Hip Deep in the Niger Delta on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm

HD Delta FEATURE AFROPOP20200719

The massive Niger River Delta is a fantastically rich cultural region and ecosystem. Unfortunately, it has been laid low by the brutal Biafran War (1967-70) and by decades of destructive and mismanaged oil exploration. This program offers a portrait of the region in two stories. First, we chronicle the Biafran War through the timeless highlife music of Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, perhaps the most popular musician in Nigeria at the time. Then we spend time with contemporary musical activists in Port Harcourt’s waterfront communities and in oil-ravaged Ogoniland to hear how music is providing hope for these profoundly challenged communities. The program features new and classic music, the words of Nigerian scholars, musicians, activists and veterans of the Biafran War, concluding with an inspiring live highlife concert on the Port Harcourt waterfront in which rappers and highlife graybeards come together to imagine a better road ahead. 

Afropop Worldwide can be heard Sunday nights at 9:00 pm on KRCB-FM Radio 91 / streaming @ norcalpublicmedia.org / Listen on the go - download the FREE KRCB mobile app from the App Store & Google Play!

Afropop Worldwide

May 07, 2021

The Money Show on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm  

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April 30, 2021

Dakar Muse on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm  

"Dakar Muse" takes us to one of the most exciting musical cities in Africa. We'll meet young stars on the Mbalax scene, Senegal's national music. And we'll hear rappers making their mark in the huge Hip Hop scene. Finally, we pay tribute to the brilliant Mbalax pioneer Thione Seck, who recently…
April 23, 2021

Nairobi Roars on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm  

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April 16, 2021

Punk in Africa on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm  

When you think punk, a few locations tend to come to mind- New York, London, LA. But Durban? Jo’Burg? South Africa? In this program, we are taking a trip to a time and a place where punk had a very different meaning, exploring the music and the legacy of the mixed race bands that challenged…
March 26, 2021

Toronto’s African Scene on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm

Toronto is Canada’s most cosmopolitan city--“like New York but mellower” in the words of Kofi Akah, son of the Ghanaian highlife legend Jewel Akah. Kofi is one of many superb African artists who have made Toronto their home over the years. That list is long, and it has included highlife star Pat…
March 19, 2021

Two Lions: Bunny Wailer and Hakim on Afropop Worldwide – Sunday at 9pm

On this program, we survey the careers of two giants within their genres. Bunny Wailer is the last surviving member of the original Bob Marley and the Wailers trio. Right up to his 2016 tour, where we met him, this architect of reggae music has continued to carry the banner with new concerts and…

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