As the rebellious voice of Tunisia, Emel Mathlouthi’s songs have become anthems for the Tunisian revolution and the 2011 Egyptian revolution. We caught up with her to discuss everything from music to being an artist in the Arab world.

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Hassan Hakmoun, “Zidokan”

Moroccan trance music meets Jimi Hendrix. Hassan Hakmoun rocks tradition with his rumbling, three-stringed bass lute (sintir) and the spirit of American blues.

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Dakhabrakha Featured in the NY Times

Nina Garenetska makes an unlikely rapper. Along with the two other women in the Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha, which performed on Monday night at Brookfield Place’s Winter Garden, she was wearing a white lace wedding dress, a tall black lamb-fur hat and half a dozen beaded necklaces. Ms. Garenetska was also holding her cello, painted with bright geometric designs.

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Ukrainian folkdrone Björkpunk quartet Dakhabrakha went into Bonnaroo as unknowns but ended up with one of the most receptive crowds of the weekend. They got cheers for mournful accordion and apocalyptic cello sawing. Animal noises and bird whistles and howls got the audience to return favor, turning the tent into a happy menagerie.

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