Podcasts about fela

Veteran Afropop producer Marika Partridge takes us to the island of St Lucia for a “beginners” steel pan (steel drum) work shop with maestro Andy Narell. It's a complete sensory experience, with ambiance, cuisine, and deep history on the only instrument invented in the 20th century. Plus Marika's journey to steel pan bliss. Then Mukwae catches us up with the latest trends in remixing, Afrobeats and amapiano. Produced by Marika Partridge and Banning Eyre.

The development of the popular Jamaican style is audible in this fun-packed, loosely chronological selection of tunes, moving from a US-style shuffle to ska to rock steady, toasting, dub, and Rastafarian reggae. Programmed by and using the record collection of reggae connoisseur and KPFK radio host Chuck Foster. Produced by Ned Sublette. Consulting scholar and guest programmer: Chuck Foster, who is still on the air 33 years later!

A small network of DJs in the suburbs of Lisbon, Portugal has been consistently producing some of the world's best dance music. The children of African immigrants, these young musicians have combined a hemisphere of musical influences and distilled them down into a single astonishing style. But how did Lisbon start to make such great African music? And what does that say about the identity of the city, or the country, or the continent? On this special Hip Deep edition, we take you on a journey to Lisbon, a city facing both the sea and 600 years of its own history. We'll go to African club nights, hang out with obsessive record collectors, learn how to dance kizomba, and visit the projects that have produced a musical revolution. And through it all, we will try to answer a seemingly simple question: Just where did this music come from? Produced by Sam Backer APWW #722

Dedicamos la emisión a un tema clásico de los noventa: Under The Bridge de los Red Hot Chili Peppers. Fue el segundo sencillo lanzado por la banda del álbum de 1991 Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Ricardo Portman nos cuenta su historia. Escucharemos Under The Bridge (oficial), Under The Bridge (Live in Slane Castle), Sikamikanico, Soul To Squeeze, Search and Destroy y Fela’s Cock + Bonus track. Recuerden que nuestros programas los pueden escuchar también en: Nuestra web https://ecosdelvinilo.com/ La Música del Arcón - FM 96.9 (Buenos Aires, Argentina) miércoles 18:00 (hora Arg.) Radio M7 (Córdoba) lunes 18:00 y sábados 17:00. Distancia Radio (Córdoba) jueves y sábados 19:00 Radio Free Rock (Cartagena) viernes 18:00. Radio Hierbabuena (Lima, Perú) jueves 20:00 (hora Perú)

Behind every Afropop YouTube megahit and dancefloor sensation, there is a producer, a beat-maker striving to imagine the next big thing, basically inventing the future. In part 2 this two-part podcast, we meet Dami TNT, a rising producer in Lagos, Nigeria. And we hear a discussion between Zimbabwean producer Kooldrink, Pierre Kwenders of the Moonshine Afro-house about beats, tempos, and the emergence of super-fast youth music, like Tanzania's singeli, in urban African centers. Produced by Banning Eyre PA 038

This Hip Deep episode features a remarkable journey among the forest people of the Central African Republic. The polyphonic, hocketing vocal style of this region's forest peoples ("pygmies") is one of the most singularly beautiful musical expressions in Africa, one that has entranced outsiders since the time of the pharaohs. Ethnomusicologist Michelle Kisliuk has spent nearly 25 years immersing herself in this music, and wrote a landmark book about the lives and music of the BaAka people in the Central African Republic. Kisliuk believes deeply in the performance experience--learning by doing--and this program will initiate listeners into one of the most enchanting and mysterious musical practices in Africa. The program also deals with the BaAka's problematic encounters with neighboring ethnic groups, Christian missionaries, and modernity in general. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #603

Ogni sabato, dalle 17.35 alle 18.30, musica, libri e spettacoli che ci aiutano a 'restare umani'. Guida spirituale della trasmissione: Fela.

Kano State in northwest Nigeria is a land of paradox. The ancient home of the Hausa people, it has ties back to the oldest civilizations in West Africa. Muslim since around the 12th century, the region remained largely self-administered during the era of British colonialism, and never significantly adopted Christianity or Western culture and values as in other parts of Nigeria. In 2000, Kano instituted Shariah law. But by that time, the city of Kano was also the center of a large and active film industry, dubbed Kannywood. And it would soon be home to a nascent coterie of hip-hop artists. There followed a series of high-profile conflicts and crises between these forces of religion, politics and art in the years since. But as the Afropop crew discovered in 2017, Kano has achieved a delicate balance that allows film and music to continue apace under the watchful eye of clerics and a censorship board. We visit studios producing local nanaye music, with its echoes of Hausa tradition and Indian film music. We also meet young Hausa hip-hop artists striving to develop careers under uniquely challenging circumstances. Produced by Banning Eyre and Sean Barlow APWW #757

Behind every Afropop YouTube megahit and dancefloor sensation, there is a producer, a beat-maker striving to imagine the next big thing, basically inventing the future. In part 1 this two-part podcast, we meet Kooldrink, the producer who broke South African superstar Tyla, and Pierre Kwenders of the Moonshine Afro-house collective in Montreal, and hear their thoughts on making African hits in 2025. Produced by Banning Eyre PA 037

Ogni sabato, dalle 17.35 alle 18.30, musica, libri e spettacoli che ci aiutano a 'restare umani'. Guida spirituale della trasmissione: Fela.

