Stories about Music from February, 2014
GV Face: Beyond Gangnam Style – Censorship and Korean Pop Music
It has been called South Korea's “greatest export.” PSY's K-pop song Gangnam style is the most watched video on YouTube. But behind the glamorous facades and big paychecks, it's not all fun and romance until South Korea's censors have done their work. Our managing editor Solana Larsen talks to our...
27 Brazilian Songs Against Police Violence
Brazilian journalist and activist Carlos Carlos posted [pt] a list of the most important “Brazilian songs that denounce the police” on his blog, Bola e Arte. He explains: Now it is trendy to make lists, right? and amid so many useless lists, Bola e Arte blog has prepared a selection of...
Jamaican Dancehall Artiste Deported from Dominica
The Dominican government has refused to allow a controversial Jamaican dancehall artist to enter the country on the grounds that he is a security threat. Netizens sound off on Twitter.
Jamaicans Make Do with Fake Verdict in Vybz Kartel Trial
The satirical website FakeJamaica shares fictitious breaking news about the Vybz Kartel murder trial: The Jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The…defendant’s lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson…based a significant portion of the defense’s case on the idea that Adijah Palmer cannot be held responsible for anything that his musical persona does.
Jamaica Awaits Verdict in Murder Trial of Dancehall Reggae Star Vybz Kartel
There is as yet no verdict in the Vybz Kartel murder trial, but Jamaicans are awaiting the outcome with bated breath - and tweeting about the possibilities in the interim.
Jamaica: Breakespeare & Bob Marley
Inspired by Cindy Breakspeare's recent lecture on Bob Marley, Annie Paul republishes a 2007 interview she did with her, in which Breakspeare discusses her youth, her Jamaican-ness and of course, meeting Bob.
Indie Music from Puerto Rico is Rocking the World
The world is already listening to us. Time to spread the word in Puerto Rico.
5 Music Blogs about China's Underground Music Scene
There’s an emerging group of Chinese musicians working outside government-controlled media channels, striving to form an independent voice through musical expression in China.
Trinidad and Tobago: The Soca Kings Play Songs of Anti-Love
Pity Valentine's Day for falling during Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival season, when infectious soca rhythms render human beings powerless against the forces of bad behaviour.
Carnival Love Songs From the Caribbean
Valentine's Day in the Caribbean is usually overshadowed by Carnival, so GV's Caribbean team posts a few of its favourite soca songs in an effort to spread the love...
Chinese Singletons Snatch Up Cinema Seats to Sabotage Valentine's Day Dates
One of the organizers of the occupation said that many of those who participated did so wanting to meet new friends, hoping to turn a "prank" into a "blind date".
Rap Musicians Take on Guinea-Bissau's Drug Trafficking Problem
"This is Guinea-Bissau for those who don't know / This is where the traffickers are given more privileges than college professors / I swear pigs wear ties and suits here."
Trinidad & Tobago: Feminist Soca
“Feminist” kaiso and soca music – is there such a thing? creative commess thinks so and posts a playlist.
INFOGRAPHIC: Pursuit of Happiness in Africa
The Afrographique blog mapped the happiness index for the African continent. Topping the ranking are Angola and Mauritius who hold the same happiness index as Albania and Russia, respectively. In related news, the Pharell’ single “Happy” has been used by dancers around the world to celebrate the new year 2014....
What Do the Streets Sound Like in Spain?
A documentary entitled “The sound of the streets” portrays the work and life philosophy of five street musicians in Spain.
Caribbean: Discrimination is Discrimination
Groundation Grenada has partnered with Trinidad-based artist Joshua Lu “to create a visual campaign to draw analogies between sexual orientation/gender identity discrimination and other forms of discrimination.” Check out the first few installations in the campaign, here.
A Riot Within Pussy Riot?
"Since we are now on opposite sides of the barricades with Nadya and Masha, separate us. Remember, we are no longer Nadya and Masha, they are no longer Pussy Riot."
Youth Orchestra ‘Jafraa’ a Bright Spot in War-Torn Syria
Shakespeare once said, "If music be the food of love, play on." But what if this "food" risks the player's life? Meet the young musicians of Jafraa orchestra in Homs.
Talking with the Director of Calle 13's Video Filmed in Palestine
The blog “Diseñado en Puerto Rico” (Designed in Puerto Rico) interviews [es] film director Kacho López Mari. Among many other musical videos, López Mari directed the most recent video of the Puerto Rican hip hop duo Calle 13, “Multi_Viral,” shot in Palestine. The lyrics are the product of a collaboration with...
Exploring Puerto Rican Music
Musician Luis Amed Irizarry [es] explores various Puerto Rican musical genres in this column [es] for the digital publication 80 Grados.
Tweeting the Vybz Kartel Trial & Telling Jamaican Stories
The Vybz Kartel murder trial continues to capture the attention of Jamaican netizens. One blogger actually attended the trial, while another is concerned about Jamaicans' reluctance to embrace their identity.
