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
Hiatus Kaiyote: Future Soul from Melbourne
The landscapes of the central Australian region and the culture of the Aboriginal people who live there have inspired a new sound.
Remembering Bi Kidude, Zanzibar’s Queen of Music
This month the ancient port city of Zanzibar in Tanzania, Africa, has been mourning the death of one of its great musical stars. No one knows exactly how old the singer and drummer Bi Kidude was when she died- some say over 100 – but she left a unique musical legacy which fused African and Arabic culture.
Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi is Left Alone on New Album, ‘Sarawoga’
Sarawoga is the first new album Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi has recorded since the death of his son in 2010, who was killed in a car crash in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
Cape Breton Mourns Death of Canadian Singer Rita MacNeil
Residents of Cape Breton and throughout Canada are mourning the death of singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil. She died Tuesday night at the age of 68.
Burmese Group Me N Ma Girls Invade New York
We first told you about the pop group the Me N Ma Girls early last year. Their career was taking off just as their country, Burma, was in emerging from decades of military rule. There have been some big changes in the country and for the group since then, including their first show in the US.
Students from the Afghan Youth Orchestra Perform for The World
Anne Smedinghoff, the 25-year-old American diplomat killed by a bomb while delivering textbooks to children in Afghanistan, was also involved in promoting a recent Afghan youth orchestra trip to the United States.
Northern Ireland’s Past Through a Father’s Lens and Son’s Songs
The melding of photographs and songs help tell the story of Northern Ireland’s recent violent history. The photos were taken in the 1970s and 80s by award winning photojournalist Bobbie Hanvey. The songs are by Bobbie’s son, Steafán Hanvey.
Bali Woodcarver Making High-end Guitars
A traditional wood carver on the Indonesian island of Bali has started a new career – making high-end guitars, even though he knows little about Western music.
The Bells of St. Michael the Archangel: A Ringing Tradition Continues in England
A visit to the rolling hills of South West England, where church bell ringing is both a family tradition, and an art. Ibby Caputo of WGBH has the story from Chagford.
Cambodian Space Project Rocks Phnom Penh
“To find a singer like Channthy,” said Poulsen, “is like discovering a young Etta James or Nina Simone. She’s really the barefoot Cambodian diva of the rice fields.”
South African Punk Band National Wake
A documentary tells the story of National Wake, a South African punk band that challenged the country’s apartheid divisions in the 1970′s. Unfortunately, the group didn’t last very long, as reporter Mirissa Neff tells us.
Pop Yeh Yeh, 1960s Music from Singapore and Malaysia
Tom Schnabel is our guest DJ this time. His pick is a new collection of music from Singapore and Malaysia from the 1960s. A Malaysian journalist from the era dubbed this music ‘Pop Yeh Yeh.’
Remembering Legendary Cuban Pianist Bebo Valdés
Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés died last Friday at the age of 94. Anchor Marco Werman has an appreciation.
Haitians Rediscover the Melancholy Music of Beken
Perhaps one of Haiti’s most famous musicians has re-emerged after a decade. Beken, a melancholy artist, who had stopped making music for years, has become suddenly popular again.
Freshlyground Blends Musical Styles with Political Messages
The South African band Freshlyground isn’t afraid to sing about social and political issues going on in Africa. But members claim they’re not a political band. Their focus is on the music.
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