US-based KMUW radio celebrating African music legends this week

Based in Wichita, Kansas, KMUW is a National Public Radio member station owned by Wichita State University. Global Village is hosted by Chris Heim and features world music releases and classic tracks. The show is also behind monthly concert series, in-depth features and specials.

On Monday, in honour of what would have been the king of rumba rock Papa Wemba’s 72nd birthday, the programme played a selection comprising music from Zaiko Langa Langa and the Viva La Musica band. The programme also featured covers by Africando and Juan Luis Guerra of his songs.

A soukous doyen behind critically acclaimed LPs, Papa Wemba was renowned for his singular music style that married traditional Congolese rumba and soukous with Caribbean rhythms, rock and soul. He died on 24 April 2016 after collapsing onstage in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The week’s programming, which also honours Caribbean music as well as Paul McCartney and The Beatles, will also feature music from Afrobeat star Femi Kuti including tracks from his latest project Legacy+, a double album with his son, Made, on Wednesday. Like his father, Afrobeat founder Fela Kuti, Femi is known for his socially conscious music and fearless activism. Legacy+ is the four-time Grammy nominee’s eleventh LP.

On Thursday, Global Village will celebrate Ivory Coast’s Dobet Gnahoré, who is the daughter of percussionist Boni Gnahoré. The show will sample music from throughout her career, including her latest albim Couleur.

Global Village airs weekdays from 2am CAT.