London-based jazz collective Kokoroko have released their sophomore album, Tuff Times Never Last. The band warms and uplifts the soul with songs that comfort and entertain. Jazz is the entry point to their sound but they blend R&B and lovers rock into the mix in a way that would makeContinue Reading
Reggae legend Lucky Dube’s Prisoner album is getting a 60th anniversary edition to honor the late singer’s 60th birthday. Dube used reggae to bring attention to social issues that were happening in his native South Africa. He started his career recording mbaqanga, which was a form of Zulu pop musicContinue Reading
Is Buju Banton right about Afrobeats being inferior to reggae and dancehall because the music has no socio-political anthems? Is Billboard’s list of honorably mentioned pop stars who did not make their best of the 21st century list accurate? Will Afrika Bambaataa’s reputation be restored after a healing momentContinue Reading
Bob Marley and the Wailer’s “Lively Up Yourself” first appeared on their 1974 album, Natty Dread. The song was first recorded in 1973 and reflected the band’s political and spiritual growth as they got deeper into Rastafarianism. The religion refers to God as Jah and the followers call the customsContinue Reading