soul

Imagine stepping into a room in Minneapolis, where the air is thick with anticipation and cultural melodies. A group of Somali musicians, bonded by shared heritage, encircles a trove of instruments. Among them is Ahmed Ismail Yusuf, their passionate leader. They play tunes steeped in emotions as deep as the Indian Ocean, a rhythm echoing the nostalgic cafes of Mogadishu. This is "Somali blues," a sound as soulful as it is historic. "The lyrics are just showing you what it means," Ahmed muses, his voice a tapestry…

This is the first time a Frenchman has won this award, awarded to foreign books translated and published during the year in the UK or Ireland. David Diop is 55 years old. Born in Paris, he grew up in Senegal. Brotherhood of Soul is the story of a Senegalese rifle from World War I, Alfa Ndiaye. In a more absurd and dangerous…

This October 1, 2020 marks the 60th anniversary of Nigeria's independence. As on every anniversary date, RFI makes you relive the musical atmosphere of the time. Close-up of a unique singer whose career began in the 60s, before Fela and before Tony Allen: Joni Haastrup, king of Afro-soul. In the early 1960s, Nigeria was hit by…