Stories about Arts & Culture
Celestine Ukwu: the Nigerian philosopher-musician who left his mark on Igbo highlife
Celestine Ukwu’s soulful songs contemplated and portrayed complicated experiences that were deeply rooted in his Igbo identity.
How Nigeria’s Igbo highlife music provided hope after a devastating civil war
The Oriental Brothers provided hope after the civil war. The 80s witnessed the revival of ‘egwu ekpili’. Later, Bright Chimezie’s impressive ‘legwork’ live performances popularized Igbo highlife through the 90s.
The pioneers of Nigeria's Igbo highlife music
Highlife gained popularity in southwestern cosmopolitan Lagos and was transformed in eastern Nigeria. By incorporating Igbo traditional folklore style, they created the Igbo highlife that now enjoys global appeal.
Barbadian novelist George Lamming, a leading writer of the Caribbean colonial experience, dies at 94
"A #Caribbean giant has left us only physically. George #Lamming will always be a part of us."
The history of music in Lagos, Nigeria: 1980s to the 2000s
Nightlife disappeared during military dictatorship, with music collectives singing on radio and a cheap imitation of American raps. Currently, individual artists with prodigious talents have revived the music scene.
The history of music in Lagos, Nigeria: from colonial times to the 1970s
Lagos, Nigeria’s cultural capital has always been a cosmopolitan city. A place where music and culture are in constant collision.
Meet the new generation of Kenyan women sparking a vinyl resurgence in Africa
Since music listeners have pivoted toward digital streaming platforms, Maia is one of the few artists who views vinyl records as more than just a novelty.
Commercialisation of one of Port of Spain's oldest communities inspires Trinidadian Leona Fabien to advocate through her art
"I hope that issues surrounding the basic rights of residents will be addressed, as the businesses appear to have much more influence when pursuing their interests."
Concerts are becoming a political battleground in Turkey
A series of concert bans are drawing backlash in Turkey with criticisms mounting against the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party for imposing conservative restrictions on citizens and the arts.
St. Lucia plans to implement the teaching of Kwéyòl in schools — but is it enough to revitalise the language?
"National identity [...] is a lived identity. Using an endangered language in school is only useful as part of a series of other national measures to support the language."
Syria's Samar Haddad: ‘Books are freedom and reading is what frees us’
'The true publisher, whether small, medium or large, is the freedom fighter of our age. As a publisher, I’m a resistance fighter in this age of consumerism.'
Do Russian classics need a new interpretation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Interview with scholar Ani Kokobobo
Should Tolstoy and Dostoevsky be approached and read differently in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine? While some weaponize them, other would like to see them cancelled.
Africa's music scene rebounds after a devastating pandemic
Live performances and music festivals, key revenue sources for African musicians, were annihilated during the COVID-19 pandemic. But things seem to be gradually returning to normal.
Just a Band’s return comes as Kenya redefines its musical identity
Alternative Kenyan music reached new audiences in 2020 as audiences sought a soundtrack that reflected their new upsidedown reality.
Jamaica's Barbara Gloudon, a giant of journalism and theatre, passes away at 87
Gloudon developed a huge following, empathising with callers to her popular radio show and delivering a mix of “rootsy” wisdom, laced with humour and social commentary.
‘The ambition of expressing myself freely': A conversation with Iranian artist Arghavan Khosravi
"One does not need to be Iranian to relate to the sense of uncertainty and repression woven into [Khosravi's] paintings."
Turkey's latest attack on the arts: A provincial governor cancels a long-awaited music festival
While the statement did not specifically mention the upcoming music festival, the event falls under the calendar days mentioned in the statement.
In Turkey, a comedy show lands in hot water over a political sketch
The Guldur Guldur Show, a popular comedy show in Turkey, had its sketch removed by a television channel over a satirical bit about Minister of Finance and Treasury Nureddin Nebati.
World Record Store Day: These Kenyan DJs are keeping the art of vinyl alive in the digital age
Kenya’s vinyl collectors community has reimagined the day they come together to share in the joy of buying, collecting and listening to all manner of Vinyl records.
What’s so special about the tearjerker song ‘Pir’ that created a national debate in Nepal?
A Nepali song on YouTube, showcasing the plight of Maoist cadres who supported and fought the ten-year-long insurgency in Nepal, was edited and re-uploaded after a fierce debate.
A Brazilian photographer registers the beauty of favela residents
"I don't want to be just another photographer with a pretty picture, I want to make a difference in the lives of others."
