Riot ArtistsLove from NPR: DakhaBrakha plays one of Bob Boilen’s top-10 shows of 2015
Posted on January 20, 2016
Despite writing a book, NPR’s Bob Boilen managed to see 506 bands take the stage in 2015. Among his top-10 favorites are DakhaBrakha—the only world music band to make his coveted list!
Here’s why, in Bob’s own words:
When I look geographically at the music I love, it tends to be based either on the East Coast, the south, the U.K. and Iceland. Geography is something that defines the sound of music and when I hear the Ukrainian music of DakhaBrakha and hear their out-of-this-world harmonies and rhythms, I’m reminded how narrow the avenues of creation can be. DakhaBrakha simply touched my heart deeply when I heard them at GlobalFEST in 2014 and the group’s U.S. return, at the Sixth and I Synagogue this year, conjured emotions of longing and uncertainty with songs sung in a language I don’t understand, but in ways music can universally convey. You can watch them play my desk or keep an eye for their 2016 return.
Watch Emel Mathlouthi perform “Kelmti Horra” at the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Concert
Posted on December 18, 2015
Emel Mathlouthi performs her song “Kelmti Horra” at the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Emel is a firebrand Tunisian singer, songwriter and composer. She gained attention when her song Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free) was adopted by the Arab Spring revolutionaries and soon became an anthem throughout the region, in particular among young people yearning for change.
The Nobel Peace Prize Concert is a musical tribute held annually on 11 December every year since 1994 to honor the year’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Performers from around the world are proud to join in celebration of this important event, which features music ranging from pop and rock to jazz, classical, blues and country. The special mix of celebrity, celebration and ceremony makes this event a magical night to remember.
This year, one of the recipients is the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a democracy group, which, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, made a “decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy”.
Riot Artist APAP Showcases!
Posted on December 17, 2015
Looks like APAP is nearly upon us again! As in past years, we once again have some wonderful artists showcasing for you this year: DakhaBrakha, Emel Mathlouthi, Maarja Nuut, and Cambalache!
Please join us on Saturday evening at the New York Hilton Midtown and on Monday night at the Brooklyn Bowl!
Rocky Dawuni in historic nomination for 58th Grammy Awards
Posted on December 8, 2015
Branches of The Same Tree, the latest album of the celebrated Ghanaian Afro roots artist Rocky Dawuni has been nominated for a Grammy award under the Best Reggae Album category in the 2016 Grammy awards. The Grammy Award which was originally called Gramophone Award first begun in 1959 in the USA.
The album, which is Rocky’s sixth studio album was released in March 2015 on Cumbancha. The artiste embarked on international tours to promote the album throughout the year that took him to countries like Denmark, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, the UK, Canada and across the USA where he makes his second home.