Andy Palacio (1960-2008) of Belize was a brilliant singer/songwriter/bandleader/activist and one of the greatest champions of Garifuna culture in his time. At the height of his international acclaim, after the release of his 2007 album Watina, Andy died suddenly. This program was produced shortly before that tragic event and captures Andy, his band and fellow musician Paul Nabor, in their prime. As we were preparing the program for rebroadcast, we learned that Andy's protégé and fellow Garifuna culture icon Aurelio Martinez—who also appears in this program—died in a plane crash at age 58. So this program, capturing a pinnacle moment for Garifina music, is dedicated to these two fallen giants. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #524

In this Hip Deep program, we explore musical connections between Africa and India. First up is the story of the Afro-Indian Sidi community. In the 13th century, Africans arrived in India as soldiers in the armies of Muslim conquerors. Some were able to rise through the ranks to become military leaders and even rulers. Their descendants continue to live in India today, performing African-influenced Sufi trance music at shrines to the black Muslim saint named Baba Gor. Next, we dive into the swinging jazz era of 1930s Bombay, when African-American jazz musicians arrived by the dozen to perform at the glitzy Taj Mahal Hotel. They trained a generation of Indian jazz musicians who would become instrumental in the rise of India's Hindi film music industry. Then we head south to the island of Sri Lanka, where Africans have had a presence for almost 500 years. We explore their history through the groovy Afro-Indo-Portuguese pop music style known as baila, popularized by 1960s star Wally Bastiansz and still performed at parties in Sri Lanka today. Finally, we speak with Deepak Ram, a Indian jazz flutist who recounts his experiences growing up Indian in apartheid South Africa. Throughout, we hear from leading experts, and of course, introduce fantastic and often-unexpected music. Produced by Marlon Bishop APWW #663

The Swiss Army Knife of Disability Advocacy: A Conversation with John Fela In this episode of the Wheel With It Podcast, host Devon Wieters talks with John Fela, who describes himself as the Swiss Army Knife of disability advocacy. John shares his journey as a parent of a son with autism and his roles as an advocate, teacher, and member of Johnny and Friends, a global Christian disability organization. John discusses the importance of community, the challenges faced by families and individuals with disabilities, and his Three C's strategy for managing blended families. Tune in to hear real conversations about disability advocacy, community building, and more. Follow John Fela on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/john_fela_1/), X (formerly Twitter) (https://x.com/jfelageller74), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/johnsspecialneedsblog/), and visit his website at https://johnfela.com/. Check out all the links in the show notes and subscribe to stay updated with our episodes. For all things Wheel With It Podcast, visit https://linktr.ee/wheelwithitpod.00:00 Introduction to Disability Advocacy00:59 Meet Our Guest: John Fela01:18 John's Journey in Disability Advocacy03:36 Challenges and Triumphs of Parenting a Child with Disabilities09:58 The Three Cs for Blended Families14:55 Joni and Friends: A Global Outreach21:11 Navigating Education and Independence28:23 The Importance of Community35:42 Closing Remarks and Resources

In this episode, we meet two women from the Twin Cities - DJ Fawzi and DJ Yasmeenah - who are challenging stereotypes while continuing a tradition of Somali-Minnesotan trailblazing. And we catch up with Songhoy Blues through a short conversation with Oumar Touré, bassist of the acclaimed desert blues group about their groundbreaking new album Heritage. We end with a tribute to Garifuna singer, activist and icon, Aurelio Martinez, wo died on March 17. Produced by Akshaj Turebylu PA #036

This year marks the 25th anniversary of socially conscious rapper Common's pivotal album Like Water for Chocolate. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their classic album dissection of Like Water for Chocolate including an interview with Common from the year 2000.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Common, "Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Take it EZ," Can I Borrow a Dollar?, Relativity, 1992Common, "I Used to Love H.E.R.," Resurrection, Relativity, 1994Common, "Brown Sugar," Brown Sugar, EMI, 1995Common, "Funky for You," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "A Song for Assata," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Payback is a Grandmother," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "The Light," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "The 6th Sense," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Thelonius," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Geto Heaven Remix T.S.O.I," Like Water for Chocolate (Alternate Edition), MCA, 2001Common, "A Film Called (Pimp)," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Kendrick Lamar, "Institutionalized," To Pimp a Butterfly, Interscope, 2015New York Dolls, "Looking For a Kiss," New York Dolls, Mercury, 1973Delivery, "The New Alphabet," Force Majeure, Heavenly, 2025Delivery, "Deadlines," Force Majeure, Heavenly, 2025Lucy Dacus, "Ankles," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Nigerian singer, songwriter and bandleader and Seun Kuti keeps alive the Afrobeat tradition founded by his legendary father, Fela Kuti, back in the 1970s. In fact, when Fela died in 1997, it was Seun, his youngest son, who took over the band, now called Egypt 80. Like his late father, Seun Kuti takes on topics like government corruption and corporate greed in his songs, setting his lyrics and his blazing sax solos to an insistent dance beat. Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 play tunes from their most recent album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head), in-studio. Set list: 1. Stand Well Well 2. Love and Revolution 3. Emi Aluta

