Stories about Music from October, 2010
Barbados: Rihanna Not Attending PM's Funeral
Barbados Free Press republishes the opinion of Barbadian blogger Kammie Holder, who says of Rihanna's inability to attend the late Prime Minister's funeral: “America has made her famous, but as a Cultural Ambassador with a diplomatic passport she also has a responsibility to her country.”
Dominican Republic: Rita Indiana and “El Juidero”
The music blog Club Fonograma reviews Rita Indiana y Los Misterios’ [ES] new album, “El Juidero”: “She is a unique voice and one of our generation’s most creative personas.”
Japan: Speaking Beatles to communicate
An American blogger at InsideHalton.com said [en] she used Beatles’ lyrics to communicate with Japanese people and teach English. [via japundit.com]
Guyana: Just Say “Hell, No”!
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, The Guyana Groove says: “It is time for every woman in Guyana to hold hands and in unison yell to the top of your voices at every single abusive man, ‘HELL, NO!'”
Puerto Rico: Reclaiming Public Space One Song at a Time
Frecuencias Alternas has covered Puerto Rico’s independent music scene for the past decade through its radio show, and more recently, its website. The newest addition to their site is the video series "Música Realenga" – realenga [es] meaning ‘without an owner.’ Each episode introduces the audience to a particular ‘indie’ artist or band through a couple of live performances filmed in public spaces such as parks, plazas, and sidewalks.
Eritrea: The Asmara All Stars
Meet the Asmara All Stars (Eritrean Jazz): “Love their sound! They've been getting a lot of publicity from various websites too. See more about the The Asmara All Stars at this Youtube channel. Listen to a playlist of their songs on the Addis Tunes website and read the article below.”
Zambia: Zambian Singing Sensation
Bling introduces Zambian singing sensation Salma Dodia: “Salma Dodia's big break came when she featured on JK's Kapiripiri which has been a major hit in Zambia this year.”
Jamaica: More Tributes to Isaacs
Regional bloggers continue to pay tribute to the late reggae legend, Gregory Isaacs, with Annie Paul noting: “Times like this you realize not just the breadth but the depth of Jamaican music…”
Jamaica: Farewell to the “Cool Ruler”
Jamaican reggae icon Gregory Isaacs, popularly known as the “Cool Ruler”, died this morning at this home in London, after a long battle with cancer. Possessing one of the most soulful voices in the reggae genre, Isaacs was probably best known for his song “Night Nurse” (from the 1982 album of the same name). The Jamaican blogosphere has been active upon hearing news of his death, to the point where the late singer has become a trending topic on Twitter.
South Korea: A Repairman Won the Nation's Biggest Singing Contest.
Hur Gak, is a stout, homey-looking repairman who took home the trophy of the nation's biggest singing contest, “Superstar K,” Korean version of American Idol. Hur won around 177 thousand USD, a car and the opportunity to release his own album. He is now referred to as Korea's Paul Potts. Video...
Uruguayans Mourn Death of Musician José Carbajal, ‘El Sabalero’
Singer and composer José Carbajal, nicknamed "el Sabalero," died of a heart attack on October 21 at age 66. Carbajal is considered an icon of Uruguayan culture. This year he was working with other artists and the One Laptop per Child project in Uruguay, Plan Ceibal, to perform in concerts for public school children around the country.
Nigeria: Remembering Fela
Remembering Fela is an interview with the author and close friend of Fela’s, Dr Carlos Moore. Born in Cuba in 1942, Dr Moore is an ethnologist and political scientist.
Kenya: The Golden Voice of Africa
Kenyan Poet writes about Salif Keita's tour in Kenya: “He came and with him, brought the message ‘Despite his condition as an Albino, he had beaten all odds to become the Golden Voice of Africa receiving international acclaim'That is why, we had all flocked the Carnivore restaurant to experience his...
Angola: The Origin of Angolan Kuduro
What is the origin of Angoln Kuduro?: “It all started here: an Angolan amputee, a car, and a dream. Okay, Kuduro, a genre of Angolan dance music, started long before that, but for me, it started here.”
Sierra Leone: Meet Bajah and The Dry Eye Crew
Africa is a Country music monday features “the super crew from Sierra Leone, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, remix Vampire Weekend and Paul Simon, who are well known, of course, for remixing (appropriating?) sounds from across the African continent.”
Jamaica: Bail for Buju
As news breaks that Buju Banton has been granted bail, Girl With a Purpose says: “The conditions of his bail are so onerous, that I'm wondering if he shouldn't just save himself the expense and remain in prison until December”; The Wickedest Time, on the other hand, sees the development...
Kenya: Meet the Villagers Band
Meet the Villagers Band from Kenya: “This is an Afro-fusion band from Kenya. It is a 10 piece band that plays Bengenge which is a form of Afro Fusion that is heavily influenced by Benga, Mbalax, Kwela, Mbaqanga, Hi-life and other forms of African music, and fused with smooth urban...
Jamaica: Eliminating Gender-Based Violence
As reggae artist Bounty Killer makes “a pledge to support the elimination of violence towards woman in the region”, The Wickedest Time quips: “Holla at me when he signs up for anger management classes!”
Jamaica: Banton Petition
YardFlex.com reports that fans of music icon Buju Banton “have started a drive to get 15,000 signatures on a petition to US Attorney General Eric Holder, urging him to step in and thwart the prosecution's bid to keep him languishing in jail.”
Russia: Review of Online Record Labels
Habrahabr-user frony posts [RUS] a review of Russian indie netlabels, online record labels that publish songs with Creative Commons license. Genres include hip-hop, alternative, as well as classical music.
Brunei and the music of Maher Zain
The Brunei tour of Swedish singer Maher Zain, who is known for his Islamic inspirational songs, confirmed the global appeal of his music. The Brunei blogosphere and twittersphere are still buzzing with Zain's recent visit.
