Stories about Music from August, 2012
Turkmenistan: Hip-Hop Key to Regime Survival
…[Turkmenistan's] young generation literally has got nothing to do. Which is why they love Hip Hop… But the government should not censor Hip Hop… for its own long-term survival. NewEurasia.net's Khan explains how the growing popularity of hip-hop in Turkmenistan benefits the authorities.
Venezuela: Preserving the Oral Traditions of the Plains
The oral traditions of the plains are brilliant protagonists of the culture that has spread to other regions of Venezuela. Many natives of the Venezuelan plains use social networks and other Web 2.0 tools to spread, highlight, and preserve these traditions.
South Korea: K-Pop Video ‘Gangnam Style’ Goes Viral Internationally
South Korean singer Psy's tune 'Gangnam Style' has gone viral internationally, with its YouTube video surpassing 70 million hits as of today. This has got many Koreans talking and the scope of such discussions vary from simple praise of Psy's success, reviews of his marketing and social media strategies, to a more detailed analysis of Koreans' deep-seated insecurity about their country.
Poland: Interview with Adam Dobrzynski, GV Translator and Heavy Metal Musician
An interview with Adam Dobrzynski, a member of the heavy metal band "Wanderer" and a translator for GV Poland.
Puerto Rico: Beautiful Music by “Los Cerezos”
The alternative music blog Puerto Rico Indie has a post on the band from Puerto Rico, Los Cerezos, who have just launched their first EP titled “Dejad que los hipsters vengan a mi” [Let the Hipsters Come To Me]: With a very genuine musical proposal, without pretensions or weaknesses, Los...
Puerto Rico: In Conversation with Calle 13's “Residente” René Pérez
It's hard to imagine anyone betting on Calle 13‘s success back in 2005, as the popular Puerto Rican group prepared to release their eponymous debut. Back then, reggaeton was still very much the rage on – and off – the island, and René Pérez Joglar (“Residente” – the group's lyricist...
Video: ‘I Was Here’ Campaign – Small Actions to Change the World
Join us as we see how small actions can change the world through the 'I Was Here' campaign for the United Nations World Humanitarian Day. The UN and American singer Beyoncé have given out a worldwide invitation - for you to make someone else's life better by doing something good for someone, somewhere.
South Korea: Controversial Launch of Online Music Video Rating
South Korean authorities have launched a new ratings system for music videos posted online. The new bill requires every music video (or promotional video) and even movie trailers to be rated prior to upload. Failure to comply could result in up to two years in prison or a hefty fine.
Russia: Pussy Riot's Guilty Verdict
'The judge said one of the reasons for a “real sentence” was to “caution others”. ' - Russian and anglophone Twitter users respond to the guilty verdict and two-year prison sentence handed down to Pussy Riot members.
DR of Congo: Congolese Star Koffi Olomidé Indicted for Assault and Battery
Congolese renown rhumba singer Koffi Olomidé was indicted for assault and battery [fr] on his producer in Kinshasa. His trial begun on wednesday. Olomidé was previously charged with rape and sequestration in february in Paris.
Colombia: Salsa Musician Jairo Varela Dies
On August 8, Colombian musician Jairo Varela Martinez died at the age of 62. Varela is known for founding the famous salsa band Grupo Niche. There were many comments on Twitter under different tags (Jairo Varela, Grupo Niche and Cali Pachanguero) as soon as his death was known.
Popsong Stirs up Hong Kong-Mainland Chinese Conflict
A popular singer's latest album, “Not polite” has stirred up another round of Hong Kong-Mainland Chinese debate. The lyrics of one track, which states state: “not matter if you are ‘locusts’ (refers to mainland Chinese) or ‘mole crickets and ants’ (refers to Hong Kong people), should be polite to each...
Venezuela: Flirtatious ‘Joropo’ of the Plains
Of the musical genres that constitute the folklore of the plains of Venezuela, the joropo has long been the most characteristic of this part of the country. This type of music and dance come from the broad flat areas of Venezuela, where the prevalent culture is closely related to the land and livestock.
Russia: Pussy Riot Doomed by its own Supporters?
Recent online coverage of the Pussy Riot trial makes it seem as if all of Russia is mobilized in protest against the inordinately harsh treatment the three arrested band members have received. In fact, many well-wishing bloggers continue to aggravate Riot's predicament by advocating leniency, rather than arguing with the entire premise of punishment.
Netizens Say Goodbye to Singer Chavela Vargas
“Murió Chavela Vargas” (“Chavela Vargas has died”) is currently a worldwide Trending Topic on Twitter. Netizens from all over the world are saying goodbye the Costa Rican-born Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, who passed away Sunday, August 5, at 93.
