The Zawose Queens have had to fight gender discrimination in order to release their own music. “We are part of the evolution,” they tell Nigel Williamson
The Joy started their a capella singing in a small classroom in rural South Africa; now they’re set to release their eponymous full-length album
With Afrobeats and African pop on the rise, Lady Donli has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most interesting artists. At home with Afrobeat and satirising modern African life with smooth R&B hooks, she’s led by her fans: “People are the foundation of music,” she tells Erin Cobby
Frustrated by the state of popular African music, Franck Biyong decided to create his own ‘Afrolectric’ sound inspired by Le Grand Kallé, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango and the greats of yesteryear
The banjo is riding high once more, and with various accusations of cultural appropriation in the air, we decided the time was right for a debate with two of the best banjo players out there, Rhiannon Giddens and Béla Fleck
Every Mardi Gras, a blur of costumed Cajun and Creole revellers in Louisiana head off in search of gumbo ingredients. When an ingredient is offered, such as a live chicken, the race is on. David Simpson has been documenting this unique tradition for over 25 years, with a new book capturing the centuries-old celebrations
Russ Slater Johnson hears from the DJ sharing cutting-edge global and electronic sounds. “I wanted to be your alternative Black show,” she confesses
Diane Coetzer talks to the South African band BCUC who are exporting their traditional Soweto music across the globe and mesmerising audiences, one transcendental show at a time
Billy Rough picks out some choice new folk albums from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi revisit classic folk songs on their latest release. The pair talk about the continuing relevance of folk music, the concept of home and life during lockdown
A selection of essential releases from the US and Canada including new albums from Creekbed Carter Hogan, Abigail Lapell and Reyna Tropical
Margareth Menezes, an icon of Afro-Brazilian music and Salvador’s carnival, talks to Oleno Netto about her European tour and her plans as Brazil’s new Minister of Culture
Another year, another full season of festivals to revive the soul and please the senses! Where better to plan your summer of culture than with our annual guide to the best festivals in the UK?
Izzy Felton visits an inclusive training ground for the next generation of England’s folk musicians
Fiona Talkington unpacks the harmonica quartet’s trajectory, from the mind of Finland’s first mouth-harp graduate to an internationally acclaimed troupe with a repertoire ranging from Radiohead and Harry Potter to tango and Chopin
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