Afropop Worldwide

Classic Streams
on Afropop Worldwide

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The Life and Times Of...

Some of the best of our biographical shows, including profiles on Miriam Makeba, Franco, Fela, Chico Science, I.K Dairo, Beny More and Ismael Rivera.

Featuring Afropop Worldwide's:

- Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba
- Grand Master Franco
- Afrobeat Marches On
- Fallen Heroes: Chico Science and I. K. Dairo
- Sonores Mayores: Beny More and Ismael Rivera

Mama Africa

Mama Africa celebrates the story of Miriam Makeba in her own words. Miriam talks about her new album "Homeland", her first international release in 6 years and we also dig into the archives for an early 1990's interview where Miriam talks about growing up in South Africa, learning from her mother and grandmother, and entering the world of SA show business in the 1950s.

We hear her latest songs, as well as some of the classic recordings that put her on the map in South Africa in the 50s. Miriam also introduces us to up and coming singers in South Africa.

Production Credits:
Host: Georges Collinet
Lead Producer: Sean Barlow
Mix Engineer: Michael Jones
Series Producer: Sean Barlow

Program Log:
Miriam Makeba introduces herself and her new album Homeland.
Miriam Makeba talks about apartheid's abuse of "homeland" system, and talks about her youth growing up singing in church. Sings a Xosa hymn for Afropop, and introduces song from "Sangoma" (1988).
Miriam Makeba's advice to women aspiring to music careers, and to African artists in general about being original, not imitative.
Miriam talks about what she finds disturbing about today's music scene in South Africa--basically too much American and imitation American pop culture.
Miriam's thoughts on the best SA pop singers today: Brenda Fassie, Busi Mhlongo.
Miriam's thoughts on the best SA pop singers today: Brenda Fassie, Busi Mhlongo.

Grand Master Franco

Franco is a towering figure in the cultural life of Africa. Guitar wizard. Prolific composer. Bandleader who groomed the who's who of Congolese singing royalty. Called the Balzac of Africa for ear and way with a story. Franco passed in 1989. We'll talk to veteran singer and former Franco collaborator, Sam Mangwana, about Franco. And we'll relish recording highlights from the 50s to the 80s.

Program credits:
Host: Georges Collinet
Research: Ken Braun
Producer: Sean Barlow
Chief Engineer: Michael Jones
Series Producer: Sean Barlow

Program Log:
Introduction. Montage of Franco's oldest recordings and his mature mid-80s sound.
Background on Kinshasa music scene (then called Leopoldville) in Belgian colonial days. Story of Congo-Cuba connection.
The story on Cuban music's influence on Congo continues. Franco also influenced by the traditional culture of his mother's people, the Ba-Kongo.
Interview with the great singer, composer and bandleader Sam Mangwana who collaborated with Franco, as did many of Congo's best loved singers at some point in their careers.
Franco's relationship with the people of Congo. Common theme in Franco's songs: the battle between modernity and tradition. Franco's support of Mobutu's authenticite program. Sam Mangwana comments
LP technology arrives, allowing Franco to stretch out his recordings like his live sound.
Late 80s rumors whirl about Franco's health.

Afrobeat Marches On

Afrobeat creator Fela Anikulapo Kuti was one of the most creative forces in Africa in the 20th Century. His distinctive fusion of African, funk and jazz lives on in Afrobeat bands around the world, including his son Femi who speaks about his father here.And Fela's challenge to the ruling elite of Nigeria from the 70s through the 90s rallied the spirits of the suffering masses.

Program Log:
Femi Kuti, son of Fela, introduces his father
Femi talks about Fela forcing him to listen to jazz
Fela's "abuse singing" challenging the elites of Nigeria. Story of important Fela concert in Germany.
Femi talks the trajectory of Fela's career. Background on Femi. Juju star King Sunny Ade talks about Fela. Fela's legacy in the music of Tony Allen.
Manu Dibango's tribute to Fela.

Sonores Mayores - Beny Moré and Ismael Rivera

Beny Moré and Ismael Rivera are national heroes in their home countries, Cuba and Puerto Rico respectively. They were soneros of the highest order, masters of the art of improvised singing. We'll hear some of the songs that made them famous and follow their development as artists.

Program Log:
Introduction of Beny More
In 1952, Beny More returns to Cuba from nine years in Mexico where he worked with Perez Prado.
Change scene to Puerto Rico. Introduction of Ismael Rivera.
Ismael Rivera and the bomba, an Afro-Puerto Rican style.
Story of Beny More composing a song on the spot just before going on Puerto Rican television.
Beny More live in Cuba during his late days.
Ismael Rivera goes to jail for two years on drug charges. His triumphant release.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.
Ismael Rivera's mystical side. Visions and songs.