Music
The first Cuban tres players at Berklee
The national instrument of Cuba, the tres is gaining some attention in the US. For the very first time, Berklee College of Music in Boston admitted two students of Cuban tres this year.
American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines
Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’
How this Cambodian American singer found her voice
This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music
Ever heard of Celtic Trap? It’s not exactly a thing yet, but it might be soon thanks to C. Tangana in the mix.
For ‘dinosaur music,’ prehistoric instruments set the tone
Musicians Anže Rozman and Kara Talve invented prehistoric instruments to help transport viewers back in time for the BBC series, “Prehistoric Planet.”
Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer
Daniel Jobim is now on the road playing his grandad's music on tour with Seu Jorge, another Brazilian superstar.
A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale
The new opera, “Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable,” had its world premiere in Boston over the weekend. The story is based on an ancient Chinese folk tale and uses modern and diverse cultural elements to create a unique rendition of the popular fable.
‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage
Sasami’s latest album, “Squeeze,” is a musical concoction of different genres and influences — including her family’s multicultural heritage as zainichi Koreans. Meklit Hadero, host of “Movement,” our series on music and migration, speaks with Sasami about her family history and upbringing.
Mexican American teen star sings on after heated controversy with Mexican audiences
Yahritza Martinez, 16, went from apple picking in rural Washington, to becoming a TikTok sensation and chart-topping musician. But her career nearly came to a halt after her comments about Mexico went viral. Despite the controversy, Martinez played at a major Mexican Independence Day concert in Mexico City — but some fans were not yet ready to embrace her.
Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls
After more than 700 uninterrupted years of boys-only belting, Spain’s La Escolania de Montserrat Choir is finally mixing things up. Beginning this September, a select group of girls will be allowed to join the boys at the altar, singing the liturgy at Saturday afternoon and Sunday masses. Choir organizers are calling it a revolution.
'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano
Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano is a leading voice in a new generation of LGBTQ artists subverting traditional gender norms in reggaeton and reclaiming the political roots of the genre.
‘We don’t have this past anymore’: Ukrainian artist revives Kyiv’s prewar soundscape
Oleh Shpudeiko, also known as Heinali, left his hometown at the start of Russia’s invasion. To heal his trauma, he made “Kyiv Eternal,” an album fusing electronic music with recordings of his past life.
'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says
As we wrap up “Planet Hip Hop,” our summer series celebrating 50 years of hip-hop music around the world, H. Samy Alim returns to talk with host Marco Werman about the next 50 years. Alim is an anthropology professor and the director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA.