Jan 5th, 2009 · In British writer Bernardine Evaristo's new novel, Blonde Roots, African slave traders raid Europe. Evaristo wields language and messes with history and geography with the gusto of someone having a great time with a great subject.
Jan 5th, 2009 · We start the new year with a new mix, featuring an exclusive preview of Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast. The classically trained violinist and singer performs a quirky mix of whistled melodies, Gypsy ballads, folk and art-rock. We've got the song "Oh No" here, but you can also hear the entire album as part of our "first listen" series. Also on the show: classic folk-rock singer Benjy Ferree, the Afro-funk rhythms of Chopteeth, an eclectic mixtape from Malawi-born singer Esau Mwamwaya, the haunting guitars of Begushkin, and the jazz trio Bad Plus covers the music of Pink Floyd.
Jan 4th, 2009 · Two dozen boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 11 are halfway through a year-long tour, in which they'll perform more than 200 shows across the U.S. When they're done, they'll head back to some of the poorest countries in Africa — and a new life. The African Children's Choir aims to rescue poverty-stricken kids by harnessing the power of song.
Dec 23rd, 2008 · When pop stars Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel and Ry Cooder collaborated with African musicians in the 1980s and '90s, they were stepping out of the familiar to embrace sounds once heard as foreign and exotic. Today, a new generation of American musicians is creating homegrown rock music with a West African twist.
Dec 18th, 2008 · President-elect Barack Obama defines himself as African-American. His mother is a white American, and his father is a black African. This hits a nerve with some people, who wonder why Obama doesn't use the term biracial to describe his race.
Dec 18th, 2008 · When KEXP broadcast from Chicago this past summer, the station was turned on to a local gem. The Occidental Brothers Dance Band International brings rock- and jazz-trained American musicians together with Ghanian musicians in a cross-cultural throwdown. Hear the session.
Dec 17th, 2008 · Zimbabwe is suffering from a humanitarian crisis. The political unrest in the region has the economy in shambles. Millions of people are affected by post-election violence, diseases and malnutrition. U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, explains the challenges facing the African nation and how he would like regional leaders to help defuse the political standoff.
Dec 11th, 2008 · This has been a strong year for African music, with two big trends emerging: the continuing integration of African music into the U.S. and European mainstream and the ongoing unearthing of treasures from Afropop's "golden era," particularly the '70s.