Afropop Worldwide | Audio Programs

Spiritual Journeys: Tarab: The Art of Ecstasy in Arab Music

Hip Deep December 18, 2025

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.

Planet Afropop January 7, 2025

Planet Afropop: Jo'burg Meets Detroit: Soweto Gospel Choir's History of House

Akshaj Turebylu triangulates the influences responsible for the irresistible, intercontinental, genre-bending, collaborative album called History of House.

Hip Deep January 2, 2025

The Zulu Factor

Afropop Classic December 26, 2024

Abidjan: A New Musical El Dorado

In the 70s and 80s Ivory Coast’s capital Abidjan was a major musical hub in West Africa. After a series of political crises, Abidjan is back. The Zouglou sound of the 1990s and the coupé decalé rage that followed are being reinvented in the era of Afrobeats and African hip-hop

Planet Afropop December 24, 2024

Planet Afropop: 2024 Wrapup

Georges, Mukwae and Banning play music to wrap up a most unusual year, 2024.

Hip Deep December 19, 2024

Proving the Bubu Myth: Janka Nabay, War and Witchcraft in Sierra Leone

Every year on Sierra Leone’s Independence Day in late April, musicians and revelers descend upon Freetown from throughout the country.

Afropop Classic December 12, 2024

Global Griots in France

Traditional Manding (Mande) griots living in France sit at the crossroads between Africa and Europe. Historically, their role has been to weave traditional, oral histories, often within music, to promote a united, peaceful society.

Planet Afropop December 10, 2024

Planet Afropop: Celebrating Toumani Diabaté

Banning Eyre profiles and celebrates Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté in and episode of Planet Afropop.

Afropop Classic December 5, 2024

Time Travel Through Afro-Paris

Paris has been one of the most important incubators of African music on the planet. On this program, we look back on 30 years of adventures with African music in Paris.

Afropop Classic December 5, 2024

The Mighty Orchestra Baobab

Pan African Orchestra Baobab, West Africa to the Afro-Cuban style of the time, the Orchestra Baobab is returning to to be a top African band.

Afropop Classic November 28, 2024

The Hidden Blackness of Flamenco

Meira Goldberg, Miguel Angel Rosales, Raul Rodriguez and Yinka Esi Graves explore the African pre-history and subsequent blackness of flamenco music and dance.

Planet Afropop November 19, 2024

Planet Afropop: Breaking into Afrobeats: First Klaz and Kemuel

Fay Fay introduces us to two rising Afrobeats stars, First Klaz and Kemuel.

Afropop Classic November 7, 2024

Nairobi Roars!

Eric Wainaina takes us through a tour of current artists in Nairobi, Kenya.

Planet Afropop November 5, 2024

Planet Afropop: Sia Tolno and the Afro-Dead Collective

This podcast tells the story of Guinean singer/composer Sia Tolno and the Afro Dead collective in Barcelona, Spain.

Afropop Classic October 24, 2024

Soul to Soul: Ghana's Legendary Music Festival

This episode revisits the famed music festival Soul2Soul at its 50th anniversary and explores the longstanding legacy of cultural exchange with African diasporans originally set forth in the 1950s by Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana.

Hip Deep October 10, 2024

The Cumbia Diaspora: From Colombia to the World

In this Hip Deep edition, we find out how cumbia left Colombia in the ‘60s and ‘70s and traveled to other countries.

Planet Afropop October 8, 2024

Planet Afropop: Mokoomba in the House

Zimbabwe's Mokoomba creates a song to be remixed as Afro-House.

Planet Afropop September 24, 2024

Planet Afropop: Women of Tsapiky

This Planet Afropop episode tells the story of women in southwest Madagascar's tsapiky music.

Afropop Classic September 19, 2024

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024: The Panama Beat

Afropop Classic September 12, 2024

The New York Sound of Latin Music

The Sound of New York Latin Music" takes a deep sonic dive into the great New York Latin discography, with host Georges Collinet and guest host Ned Sublette

Planet Afropop September 10, 2024

Planet Afropop: Afro Nation: Taking New Africa to the World

DJ Kix talks with organizers of the Afro Nation Festival 2024.

Afropop Classic August 22, 2024

Borderless Sounds: The New North Africa

Hip Deep August 15, 2024

Live from Bongoland: The History of Tanzania's Music Economy

Afropop Classic August 8, 2024

Benin: Transforming Traditions

Afropop Classic July 25, 2024

The Enigma of Baba Sora

The life and legacy of Foutanga Babani Sissoko, Baba Sora, is explored through reminiscences and music.

Afropop Classic July 18, 2024

The Cameroon-Cuba Connection

Special guest Dr. Ivor Miller, back from a 2021 research trip to Cameroon, takes us into the complexities of south Cameroonian spiritual tradition and its connection to the Cuban Abakuá secret society for men, featuring Abakuá-themed music from Cuba, ceremonial music from Cameroon, and Batanga pop by Chief Eko Roosevelt, Pablo Gabbana, and Emily Sadey.