Kano State in northwest Nigeria is a land of paradox. The ancient home of the Hausa people, it has ties back to the oldest civilizations in West Africa. Muslim since around the 12th century, the region remained largely self-administered during the era of British colonialism, and never significantly adopted Christianity or Western culture and values as in other parts of Nigeria. In 2000, Kano instituted Shariah law. But by that time, the city of Kano was also the center of a large and active film industry, dubbed Kannywood. And it would soon be home to a nascent coterie of hip-hop artists. There followed a series of high-profile conflicts and crises between these forces of religion, politics and art in the years since. But as the Afropop crew discovered in 2017, Kano has achieved a delicate balance that allows film and music to continue apace under the watchful eye of clerics and a censorship board. We visit studios producing local nanaye music, with its echoes of Hausa tradition and Indian film music. We also meet young Hausa hip-hop artists striving to develop careers under uniquely challenging circumstances.

Produced by Banning Eyre and Sean Barlow

APWW #757

Behind every Afropop YouTube megahit and dancefloor sensation, there is a producer, a beat-maker striving to imagine the next big thing, basically inventing the future. In part 1 this two-part podcast, we meet Kooldrink, the producer who broke South African superstar Tyla, and Pierre Kwenders of the Moonshine Afro-house collective in Montreal, and hear their thoughts on making African hits in 2025.

Produced by Banning Eyre

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Andy Palacio (1960-2008) of Belize was a brilliant singer/songwriter/bandleader/activist and one of the greatest champions of Garifuna culture in his time. At the height of his international acclaim, after the release of his 2007 album Watina, Andy died suddenly. This program was produced shortly before that tragic event and captures Andy, his band and fellow musician Paul Nabor, in their prime. As we were preparing the program for rebroadcast, we learned that Andy’s protégé and fellow Garifuna culture icon Aurelio Martinez—who also appears in this program—died in a plane crash at age 58. So this program, capturing a pinnacle moment for Garifina music, is dedicated to these two fallen giants.

Produced by Banning Eyre

APWW #524

In this Hip Deep program, we explore musical connections between Africa and India. First up is the story of the Afro-Indian Sidi community. In the 13th century, Africans arrived in India as soldiers in the armies of Muslim conquerors. Some were able to rise through the ranks to become military leaders and even rulers. Their descendants continue to live in India today, performing African-influenced Sufi trance music at shrines to the black Muslim saint named Baba Gor. Next, we dive into the swinging jazz era of 1930s Bombay, when African-American jazz musicians arrived by the dozen to perform at the glitzy Taj Mahal Hotel. They trained a generation of Indian jazz musicians who would become instrumental in the rise of India's Hindi film music industry. Then we head south to the island of Sri Lanka, where Africans have had a presence for almost 500 years. We explore their history through the groovy Afro-Indo-Portuguese pop music style known as baila, popularized by 1960s star Wally Bastiansz and still performed at parties in Sri Lanka today. Finally, we speak with Deepak Ram, a Indian jazz flutist who recounts his experiences growing up Indian in apartheid South Africa. Throughout, we hear from leading experts, and of course, introduce fantastic and often-unexpected music.

Produced by Marlon Bishop

APWW #663

In this episode, we meet two women from the Twin Cities - DJ Fawzi and DJ Yasmeenah - who are challenging stereotypes while continuing a tradition of Somali-Minnesotan trailblazing. And we catch up with Songhoy Blues through a short conversation with Oumar Touré, bassist of the acclaimed desert blues group about their groundbreaking new album Heritage. We end with a tribute to Garifuna singer, activist and icon, Aurelio Martinez, wo died on March 17.

Produced by Akshaj Turebylu

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Scholar and author Joseph Braude guides us through the often overlooked popular music of the Persian Gulf, the music known as Khaliji. We learn about the Africans of places like Bahrain and Kuwait - slaves of yore - their free descendents, and more recent waves of African immigrants, notably from Sudan. This episode features spectacular historic recordings, such as the songs of the all but disappeared pearl divers, a well as Khaliji hits by the likes of Abdullah al-Ruwaished and Areel Abou Bakr.

Produced by Banning Eyre.

APWW #520

Originally aired in 2007

King Sunny Ade was, in many ways, the inspiration for what would become Afropop Worldwide. And he was by no means an inspiration only to us! Many fans in America first got hooked on Afropop (and African music in general) through the landmark 1982-83 tour by King Sunny Ade and his African Beats: The propulsive polyrhythms of traditional drums mixed with sophisticated guitar arrangements and pedal steel were like nothing we had ever heard. Topped by graceful choreography and the beaming presence of the “Chairman” himself, the effect was totally intoxicating. In this program, we travel to Lagos to talk to people there who help us fill in the picture of King Sunny Ade’s earlier career in the 1960s and '70s. KSA also granted Afropop Worldwide a three-hour interview. We’ll hear his stories and some classic recordings. Featured in the show are highlights from a sublime acoustic concert Ade and the African Beats gave at Joe’s Pub in New York City.

Produced by Sean Barlow

APWW #468

An intimate look at Toumani Diabaté through 30 years of Afropop Worldwide conversations. From his home in Bamako to concert halls worldwide, Toumani revolutionized the kora and brought West African music to new heights – winning Grammys and collaborating with everyone from Ali Farka Touré to the London Symphony Orchestra.

Join us as his longtime friend and producer Lucy Durán shares personal stories, while rare recordings capture Toumani's genius at different moments in his incredible career. Through his own words and music, we celebrate a true innovator who never forgot his griot roots.

Produced by Banning Eyre for Afropop Worldwide, featuring exclusive archive material and performances.

In this episode of Planet Afropop, FayFay spotlights two standout artists, Tchella, an R&B vocalist, and Dotti the Deity, a Nigerian folk musician. Both friends and reality show winners, they’ve taken unique paths in a music scene dominated by lo-fi Alté vibes. From Port Harcourt to Lagos, and Badagry to Ibadan, they’ve stayed true to their sound, navigating the challenges of niche artistry, self-doubt, and perseverance. This is a story about music, identity, and finding your lane against the odds.

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From late night sessions of frenetic drumming, singing and trumpets and teenagers shaking their "waists" by the light of the moon, to hard-driving studio simpa tracks with drum machines, vst synths and auto-tuned vocals, simpa is an evolving neo-traditional popular music of the Dagomba people of Northern Ghana that is rarely heard outside of the region. We visit Tamale and the surrounding villages, meet pioneering producer DJ Ebony at his barber shop studio and star singers including Dickson Gawan, Yaa Naraa and Bala Zaaku and dance along with the Nyanshegu simpa group See Is Believing.

Special thanks to:

“Kumtili” Latif Umar Mohammed and Saeed Alhassan Dawuni for translation. To Ebony, Tahid Abu and Mohammed Razak for all their generosity with their materials, contacts and time and Saeed Alhassan Dawuni for everything: transportation, translation, recording and filming assistance, context and friendship; thanks Mohammed Alidu for accommodations in Tamale and use of Bizung School for interviews; thanks to Dave Ewenson for sharing your research and original materials.

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Produced by Morgan Greenstreet