Scholar and author Joseph Braude guides us through the often overlooked popular music of the Persian Gulf, the music known as Khaliji. We learn about the Africans of places like Bahrain and Kuwait - slaves of yore - their free descendents, and more recent waves of African immigrants, notably from Sudan. This episode features spectacular historic recordings, such as the songs of the all but disappeared pearl divers, a well as Khaliji hits by the likes of Abdullah al-Ruwaished and Areel Abou Bakr. Produced by Banning Eyre. APWW #520 Originally aired in 2007

This week on Black on Black Cinema, the crew returns to discuss "Tyler Perry's Duplicity." The film follows a high-powered attorney Marley who faces her most personal case yet when she is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the shooting of her best friend Fela's husband. The crew discuss the implications of how and why this story is being handled by Tyler Perry, potential ramifications of the film of the larger narrative of police violence against Black people, and more.

This week on Black on Black Cinema, the next film is announced, "Tyler Perry's Duplicity." The film follows a high-powered attorney named Marley who faces her most personal case yet when she is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the shooting of her best friend Fela's husband. The random topic this week is about some rather odd takes on Blackness from Malik Yoba's while sarcastic commentary on how Black people should refer to themselves in the wake of rising hatred toward us to Robert Griffin III's very serious statements on Black prominent figures' political importance that are seemingly so devoid of context and understanding of history that it would be impressive if it were not so utterly stupid.

King Sunny Ade was, in many ways, the inspiration for what would become Afropop Worldwide. And he was by no means an inspiration only to us! Many fans in America first got hooked on Afropop (and African music in general) through the landmark 1982-83 tour by King Sunny Ade and his African Beats: The propulsive polyrhythms of traditional drums mixed with sophisticated guitar arrangements and pedal steel were like nothing we had ever heard. Topped by graceful choreography and the beaming presence of the “Chairman” himself, the effect was totally intoxicating. In this program, we travel to Lagos to talk to people there who help us fill in the picture of King Sunny Ade's earlier career in the 1960s and '70s. KSA also granted Afropop Worldwide a three-hour interview. We'll hear his stories and some classic recordings. Featured in the show are highlights from a sublime acoustic concert Ade and the African Beats gave at Joe's Pub in New York City. Produced by Sean Barlow APWW #468

Despre AZI, numai de bine! TiPtiL "formație de avangardă și chef" tocmai a ieșit cu un mic produs discografic pe platformele de streaming, care fix asa se numeste, AZI. După cum explică ei: "am scos de la naftalină idei mai vechi, am pus peste idei mai noi și am reușit, lejer să facem tocmai … două piese noi". Difuzăm și discutăm cele mai noi realizări muzicale TiPtiL azi, avandu-i invitați în studio pe Raluca Staicu, Crețu Cristinel și Bujor Stoicovici. TiPtiL a apărut în pesajul muzical românesc în toamna anului 2009, punând împreună influențe funk, jazz, drum'n'bass, dance, reggae, post punk, stropite din plin cu vibrații pozitive. Trupa a susținut numeroase concerte atât în tară, cât şi în străinătate şi are în palmares apariții la majoritatea festivalurilor din România: B'ESTFEST, TiFF, Stufstock (câştigătoare a premiului de jazz), Global Battle of the Bands (finalistă 2010), Bluzău, Festivalul „Club A”. În anul 2011, la invitația Institutului Cultural Roman din Berlin, TiPtiL a reprezentat România, sustinând un concert în cadrul evenimentului Romanian Music Nights la Berlin.Debutul discografic s-a petrecut în 2014, trupa TiPtiL lansând primul album, intitulat „Colaj”, acesta fiind foarte bine primit de public. Pentru Raluca Staicu Vasile (alias FELA) muzica este un limbaj natural. Compozitor și solist vocal, co-fondator al trupei TiPtiL, Raluca a acumulat experiență muzicală variată de-a lungul timpului, de la folclor, la jazz."De-a lungul vremii, am devenit „tatăl” mai multor proiecte interesante, care au scris câte o filă frumoasă în istoria muzicală românească, dar TiPtiL, parcă este cel mai plin de viată şi cel mai neastâmpărat. Sunt foarte fericit că mă pot exprima artistic fără prejudecăti şi simt că TiPtiL poate să facă ce vrea fără a da socoteală nimănui.”, spune Bujor Stoicovici.Crețu Cristian este chitarist şi iscusit lutier, realizând chitare electrice extraordinare şi chiar un contrabas electric, spune despre meseria sa că „e un pic de viciu parcă, de dependență în ceea ce fac. Nu cred că se poate altfel, cel puțin nu pentru mine. Mi-a intrat în sânge de prea mult timp!”Ciprian Moisescu este la tobe, ține ritmul dar pune şi caldură în tot ceea ce face, este echilibrul de care TiPtiL are nevoie.Pe 20 martie, TiPtiL lansează produsul discografic numit AZI, în clubul The Pub, din București, din Piața Universității. 

