Stories about Music from September, 2008
D.R of Congo: Searching for Congolese musicians
Are you a Congolese musician?: “University of Bergen in Norway is searching for Congolese musicians who perform Congolese music”
Belize: Independence Day
Belizean was proud to be part of the celebrations as the country marked its 27th anniversary of Independence from Great Britain.
Georgia: Rock for Peace
This is Tbilisi Calling comments on Friday's free concert held in the Georgian capital by Canadian soft rock star Bryan Adams. The blog by British journalist Matthew Collin says the concert was billed as “Peace, Freedom and Democracy for Georgia,” but was ironically sponsored by a Russian-owned mining company. Adams...
South Africa: DRC Band Rocks Highway Africa 2008
A musical treat from the Democratic Republic of Congo at Highway Africa 2008 in South Africa: “Participants at the 12th Highway Africa conference in South Africa were mesmerized as Afro Fiesta musical group from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took the stage at the Associated Bank of South Africa...
North Cyprus: The Opera Comes to Town
“One thing that's definitely in short supply here in North Cyprus is opera, so I'm thrilled that no less than 21 opera stars are performing in Kyrenia on September 14th,” writes Kathy from North Cyprus Blogs. Opera singers from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Northern Cyprus, Bashkor-tostan and Tatarstan will...
Guyana: The Other Side of the Akon Story
Last week, a video of hip-hop rapper Akon apparently hitting a female fan in a crowd-surfing frenzy during a Carifesta concert in Guyana caused an uproar in the Guyanese blogosphere. Akon's publicity company has since released footage of the incident taken from a different angle, which they believe proves his innocence.
China: Awesome beggar's Chinese Rap
Ofeva has a video on an awesome beggar, begging for 50 cents by Chinese rap.
Puerto Rico: Daddy Yankee Endorses John McCain
Puerto Rico is in the spotlight due to a recent endorsement by recording artist Daddy Yankee. Even though he is not as well known on the island, than in other parts of Latin America, U.S. presidential candidate capitalized on his fame for campaign purposes at an event in an Arizona high school.
Guyana: Akon Again
Akon has done it again - created controversy in the Caribbean. This time, Guyana is his territory of choice and bloggers are interpreting this latest outburst as a demonstration of the singer's misogyny.
Cuba: Composer of Guantanamera Born 100 Years Ago
Cuba's most recognized song “Guantanamera” was written by Joseíto Fernández, who was born 100 years ago and who wrote the song when he was 20 years old, writes VivirLatino.
Egypt: Tycoon Arrested in Singer's Murder
An Egyptian billionaire has been arrested in connection to the murder of a Lebanese singer in Dubai, UAE. Following are some reactions from Egyptian bloggers.
Egypt: Leading Businessman Arrested
A leading Egyptian businessman has been arrested in relation to the murder of a Lebanese singer in Dubai, UAE, writes Zeinobia, from Egypt.
Saudi Arabia: No Free Oil for Sean Combs
American rapper Sean Puff Diddy Combs has appealed to his 'brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia' and other oil producing countries to donate some oil to keep his private jet afloat. Saudi bloggers react.
Cuba: Helping Gorki
Claudia Cadelo De Nevi guest blogs at Generation Y about her role in the protests that contributed to Cuban punk rocker Gorki's release: “I believe today marks a turning point from ‘no we can’t’ to ‘we can.’ We have shown that things can change, that we can stand up to...
Cuba: Gorki Released
Uncommon Sense, Blog For Cuba and Review of Cuban-American Blogs report that Gorki, the Cuban punk rocker who was arrested and initially charged with “pre-criminal social dangerousness”, has been released from jail.
Bahamas, Guyana: Carifesta Comes to a Close
“There's the mastery of the activities in the Grand Market…the hospitality of the ordinary Guyanese, the incomprehensibility of the closing ceremony preparations, the ending of the Fineman reign of terror…and there’s the serious discussion of what we need to do, and how, if we want this festival to move forward”:...
Venezuela: Youth Orchestra Transforms Lives
José Antonio Abreu is a well-known Venezuelan musician, and in 1975 he decided to share his love of music with youth from poor and violent neighborhoods across the country. He created a youth orchestra that has become the pride of the country, and has received support from the government. The experience has transformed the lives of the young people, and has produced beautiful music for more than three decades.
