From Adam and Eve to empowering women across the world – there’s not much that Angélique Kidjo doesn’t have an opinion about. Jane Cornwell meets to the irrepressible singer
The young Cuban singer Daymé Arocena has had a rapid rise to fame. She tells Jane Cornwell about her journey so far and her tribute to Santería’s female orishas
Australia’s hardline treatment of refugees is under fire as high-profile artists join the campaign in support of two detained Kurdish musicians: Farhad Bandesh and Mostafa ‘Moz’ Azimitabar. Jane Cornwell reports
A deft exploration of identity, Zoë Modiga’s latest album proves the South African is on the up. She speaks with Jane Cornwell about topics ranging from Black Lives Matter to the cultural importance of cattle in African society
The Israeli-Iranian singer and actress Liraz talks to Jane Cornwell about rediscovering her Iranian roots, singing in Persian and the risks taken to fulfil her desire to record with fellow Iranian musicians
World music is a maze. And what you need is a good map. So here is our A to Z of world music, taking you from Africa Express to Zimbabwe, from Balkan brass to qawwali and from cumbia to WOMAD
Cuba has always been a musical powerhouse, featuring Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, La Lupe, Los Van Van and more
Gnawa music from Morocco forms the basis of Electric Jalaba’s groove-laden sound. Jane Cornwell speaks to Oliver Keen and Dave De Rose about how the band came together and their experimental, improvised approach
A prolific collaborator who has travelled extensively since leaving his Cuban homeland, Omar Sosa talks to Jane Cornwell about his fact-finding tour of East Africa and his new album, which sees him collaborate with some of the region’s leading folkloric musicians
Joachim Cooder’s most recent album recasts cuts from banjo player Uncle Dave Macon for a new generation. Jane Cornwell follows the lauded multi-instrumentalist along the path to archival reinvention
Jane Cornwell speaks with Tim Cole and BaoBao Chen, the producers of the Indo-Pacific collective Small Island Big Song, about their second project, which focuses on our troublesome relationship with nature. Illustrations: Jenn Da Costa
The new voice of Mali, Rokia Koné, teamed up with producer-to-the-stars Jacknife Lee for an album sure to go down as a classic. Jane Cornwell catches up with this seemingly improbable, though quite inspired, pop partnership. Photography by Karen Paulina Biswell
Jane Cornwell catches up with Cimafunk, the Cuban sensation taking the world by storm
The vodou priest, singer, actor and choreographer Erol Josué is on a mission to dispel the myths and misconceptions about Haiti’s musical religion
Seven years since his last album, Baaba Maal speaks to Jane Cornwell about his new release and staying true to his roots
Feminist supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique mark a decade of existence this year, with a new release to celebrate. Jane Cornwell talks politics, power and positivity with the current line-up. “Women are suffocating. We want them to breathe,” they tell her.
EMEL’s latest album sees her work with a completely female team to make one of the most unapologetically forthright and adventurous albums of the year
Sundays in London are about to get a lot more Cuban as a new monthly residency fires up a crack team of timba musicians for its inaugural event
Sampa The Great, Bab L'Bluz, Cimafunk, KOKOROKO and Yung Chen Lhamo all played their part in one of the best WOMADelaide line-ups yet, with female solidarity the theme of the weekend
EMEL, DakhaBrakha and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 bring music and protest to the stage at WOMADelaide.
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