reggae

“Rude” by Magic! is America's #1 song — it's also America's most hated song. Critic Jia Tolentino explains the fine line between good, credible pop and the incredibly bad stuff.

It’s been some years since we’ve heard new music from Thomas Mapfumo, known as the Lion of Zimbabwe. During over a decade of exile in Eugene, Oregon, Mapfumo has had time to reflect on the twists and turns of his ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18916/new-music-from-thomas-mapfumo-and-the-blacks-unlimited/"> Read more &#187;</a>

On Saturday, June 7, New York&#8217;s dancehall fans are in for a treat. &#8220;Roots of Sound System,&#8221; the innovative concert series that recreates and explores vital moments in the evolution of sound system culture, presents its third edition. The fruit ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18786/roots-of-sound-system-minimart-records-explained/"> Read more &#187;</a>

Afropop is pleased to unveil a new series of guest posts from bloggers around the world, offering coverage of music scenes by writers who know them best. Our first installment comes from Algeria, where Karim Meskia has written a guide to ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18633/when-algerian-music-travels-beyond-its-frontiers/"> Read more &#187;</a>

In their two-year existence,  Paris DJs have put together a prolific track record of albums, compilations and singles ranging from a vintage Angolan/transcontinental bass mixtape by Batida to a compilation of &#8216;70s funk from the West Indies. While all of their ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18624/dis-is-reggae-soul-on-vinyl/"> Read more &#187;</a>

Xyclone has made a serious statement with the release of his brand new Almost There mixtape. The dancehall up-and-comer busts out 37 tracks over the course of this hour-long, highlight-packed mix. Relatively new to the dancehall scene, Xyclone is a ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18393/xyclones-almost-there-mix/"> Read more &#187;</a>

Dread and Terrible is the anticipated release from Chronixx, a young Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer steadily rising in popularity thanks to a number of hit singles, a well-publicized mixtape with Walshy Fire of Major Lazer fame, and an absorbing ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18345/chronixx-dread-and-terrible/"> Read more &#187;</a>

In Chapter Four of &#8220;The Money Show,&#8221; we introduce you to the riddim-sharing system in dancehall culture, and how it can function as a sort of creative commons–copyright laws be damned. Here’s an introduction to a few of the most ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18190/4-dancehall-diddims-that-rocked/"> Read more &#187;</a>