Hip Deep Fourteen years ago, with support from the NEH, we created Hip Deep, a subseries integrated into the overall Afropop Worldwide program offering. Hip Deep programs build on the techniques and format developed for Afropop Worldwide, but are enhanced by rigorous academic and field research that translates into higher production values. Every episode of Hip Deep actively involves leading humanities scholars to illuminate a wealth of history, culture, politics, ethnic and spiritual contexts. Over 15 years, Hip Deep has produced over 110 humanities-focused programs and a wide range of supplementary Web resources (interviews, videos, text/photo features, podcasts), all easily accessible within the Hip Deep section of our website. Hip Deep amplifies Afropop Worldwide’s longstanding commitment to disseminate humanities themes to the general public through world music via a growing set of media pathways.
Hip Deep January 4, 2024
Ned Sublette and Gwendolyn Midlow Hall explore the French, Spanish and African origins of New Orleans culture.
Planet Afropop December 27, 2023
Planet Afropop closes out 2023, focusing on celebratory music from the Democratic Republic of Congo. First, Mukwae notes some of the year's trends in global African pop. Then we go to the streets of Kinshasa with live music from Kin’Gongolo Kinyata, recorded at WOMEX 2023 in Spain. We end at the 35th Anniversary Dance Party at SOB’s in New York City with Samba Mapangala and Soukous Stars. It's a rollicking finale to an eventful year in African music.
Hip Deep December 21, 2023
Explore the rich traditions of Tarab in Arab music, its emotional ecstasy, and cultural values, through the insights of A.J. Racy, a renowned ethnomusicologist, and the artistry of legendary Tarab singers like Umm Kulthum, set against the backdrop of Aleppo's Aleppian Tarab tradition and Syrian music culture.
Afropop Classic December 14, 2023
This program explores Shona mbira music from Zimbabwe through a historic 1999 U.S. tour by the Mbira Masters of Zimbabwe, organized by Paul Berliner.
Planet Afropop December 12, 2023
Planet Afropop November 28, 2023
Mr. Eazi stands out among today’s Nigerian pop stars in several ways. For starters, in a world of musical dreamers and schemers, he never set out to be a musician. Now, the 29-year-old is among the most innovative and respected artists in the Afrobeats universe.
Afropop Classic November 24, 2023
Afropop recalls the life and work of Tony Allen with author Michael Veal.
Afropop Classic November 16, 2023
Cameroonian musician and composer Manu Dibango passed away on March 24, 2020 at his home in France, an early victim of Covid 19. This episode is a tribute to the exceptional man who, by chance, as he says, gave us the famous Soul Makossa, a tune that opened the Disco era.
Planet Afropop November 14, 2023
Afropop Classic November 9, 2023
This program looks back on the life and music of Zimbabwe’s Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi, with interviews dating back to 1988.
Afropop Classic November 2, 2023
Contemporary Nigerian artists and others recall the man, the music and the legacy of Nigeria's greatest musician.
Planet Afropop October 31, 2023
In this edition of Planet Afropop we focus on Brazil - especially with regard the the challenges facing indigenous people within the country.
Afropop Classic October 26, 2023
In this episode, we go beyond these stars to explore the legacy of some lesser-known inspirations. We’ll learn how the fluid guitar playing of ’70s rock band Dire Straits became massively popular in the Sahel, influencing Tuareg rockers like Tinariwen and Tamikrest.
Afropop Classic October 19, 2023
In this episode, we explore Afrofuturism, African and diaspora boundless music from inner space and George Collinet is trans-connected to a futuristic nebula through a patchwork of stories, soundscapes, and various avant-garde music productions.
Planet Afropop October 17, 2023
In this episode of Planet Afropop, Banning, Georges, and Mukwae explore the role of African musicians in the midst of political turmoil.
Hip Deep October 12, 2023
The program samples a rich variety of Malian Tuareg music and includes conversations with Tuareg musicians and cultural authorities in the wake of Mali’s crisis, along with University of Houston anthropologist Susan Rasmussen.
Closeup October 10, 2023
Producer Zubeyda Ahmed unravels the fascinating link between Ethio Jazz and Brazilian rhythms such as bossa nova, samba, and touches on traditional Afro-Brazilian cultures; illuminating the remarkable journey of saudade's musical pilgrimage to Ethiopia.
Planet Afropop October 3, 2023
In the latest episode of Planet Afropop, hosts Georges, Mukwae, and Banning catch up with Lagos-based correspondent Fay Fay for the latest buzz in the Afrobeats scene. Mukwae also engages in an uplifting yet serious conversation with Las Hijas del Rap, a groundbreaking all-female hip-hop group from Yucatan, Mexico.
Closeup September 26, 2023
Celebrate the legacy of Beny Moré and Ismael Rivera, two of the greatest soneros of all time, in this special program featuring their iconic songs and musical journey.
