Lagos Roots: Fuji, Juju and Apala
Hip Deep May 3, 2018
Lagos Roots: Fuji, Juju and Apala
Beneath the gloss of Nigeria’s contemporary pop, older roots styles, mostly derived from Yoruba tradition, still thrive.
Afropop at 30: Live in the '90s
Afropop Classic January 25, 2018
Afropop at 30: Live in the '90s
As Afropop turns 30, we take a stroll down memory lane to enjoy some of the extraordinary live recordings we brought to the public radio community in the 1990s including Thione Seck in Dakar, Gerardo Nunez in New York, Abdel Aziz el Mubarak in London, Lobi Traore in Bamako, a carnival comparsa in Cuba and David Rudder in New York. Co-hosted by Georges Collinet, Siji Awoyinka, and Sean Barlow.
The Voice of Protest: Betsayda Machado Sings Against Hunger in Venezuela
Closeup January 23, 2018
The Voice of Protest: Betsayda Machado Sings Against Hunger in Venezuela
The songs of Betsayda Machado, the leading voice of Afro-Venezuelan music, address many of the most painful topics of daily life of her country: hunger, poverty, shortages of basic medicine, and deadly street riots – stemming from the current economic and political crisis in Venezuela.
“For My Ayeeyo:” Learning Somali Poetry From a Distance
Closeup January 9, 2018
“For My Ayeeyo:” Learning Somali Poetry From a Distance
Amal Hussein and Hamdi Mohamed have a lot in common. Both were born in Kenya, where their parents fled as refugees during the Somali Civil War, and both came to Boston when they were just a few years old. They’re both poets — and equally important for this story — both their grandmothers are poets...
Santo Domingo Blues: The Story of Bachata
Afropop Classic January 4, 2018
Santo Domingo Blues: The Story of Bachata
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.
Underground
Closeup December 26, 2017
Underground
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.
The (New) Sound Of Afro Paris
Afropop Classic December 21, 2017
The (New) Sound Of Afro Paris
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.
Thomas Mapfumo 2: The Mugabe Years
Hip Deep December 14, 2017
Thomas Mapfumo 2: The Mugabe Years
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.
Biafra at 50: A Wound That Does Not Heal
Closeup December 12, 2017
Biafra at 50: A Wound That Does Not Heal
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.
Stocking Stuffers 2017
Afropop Classic December 7, 2017
Stocking Stuffers 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.
Cuts from the Crypt III
Afropop Classic November 30, 2017
Cuts from the Crypt III
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.
Kizito Mihigo and the Politics of Music in Post-Genocide Rwanda
Closeup November 28, 2017
Kizito Mihigo and the Politics of Music in Post-Genocide Rwanda
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.
A Brief History of Funk
Afropop Classic November 23, 2017
A Brief History of Funk
Funk is a perennial favorite. In this panoramic history of the grooviest of genres, we hear track after track of absolute boogie-down classics.
Afropop Live! 2017
Afropop Classic November 16, 2017
Afropop Live! 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.
Night at the Clash
Closeup November 14, 2017
Night at the Clash
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.

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