Africa: Afropop Top Videos - March 2025

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. We shall see about that last part, but so far, it's definitely roaring. There's a lot of cultural collision in these… Read more »

Africa: Women's History Month Special Programming

Afropop Worldwide is proud to announce a special lineup of programs celebrating the extraordinary contributions of women in global music throughout March 2025 in honor of Women's… Read more »

Tanzania: Afropop Worldwide in Tanzania - Week Two

Dispatch #2: Inside the 2025 Sauti za Busara Music Festival with Afropop in Stone Town, Zanzibar Read more »

Africa: Blackness in Punk Rock Beyond the Bad Brains

What sort of imagery does the word punk inspire? Spiky, colorful hair, studs and anarchy signs; hordes of people crammed into mosh pits, jumping and pushing their sweaty selves… Read more »

Tanzania: Afropop Worldwide in Tanzania - Week One

Our Afropop travelers have arrived in Tanzania, kicking off an unforgettable journey in Dar es Salaam, the country's bustling cultural and financial hub. With a week full of live… Read more »

Africa: Emmanuel Jal - Life Lessons From a Survivor

Emmanual Jal is a self-made man and a self-made artist. He emerged from a horrific childhood amid civil war in Sudan. He was trained to fight as a child soldier, barely survived… Read more »

Africa: Paul Beaubrun Shines Light From Haiti

Paul Beaubrun descends from Haitian music royalty. His parents, Lolo and Mimerose Beaubrun, are the founders and leaders of the legendary racine band Boukman Eksperyans. Paul broke… Read more »

Nigeria: Tems Wins Best African Musical Performance Grammy

Tems was the one African to shine at the Grammy Awards last night. She won Best African Music Performance for her hit track "Love Me JeJe." To do that, she had to beat Afrobeats… Read more »

South Sudan: Emmanuel Jal and Bun Xaapa Release New Single 'Chaak'

Today, South Sudanese artist, author, and former child soldier Emmanuel Jal (new book My Life Is Art out now) teams up with South African producer Bun Xapa (named one of DJ Mag's… Read more »

Africa: Afropop Top Videos - January 2025: Salif Keita, Ramy Essam, Sofaz and More

Welcome to 2025, a year when we're going to need musical diversion and engagement more than ever! Here are eight items to start off Afropop's video list for the year. You could… Read more »

Cape Verde: Elida Almeida's Trimphant Return to New York

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.… Read more »

Senegal: Souleymane Diamanka's 'One Poet Show' in Paris

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… Read more »

Ghana: Weedie Braimah - Djembefola, Educator, Visionary

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… Read more »

Africa: Votia - a Family Tradition From Isle De La Réunion

We first saw Votia at Montreal's Nuits d'Afrique back in 2018. We were thoroughly entranced by this group from Réunion Island then and hoped some day to see them again. With… Read more »

Africa: Celebrate Black History Month With Afropop's Exciting Lineup of Audio Programs

January 21, 2025 - Brooklyn, New York- Afropop is thrilled to announce a vibrant schedule of audio programs in honor of Black History Month, showcasing the history of African and… Read more »

Africa: New York Comes Alive With Globalfest, Afromondo and More!

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… Read more »

Somalia: Sahra Halgan - the Message Is the Music

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… Read more »

Africa: Amayo's Inner Lion Awakes

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… Read more »

Africa: Rikki Stein and the Lost Art of Moving Music, and People, in an Age of Disillusionment

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… Read more »

Africa: Rikki Stein's Gonzo Journey As an African Music Manager

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… Read more »

Africa: The Deepest Roots of Revolution - How Six Musicians Transformed African Music

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… Read more »

Africa: A Voice for Africa - the Revolutionary Rise of Afropop Worldwide

As we kick off our 12 Days of Afropop celebration with Day 1: Origins, we journey back to a pivotal moment in broadcasting history. Read more »

Malawi: Malawi's Finest Solo Artists Take the Stage On Afropopup

On Sunday, December 15, Afropop Worldwide is excited to present a Pop-up live performance featuring Malawi's top solo artists, Praise Umali, Maggie Kadrum, and Chikondi Wiseman, at… Read more »

Guinea: N'famady Kouyaté - From Conakry to Cardiff, With Love

Born and raised in Conakry, Guinea, N'Famady Kouyaté could probably have told you the direction his life would take at a very early age. Being a member of the prestigious… Read more »

Mali: Lucy Duran On the Life and Music of Toumani Diabaté

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… Read more »