Closeup September 26, 2023
Ghana's blossoming appeal to African Americans and Ghanaians in the UK is explored in a new episode by producer Yinka Rickford-Anguin, which also looks at how Ghanaians in the UK are promoting their home country.
Afropop Classic September 21, 2023
We honor the late Joe Cuba with this portrait of "Bugalú," produced for Afropop Worldwide by Ned Sublette.
Planet Afropop September 18, 2023
The first edition of the podcast Planet Afropop features an interview with Yemi Alade.
Afropop Classic September 14, 2023
Closeup September 12, 2023
Afropop producer Banning Eyre visits the Zawose family compound in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, to experience the magic of the hypnotic music of the Gogo people, the Wagogo.
Afropop Classic September 7, 2023
This program surveys the state of Congolese music in 2018.
Afropop Classic August 31, 2023
Closeup August 29, 2023
Meclit Hadero sepaks with Cuban-American percussionist Jesus Díaz for this Afropop Closeup.
Afropop Classic August 24, 2023
In 1989, the electrifying Congolese soukous group Loketo, led by Aurlus Mabele and Diblo Dibala, captured the essence of their magic at New York City's SOB's, marking their arrival in America's music scene.
Afropop Classic August 17, 2023
A tour through the early stages of Congolese music.
Afropop Classic November 27, 2025
Afropop Classic November 20, 2025
Quelbe is an energetic form, led by sax or flute with percussion and banjo, and it fuels the traditional dance style, quadrille. St Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and sits alone 42 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John.
Afropop Classic November 13, 2025
Afropop Classic November 6, 2025
Afropop Classic October 30, 2025
We sample musical life in South Africa 20 years after the end of apartheid.
Afropop Classic October 23, 2025
This program surveys African diaspora musicians creating their own worlds, circa 2007.
Afropop Classic October 9, 2025
Alex Wolfe, director of the film "Santo Domingo Blues: The Story of Bachata" brings us live ambience and stories of bachata stars Luis Vargas, Antony Santos, Luis Segura, Adridia Ventura.
Afropop Classic October 2, 2025
Afropop Classic September 25, 2025
It's Hispanic Heritage Month at Afropop Worldwide!
Afropop Classic September 18, 2025
Discover the origins of Puerto Rican salsa as legendary bandleaders Rafael Ithier, Quique Lucca, and Willie Rosario share the story of how a Venezuelan DJ and Fania Records turned Cuban-style music into a global cultural identity.
Afropop Classic September 11, 2025
Afropop Classic September 4, 2025
In this Hip Deep edition, Afropop producer Wills Glasspeigel heads to South Africa to reveal the story of the inimitable Hugh Tracey, a field recordist born at the turn of the 20th century in England.
Hip Deep August 28, 2025
From early Baghdad to Qawwali and Iraqi maqam, Joseph Braude and Islamic scholars explore how Islam shapes music across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
Hip Deep August 21, 2025
This Hip Deep edition explores the sonically vibrant realm of Afro-Peruvian music, a young genre identification that has flourished since the 1950s and has now produced artists of international renown, such as singer Susana Baca, and the black folkloric company Peru Negro.
Afropop Classic August 14, 2025
Banning Eyre's roundup of roots music from Madagascar, circa 2019, with Tarika Sammy, Jaojoby, Damily, Razia and Toko Telo. Updated for 2025.
Afropop Classic August 7, 2025
Nigeria is today the undisputed powerhouse of African pop music. Call it Naija Pop, Afrobeats, Afropop or what have you. The likes of Burna Boy, Wizkid, Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage are giants on the scene.
Hip Deep July 31, 2025
Afropop Classic July 24, 2025
Planet Afropop July 17, 2025
Banning Eyre meets Thomas Mapfumo at home and introduces Mary Anibal.
Hip Deep July 10, 2025
Planet Afropop July 8, 2025
Nathaniel Braddock digs into the alternative music scene in Kinshasa, Congo.
Afropop Classic July 3, 2025
Afropop Classic June 26, 2025
This program ventures into corners of Africa we hear from rarely, guided by adventurous field recordists and crate diggers.
Planet Afropop June 24, 2025
Host FayFay sits with two emerging Nigerian artists whose paths are as bold as their sound, Looking for Avala and Inima.
Afropop Classic June 12, 2025
Planet Afropop June 10, 2025
Planet Afropop profiles Madalitso Band from Malawi, and interviews Salif Keita.
Afropop Classic June 5, 2025
Georges Collinet cooks Yassa Chicken, and hosts Baba John Mason in the kitchen.
Hip Deep May 29, 2025
This week, Afropop revisits the home of styles such as merengue and bachata, but this time we’ll be looking towards the most deeply African side of Dominican music—little known outside of the island.
May 27, 2025
Marika Partridge goes deep into pan music with Andy Narell.
Afropop Classic May 22, 2025
Ned Sublette Explores Iconic Songs That Shaped Jamaican Music History
