The life and legacy of Bill Withers
Withers’s inspirational words and soulful voice grabbed millions of hearts, influencing the music business.
Music
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From its birth 50 years ago, hip-hop has spread throughout Europe and challenged outdated ideals of Black identity
Modern-day European rappers are challenging outdated European views of citizenship and reshaping public debate on racial and ethnic identity.
National anthems: how composers in South Africa and India are reimagining them
In recent work, two prominent contemporary composers, Philip Miller in South Africa and Amit Chaudhuri in India, have explored fresh ways of interpreting national anthems.
Tupac’s ‘Dear Mama’ endures as rap artists detail complex relationships with their mothers, street life and the pursuit of success
In hip-hop music, it sometimes seems as if songs to and about mothers are common enough that audiences might take them for granted.
No, music doesn’t cause crime – not even ‘drill rap’
Drill is a variant of hip-hop. It is musically innovative, lyrically inventive and globally popular.
The empire sings back: the deep history behind South African soprano Pretty Yende’s triumph
Among the invited artists at the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III was the South African soprano, Pretty Yende.
Best Black Country Singers Of All Time
Since its emergence in the early 20th century, traditional country music has been dominated by white performers and the listening audience’s demographic. Black artists have not let this deter them from making country music. They have been making awesome country music over the decades, making names for themselves while at it.
South Africa’s hidden jazz history is being restored album by album
It’s fitting that Johannesburg is among 12 cities featured in the 2023 Unesco International Jazz Day, themed “jazz journey around the world”
How Burna Boy set the world alight with his mixed brew of influences
Burna spent years experimenting with different sounds in London and South Africa and his ragga-inspired vocal style became distinctive.