Afropop Worldwide

We go to Rio, Salvador de Bahia, Recife and Sao Paulo to visit with some of the greats--Gilberto Gil, Joao Gilberto, Jorge Ben Jor, and others. Brazil is exceptional in how new generations of artists incorporate the work of their elders and at the same time add their own flavor for exhilarating results. We'll enjoy the conversation between Luis Gonzaga and the roots revivalists such as Chico Science in Recife and then hear the latest from Carnaval 2008. And in this year that marks the 50th anniversary of bosa nova, we???ll hear some of the masters as well as leading artists in the bosa revival movement.

In the latest Hip Deep edition of Afropop Worldwide, we explore the current pop music of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, two countries where elements of hip-hop and international pop music have grafted themselves onto local styles to create whole new genres--ones robust enough to not only take over the local youth culture but also spread beyond their borders. In Ghana, hip-life--a synthesis of hip-hop and highlife--dukes it out with gospel music on the airwaves. In Cote d'Ivoire, music has blossomed despite a stubborn political crisis. The idiosyncratic local music of social comment, zouglou, has morphed into coupe-decal??, a dance-driven style that has supplanted Congolese soukous as the sound of the moment in Francophone Africa and its Diaspora. Contributing author-scholars to this program include Jesse Shipley, Brian Shimkovitz, Simon Akindes, and Dominik Kohlhagen.

In the latest Hip Deep edition of Afropop Worldwide, we explore the current pop music of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, two countries where elements of hip-hop and international pop music have grafted themselves onto local styles to create whole new genres--ones robust enough to not only take over the local youth culture but also spread beyond their borders. In Ghana, hip-life--a synthesis of hip-hop and highlife--dukes it out with gospel music on the airwaves. In Cote d'Ivoire, music has blossomed despite a stubborn political crisis. The idiosyncratic local music of social comment, zouglou, has morphed into coupe-decal??, a dance-driven style that has supplanted Congolese soukous as the sound of the moment in Francophone Africa and its Diaspora. Contributing author-scholars to this program include Jesse Shipley, Brian Shimkovitz, Simon Akindes, and Dominik Kohlhagen.

As they led their livestock herds through West Africa in search of greener pastures, the Fula--also known as Fulani--spread a powerful music culture as well. Fluttering bluesy flutes, keening vocal melodies and bubbling percussion rhythms are strong elements in Fula music, but the sounds are as varied as the deserts, forests, mountains, and riverside towns the Fula have made their homes. On this program, we explore Fula music from Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and elsewhere, and also music from some of the ethnic groups the Fula have rubbed shoulders with over the centuries.

As they led their livestock herds through West Africa in search of greener pastures, the Fula--also known as Fulani--spread a powerful music culture as well. Fluttering bluesy flutes, keening vocal melodies and bubbling percussion rhythms are strong elements in Fula music, but the sounds are as varied as the deserts, forests, mountains, and riverside towns the Fula have made their homes. On this program, we explore Fula music from Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and elsewhere, and also music from some of the ethnic groups the Fula have rubbed shoulders with over the centuries.

In recent years, CDs, concert tours, and even careers have been based on the notion that the blues has "roots" in Africa. Cultural Anthropologist Gerhard Kubik has been recording music in Africa since 1959, and spent long periods in the American south in the 1980s and '90s. His book Africa and the Blues has gained recognition as the most serious and penetrating examination of the subject. This episode in our Hip Deep series delves into Kubik's recording archive and explores his key findings. More than anything, hearing the blues through Gerhard Kubik's ears increases our sense of wonder about one of the most mysterious, and least understood aspects of American popular music culture.

In recent years, CDs, concert tours, and even careers have been based on the notion that the blues has "roots" in Africa. Cultural Anthropologist Gerhard Kubik has been recording music in Africa since 1959, and spent long periods in the American south in the 1980s and '90s. His book Africa and the Blues has gained recognition as the most serious and penetrating examination of the subject. This episode in our Hip Deep series delves into Kubik's recording archive and explores his key findings. More than anything, hearing the blues through Gerhard Kubik's ears increases our sense of wonder about one of the most mysterious, and least understood aspects of American popular music culture.

