussle mix of immigrant and street hustle.
Music
Drake’s Plan
The plot of Drake's music video for "God's Plan" is him giving him out money to the poor. What was he trying to say?
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.
Africando in Colombia
A deep dive into the African-influenced music scene of the Colombian Caribbean coast.
Cuba and the Black Pacific
A deeper look at the contemporary Cuban Hip Hop scene with Luna Olavarria Gallegos, one of the producers of the Afro Razones project.
The wanderers from Niger
Nigerien band Anewal eschews explicit politics and sings mostly of harmony and brotherhood.
Zimbabwe Coup Music Edition
Ten post-independence, pre-coup struggle songs that critiqued ZANU-PF under Mugabe and imagined a leadership change and different political culture.
Tangier’s Jazzmen — and their phantom producer
He rode on Tito Puente’s float during the Puerto Rican Day Parade of 1969, when the mambo king was given a key to the city
Defend Puerto Rico
This weekend's music break is dedicated to the isla del encancto.
Africa Is a Radio presents #INTLBLK, Episode 1
It has been awhile since our last Africa Is a Country Radio episode. More than a
Despacito Will Not Save Us
The hit song and its production reflect everything that is wrong with the music industry and how it exploits the cultural production of communities of color.
Cultural appropriation and sugar drinks
Contrary to the utopian dreams of the early internet, the idea of a more democratic communications space has given way to a system of capitalist exploitation, including how we consume music.
Abdullah Ibrahim’s ‘tawhid’
For Abdullah Ibrahim, who converted to Islam in 1968, the "most beautiful, potent aspect" of his faith is "the unity of things."
Weekend Music Break No.109 – Shameless self-promotion edition
Music Break! Welcome to your weekend. This week we have a bit of shameless self promotion,
Weekend Music Break No.108
This time no theme, just another Music Break for your weekend! Weekend Music Break No.108 1)
Weekend Music Break No.107 – French presidential election edition
Paris, even though I’ve never lived there, has perhaps been more important in my formation as a
Smashing patriarchy, one hip hop cypher at a time
'Words of a Rebel Sistah' wants to create a counter-culture in which women are liberated and all forms of oppression are eradicated.
Fearless in Nigeria
In this installment of our "Liner Notes," the Nigerian musician, Villy, writes about his band's EP, "Humananimals."
Don’t kill yourself because of suffering
Weekend Music Break, No.104 is just a playlist of ten great songs accompanied by predictably striking visuals from across Africa and its diaspora.
Weekend Music Break No.105 – Songs from banned countries: Somalia edition
For this weekend’s music break, we’ll have a second edition of “Songs from banned countries.” This