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EXPLAINED: Miriam makeba - The Real Truth

The story behind Soweto Blues, Miriam Makeba’s famous song about the June 16 uprising

Miriam Makeba sang a famous song about the 16 June 1976 uprising in her birthplace, South Africa. The protest was a pivotal point in the fight against apartheid and white minority rule in the country. The song was called Soweto Blues and its opening lines go:

The Conversation

Cynthia Erivo and Guy Pearce cast in powerful musical drama

Cynthia Erivo, Guy Pearce and Thabo Ramesti will star in upcoming musical drama The Road Home.

BANG Premier

"Those teenage kids could be kind of wild. It could be downright frightening at times." The story of the tongue-in-cheek classic that slammed manufactured pop music, aided by a pair of South African legends

A light-hearted pop at the superficial workings of the pop industry in the 60s, it remains a minor classic. And if you saw the band live in Bournemouth in 1965, you might actually be on it!

Louder

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Remembering Mama Africa: struggle of fearless singer Miriam Makeba told in daring dance drama

Mimi’s Shebeen, choreographed by Alesandra Seutin, charts South African legend’s exile and ascendancy with ‘beautiful songs, strong messages and moments that hit’

The Guardian - UK

‘Why shouldn’t power be Black’? How Miriam Makeba won and lost the US

The Black South African singer defied the odds to become a household name in the US. Then she was cancelled.

Al Jazeera

What is the Soas ethos? Four scholars pick the art, music and books that bring the global mindset to life

At a university that encourages students to explore the world through a wider lens, cultural works can play an important role in promoting fresh perspectives

The Guardian - UK

‘Steam will come out of readers’ ears!’: Joe Boyd on his epic, enraging history of global music

At over 900 pages, the countercultural icon’s new book covers everything from fifth-century Roma music to Miriam Makeba. But, he argues, the drum machine marked the end of history

The Guardian - UK

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Sylvia Mdunyelwa, one of South Africa's great jazz vocalists, kept music traditions alive

If Miriam Makeba is hailed as the South African vocalist of her generation who brilliantly embraced (and actually shaped) global music sounds, and Sathima Bea Benjamin as the experimenter who entranced the modern jazz scene in Europe and the US, then Ncediwe Sylvia Mdunyelwa joins that pantheon of late, great…

The Conversation

Angelique Kidjo: the diva from Benin could win a record sixth Grammy Award

Angelique Kidjo, the energetic singer-songwriter and activist from the Republic of Benin, represents a rare African phenomenon.

The Conversation

Jazz: South Africa's Shane Cooper and his band Mabuta make borders irrelevant

South African jazz seems to be having another international moment. Recently, for example, the Blue Note jazz label launched a new imprint, Blue Note Africa dedicated to the continent’s music. Its first release – and his second for the label – will be South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini’s In the…

The Conversation

Cameroon's Raymond Doumbé and Brittany band Startijenn: Borderless blending of music

With decades of touring the world as bass player for the likes of Manu Dibango and Miriam Makeba under his belt, Cameroon's Raymond Doumbé has finally released his first solo album, entitled "Hidden Paradise". The jazzman who rubbed shoulders with the likes of Nina Simone and David Bowie joins us…

France 24

Jazz Artist Somi Honors Miriam Makeba in New Album

Late South African singer Miriam Makeba remains an inspiration 14 years after her death, prompting jazz artist Somi to pay tribute with new twists on the anti-apartheid icon's greatest hits. Makeba, who emerged from a Black township to global fame with songs like "Pata Pata" and "Malaika" and spent three…

Asharq Al-Awsat

The legacy of iconic singer Miriam Makeba and her art of activism

South Africa’s world famous singer and activist Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) would have turned 90 on 4 March 2022. Born Zenzile Miriam Makeba in Johannesburg’s Prospect township, she had a life of remarkable global impact. She contributed to black people’s struggle for liberation and defended the integrity of African identity and…

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