In this episode of Planet Afropop, FayFay spotlights two standout artists, Tchella, an R&B vocalist, and Dotti the Deity, a Nigerian folk musician. Both friends and reality show winners, they've taken unique paths in a music scene dominated by lo-fi Alté vibes. From Port Harcourt to Lagos, and Badagry to Ibadan, they've stayed true to their sound, navigating the challenges of niche artistry, self-doubt, and perseverance. This is a story about music, identity, and finding your lane against the odds. PA 035

Épisode 4 | Faites sortir l'accusé6 Juin 2000. La France a peur, ou presque. Elle frissonne en découvrant le premier épisode de l'émission « Histoires de… », embryon de ce qui allait devenir un rendez-vous incontournable du dimanche soir : « Faites entrer l'accusé ». FELA, de son petit nom, raconte les faits divers français comme on lirait un polar, et les montre comme tel, avec ses visites sur les lieux du crime, ses lumières tamisées, et les inflexions dramatiques de ses présentateurs successifs. Au delà de ces atours qui frisent parfois le cliché, le programme a aussi et surtout su asseoir une crédibilité rare en terme de traitement du fait criminel, notamment auprès des premiers concernés, des avocats aux policiers en passant par les magistrats, les journalistes, les familles de victimes, voire les accusé·e·s eux-même. Retour sur une émission phénomène. « Faites entrer l'accusé prend 25 ans » est une série de Marion Lefèvre, réalisée par Geoffrey Puig, et en partenariat avec Slate.REMERCIEMENTS : Christian Gerin, Bernard Faroux, Christophe Hondelatte, Claire Sécail, Patricia Tourancheau, Christian Huleu, Daniel Neveu, Pascal Garbarini, Frédérique Lantieri, Yannick Cochennec, Christian Prouteau, Elise Costa.Programme B est un podcast de Binge Audio présenté par Thomas Rozec. Ces épisodes ont été produits en mai 2020. Réalisation : Geoffrey Puig. Productrice et éditrice : Lorraine Besse. Générique : François Clos et Thibault Lefranc. Identité graphique : Sébastien Brothier, Thomas Steffen et Raphaëlle Cassagnes (Upian). Direction des programmes : Joël Ronez. Direction de la rédaction : David Carzon. Direction générale : Gabrielle Boeri-Charles.

Épisode 3 | Du salon à la prison6 Juin 2000. La France a peur, ou presque. Elle frissonne en découvrant le premier épisode de l'émission « Histoires de… », embryon de ce qui allait devenir un rendez-vous incontournable du dimanche soir : « Faites entrer l'accusé ». FELA, de son petit nom, raconte les faits divers français comme on lirait un polar, et les montre comme tel, avec ses visites sur les lieux du crime, ses lumières tamisées, et les inflexions dramatiques de ses présentateurs successifs. Au delà de ces atours qui frisent parfois le cliché, le programme a aussi et surtout su asseoir une crédibilité rare en terme de traitement du fait criminel, notamment auprès des premiers concernés, des avocats aux policiers en passant par les magistrats, les journalistes, les familles de victimes, voire les accusé·e·s eux-même. Retour sur une émission phénomène. « Faites entrer l'accusé prend 25 ans » est une série de Marion Lefèvre, réalisée par Geoffrey Puig, et en partenariat avec Slate.REMERCIEMENTS : Christian Gerin, Bernard Faroux, Christophe Hondelatte, Claire Sécail, Patricia Tourancheau, Christian Huleu, Daniel Neveu, Pascal Garbarini, Frédérique Lantieri, Yannick Cochennec, Christian Prouteau, Elise Costa.Programme B est un podcast de Binge Audio présenté par Thomas Rozec. Ces épisodes ont été produits en mai 2020. Réalisation : Geoffrey Puig. Productrice et éditrice : Lorraine Besse. Générique : François Clos et Thibault Lefranc. Identité graphique : Sébastien Brothier, Thomas Steffen et Raphaëlle Cassagnes (Upian). Direction des programmes : Joël Ronez. Direction de la rédaction : David Carzon. Direction générale : Gabrielle Boeri-Charles.

