Stories about Music from April, 2008
Ethiopia: Teddy Afro denied bail
Nazret links to an article about the Ethiopian musician Teddy Afro: “The Federal High Court of Ethiopia has this morning denied bail for the release of Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro). The 30-year-old sensational singer, who is accused of a hit and run homicide, will spend the duration of his trial...
D.R. of Congo: Kinshasa Soundtrack
A musical gift from the Democratic Republic of Congo: “To celebrate a couple of years in the Congo, here’s a mixtape just for Extra Extra readers. (Songs should stream when clicked. If they don’t, please let me know and I’ll scratch my head and bleat a bit.)”
Jamaica: Bob Goes Home
Montego Bay Day by Day reports that a controversial statue of reggae icon Bob Marley has finally found a home in Ocho Rios, but insists: “I have looked at this piece of ‘art’ several times from many different angles and I still do not like this statue…not even a little...
Armenia: Sirusho in London
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports on the visit to London by Armenia's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, Sirusho. The blog notes that the young Armenian singer is one of the favorites to win the international song contest.
Kyrgyzstan: Jazz Fest Photos
Elena presents the photographs from the second and third day of the International Jazz Festival in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Nicaragua: The Return of Silvio Rodríguez
On the blog of Radio La Primerísima [es], Luis Enrique Godoy reviews the two concerts of Silvo Rodríguez, who returned to Nicaragua after 25 years. and he compares the contrast between the countries at both of those times.
Nigeria: The Next Fela
Ladybrille interviews the Nigerian musician, 9nice: “A self proclaimed “artist, poet and custodian of tradition and the Nigerian culture,” 9ice, like the great African musical icon-Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is dynamic, authentic and uncompromising, especially when it comes to his decision to sing in his native language.”
Ethiopian bloggers defend charged pop star
Ethiopian bloggers rushed to the defence of their country's top pop singer Teddy Afro, after he appeared in court charged with the hit-and-run killing of a youth in capital Addis Ababa. Many writers were convinced Afro was being framed by Ethiopian authorities who, they said, resented the singer's huge popularity and veiled anti-government lyrics.
PangeaDay: Videos to change the world on May 10th
On May 10th 2008 at 18:00 GMT, 24 films will be broadcast during a 4 hour event. What makes this different is that this event, PangeaDay will be broadcast from six locations worldwide in seven different languages worldwide to be viewed through internet, television or cellphones with one unique purpose: to make each other know about the lives of others and focus on what makes us similar, instead of what makes us different and let us work together towards peace.
Jamaica: Been a Long Time Since I Rock n’ Rolled
Too old to rock n’ roll? Jamaican Marlon James can identify.
Venezuela: Kusturica's Visit Becomes Political
Acclaimed film director Emir Kusturica visited Caracas to close out the week of celebrations for the city with a concert by his No Smoking Orchestra. However, his visit and his concert became overly political when the Serbian filmmaker applauded the Venezuelan government's fight against imperialism during the free event, and at a local conference. Bloggers react to the disorganization of the concert and the political tone of the festivities.
Morocco: Chellah Festival
“For the 13th year, the historic site of Chellah will play home to a musical dialogue among cultures, as a number of European and Arab musicians are taking part in this event,” reports The View from Fez about a music festival being held in Morocco in June.
Belgium: The Balkan Presence
Tanchi is guest-blogging at Kosmopolit about the Balkan presence in Brussels.
Uruguay: 365 versions of La Cumparsita
Three hundred and sixty five versions of one of the most famous tangoes in the world, La Cumparsita, will be played in Independence Plaza in Montevideo, which is the site where it was played for the first time 91 years ago. Café Montevideo [es] has more details.
Trinidad & Tobago: Listen to the Music
Trinidadian blogger Now is Wow draws a musical sketch.
Armenia: Support Eurovision
Unzipped weighs in with its own opinion on whether or not Armenia's entry to the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest should be supported given the active involvement of local pop stars in the pre-election campaign of the new president, Serge Sargsyan. Some had been considering a boycott of the competition, but...
Zimbabwe: Bread and Roses
Comrade Fatso is a blogger as well as a musician in Zimbabwe. Listen to his song, Bread and Roses: “The hit song from Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka's new album, House of Hunger. Sung from the perspective of a vendor during Mugabe's vicious Operation Murambatsvina it is a call for Bread...
Armenia: Opposition Boycott Eurovision
The Armenian Observer reports that the politicization of the Eurovision Song Contest is continuing with the opposition in Armenia considering a boycott of the music competition and Armenia's entry, Sirusho. The young singer has been linked to the outgoing president's family and campaigned for his successor, Serge Sargsyan, in the...
Cape Verde: Ave Mayra
Virgílio Brandão [pt] is one of the many bloggers celebrating today: Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade, at just 23, won the best newcomer in the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. “Mayra Andrade, besides excellent artist, has showed some unusual wit and clarification for someone of her age – she...
Jamaica: Red Stripe Pulls Support
Jamaican beer Red Stripe has ceased sponsorship of one of island's biggest musical events, Reggae Sumfest, “which it describes as facilitators of ‘violent and anti-social’ lyrics”. Stunner's Afflictions says: “I applaud Red Stripe for this bold move in an attempt to stem the…violent behavior being projected by some of these...
Africa: Idols Africa
Siasa Duni reviews Idols Africa: “If Idols Africa won’t bring us the “next big thing” it promises, then it has succeeded beyond doubt in riskily exposing us to Africa’s deadly talent, in addition to the biggest bunch of weirdos in African television history since Ofunneka drunkenly shagged Richard’s leg on...
