Sad to say goodbye to Ray Cooper
Virgin Records executive Ray Cooper died on 28th July. He was a great champion of alternative music.
Sun, 29 July 18
Les Amazones d’Afrique feature on BBC’s The Cultural Frontline
The Cultural Frontline celebrates the music and activism of the pioneering West African super-group Les Amazones d’Afrique— an all-female collective on a mission to fight for women’s rights in Africa.
Broadcaster and DJ Rita Ray hears from band members Angelique Kidjo, Oumou Sangaré, Awa Sangho, Mariam Doumbia and Mamani Keita, to find out how they use their music to change attitudes towards women and encourage access to education. Plus, producer Valerie Malot shares how she kick-started the group with Oumou Sangaré in Bamako, Mali.
This ground-breaking group embrace music as a campaigning tool to tackle taboos that affect women, such as forced marriages, domestic violence, and female genital mutilation.
Despite the challenges they face in West Africa, Rita discovers the strength of this courageous group, sound-tracked by a live set recorded by the BBC on Les Amazones’ latest tour.
Featured Release
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Released 10 March 2017
Les Amazones d'Afrique are an all-female collective of west African musicians campaigning for gender equality. They have been described as a supergroup, and the characterisation seems apt. Angélique Kidjo, Kandia Kouyaté, Mamani Keita, Mariam Doumbia, Mariam Koné, Massan Coulibaly, Mouneissa Tandina, Nneka, Pamela Badjogo and Rokia Koné hold a strong pedigree.
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Further reading
Les Amazones d’Afrique feature on BBC’s The Cultural Frontline
The Cultural Frontline celebrates the music and activism of West African band Les Amazones d'Afrique
Thu, 23 August 18
The Gloaming at the National Concert Hall: ‘An experiment in controlled happenstance’
A closer look at the phenomenon that is The Gloaming's annual sold-out residency at the NCH, Dublin.
Wed, 22 August 18
And The Beat Goes On: A profile of Remmy Ongala
Remmy Ongala was Tanzania's most famous musician and originator of the bongo beat.
Tue, 07 August 18