· May, 2012

Stories about Music from May, 2012

Armenia-Azerbaijan: Eurovision Propaganda Fail

Global Chaos takes a look at the government-led publicity and international media attention surrounding this years Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Public Diplomacy blog also notes the propaganda deployed by arch-foe Armenia's Public TV against Azerbaijan during the final, including re-inventing elements of Novruz as Christian even...

Mozambique: Music clips with a regional perspective

  27 May 2012

Youtube user Niassatim uploaded a series of music clips by artists from the northern interior of Mozambique, in the Yao language, also spoken in Malawi and Tanzania. The videos depict a mixture of local realities and musical influences, and global elements. (To date, Niassa province's biggest musical export is Massukos.)

Africa: Music From Saharan Cellphones

  26 May 2012

Chris Kirkley presents “Music From Saharan Cellphones”: The music on the compilation was collected from cellphones in the Northern Malian town of Kidal. In much of West Africa, cellphones are are used as all-purpose multimedia devices.

Azerbaijan: Live Eurovision Human Rights Discussion on Facebook

On the eve of this year's Eurovision Song Contest final in Baku, Azerbaijan, RFE/RL is planning a live Facebook chat with Elisa Munoz, Acting Executive Director of the International Women's Media Foundation, and Khadija Ismayilova, investigative reporter and talk show host for RFE/RL's Azerbaijan Service, at 13.00 EDT (17.00 GMT)...

Azerbaijan: Is Eurovision A Rare Opportunity For Change?

With increased media attention on the country during this week's Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan, former prisoner of conscience Emin Milli argues that the international music competition offers a rare opportunity to raise concerns with human rights abuses and the lack of democratic freedoms in the oil-rich former Soviet...

Brazil: Famous Singer Pays Homage to Her Iconic Mother

  21 May 2012

The singer Maria Rita toured Brazil with a series of free concerts in homage to her late mother Elis Regina, one of the most iconic performers of Brazilian music. The subject became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, as fans of both singers flooded social media with their impressions of the shows.

Indonesia: Lady Gaga's Concert Permit Denied

  16 May 2012

After being pressured by conservative politicians and hardline groups, which branded Lady Gaga as a devil worshiper, the Indonesian police announced that it won't issue a permit to the highly anticipated Lady Gaga concert in Jakarta, leaving over 50,000 fans disappointed.

Armenia: Campaign in Support of Bar Targeted by Nationalists

Following an arson attack on D.I.Y., a bar frequented by activists, progressive youth, and alternative writers, musicians and artists, as well as members of Armenia's LGBT community, Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that a campaign to raise funds to pay for the damage inflicted by local nationalists has now been launched.

South Africa: Remembering Brenda Fassie

  9 May 2012

Abena remembers an African icon: ‘”The late great South African musical icon Brenda Fassie may be remembered by some only for her infectious hit Vulindlela that took the African continent by storm in the late 90s and early '00s.”

Armenia: The Bambir in Ireland

CHEWYOUROWNFAT reviews Beezzy, a new song by one of Armenia's most well known rock bands, The Bambir. The independent music blog says that the group, now relocated to Ireland, defines original and is definitely an act to catch live.

Indonesia: Geography Lesson For Justin Bieber

  6 May 2012

While explaining the creative process for one of his new tracks, singer Justin Bieber said that it was recorded in some “random country”. The random country is Indonesia and it angered many netizens and even some of his local fans

Africa: Is Faint Medal the next Osibisa?

  4 May 2012

Bismarck wonders whether the band Faint Medal is the next Osibisa: “After the great Osibisa band which told the African story across the world, people have been searching for the next band to continue with the legacy.”

Hong Kong: Evangelists Accuse Lady Gaga of Leading Youth Astray

  2 May 2012

American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga is currently touring Asia with her 'Born This Way Ball'. On the eve of her first concert in Hong Kong, an evangelist group's campaign against her presence has ignited debate within the local community, with some Christians praying for her influence and some against it, claiming the local youth will be corrupted by her presence.