We return to the annual GlobalFest concert marathon in New York City, the biggest one-day global music extravaganza in the country, to take in some choice concerts by: Fallou Dieng, a rising star of Senegalese mbalax; 84-year-old Dominican son maestro Puerto Plata; master accordionist Chango Spasiuk playing Argentina???s chamam?? style; and others. Plus we debut new projects by major artists such as Orchestre Baobab and Toumani Diabate that will be landmark African releases for 2008.

We return to the annual GlobalFest concert marathon in New York City, the biggest one-day global music extravaganza in the country, to take in some choice concerts by: Fallou Dieng, a rising star of Senegalese mbalax; 84-year-old Dominican son maestro Puerto Plata; master accordionist Chango Spasiuk playing Argentina???s chamam?? style; and others. Plus we debut new projects by major artists such as Orchestre Baobab and Toumani Diabate that will be landmark African releases for 2008.

We go on an extensive visit with jazz pianist maestro and pan-Africanist Randy Weston. Weston guides us through musically rich Brooklyn, where he grew up during the 30s and 40s. His first encounter with Africa was in the heady days of independence in the early 60s. It was there that he formed a lifelong and artistic relationship with the Gnawa people of Morocco.

We go on an extensive visit with jazz pianist maestro and pan-Africanist Randy Weston. Weston guides us through musically rich Brooklyn, where he grew up during the 30s and 40s. His first encounter with Africa was in the heady days of independence in the early 60s. It was there that he formed a lifelong and artistic relationship with the Gnawa people of Morocco.

In this program we revisit some of our favorite moments from Afropop's visits to great American music cities: New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, and more. Live concert highlights, interviews with the artists, and stories.

In this program we revisit some of our favorite moments from Afropop's visits to great American music cities: New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, and more. Live concert highlights, interviews with the artists, and stories.

Missionaries and nationalists rubbed shoulders in Kenya as early as 1906, when Kenya was a young, British colony. Christianity has long been closely allied with local, cultural expressions: however, it was only with the spread of radio in the 1940s that choral makwaya groups began to be heard by mass audiences. Hymns, arranged in 4-part harmony and translated into African languages, mark the humble beginnings of what has become a robust industry in Kenya. Today, Christian-themed music dominates the country, from traditional drumming and singing, to Kenyan country music, to guitar band pop, to reggae and rap. Our guest on this program is author and ethnomusicologist Jean Kidula. Kidula will trace Kenyan music's development from the 1940s to the present, placing rare and unavailable musical examples from her extensive collection in historical context.

Missionaries and nationalists rubbed shoulders in Kenya as early as 1906, when Kenya was a young, British colony. Christianity has long been closely allied with local, cultural expressions: however, it was only with the spread of radio in the 1940s that choral makwaya groups began to be heard by mass audiences. Hymns, arranged in 4-part harmony and translated into African languages, mark the humble beginnings of what has become a robust industry in Kenya. Today, Christian-themed music dominates the country, from traditional drumming and singing, to Kenyan country music, to guitar band pop, to reggae and rap. Our guest on this program is author and ethnomusicologist Jean Kidula. Kidula will trace Kenyan music's development from the 1940s to the present, placing rare and unavailable musical examples from her extensive collection in historical context.

East Africa is often ignored in world music circles. Afropop changes that with vivid musical portraits of Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Kenya. Whether it's taarab in Zanzibar, musica wa dansi in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, or the new generation of pop, you'll get the lay of the land.

East Africa is often ignored in world music circles. Afropop changes that with vivid musical portraits of Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Kenya. Whether it's taarab in Zanzibar, musica wa dansi in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, or the new generation of pop, you'll get the lay of the land.

New York City???s number one African deejay, DJ Beto, takes over with the latest mix of dance floor fillers--Congolese pop, the hot coupe-decale from the Ivory Coast, salsa and merengue. Featured as well is the highly in-demand DJ Lampshade who is flown all over the world to do his thing with Arabic pop and who knows what. Be there!

New York City???s number one African deejay, DJ Beto, takes over with the latest mix of dance floor fillers--Congolese pop, the hot coupe-decale from the Ivory Coast, salsa and merengue. Featured as well is the highly in-demand DJ Lampshade who is flown all over the world to do his thing with Arabic pop and who knows what. Be there!

Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal and his longtime musical companion Mansour Seck (both inductees into the Afropop Hall of Fame) perform an absolutely sublime set at the Hackney Ballroom in London. Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, rest in peace, takes the stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a set that evokes his beloved northern Mali. This program is dedicated to the memory of the one and only Ali Farka Toure who, sadly, passed in March 2006 at the young age of 66. Afropop listeners know Ali well from our many programs featuring this brilliant singer and guitarist. It is bittersweet to hear him in this encore of a classic Afropop presentation.

Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal and his longtime musical companion Mansour Seck (both inductees into the Afropop Hall of Fame) perform an absolutely sublime set at the Hackney Ballroom in London. Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, rest in peace, takes the stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a set that evokes his beloved northern Mali. This program is dedicated to the memory of the one and only Ali Farka Toure who, sadly, passed in March 2006 at the young age of 66. Afropop listeners know Ali well from our many programs featuring this brilliant singer and guitarist. It is bittersweet to hear him in this encore of a classic Afropop presentation.

In our first ever visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we go beyond the handful of artists who have achieved international careers and dive into the local scene. The azmaribets are downhome music clubs featuring vivacious women artists and their ensembles of traditional players.

In our first ever visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we go beyond the handful of artists who have achieved international careers and dive into the local scene. The azmaribets are downhome music clubs featuring vivacious women artists and their ensembles of traditional players.

Our annual pilgrimage to this three-day world music extravaganza takes us to the Motor City to enjoy concerts by Hugh Masekela, Tish Hinajosa, Black 47, Lola Morales, Nawal, DJ Delores, Basiks, The Neville Brothers, and others.

Our annual pilgrimage to this three-day world music extravaganza takes us to the Motor City to enjoy concerts by Hugh Masekela, Tish Hinajosa, Black 47, Lola Morales, Nawal, DJ Delores, Basiks, The Neville Brothers, and others.

Salsa dura from New York; frevo from northeastern Brazil; chimurenga from Zimbabwe; afrobeat from around the world and more. These are styles that feature the punch and emotion that only a prominent horn section can deliver. We'll hear the Gangbe Brass Band, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra live in New York, classic Congo music from el maestro Franco, Brooklyn's own Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and others.

Salsa dura from New York; frevo from northeastern Brazil; chimurenga from Zimbabwe; afrobeat from around the world and more. These are styles that feature the punch and emotion that only a prominent horn section can deliver. We'll hear the Gangbe Brass Band, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra live in New York, classic Congo music from el maestro Franco, Brooklyn's own Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and others.

Once-substantial Jewish enclaves of Morocco, Algeria and other North Africa states have dwindled steadily since World War II, mostly through migration to Israel. In sub-Saharan Africa, lesser known Jewish communities provide strikingly different narratives. Guided by ethnomusicologist and Rabbi Jeffrey A. Summit of Tufts University, this program focuses on the history and music of a small but robust community of Jewish converts in Uganda, the Abayudaya. Summit's own recordings include the Abayudaya singing choral music (modified folkloric songs accompanied by local drums and harps) such as the enchanting adungu. He also ventures into pop music bringing this remarkable story vividly to life. This program will also introduce history and music from a younger community of practicing Jews in Ghana.

Once-substantial Jewish enclaves of Morocco, Algeria and other North Africa states have dwindled steadily since World War II, mostly through migration to Israel. In sub-Saharan Africa, lesser known Jewish communities provide strikingly different narratives. Guided by ethnomusicologist and Rabbi Jeffrey A. Summit of Tufts University, this program focuses on the history and music of a small but robust community of Jewish converts in Uganda, the Abayudaya. Summit's own recordings include the Abayudaya singing choral music (modified folkloric songs accompanied by local drums and harps) such as the enchanting adungu. He also ventures into pop music bringing this remarkable story vividly to life. This program will also introduce history and music from a younger community of practicing Jews in Ghana.

The 2007 edition of Afropop Worldwide's picks of the ten best albums of the year by artists from Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. This program will inspire ideas for the music lovers on your holiday shopping list.