Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

World Service,17 Nov 2018,26 mins

When Pop Music gets Political

The Cultural Frontline

Available for over a year

This week the Ugandan pop star turned opposition MP Bobi Wine performed for the first time since being charged and jailed for treason. We explore the political appeal of the man dubbed “The Ghetto President” with the award winning Ugandan journalist Patience Akumu. In recent months hundreds of people have been killed in Nicaragua following protests against the country's president, Daniel Ortega and his government. One musician speaking out against the violence in his home country is Luis Enrique, known as The Prince of Salsa. He tells The Cultural Frontline’s Maria Bakkalapulo why he is now challenging Ortega’s government through his latest song ‘Mordaza.’ From Kanye West to Kendrick Lamar – how does hip hop relate to US politics today? We hear from the hip-hop writer Shawn Setaro on the relationship between rap music and politics and how President Trump went from hip-hop idol to hip hop’s public enemy. Plus have you ever heard of Grindcore? The film-maker and musician Doug Brown explains the political messages behind this abrasive and confrontational music style. Presented by Tina Daheley (Ugandan musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, sings on a stage in Busabala, suburb of Kampala, Uganda, on November 10, 2018.Photo Credit: Isaac KASAMANI / AFP)

Programme Website
More episodes