Épisode 2 | Du sang, du sperme et des larmes ?6 Juin 2000. La France a peur, ou presque. Elle frissonne en découvrant le premier épisode de l'émission « Histoires de… », embryon de ce qui allait devenir un rendez-vous incontournable du dimanche soir : « Faites entrer l'accusé ». FELA, de son petit nom, raconte les faits divers français comme on lirait un polar, et les montre comme tel, avec ses visites sur les lieux du crime, ses lumières tamisées, et les inflexions dramatiques de ses présentateurs successifs. Au delà de ces atours qui frisent parfois le cliché, le programme a aussi et surtout su asseoir une crédibilité rare en terme de traitement du fait criminel, notamment auprès des premiers concernés, des avocats aux policiers en passant par les magistrats, les journalistes, les familles de victimes, voire les accusé·e·s eux-même. Retour sur une émission phénomène. « Faites entrer l'accusé prend 25 ans » est une série de Marion Lefèvre, réalisée par Geoffrey Puig, et en partenariat avec Slate.REMERCIEMENTS : Christian Gerin, Bernard Faroux, Christophe Hondelatte, Claire Sécail, Patricia Tourancheau, Christian Huleu, Daniel Neveu, Pascal Garbarini, Frédérique Lantieri, Yannick Cochennec, Christian Prouteau, Elise Costa.Programme B est un podcast de Binge Audio présenté par Thomas Rozec. Ces épisodes ont été produits en mai 2020. Réalisation : Geoffrey Puig. Productrice et éditrice : Lorraine Besse. Générique : François Clos et Thibault Lefranc. Identité graphique : Sébastien Brothier, Thomas Steffen et Raphaëlle Cassagnes (Upian). Direction des programmes : Joël Ronez. Direction de la rédaction : David Carzon. Direction générale : Gabrielle Boeri-Charles.

From late night sessions of frenetic drumming, singing and trumpets and teenagers shaking their "waists" by the light of the moon, to hard-driving studio simpa tracks with drum machines, vst synths and auto-tuned vocals, simpa is an evolving neo-traditional popular music of the Dagbani people of Northern Ghana that is rarely heard outside of the region. We visit Tamale and the surrounding villages, meet pioneering producer DJ Ebony at his barber shop studio and star singers including Dickson Gawan, Yaa Naraa and Bala Zaaku and dance along with the Nyanshegu simpa group See Is Believing. Special thanks to: “Kumtili” Latif Umar Mohammed and Saeed Alhassan Dawuni for translation. To Ebony, Tahid Abu and Mohammed Razak for all their generosity with their materials, contacts and time and Saeed Alhassan Dawuni for everything: transportation, translation, recording and filming assistance, context and friendship; thanks Mohammed Alidu for accommodations in Tamale and use of Bizung School for interviews; thanks to Dave Ewenson for sharing your research and original materials. PA 034 Produced by Morgan Greenstreet

Épisode 1 : Une émission en bande organisée6 Juin 2000. La France a peur, ou presque. Elle frissonne en découvrant le premier épisode de l'émission « Histoires de… », embryon de ce qui allait devenir un rendez-vous incontournable du dimanche soir : « Faites entrer l'accusé ». FELA, de son petit nom, raconte les faits divers français comme on lirait un polar, et les montre comme tel, avec ses visites sur les lieux du crime, ses lumières tamisées, et les inflexions dramatiques de ses présentateurs successifs. Au delà de ces atours qui frisent parfois le cliché, le programme a aussi et surtout su asseoir une crédibilité rare en terme de traitement du fait criminel, notamment auprès des premiers concernés, des avocats aux policiers en passant par les magistrats, les journalistes, les familles de victimes, voire les accusé·e·s eux-même. Retour sur une émission phénomène. « Faites entrer l'accusé prend 25 ans » est une série de Marion Lefèvre, réalisée par Geoffrey Puig, et en partenariat avec Slate.REMERCIEMENTS : Christian Gerin, Bernard Faroux, Christophe Hondelatte, Claire Sécail, Patricia Tourancheau, Christian Huleu, Daniel Neveu, Pascal Garbarini, Frédérique Lantieri, Yannick Cochennec, Christian Prouteau, Elise Costa.Programme B est un podcast de Binge Audio présenté par Thomas Rozec. Ces épisodes ont été produits en mai 2020. Réalisation : Geoffrey Puig. Productrice et éditrice : Lorraine Besse. Générique : François Clos et Thibault Lefranc. Identité graphique : Sébastien Brothier, Thomas Steffen et Raphaëlle Cassagnes (Upian). Direction des programmes : Joël Ronez. Direction de la rédaction : David Carzon. Direction générale : Gabrielle Boeri-Charles.

In this episode we take a rare look at Somalia's formative, pre-civil war years (1960-90), which saw the birth of soomaalinimo - Somali patriotism. This national mood inspired people to put aside the clan identities so heavily manipulated by the colonial powers and dedicate themselves to the creation of a new, culturally authentic, but also modern, national identity. And this was expressed in gorgeous, lyrical songs with influences from Arab art music, Hindi film songs and rich local traditions. Our principal guide is Lidwien Kapteijns (Professor of History at Wellesley College) whose book Women's Voices in a Man's World focuses on popular songs of this hopeful era shaped the changing lives and status of women. We'll hear beautiful archival recordings and get inside the crucial debates and gender negotiations contained in their lyrics. We'll also learn why the promise of this all-but-forgotten era have never been realized in Somalia. Produced by Banning Eyre.

