Stories about Music from August, 2015
Lebanese-French Trumpeter Reimagines ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as a Hip-Hop Opera
A rabbit hole worth heading down? Ibrahim Maalouf has reworked the Lewis Carroll classic, setting it in modern France with a Malian beat.
Ousted Trinidad & Tobago Minister ‘Gypsy’ Is Singing a Bitter Tune—Literally
When a government minister learns he has not been chosen to run in the country's upcoming general elections, things degenerate into nasty -- albeit melodious -- name calling.
Listen to the Haunting, Galactic Sounds of the Yaybahar Acoustic Instrument
Turkish musician Gorkem Sen created the Yaybahar about six years ago as a mix of all sorts of instruments, including the Australian didgeridoo, the Turkish Ney and the thunder drum.
Tajikistan Cracks Down on Pop Idol Traffic Rule Breakers
"Like many ex-Soviet cities, Dushanbe has a driving culture straight out of a Fast and Furious movie. Potholed roads encourage swerving at speed."
Meet Venezuela's Orthodox Priest Who Rocks in His Robes
Father Elias is not your typical rock star, playing in a priest's robe. He's not what many expect a priest to be like, either.
This is How Michael Jackson Sounds in Quechua
14 year-old Peruvian Renata Flores Rivera's version of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" has been viewed more than half a million times on YouTube.
The ‘Escopetarra': A Killer Instrument
If you believe that nothing good can come from a rifle, then you have to get to know the “escopetarra”—a hybrid that transforms two “lethal” weapons (an AK-47 and a...
Zambia Musician Gets Shoutout From President Obama for Highlighting Struggle Against HIV/Aids
Obama praised the musician's work and told him: "Brian, we’re proud to be your partner."
A Fistful of Viral Video Stars from Central Asia
A bad rapper, a toddler conductor, a horse-loving President, football's most violent team and a man whose name is not Jimmy.
To Ethiopian-American Singer Meklit Hadero, ‘Home Is Always in Flux’
Ethiopian-American musician Meklit Hadero talks about landing in US state of Iowa, an ode to the Afro, and how her music is not so easily defined.
How a Kazakh Boy Grew Up to Be a Glam-Rock Opera Singer in the US
Timur Bekbosunov is a glam-rock opera singer from Kazakhstan, but he got his start in the US state of Kansas.
