Since the Senegalese hip-hop act Daara J won the award for best African group at the World Music Awards 2004, a new musical genre is spreading like wildfire across the African continent. 

JJC talks to young Africans about the trials and tribulations of creating music that reflects their lives in the 21st Century. He looks at how the traditional music of Africa is being morphed and fused with Western hip hop styles to create a unique musical movement.

From the major label presence of the South African region to the independent, self-financed productions of the northern regions, JJC explores the music industry in Africa, highlighting the ways it compares to the western world. 

He hears stories from the inventor of Hip-life in Ghana, Reggie Rockstone, to the ghetto realism of Kenya’s 38-strong collective group, Nairobi Yetu. 

He also learns about Arabic hip hop acts like Moroccan group Dar Gnawa through to the established music industry in South Africa which is ruled by acts like Zola, Godessa and Bongo Maffin.

He also looks at the relationship between youthful rebellion and parental disapproval and the clash between old and new African sentimentalities.

JJC learns about the opposition that musicians face from politicians and policemen. He also discusses the sometimes unique language and content of young stars’ music, whether rapping about HIV/AIDS or political corruption or simply how they just want to dance; and the difference between rappers who celebrate their personal wealth and those who use their music for protest.

The story of Afropop is the story of a new African youth.

Presenter: JJC - Producer: Bobby Seiler 

Broadcast Times: 
The Music Feature: 4 x 30 minute programmes 
Mondays from 7 March, 0930, 1330, 1930 
7 March: West Africa
14 March: East Africa
21 March: Southern Africa
28 March: North Africa

Listen online (listen live or listen again): http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/index.shtml 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/the_music_feature.shtml

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | tel: 020 7557 2941

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