Music

Black and white photo of a Cuban tres instrument

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.

The first Cuban tres players at Berklee
A pink sign in the forefront of a largely female crowd that reads in Spanish "Swiftie No Vota Milei"

In Argentina, ‘Swifties Don’t Vote For Milei’

In Argentina, ‘Swifties Don’t Vote For Milei’
Lt. Col. Manuel E. Lichtenstein interacts with children in southern Italy, 1945.

American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines 

American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines 
musical group in field

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’
Chhom Nimol is the lead singer of Dengue Fever.

How this Cambodian American singer found her voice

How this Cambodian American singer found her voice
C. Tangana YouTube screenshot.

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.

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music
Screenshot from "Prehistoric Planet" on YouTube.

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.”

For ‘dinosaur music,’ prehistoric instruments set the tone
man at piano

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. 

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer
Cast members perform during a rehearsal of the opera "Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable" at the Emerson Paramount Center in Boston, Sept. 20, 2023.

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.

A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale
A portrait of Sasami from her self-titled LP, "Sasami."

‘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. 

‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage 
Yahritza Martinez and her two guitar-playing brothers make up the trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia.

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.

Mexican American teen star sings on after heated controversy with Mexican audiences
Montserrat Abbey’s mixed Escoliana choir has young women and men. They’ll sing the liturgy one weekend a month, so that the regular all-boys choir can have some time off with family.

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.

Spain all-boys choir finds a new tune and admits girls
portrait photo of a woman

'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.

'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano
man performing

‘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. 

‘We don’t have this past anymore’: Ukrainian artist revives Kyiv’s prewar soundscape
Screenshot from "Cape Flats Kung Fu" by Eavesdrop.

'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. 

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says