In West Africa, women are on the cutting edge of musical and cultural progress. This program looks at four singer/composers with roots in tradition and unique ideas about how to keep them current in the fast-changing milieu of today's African music. Mali's Fatoumata Diawara keeps her focus on messages, mixing traditional sounds and rock idioms to reach young audiences. Senegal's Aida Samb is finding new avenues for that country's trademark mbalax sound, including collaborations with Afrobeats stars like Wizkid. Elida Almeida of Cape Verde has emerged as a freewheeling composer, able to draw on whatever influences she likes, and it's working for fans of all generations. And Benin's Angelique Kidjo, never one to sit back on her many successes, has covered Talking Heads' 1980 album Remain in Light, in its entirety, re-Africanizing a rock classic for a new time. We'll speak with all four artists, and hear their latest music. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #785

Fairuz is the most popular living singer throughout the Arabic-speaking world and an artist with no real counterpart in Europe or the Americas. Since the ‘50s, she has appealed across boundaries of age, gender, class, religion, nationality, regional dialect, and political persuasion. Creating music as serious and engaged as it is popular, Fairuz—along with her collaborators from the Rahbani family of composer poets—has achieved near-universal appeal during a time of unprecedented division and social strife. This program explores Fairuz's remarkable biography guided by her biographer Kenneth Habib, and Ghady Rahbani, among others. The deepest understanding of Fairuz's success carries a message that harmony among the Abrahamic faiths is not a lofty illusion, but something lost in the near past, that can be regained. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #671

In December 2024, Planet Afropop co-host Mukwae Wabei Siyolwe produced the first AfroPopup in at the Uka Café in Lilongwe, Malawi. Despite torrential rain and power outages, the show went on with three fanstastic young Malawian stars, Praise Umali, Chikondi Wiseman and Maggie Kadrum. This podcast tells the story of grass roots cultural activism in a country we hear from far too little. PA 033

Of all contemporary Cape Verdeans, Cesaria Evora, "the Queen of the Morna" made the biggest impression internationally. However the first Cape Verdean to grace the American imagination was the harpooner Dagoo in Herman Melville's Moby Dick (1851). Cape Verdeans first arrived in United States as whalers in the late 1700's and have been coming ever since, bringing a distinctive Portuguese-African Kriolu flavor to communities across Southern New England and beyond. We'll take a step back in time and look at the rich cultural life of Cape Verdean neighborhoods, where great bands played mornas and coladeiras at local social clubs. Our principle guide for this program will be historian Marilyn Halter, author of “Between Race and Ethnicity: Cape Verdean American Immigrants, 1860-1965.” She'll take us through the years as the Cape Verdean community navigated the turbulent waters of opportunity and identity in America long before the age of American multiculturalism. Then we'll jump ahead and explore current trends from the far-flung Diaspora's thriving music scene, ranging from hip-busting funaná to sleek cabo-zouk. All along, we'll be hearing from Cape Verdean-American musicians, from old-time guitar master Freddy Silva to rapper Mo Green, as they reflect on immigration, nostalgia, heritage, and what it means to be Cape Verdean in the United States. Produced by Marlon Bishop APWW #571

Funk is the personal favorite of many music lovers. In this panoramic history of the grooviest of genres, we hear track after track of absolute boogie-down classics. Everything from Sly and the Family Stone to James Brown, with a few stops to hear legends like the Meters, Kool and the Gang, and Parliament. We'll also hear the great Bobby Byrd explain the rhythmic motor behind the JB's, and Georges Clinton talk about the roots of his funk. Produced by Ned Sublette APWW #124

In which the Musical Man buys some expensive shit and studies to become a teacher, a lover, a zombie, and a gentleman. Donate today via Patreon: patreon.com/musicalmanpod / Podbean: musicalmanpod.podbean.com / Email: musicalmanpod@gmail.com

New Orleans, Louisiana is home to some of America's greatest musical traditions, and plays an outsized influence on the evolution of everything from jazz through to r&b, rock and funk. Today, the city is still legendary for its second line brass bands and brightly costumed Mardi Gras Indians. But if you've rolled through New Orleans on pretty much any night in the last 30 years, you've probably heard another sound—the clattering, booming, hip-shaking, chant-heavy roll of bounce, a form of hip-hop music, dance and culture unique to the Crescent City. Pulling from the national mainstream but remaking it the way that only New Orleans can, bounce has become a sonic touchstone for an entire generation of residents. For this Hip Deep edition, Afropop digs into the close-knit scene, talking to dancers, producers, MCs, and managers from over 30 years of bounce, all to explore the beat that drives New Orleans—and to find out what it means to the people who bring it to life. Produced by Sam Backer and Jessi Olsen. APWW #761

