Stories about Music from June, 2014
Urban Pakistani Musicians Jam With a Rural Folk Singer and Create Something Beautiful for the Internet
The video for "Sarak Sarak" was published on Facebook, SoundCloud and Vimeo, but not YouTube - that remains blocked in Pakistan.
Social Media Loves Mexican Goalkeeper ‘Memo’ Ochoa
The very much lauded performance by Mexican goalkeeper Guillerno “Memo” Ochoa during his national team's World Cup match with Brazil has made him a social media star. The Mexican music band Tres...
Revolutionary Band Laal's Facebook Page is Now Accessible in Pakistan. Hooray? Not Really.

The unblocking of Laal was a minor battle won in the war over Internet content -- a war we are losing.
This Colombian Campaign Took Reggaeton Lyrics and Turned Them Into Shocking Images of Women Being Abused
Do Reggaeton lyrics objectify women? The campaign Usa la razón [Use Your Head] is asking women Reggaeton fans to be aware of the sexist nature of this music genre.
For Literary Stars, Life's A Beachside Festival In Jamaica

A relaxed Salman Rushdie, a warm and expansive Jamaica Kincaid, and other delights of the 2014 edition of Jamaica's Calabash Literary Festival. Annie Paul reports.
As Tajik Rap Gets Political, Authorities Resort to Bans and Pressure
Rap often gets much more political than other musical genres in Tajikistan. The authorities respond by banning hip-hop and forcing homegrown rappers to become more "patriotic".
Maya Angelou: A Phenomenal Woman with a Caribbean Connection
The passing of Dr. Maya Angelou on May 28 has resonated deeply in the Caribbean region, thanks in part to the author's West Indian ancestry.