Akinloyè Òjó, PhD is a professor in the Department of Comparative Literature and Intercultural Studies at the University of Georgia (UGA). He is also the current Director in the UGA African Studies Institute (ASI). Dr. Òjó is a published author and poet. He is the creator and host of WUGA's weekly radio show 'African Perspectives', which has been on the air since 1997.
This has been a strong year for African music, with two big trends emerging: the continuing integration of African music into the U.S. and European mainstream, as well as the ongoing unearthing of treasures from Afropop's "golden era," particularly the '70s.
Tom Moon has a review of the new album from the Kinshasa-based band Konono. It's called Congotronics. The group uses thumb piano and voices via megaphone.
Amythyst Kiah's debut solo album, Wary + Strange, with its unusual combination of roots influences and alternative sounds, features the Grammy-nominated song, "Black Myself."