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Showing posts from 2024

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

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Black Bottom Film Festival, Directed by Emmai Allaquiva and Voiced by Wabei Siyolwe

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Planet Afropop Podcast, Afropop Worldwide - South Africa in the Green Room: Bongeziwe and Bakithi

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  One of my favorite things to do is discover and interview talented noteworthy personalities around the Black Planet over the years. On the cusp of a world tour, genre-bending South African artist Bongeziwe Mabandla sits down with Planet Afropop's Mukwae Wabei Siyolwe . Mabandla, a true maverick , draws on his country's rich musical history but forges his own path with his new album amaXesha (The Times) . Alongside his Mozambican producer, the innovative Tiago Correia-Paulo , Bongeziwe has crafted a unique sonic signature. Imagine deep, meditative textures woven with pulsating keyboards – a sound, as Siyolwe puts it, "you can dance to, pray to, cry to, and celebrate to." This episode doesn't just focus on Bongeziwe. We also get a glimpse into the legendary Graceland bassman, Bakithi Kumalo. Filmed at his home studio, Kumalo offers insights and a taste of his music.