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Ai Weiwei, Taylor Swift, Claudia Rankine

Ai Weiwei on his time in prison

Dissident artist Ai Weiwei explains why, despite getting his passport back, China remains where he lives and works. World conquering singer Taylor Swift describes the phenomenon of “tour fat,” a part of pop success few people will know about. Broadcaster and singer Jarvis Cocker goes on an audio journey to Iceland. Tim Whewell on attempts to restore the only surviving concert piano in Gaza. From Belize to Belarus, three actors from the Royal Shakespeare company describe their attempts to perform in every country in the world. DJ Naida from Zimbabwe and MC Melodee from Holland talk about the universal trials faced by female rappers. And we have performances from the award winning, highly acclaimed Jamaican American poet Claudia Rankine and the Delhi based rapper and slam artist, Rene Sharanya Verma.

(Photo shows: Ai Weiwei (c) Alex B. Huckle/Getty, Taylor Swift (c) Matthew Nareyek/Getty, Claudia Rankine (c) Frederick M. Brown/Getty)

50 minutes

Last on

Tue 5 Jan 201602:06GMT
BBC World Service Australasia

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Music and featured items

  • Ai Weiwei

    The Chinese artist and activist on his time in prison.

    Duration: 07:57

  • Jarvis Cocker

    Jarvis Cocker takes in an Icelandic volcano

    Duration: 06:10

  • Hamlet Globe to Globe

    We talk to three of the actors playing Hamlet in a world tour by the Globe Theatre

    Duration: 04:01

  • Gaza Piano

    Tim Whewell joins a mission to bring Gaza's only concert piano back to life

    Duration: 04:50

  • Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift shares some backstage secrets

    Duration: 06:59

  • Tangerine

    Director Sean Baker on how he used smart phones to shoot his film

    Duration: 04:36

  • Delhi rapper, Rene Sharanya Verma

    Rene Sharanya Verma performs in the studio

    Duration: 03:36

  • DJ Naida and MC Melodee

    Female rappers DJ Naida and MC Melodee challenge the macho culture of hip-hop.

    Duration: 06:05

  • Claudia Rankine

    Claudia Rankine reads a poem from her Forward Prize winning collection

    Duration: 01:44

  • Solomon Island Lullaby

    The Snake Mother Lullaby from the Solomon Islands.

  • Little Jackie

    The World Should Revolve Around Me

  • Daft Punk

    Around the World

  • Wu Man

    Night Thoughts

  • Pulp

    Common People

  • Ketil Bjørnstad

    Fall

  • Ennio Morricone

    Theme from Hamlet

  • Brian Eno

    1/1 Ambient 1 Music for Airports

  • Brigitte Bardot

    St. Tropez

  • Brigitte Bardot

    .... And God Created Woman

  • Taylor Swift

    Style

  • Taylor Swift

    Bad Blood

  • Lou Reed

    Walk On The Wild Side

  • Niraj Chag

    Kanya

  • Lauryn Hill

    The Sweetest Thing

  • Miles Davis Quintet

    'Round Midnight

  • Santo & Johnny

    Sleep Walk

Broadcasts

  • Sun 3 Jan 201615:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 3 Jan 201622:06GMT
    BBC World Service West and Central Africa
  • Mon 4 Jan 201609:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Mon 4 Jan 201613:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 4 Jan 201623:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Tue 5 Jan 201602:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia

Podcast