Stories about Music
Steelpan virtuoso Earl Rodney dies at 85, leaving ‘quality’ music and questions as to whether Trinidad & Tobago could be doing more to honour its cultural icons
He was always pushing musical boundaries [...] contributing to a new representation of local music in which he fused African rhythms and American funk, merged with pan and percussion.
The death and rebirth of the distinctive sounds of Zambia
Zambia’s contemporary music has not only evolved to become diverse in genre but in gender too; many female artists are pushing back against the historically patriarchal music space.
‘Well, well, well': What the fuss about Trinidad & Tobago's national anthem is all about
Trinidad and Tobago soca singer Iwer George's use of the country's national anthem in his Carnival 2024 track “Happy People” made many people decidedly unhappy.
Senegalese music: A national emblem, renowned worldwide
Once dominated by music from other countries, Senegalese contemporary music manages to raise Senegal's prominence both on the continent and world stage, making it a national emblem.
Democratic Republic of Congo: What to read and who to follow to understand the social and political situation
The pre-election period is often fuelled by socio-political debates and the media serves as an ideal format for the candidates to make themselves heard by the masses.
Neville Garrick, the Jamaican artist who captured Bob Marley’s legacy in his designs, passes away at age 73
Garrick was famous for designing the vibrant covers for the reggae icon’s most acclaimed albums, but he was also a devout Rastafarian, political activist and creative.
Members of Belarusian band behind 2020 protest songs receive draconian sentences
"We are not cattle, cattle and cowards, we are a living people, we are Belarusians!" sang the Tor Band. Now their member are in prison with sentences up to nine years.
Jazzing up the ‘Mandu’ for 20 years
“Initially, we were met with some reluctance and confusion regarding jazz, but now there is no need to explain, Jazzmandu has put both jazz and Kathmandu on the map.”
Myanmar anti-junta activist pens a rap song seeking justice for his murdered parents
"I want to create a piece of art that will last and that demands justice for my parents, in case I die before the revolution succeeds."
In Gabon, music is a tool for visibility both inside and outside the country
In Gabon, music has the power to fuse tradition and modernity, and use globalization to its advantage.
The evolving tapestry of Zimbabwean music
Artists like Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, and Stella Chiweshe have been instrumental in shaping the modern Zimbabwean music scene.
Anti-war activist punk musician from Yakutia detained in Kazakhstan
The poet, activist and leader of the Yakut punk band Crispy Newspaper Aikhal Ammosov regularly took to the streets with pickets and performances, painted graffiti and tried to hang anti-war banners in Russia.
The Venezuelan cuatro: the musical instrument of a displaced population
As the Venezuelan diaspora has spread outside the country's borders, so has the cuatro.
‘Reggae Ambassador’ and founding member of legendary Jamaican band ‘Third World’, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, passes away
Cooper was "a maestro on the keyboards and collaborative composer [who] helped to take Jamaican music to higher levels of sophisticated instrumentation, appreciated and loved the world over."
Legendary singer Sherali Jo’rayev encapsulated Uzbekistan’s traditional music and poetry
His legacy endures, a reminder of the enduring spirit of artistic expression and the importance of protecting the freedom to create and perform.
Nigerians demand justice and accountability following rapper Mohbad's tragic passing
Over 260,000 people have signed a petition seeking to ban Marlian Music, the Afrobeats singer's former record label.
In Central Asia, the concerts of pro-war Russian celebrities are canceled in solidarity with Ukraine
In contrast to the governments in Central Asia, which maintain an ambiguous position, ordinary people in the region have expressed their political stance more clearly by expressing solidarity with Ukraine.
The complex historical tapestry of media and music in Sudan
Sudan's media has faced political influence and censorship, from radio's promotion of music to state-controlled television and print media challenges. However, private radio stations offer alternative voices, signaling potential progress.
Denyse Plummer, Trinidad & Tobago's unlikely calypso queen, leaves a legacy of passion, praise and patriotism
"She shattered barriers and paved the way for female calypsonians, demonstrating that the power of one's voice transcends gender and background."
Musicians in Afghanistan live in fear and despair amid the Taliban ban on music
"Taliban have transformed Afghanistan into a place deprived of music and art. They transformed it into a quiet, dumb country."
US band The Killers had a rough crash-course in Georgian politics
The American band, The Killers, was booed off the stage during their much-anticipated concert Georgia after they invited a Russian drummer to join them onstage.