Music

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 for independence and civil war. During most of the century, French, Italian and British interests controlled and determined the fate of the Somalis until the beginning of the 1960's. The story is also very complicated and beyond our scope here. Suffice it to say that

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 grew up in the same Lagos neighborhood as Fela Kuti, and began attending shows at Fela's Shrine at a tender age. Fast forward to 2025, and Amayo is releasing an ambitious, themed album called Lion Awakes, an ambitious mashup of Afrobeat punch, Chinese martial arts

Kenya: Jamaican Star Shenseea, Ali Kiba, and the Magic of Raha Fest!

[Capital FM] Kenya is rapidly cementing its place as a hub for entertainment festivals in East and Central Africa. Gone are the days when such events were few and far between. Today, the industry is thriving, with a steady rise in festivals that cater to diverse tastes and audiences. One of the most exciting additions to this burgeoning scene is Raha Fest.

South Africa: Rock Art Acoustics – South African Study Suggests That a Distinct Echo Attracted Ancient Artists Back to One Site

[The Conversation Africa] Physics does not adequately explain reflected sound and echo effects. Take as example the echo-producing Echoplex, a magnetic tape device that influenced the soundtrack of a generation. Think of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love (1969) and the echo on its violin sections. The echo coming from Hank Marvin's guitar shaped the sound of The Shadows in the late 1950s and 1960s.