Cape Verde: Elida Almeida’s Trimphant Return to New York
[Afropop] Elida Almeida is a major player in a new generation of Cabo Verdean female singers who have risen, quite gloriously, in the wake of Cesaria Évora’s storied career. Évora, the “barefoot diva,” grew up in poverty, singing for tips in …
Senegal: Souleymane Diamanka’s ‘One Poet Show’ in Paris
[Afropop] A Resident of Nowhere, Originating from Everywhere When asked why people should come to his show, Souleymane Diamanka’s response was simple yet profound: “You’ll find yourself in it.”
Ghana: Weedie Braimah – Djembefola, Educator, Visionary
[Afropop] Weedie Braimah is a djembefola (a master of the djembe drum), and a force of nature. Born in Ghana and raised in East St. Louis by two world-class drummers, his father Ghanaian and his mother American, Weedie imbibed deep percussive knowledge…
Africa: New York Comes Alive With Globalfest, Afromondo and More!
[Afropop] Followers of this site will know that the second weekend in January brings an explosion of thrilling music in New York. With arts presenters from all over the continent, and beyond, convening in the city, there are back-to-back showcases from…
Somalia: Sahra Halgan – the Message Is the Music
[Afropop] The history of Somalia (officially, the Federal Republic of Somalia) and Somaliland (officially, the Republic of Somaliland) in the 20th century is, sadly, and like too many African countries, a story of colonization, dictatorship, struggle f…
Africa: Amayo’s Inner Lion Awakes
[Afropop] Duke Amayo is a familiar figure to fans of America’s pioneering Afrobeat band, Antibalas. A charismatic and flamboyant frontman, Amayo has provided Antibalas shows and recordings with an authentic shot of Nigeria-ness. And no surprise. Amayo …
Africa: Rikki Stein and the Lost Art of Moving Music, and People, in an Age of Disillusionment
[Afropop] Mark LeVine is a longtime contributor to Afropop Worldwide, also a scholar, musician and author of numerous books. Here, he reviews Rikki Stein’s memoir, Moving Music. Afropop’s Banning Eyre recently interviewed Rikki Stein about the book.
Africa: Rikki Stein’s Gonzo Journey As an African Music Manager
[Afropop] Even if you are a longtime fan of African music, you may not know the name Rikki Stein. But Rikki is one of those people behind the scenes that makes things work, and the world go around. Over the years he has managed the Master Musicians of …
Africa: The Deepest Roots of Revolution – How Six Musicians Transformed African Music
[Afropop] In the tense summer of 1962, in a dimly lit bar on the outskirts of Oran, Algeria, revolution wore an unexpected face. Cheikha Rimitti stepped onto the stage, her shoulder deliberately bared in the style that had earned singers like her the s…
Mali: Lucy Duran On the Life and Music of Toumani Diabaté
[Afropop] When we at Afropop Worldwide learned that the great Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté had died of kidney failure this past July (2024), we knew we had to find a special way to honor him. We had known him for nearly 35 years, and had man…