
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

Hip Deep November 2, 2017

Closeup October 31, 2017

Hip Deep October 19, 2017

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.

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

Afropop Classic September 21, 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

Afropop Classic May 25, 2017

Closeup May 16, 2017

Closeup April 25, 2017

Afropop Classic April 20, 2017

Closeup April 11, 2017

Afropop Classic March 23, 2017