January 21, 2025 – Brooklyn, New York- Afropop is thrilled to announce a vibrant schedule of audio programs in honor of Black History Month, showcasing the history of African and African-American musical heritage that continues to inspire us today. From the roots of rock ‘n’ roll to the dynamic beats of New Orleans bounce, Afropop invites listeners to join us for a month of celebrating Black culture, Black history, and Black musical innovation.
February 4: Planet Afropop – To Be Determined
Stay tuned for an exciting addition to our Black History Month lineup. Details about this special program will be announced soon!
February 6: The African Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll
In this program you will the hear the African music roots of famed American blues and rock ‘n’ roll artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, the Isley Brothers, Robert Johnson, The Kingsmen and many more! Not everyone in this program is as well-known as the above mentioned juggernauts of music. Also included is Celia Cruz, Sexteto Habanero, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Baby Face Leroy. Co-produced by Ned Sublette and Robert Palmer, author of “Deep Blues”, regarded by many as the best book on the blues.
February 13: Shake it Fo Ya Hood: The History of New Orleans Bounce
New Orleans, Louisiana is home to some of America’s greatest musical traditions, and plays an outsized influence on the evolution of everything from jazz through to r&b, rock and funk. Today, the city is still legendary for its second line brass bands and brightly costumed Mardi Gras Indians. But if you’ve rolled through New Orleans on pretty much any night in the last 30 years, you’ve probably heard another sound–the clattering, booming, hip-shaking, chant-heavy roll of bounce, a form of hip-hop music, dance and culture unique to the Crescent City. Pulling from the national mainstream but remaking it the way that only New Orleans can, bounce has become a sonic touchstone for an entire generation of residents. For this Hip Deep edition, Afropop digs into the close-knit scene, talking to dancers, producers, MCs, and managers from over 30 years of bounce, all to explore the beat that drives New Orleans–and to find out what it means to the people who bring it to life. Produced by Sam Backer and Jessi Olsen.
February 18: New Planet Afropop – To Be Determined
An additional captivating program will be unveiled later this month. Stay connected with Afropop for updates!
February 20: A Brief History of Funk
Funk is a personal favorite of many music lovers. In this panoramic history of the grooviest of genres, we hear track after track of absolute boogie-down classics–everything from Sly and the Family Stone to James Brown, with a few stops to hear legends like The Meters, Kool & The Gang, and Parliament. We’ll also hear the great Bobby Byrd explain the rhythmic motor behind The JB’s, and George Clinton talk about the roots of his funk. Produced by Ned Sublette
February 27: Diaspora Encounters: Kriolu in New England, the Cape Verdean-American Story
Of all contemporary Cape Verdeans, Cesaria Evora, the Queen of Morna, made the biggest international impression. However, the first Cape Verdean to grace the American imagination was the harpooner Dagoo in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick (1851). Cape Verdeans first arrived in the United States as whalers in the late 1700s and have been coming ever since, bringing a distinctive Portuguese-African Kriolu flavor to communities across Southern New England and beyond.
We’ll take a step back in time and explore the rich cultural life of Cape Verdean neighborhoods, where great bands played mornas and coladeiras at local social clubs. Our principal guide for this program is historian Marilyn Halter, author of Between Race and Ethnicity: Cape Verdean American Immigrants, 1860-1965. She’ll take us through the years as the Cape Verdean community navigated the turbulent waters of opportunity and identity in America long before the age of American multiculturalism.
Then, we’ll jump ahead and explore current trends from the far-flung diaspora’s thriving music scene, ranging from hip-busting funaná to sleek cabo-zouk. Along the way, we’ll hear from Cape Verdean-American musicians–from old-time guitar master Freddy Silva to rapper Mo Green–as they reflect on immigration, nostalgia, heritage, and what it means to be Cape Verdean in the United States.
Produced by Marlon Bishop.
About Afropop
Afropop is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the diverse sounds and stories of African and African diasporic music. Through meticulously curated audio programs, Afropop educates, entertains, and inspires listeners around the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of music.
Media Contact:
Ceyvion Biggs
Director of Operations & New Media
Afropop
Email: info@afropop.org
Website: https://afropop.org
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Join Afropop this Black History Month and immerse yourself in the powerful narratives and rhythms that have shaped musical history.
