Stories about Music from April, 2007
Russia: More on Mstislav Rostropovich
Another personal reflection on Mstislav Rostropovich, written by an anonymous contributor to Robert Amsterdam's blog – “who as a young musician had the distinct honor of personally meeting the great Russian master.”
Russia: Mstislav Rostropovich
Megan Case shares a personal memory of Mstislav Rostropovich, who died in Moscow last week.
Ghana: 8th Ghana Music Awards
Museke blogs about the 8th Ghana Music Awards: “The Ghana Music Awards is beginning to rival Miss Ghana as the biggest entertainment show in the country. This year, it is a festival with performances and concerts celebrating Ghanaian Music. The big event is on Saturday where musicians would be honoured...
Cuba: The truth of the truth
mi isla al mediodia quotes Carlos Varela's lyrics to make a statement (ES) on truth.
Trinidad & Tobago: Akon Controversy Continues
A hip-hop artist, a 15 year-old girl, a Port of Spain nightclub, some YouTube - and subsequently, WestIndianTube - videos. The Trinidad and Tobago blogosphere wasted no time in sounding off on the April 12th scandal that's raised numerous issues for the citizens of the twin-island nation.
Africa: more African than thou
Koluki posts photos from the “drum jam session” at the White House and asks, “… ON THE PATH TO SELF-RIGHTEOUS “MORE AFRICAN THAN THOU”?”
Nigeria: musical gift from Nigeria
“I really got into Nigerian hip hop and R&B music while I was there over the past few weeks. Below are links to my favorite songs from my trip, many of which are fairly old but were new to me” writes Dare Obasanjo.
The Balkans: Turbofolk
Bosnia Vault lists useful resources on turbofolk music.
France: Rapper Imagines Life as a White Man
Regardailleurs blogs screenshots from an hilarious music video (Fr) called “J'suis blanc” (“I'm White”), the latest from French-Congolese hip hop artist Kamini. God comes to Kamini and makes him white for nine and a half weeks and suddenly dealing with “argent, logement, les flics, les gens” (money, housing, cops, people)...
Armenia: Pop Stars for Status Quo
Oneworld Multimedia reports that Armenia's pop stars have finally come out in support of the ruling political party in the country's parliamentary election campaign.
Trinidad & Tobago: Soca Artists on Assault Charges?
The Trinidad Insider reports on another incident at Zen nightclub, this time involving the alleged assault of a young man: “The assailants may include soca artists Machel Montano, Benjai and Kernal Roberts.”
Lucien Millard Interview
Roots and Culture presents an interview with Lucien Millard. Millard, who hails from Martinique, says “music is my backbone, the air I breathe, my reason for living.” (Fr)
Japan: Pre-election protest party
Amamiya Karin writes in Magazine 9 [Ja] about protest parties held in Koenji last weekend organized by Suginami Ward Assembly candidate Matsumoto Hajime. Although Matsumoto finally lost the election, the party was a great success, featuring live music, dancing, and plenty of stage-diving. Matsumoto, one of the youngest contenders, pushed...
Japan: Chinese-Japanese Rapper Nycca
James from Japan Probe introduced a trilingual Rapper Nycca. The post is linked to a youtube video of the singer's self intro and rap in three languages: Japanese, Cantonese and Putonghua.
Romania: Eurovision
Blog Bucharest writes about the approaching Eurovision Song Contest and how Romanians take it a bit too seriously.
Japan: Toyama Kouichi calls for revolution, bloggers reflect on freedom of speech
“Registered voters! I am Toyama Kouichi. My countrymen! This country is an abomination!” So began the five minute political speech of gubernatorial candidate and street musician Toyama Kouichi, aired live on Japan's public broadcaster NHK as part of a series of election broadcasts formally allotted to each contender in the...
Armenia: Prosperous Armenia Rally
Onnik Krikorian reports on a Prosperous Armenia political rally in Yerevan's Arabkir district that featured the talents of pop stars.
Sierra Leone: dancing and singing in Sierra Leone
Live From Freetown posts two videos from East vs. West, a music competition in Sierra Leone between artists from the east side against those from the west side of Freetown: “Here are two more videos from East vs. West, direct from Freetown, Sierra Leone. It is difficult if not impossible...
Malawi: Malawian bloggers has four questions for Madonna
Recently, music pop star, Madonna, visited Malawi. If Victor Kaonga, who lives in Sweden, were in Malawi, he would have asked her four questions: If I were around, I would ask her four questions: 1. Why she is interested in Malawi? 2. What she thinks Kaballah will mean to Malawians?...
Laos: Lao Student Become a Pop Star in Vietnam
Samakomlao blog has pictures of LaoKeota Xayyasing who has become a popular pop star in neighboring Vietnam where he is currently studying.
Trinidad & Tobago: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Trinidadian blogger Elspeth at Now is Wow responds to a comment on a post she had written about American rapper Akon's appalling behaviour on stage with a female fan, in the context of Elton John's upcoming performance at the Tobago Jazz Festival: “Yes, women should respect themselves and not cheaply...
