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.
Afropop Classic December 23, 2021
We jam to cool new releases by Jupiter & Okwess, Toots (RIP) & the Maytals, Dobet Gnahore, Khaira Arby (RIP), Adekunle Gold, Tiwa Savage, WizKid, Angelique Kidjo & Burna Boy, Delgres and others.
Afropop Classic December 16, 2021
Highlight interviews and performances from WOMEX 2021 in Porto, Portugal.
Afropop Classic December 2, 2021
In this program, we move yard to yard in Jamaica, listening to acoustic music being written and recorded, smelling trees and flowers, and meeting legendary artists like Ken Boothe, Winston McAnuff, Cedric Myton of the Congos, Kiddus I, Robbie Lyn, Viceroys, or Nambo Robinson, as well as a number of young and emerging reggae artists like JAH9, Var, and Derajah.
Closeup November 16, 2021
Afropop Classic November 4, 2021
Radio program on new music and recent events in Nigeria in 2020.
Closeup November 2, 2021
Closeup October 20, 2021
Dive into the history and mechanics of Congolese guitar, one of the pearls of African music.
Closeup October 6, 2021
In 1985, when Afropop Worldwide was but a gleam in his eye, Sean Barlow sat down with Luambo Makiadi Franco, one of the greatest African bandleaders of all time.
Afropop Classic September 30, 2021
In "The Gorgon, The Originator and The Dub Master," producer David Katz leads a tour of indelible changes brought about by producer Bunny "Striker" Lee, DJ U Roy and the engineer and sound-system owner, King Tubby, to demonstrate how they changed popular music worldwide.
Closeup September 21, 2021
Kenyan music producer Treynor Tumwa and American musician/scholar Mark LeVine work to provide traditional instruments to Kakuma Refugee Camp, virtual city of people displaced by three decades of war in East and Central Africa.
Afropop Classic September 16, 2021
Members Rudy Gomis, Barthelemy Attisso, Thierno Koite, Balla Sidibe talk about life in this truly one-of-a-kind group, the specialists in all styles, half-a-century old and still evolving: the mighty Orchestra Baobab.
Closeup September 10, 2021
Innovative acoustic guitarist Yasmin Williams talks to producer Ben Richmond about her influences, her unique instrumentation, and forging her own path as a young Black woman artist in a genre dominated by white dudes.
Closeup August 24, 2021
Known by names like krar, kisara, tambur, simsimiyya and masinkob, the lyres of East Africa represent some of the world’s oldest string instruments, and Otaak Band founder Miguel Merino dives in on this week's Closeup.
Closeup August 10, 2021
Closeup July 27, 2021
Prior to the pandemic, London’s jazz scene was blooming and gaining a worldwide reputation for innovation. The folks at Jazz Refreshed had everything to do with that. Jazz singer and producer Tess Hirst tells the story.
Afropop Classic July 15, 2021
Live Afropop Worldwide recordings of Papa Wemba, Marcé et Tumpak, Chaba Fadela and Cheb Sahraoui and Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens at S.O.Bs nightclub in New York City.
Afropop Classic July 8, 2021
Hip Deep June 10, 2021
This Hip Deep program delves into the complex history of Cuba's intervention in Angoa's civil war.
Afropop Classic June 3, 2021
In this episode of Afropop Worldwide, “Encounter With the Ancestors,” Georges Collinet takes us to the deep forest of southern Cameroon to meet Eric Nelson Efa and members of his association, the Azania Way Culture.
Afropop Classic May 20, 2021
Miami's Afro Roots Fest 2021, with Roosevelt Collier, Richard Bona and Weedie Braimah.
Hip Deep May 13, 2021
In this Hip Deep program, Ned Sublette takes a deep dive into Mbanza-Kongo spiritual tradition and music.
Hip Deep May 6, 2021
In this episode we look at the business side of African music, through a series of vignettes from around the continent and diaspora that illuminate the deep connections between musical creation and the economies that sustain it.
Afropop Classic April 29, 2021
"Dakar Muse" takes us to one of the most exciting musical cities in Africa.
Afropop Classic April 15, 2021
Afropop Classic February 11, 2021
We explore the rich period in the 1970s when soul flourished in Brazil.
Afropop Classic January 20, 2021
Afropop Classic December 31, 2020
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