The beloved, Grammy Award winning singer Cesaria Evora from Cape Verde passed away in 2011 at the age of 70. We celebrate Cesaria's life and art with an encore of our 1995 recording of her magnificent New York City debut at the Bottom Line. Cesaria, known as the "Queen of the morna" is backed by her classy group featuring piano, acoustic bass guitar, cavaquinho and lead acoustic guitar. As a special bonus, two accomplished protégés of Cesaria's - Fantcha and Mayra Andrade - pay their tribute with stories and songs inspired by one of the most influential and successful artists of the modern African era. Produced by Sean Barlow APWW #629

Ghazi and Boom.Diwan with Arturo O'Farrill is about as unlikely a group as you could imagine. Ghazi Al-Mulaifi is a rocking guitar player and an ethnomusicologist who studies the music of Arabian Gulf pearl divers, among them, his own ancestors. Boom.Diwan is an ensemble based around the Kuwaiti percussionists who preserve the vanishing art of pearl diving music. How they came together with Arturo O'Farrill, leader of New York's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra is a story for the ages. This podcast tells that story and samples the astounding music that resulted. Produced by Banning Eyre. PA 032

Send us a textWhat does it mean to truly support special needs families, and how can we as a community come together to offer that support? In our latest episode, we bring you a heartfelt conversation with John Fela, a dedicated advocate who has turned his personal journey as a parent of a nonverbal autistic son into a powerful mission working with Joni and Friends, a global Christian disability ministry. John's inspiring story of creating a support group for special needs dads not only highlights the importance of community but also reveals the transformative power of shared experiences. Join us as we promise to open your eyes to the resilience and hope that emerge when families navigate the complexities of autism together.Navigating the world of special needs parenting comes with its unique set of challenges and victories, especially for single parents. Drawing from real-life experiences, we share stories of overcoming fears and breaking through isolation by building connections with other parents and community organizations. Schools, churches, and local groups all play pivotal roles in this journey, offering vital support from early childhood into adolescence and beyond. We explore how preparing for guardianship and continuously adapting to the needs of the autistic community requires a deep understanding and unwavering commitment to inclusion.Churches have a unique opportunity to foster genuine acceptance for families and individuals with disabilities, moving beyond surface-level inclusion. John Fela shares invaluable insights into how religious communities can create environments that truly celebrate all abilities, encouraging meaningful participation. We touch on the future concerns many parents face, urging church leadership to develop sustainable programs that address these anxieties. As we wrap up, we express gratitude for the stories of courage and resilience shared, reminding us all of the enduring impact these narratives hold. Tune in for an episode filled with inspiration, practical advice, and a promise of community support that shines brightly.www.johnfela.comSupport the show

We interview music journalist and writer John Stevenson about two of the Long 70s most interesting musical genres -- Barbadian Spouge and Afrobeat. 

In this edition of Planet Afropop, our newest producer Stella Hartman reports on the UK/Nigerian group Ibibio Sound Machine's venture into gospel music. Then Georges, Mukwae and Banning preview the annual Syli D'Or battle of the Afropop bands in Montreal by profiling the two winners of the 2024 Afropop Award. Boubé is a young Tuareg composer/singer/bandleader from Niger who now makes his home in Montreal. And Less Toches is a powerful, pan-Latin American ensemble with a fresh, global take on cumbia and more. PA 031

The Amazon River basin has long been a mystery to Brazil. Located far from the centers of business and power in the nation's southeast, the jungle provinces of the Brazilian north have long been ignored by the nation at large. But recently, Brazilians have discovered that the cities and waterways of the Amazon are home to some of the nation's hottest music. In this Hip Deep episode—a musical history of Pará state, where Afro-Caribbean influences have created a unique local flavor that connects the dots between Brazilian music and the rest of Latin America, we check out the guitar heroes of old-school Amazonian dance bands, investigate the origins of the early '90s lambada dance craze, and explore the bubblegum bass culture of tecno brega. Featured interviews with singer Gaby Amarantos, lambada revivalist Felipe Cordeiro and ethnomusicologist Darien Lamen, among others. APWW #691 Lead Producer: Marlon Bishop Assistant Production: Saxon Baird, Joe Dobkin

In this episode, our new producer, Lauren Williams, revisits an old genre through a new lens. Classical music, a historically exclusionary space, is going through changes. We explore the process of writing and performing boundary-pushing classical music with Seth Parker Woods, a Grammy-nominated cello player who pulls from the sounds and stories of the Black diaspora to write otherworldly compositions, and Curtis Stewart, a Grammy-nominated Violinist who experiments with beats and electronics in his virtuosic arrangements. We get a taste of how far the genre has come — and how far it has to go — from Afa Dworkin, a violinist and the creative director of The Sphinx Organization, which supports emerging composers of color. To wrap up the episode, we hear from Abel Selaocoe, a classical cellist from South Africa who has gifted the genre something new to play by tapping into ancestral memory. PA 030

In this program you will the hear the African music roots of famed American blues and rock 'n' roll artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, the Isley Brothers, Robert Johnson, The Kingsmen and many more! Not everyone in this program is as well-known as the above mentioned juggernauts of music. Also included is Celia Cruz, Sexteto Habanero, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Baby Face Leroy. Co-produced by Ned Sublette and Robert Palmer, author of “Deep Blues”, regarded by many as the best book on the blues. APWW #91

