Afropop Worldwide

The Oromo are the largest ethnic group in the Horn of Africa, but were relatively little known outside of the region until recently. This episode, “Oromo Music: Historical Memory and Competing Visions in Ethiopia” looks into the history of the Oromo people and how music became an integral part of the early Oromo nationalism movement in the 20th century. Georges speaks with Kume...

Johnny Clegg holds a unique place in South Africa’s musical pantheon. From his childhood immersion in Zulu culture, his mastery of Zulu language, dance and guitar playing, some 20 albums with three different bands, his tireless world touring and, finally, his brave public battle with cancer, Clegg was an inspired witness to tumultuous history in South Africa and around the world...

Bachata is a music of the people. Recalling the American blues, bachata was infamous as the anthem of the hard-drinking, womanizing, down-on-his-luck man, vilified as the entertainment of the brothels and the cabarets, and worshipped by the down-trodden poor as the deepest expression of their feelings. Today it is an international sensation. Alex Wolfe, director of the film "San...

fropop Worldwide's Journey from Colombia to Ecuador begins in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, the most African part of the country. We hear vallanato and star singers Joe Arroyo and Carlos Vives. We also hear Shakira - before she was an international star. Traveling to Ecuador, we meet artists Milton Arias and Maricio Vicencio, who work in Afro-Ecuadorian traditions. We also v...