PRI’s The World presents the Global Hit, a daily spotlight on international musical artists or trends. Created by The World’s Marco Werman, the Global Hit features interviews with musicians, critics and deejays around the globe. He is also one of the curators of the South By Southwest Musical Festival (SXSW) – “All Music Is World Music.” Subscribe and follow:
Global Hit
Ana Tijoux’s ‘Shock’ Becomes Protesters’ Anthem in Chile
Protesters in Chile are calling for educational reforms and Tijoux’s song has generated buzz.
Earworms: Tunes That Stick in Our Heads
How often does a tune intrude on your thoughts and plays and replays in never-ending loops? Scientists call these intrusive musical thoughts “ear worms.”
Syrian Composer Malek Jandali’s Arab Spring Inspired Song
Anchor Marco Werman talks to Syrian composer Malek Jandali who based some of his recent compositions on the brutal events of the Syrian revolution.
Norwegian All-Girl Band Razika
In the Global Hit today, our DJ contributor Marius Asp chooses a Norwegian group Razika. The band formed in 2005 debuted its first album Program 91 last year.
Mayra Andrade: A New Musical Star for Cape Verde
Mayra Andrade is often compared to the late, great singer Cesária Évora. She’s certainly one of Cape Verde’s brightest musical stars with a voice that sounds like steel swaddled in soft cotton.
Desert Island Discs After 70 Years
The BBC radio program “Desert Island Discs” turns 70 this weekend. Each week, a different guest, or castaway, shares his or her musical selections with the audience. The World’s Lisa Mullins has more.
Blue King Brown: Indigenous Activists and a Best-Selling Band
Though Aboriginal communities have felt marginalized for centuries in Australia, their activism doesn’t typically grow as heated as it did in Canberra Thursday. Marco Werman profiles Blue King Brown, an example of indigenous activists in Australia who are a best-selling band.
Below, Blue King Brown
Concerto ‘Tahrir for Clarinet and Orchestra’ Inspired by Egyptian Uprising
The piece is the first movement of what will become a concerto in three movements.
Video: Malian Band SMOD’s Desert-Dry Groove
After the Arab Spring of 2011, many people living in Sub-Saharan Africa began to wonder when they would rise up and have an African spring. It is hard to say when that might happen, but if it does, the uprising already has a house band in Mali, SMOD, with several road-tested anthems.
Mexico City’s One-Day Music Festival Son Por La Tradicion
The music festival had an additional objective of wanting to give Mexicans something positive to unite around.
Bhi Bhiman: A Folk Soul Singer with Sri Lankan Heritage
Born to Sri Lankan parents, Bhiman grew up in St. Louis and was initially inspired by Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder.
Sia Tolno: A Rising Singer From Sierra Leone
Sia Tolno is from Sierra Leone and critics are comparing her sound to that of the late great Miriam Makeba and Tina Turner.
Remembering Baroque Music Master Gustav Leonhardt
At a time when musicians and classical music lovers paid scant attention to the baroque repertoire, Leonhardt made it his mission to bring it to life.
Kiran Ahluwalia Covers ‘Mustt Mustt’ at Festival of the Desert
Kiran Ahluwalia performed one of the big hits by legendary Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Tinariwen at the Festival in the Desert.
Musician Seun Kuti Protests Against Fuel Price Rise in Nigeria
Seun Kuti, son of Nigeria’s legendary musician Fela Kuti has emerged as one of the protest leaders in Nigeria.
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