By the mid 20th century, Cairo had become the unrivaled center for music and film production in the Middle East. Producers, writers, composers, actors, musicians, star singers, and creators of every stripe flocked here to take part in the city's fervent, international, progressive artistic milieu. This was the heyday of the diva Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, and the beloved singer and composer Abdel Halim Hafez. But events of the 50s and 60s signaled an inward turn for Egypt and Cairo. The 70s saw the rise of a rougher, more street-wise music--sha'bi--and films began to lose their edge. And the 80s saw the emergence of a slick new pop sound that has resonated in the Middle East ever since. We hear from artists, producers, and scholars in this unique Hip Deep edition. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #627

Botswana is a large, landlocked country in Southern Africa, a vast stretch of desert and savannah between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia with a population of only 2.2 million. While widely overlooked internationally for their music, over the past 20 years Batswana has steadily built a diverse and fruitful local scene that includes traditional choirs, hip hop and kwaito, R&B and jazz and even heavy metal. While the biggest star in the country, Franco, packs stadiums with his Congolese-derived Setswana kwassa kwassa, Vee Mampeezy, Charma Gal and a host of aspiring stars champion a distinctly local fusion called house kwassa: a mix of rumba guitars, house beats and kwaito vocals. In this program we hear from Kabelo Mogwe of the popular cultural troupe Culture Spears; hip hop star Jujuboy; the metal band Skinflint; Afro soul singer Mpho Sebina and reformed house kwassa badboy Mingo Touch. We also head to a midnight recording session with young producer Zolasko and singer Naisi Boy and learn the insides of the Botswana music video industry with videographer Jack Bohloko. Produced by Lollise Mbi and Morgan Greenstreet APWW #813

Our reporter from Texas, Akshaj Turebylu, triangulates the influences responsible for the irresistible, intercontinental, genre-bending, collaborative album called History of House. Our guides include Shimmy Jiyane, a founding member of the Soweto Gospel Choir, the pre-eminent African gospel performers in the world. We're also joined by Latroit, a Grammy-winning producer who got his start with the legendary techno wizards, Inner City. Akshaj speaks to Shimmy and Dennis to learn how Australian DJ Groove Terminator put the pieces together for this revelatory release blending Afro house, Amapiano, techno, gospel, and more into, as it were, a tapestry of "the (global) history of house." As we find out, Detroit and Johannesburg have been speaking to each other for much longer than you might imagine. In this episode we also preview Afrobeat artist Amayo's 2025 album, Lion Awakes.

Our Hip Deep edition “A Tale of Two Rebellions" recounts the stories of two remarkable military campaigns in early Islamic history. Both uprisings take place in the late 9th century, both involve Africans as key players, and both set the scene for the crystallization of the Sunni-Shi'ite divide in Islam, which of course continues to this day. By Joseph Browdy and Banning Eyre. APWW #535

Beginning in 1815, under Shaka Zulu, the Zulus began a campaign of conquest that would subsume so many other groups that today, the Zulu are South Africa's largest ethnic population, numbering at least six-million. Ethnomusicologist Louise Meintjes, author of Sounds of Africa! Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio writes that the Zulu reputation for courage and style has given them "empowering significance as a defiant, self possessed, royal, and artful African people." This program will trace the rise of Zulu musical identity. We'll hear from Umzansi Zulu Dancers; Lahlumlenze, guitar picking maskanda stars Phuzekhemisi, Bhekumuzi, and top seller, Shwi No Mthekala, as well as mbaqanga stars, Isigqi Sesimanje and others. This is a story of musical innovation and virtuosity: how local musicians absorbed American fingerstyle guitar, Afrikaans concertina, the marching bass drum of the British imperialists, the backing vocals of soft soul, and made from these new elements thoroughly "Zulu" sounds. Banning Eyre. (originally aired 2007) APWW #530

Georges, Mukwae and Banning share highlights from 2024, including new voices from Malawi and Namibia, highlights from the Nuits D'Afrique festival in Montreal, Mukwae's song of the year, and George's shout-out to Africans stationed on U.S. aircraft carriers. Plus a look ahead to Mali's Bamba Wassoulou Groove, debuting at globalFEST 2025 in New York City on January 12. Great music and good cheer to end a most unusual year!

In the 70s and 80s Ivory Coast's capital Abidjan was a major musical hub in West Africa. After a series of political crises, Abidjan is back. The Zouglou sound of the 1990s and the coupé decalé rage that followed are being reinvented in the era of Afrobeats and African hip-hop. The group Magic System is now invited to play major events in France—including President Macron's election victory party! The group's front man Asalfo has launched an annual music festival in Abidjan, FEMUA. On this program, we attend the festival and hear the sounds and stories of Abidjan's cultural and commercial renaissance.Produced by Elodie Maillot and Alejandro Van Zandt-Escobar. APWW #802