Music
Shaabi Chic
In 1975, when Egyptian radio commentators ranked the best singers of their time, Ahmad Adawiya’s name did not even feature. Yet a new medium, the humble cassette, would allow his popular shaabi songs, often scorned by critics, to reach an audience beyond the gatekeepers and change the country’s musical landscape.
Bringing Down the House
African music continues to gain global recognition, with more artists now reaching international audiences. Social media and collaborations with Western performers have contributed significantly to this rise. But the success comes with challenges, like unfair royalty distribution and a struggle to maintain cultural authenticity.
The Bawdy Rai Music of Oran Reflects the City’s Pluralist Past
Bawdy and subversive, with a history and lyrics that speak to Algeria’s pluralist past, Rai music flourishes in the Mediterranean port city of Oran while its superstars have built international reputations.
Preserving Afghanistan’s Soul: A Race Against Time
In a world where memories can fade and history is often erased by the forces that seek to control it, Afghan-American collector Omid J. reminds us that preserving stories — whether through songs, films or simple moments captured on a cassette — can be an act of resistance.
How Diljit Dosanjh Changed the Way Sikh Men Are Viewed in Pop Culture
While it was only in 2024 that Diljit Dosanjh became a household name in India, over the course of two decades the Punjabi pop star has slowly and effectively changed the way people look at Sikh men and present them in South Asian pop culture.
Rap Is the Next Chapter of Sudan’s Sonic Story
Music has always played a role in Sudan’s history of revolutions, displacement and reconciliation. Now, in the midst of the latest conflict, a new generation is exploring its musical roots with rap.
The Music Plays Again in Mosul
The maestro is back home in Mosul, along with many of the previously displaced musicians. The campus theater hall is being rebuilt, and the statue of Othman al-Mosuli is back on display by the railway station, waiting for the toots of trains that bring new visitors.