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
Tuareg Guitarist Omara Bombino Moctar and ‘Agadez’
Zambian DJ Mannasseh Phiri tells us about a recent CD by Tuareg guitarist Omara Bombino Moctar. Bombino is from Agadez, Niger and his latest release is called “Agadez.”
Montenegrin Classical Guitarist Milos Karadaglic
The World’s Marco Werman introduces us to Montenegrin classical guitarist Milos Karadaglic. He’s 28 and wants the classical guitar to regain its rightful place in symphony halls.
Thanksgiving, Homecoming, And Mali
Thanksgiving is all about homecomings. For our Global Hit today, anchor Marco Werman speaks with the Malian band Tinariwen. Most of their songs are about homecoming, and they perform one of them for us.
Inuit Singers Elisapie Isaac & Simon Lynge
Reporter Betto Arcos tells us about two different singers of Inuit ancestry, Elisapie Isaac from northern Quebec and Simon Lynge from Greenland.
Fado’s Rising Star: Carminho
Fado is the music of Portugal and the center of the scene is the capital – Lisbon. One of the rising stars on the fado scene Portugal’s capital is 27-year-old singer Carminho. Marco Werman tells us more.
Singing to Save Garifuna
James Lovell grew up in Belize and heard Garifuna spoken by his parents and grandparents. He didn’t really want to speak the language until he heard music of a local musician. Now, James Lovell wants to spread the language of Garifuna through song. Reporter Nina Porzucki brings us his profile.
Jazz Saxophonist David Murray Plays Nat King Cole
Anchor Marco Werman speaks with jazz saxophonist David Murray about his homage to Nat King Cole’s recordings of Latin standards.
Makana Sings Occupy Protest Song to APEC Leaders
Hawaiian singer Makana is gathering a lot of attention after slipping in a protest song while performing for President Obama and other world leaders gathered in Hawaii for the Asia-Pacific economic summit. Host Marco Werman speaks with Makana.
Kate Bush’s ’50 Words For Snow’
One could argue Kate Bush is the most influential British female singer of all time. The British rock weekly New Musical Express thinks so. They’ve written that without Kate Bush there would be no PJ Harvey, Bjork, Tori Amos, Radiohead and the list goes on. Kate Bush’s tenth studio album comes out next week. It’s called “50 Words for Snow.” Marco Werman spoke with her.
Argentina’s La Bomba de Tiempo
La Bomba de Tiempo (“Time Bomb”) is one of the hottest shows in Buenos Aires these days. It’s a percussion explosion – 18 musicians dressed in bright red overalls playing djembes, bass drums, claves and congas.
Welcome to the Ritmo Machine
A new collaboration between percussionist Eric Bobo and Chilean beatmaster Latin Bitman is out. It’s a funky blend of cumbia, Afrobeat, hip-hop and electronica. The duo’s debut album is called Welcome to the Ritmo Machine.
Norwegian Singer-Songwriter Ane Brun
The latest release from Norwegian-born singer-songwriter Ane Brun is “It All Starts With One,” whose title was inspired by the Arab Spring protests from earlier this year.
South Africa’s Latest Pop Sensation – Zahara
The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on South Africa’s latest pop sensation, Zahara. Her debut album has gone multi-platinum in South Africa, and she gave a private performance to Nelson Mandela.
Training to Become a Star in Swaziland and Beyond
The US State Department has been sending musicians overseas for years. The World’s Alex Gallafent meets a pair of American jazz musicians, Keri Chryst and Jeff Hoffman, as they deliver a workshop to a group of young vocalists in Swaziland.
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