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 »

Africa: Afropop Top Videos - 2024 Year End Special

Awesome videos have been coming at us fast and furious. Here's a set of eleven to get you grooving through the holidays! Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: Les Mamans Du Congo - Saving the Past for the Future

One of the most interesting acts we saw perform at WOMEX this year was Les Mamans du Congo. The group marries the natural, the found and the electronic to create their unique… Read more »

Malawi: Madalitso Band - From Malawi Streets to the World

Back in 2002, 18 year-old Yobu Maligwa was walking down the street in the capital city of Lilongwe in Malawi, the small land-locked country bordering Zambia, Tanzania and… Read more »

Africa: Somi, Weedie Braimah & Hands of Time, Habib Koite Quartet - Live!

Perhaps only in New York City can you catch three, excellent, completely different African music shows over the course of a Monday and Tuesday night in November. Afropop hosted two… Read more »

Zimbabwe: Wacharie - in the Footsteps of Tuku

These days the music scene in Zimbabwe is dominated by Zim Dancehall stars and deejays. But that doesn't mean traditional group and roots pop bands have disappeared. We recently… Read more »

Africa: Amayo Announces Debut CD Release

Amayo, the former frontman of Antibalas and a key figure in bringing Afrobeat to global audiences, will announce his debut solo album tomorrow AM: Lion Awakes will be released Jan… Read more »

Mali: Habib Koité Returns With Mande Quartet

Mali's Habib Koité has led a storied career since he burst onto the scene with his award-winning debut album Musa Ko in 1995. Now, eight albums later, he's returning to our… Read more »

South Africa: Thandiswa Returns With Sankofa

Thandiswa Mazwai has lived the modern history of African music. In the early '90s, when she was still a teenager, she pioneered the emerging kwaito sound in South Africa, first… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: Gims Brings French-Congolese Pop to Madison Square Garden Theater

Gims, formerly Maitre Gims, is a fantastically successful French-Congolese singer, rapper, producer and songwriter. Born in Congo the son of Djanana Djuna, one of Papa Wemba's… Read more »

Africa: Womex 2024 Wraps Up in Manchester, UK

The end of October brings autumn leaves, cooler weather, Halloween, and, of course, the Worldwide Music Expo (aka WOMEX). The floating convention takes place in a different city… Read more »

Nigeria: Seun Kuti Gets Heavier Yet

Seun Kuti, youngest son of the Afrobeat legend and founder, is just out with his seventh studio album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head). It's a strong set of tracks, featuring… Read more »

Ethiopia: The Atse Tewodros Project Aims At Reconciliation Between Ethiopians and Italians

Gabriella Ghermandi is a singer, performer and writer born in Addis Ababa in 1965 to an Italian father and an Italian-Eritrean mother raised in Ethiopia. Ghermandi moved to Italy… Read more »

Africa: Afropop Worldwide - Now Hiring - Community Liaison Associate

Are you passionate about African and African diaspora music and culture? Do you thrive in the vibrant arts scene of New York City? Join Afropop Worldwide, the Peabody Award-winning… Read more »

Africa: Ibrahim Maalouf Embraces the World

Ibrahim Maalouf is shape-shifting Renaissance man. A master of the quarter-tone trumpet, a modified version of the instrument capable of playing Arabic scales (maqamat), Maalouf… Read more »

Africa: New York's Habibi Fest Is Underway Passion and Soul

The fourth annual Habibi Festival is now underway at Joe's Pub in New York City. The festival highlights the music of the SWANA region (South West Asia and North Africa). This… Read more »

Africa: Africa Meets Harlem and Belongó Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

It was a busy Afropop Sunday in Harlem on October 6. Starting at 11AM at, Arturo O'Farrill and his consummate band, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra hosted a celebration of Hispanic… Read more »

Nigeria: Kano's Ado Gwanja Sings for the Ladies

When Afropop visited Kano, Nigeria, in 2017, we met an ambitious, English-speaking student named Umar Musa Ali. He has since expressed keen interest in reporting to us about… Read more »

Africa: Joe Boyd's Epic Journey Through Global Music

Producer and writer Joe Boyd started out managing Americana acts in the '60s before moving to London where he went on to produce landmark albums for artists as diverse as Pink… Read more »

Africa: Afropop Top Videos - October, 2024

Here are nine new picks for our playlist. From Brazilian rap and Malian reggae to Salin's global jazz on a beach in Thailand, it's a rich mix, once again with women in the… Read more »