Closeup December 26, 2017
Underneath the streets of New York City, in the tunnels and stations of the busiest subway system in the country, there is a thriving music scene. Amidst the noise of passing trains, we meet Papa Fara, a Cameroonian xylophonist and singer, who plays for tips and captures the love of strangers and makes friends with his quick, warm smile. But, behind the smile and beautiful melodies, something is troubling Papa Fara. There’s a reason he’d rather be underground.
Afropop Classic December 21, 2017
In this program, we explore the new "Afropolitan" sounds of Paris, from concert halls to studios, from the heart of the city to immigrant neighborhoods in the banlieues.
Hip Deep December 14, 2017
In recognition of the end of Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule in Zimbabwe, we are rebroadcasting our program on the career of Thomas Mapfumo during the Mugabe years.
Closeup December 12, 2017
We examine how the unresolved issues that triggered the devastating Biafran War in the 1960s still resonate and persist in the Niger Delta today on this Afropop Closeup.
Afropop Classic December 7, 2017
It's time once again for Georges Collinet and Banning Eyre to spin through our favorite African and African diaspora releases of the year.
Afropop Classic November 30, 2017
Back in the day, host Georges Collinet and producer Sean Barlow (A.K.A. Prince Segue Segue) dragged stacks of vinyl all over the country to deejay for station-produced Afropop Dance Parties. We'll dig into the past to retrieve some of our favorite gems from the Congo, Zimbabwe, Colombia, Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire.
Closeup November 28, 2017
Kizito Mihigo is one of Rwanda’s most beloved singers, yet he is currently imprisoned, serving a 10-year sentence for treason. In 2014, Mihigo released a song which criticized the wartime actions of Rwanda’s governing political party. The song went viral, sparking a nationwide dialogue around the genocide, and weeks later, Mihigo was arrested on charges of conspiracy to assassinate the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
Afropop Classic November 16, 2017
Here’s Afropop’s annual roundup of great live recordings we’ve captured over the past year but haven't found time to air.
Closeup November 14, 2017
Sound clashes have been a mainstay of reggae culture for decades. Mobile sound system teams face off to see who can best move the crowd with their selections of records and exclusive "dub plate" jingles. On a recent late night in Queens, seven sounds competed for the U.S. champion title, and many were surprised by the winner. We meet the sound-system operators and talk to fans about why they love the clash scene. Produced by Noah Schaffer.
Hip Deep November 9, 2017
In this Hip Deep program, join producer Ned Sublette on the streets of Angola’s big, smoggy, oil-booming capital city of Luanda. Peace came to Angola in 2002 after forty-two years of war, and now everything is different, with construction under way everywhere.
Hip Deep November 2, 2017
This Hip Deep program explores the role music played in the creation of a uniquely Angolan consciousness as the country struggled toward independence in the 1960s and ‘70s after centuries of colonialism.
Closeup October 31, 2017
Hip Deep October 19, 2017
“Riqueza del Barrio,” produced by Ned Sublette explores Puerto Rico’s distinctive cultural identity as expressed through flavorful music.
Closeup October 17, 2017
Ghanaian-Greek rapper Negros Tou Moria is carving out new territory and challenging stereotypes with rap music that is deeply rooted in Greek language and culture.
Afropop Classic October 11, 2017
"Making Farming Cool!" with Dr. Dara Akala, PIND's Executive Director.
Closeup October 3, 2017
Two very different Bay Area artists, Meklit Hadero and Zena Carlota, use their music to explore what it means to live on two sides of a hyphen: African-American, black-artist, Ethiopian-American, female-musician, to name a few.
Afropop Classic September 26, 2017
Closeup September 19, 2017
Afropop Classic September 14, 2017
Afropop Classic September 7, 2017
Closeup September 5, 2017
Afropop Classic August 17, 2017
Closeup August 15, 2017
Here we encounter the musical and philosophical movement called rapso–an infectiously danceable rhythmic oration style that comes with a philosophy championing a Trinidadian identity in the face of a colonial history and a globalized present.
Closeup July 25, 2017
In a context of ongoing violence and N.G.O. intervention in Eastern Congo, a festival culture is emerging based on the concept of “peace-building” through the arts.
Afropop Classic June 22, 2017
Closeup June 19, 2017
A lightning tour of some of the most important groups that helped pull together the often-overlooked Afro-Lusophone sonic universe.
Closeup May 30, 2017
Gregory Mann co hosts a program on politics and music in Mali.
Afropop Classic May 25, 2017
