In West Africa, a dynamic wave of women musicians is reshaping tradition into thrilling new sounds for a rapidly evolving music scene. This episode spotlights four groundbreaking artists whose music is deeply rooted in cultural heritage but boldly ventures into innovative territory. Mali's Fatoumata Diawara blends powerful messages with a fusion of traditional rhythms and rock energy, capturing the hearts and ears of today's youth. Senegalese vocalist Aida Samb is reimagining mbalax, her nation's iconic genre, through compelling collaborations with Afrobeats superstars like Wizkid, pushing the sound into fresh, global directions.
Cape Verde's Elida Almeida stands out as a daring composer unbound by conventions, effortlessly mixing diverse influences to create music that resonates across generations. Meanwhile, legendary Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo continues to reinvent herself, this time by re-Africanizing Talking Heads' seminal 1980 album "Remain in Light," breathing new life into the rock classic and asserting its relevance today. Join us for intimate conversations with these visionary artists and dive deep into their captivating new releases. Produced by Banning Eyre.
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