Please support Africa Mix and KALW

KALW is in its Fall Membership Drive and we encourage you to show your support of Africa Mix on KALW and its other top-notch programming.

Please call 1-800-525-9917 to become a new member or renew your old membership. You can also donate securely online at KALW's website—just click here.

During Africa Mix tonight we will be offering three CD titles hand-selected by Pamela and Emmanuel. For your donation of $75, you can choose one of these three CDs as our thank you for your support of our radio station. If you make a donation of $125, we will thank you with all three CD titles!

Click on the CDs below to hear samples of the fantastic music on each album.


Bumping—Massukos














ARC's Spotlight on Kenyan Music—Various artists









North Africa's Destiny?—Moh Alileche










We know you enjoy Africa Mix, and we love it that you enjoy our program. Please show your support of our programming by making a donation tonight ... or anytime (Click here to make your secure online donation).

If you have already made a donation, we thank you and welcome you to the KALW family!

—Pamela and Emmanuel

Nado presents: A special series on Africa Mix

The Politics of African Music: Songs of Protest, Revolution, and Liberation

Selected Thursdays from 9:06–midnight

In this series Emmanuel Nado will explore the music and lyrics of some of the most outspoken African artists and the political contents of their songs. Although they were once singers who praised the political leadership in the continent, African artists have become the voice of millions disenchanted Africans and the critics of bad government. Many artists voice their anger and speak about social issues and injustices in their countries. The series will cover music from the early years of independence to the present.

As Ken Wiwa, the son of Ken Saro-Wiwa, leader of the Ogoni people (assassinated by the Nigerian government in 1995) said, "When voices like my father are silenced, others rise and often they belong to musicians. Africa’s musicians are the griots, the historians of Africa’s rich, varied and complex past.”

Among other artists, Fela Kuti will be featured. World-renowned for leading this rebellion through music, he was the rallying point for the Nigerian underclass and for political prisoners everywhere. Fela once said, "Music is the weapon for the future."

Please join Emmanuel Nado for this special series beginning July 19th.

Nado presents: Kalbass live in the studio, June 21st

Africamix welcomes KALBASS on June 21

Kalbass is a Bay Area Haitian band playing a style of music that reflects their unique culture and imprints of the many cultures that they came in contact with. The band plays classic Haitian and Caribbean dance music—specializing in Kompa, Rara, Zouk, Reggae, Salsa, and Merengue.

Join Emmanuel Nado during Africa Mix on June 21st to hear this exciting band.

Emmanuel interviews Lura

Lovely and talented, Capeverdean chanteuse Lura spoke with Emmanuel Nado during her musical sweep through the Bay Area in late April. Emmanuel's interview aired on Africa Mix tonight, May 11th.

We hope Lura will come back again and perhaps speak to us live in the studio. In the meantime, check out her excellent new album, M'Bem di Fora.

Nado presents: Samba Ngo live in the studio

Samba Ngo is a native of Congo in Central Africa. His music is rooted in traditional Congolese sounds, Ngo is a master of sebene—the characteristic element of Congolese music that enchants and entrances listeners with driving layers of guitar, and call-and-response choruses. He incites passion with his own brand of encouragement: "C'est bon!"

Please join Emmanuel Nado as this extraordinary guitarist and songwriter will be our guest on Africa Mix, Thursday, February 8.

Samba performs live Saturday, February 10th at Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley. Doors 9:00 pm; show 9:30 pm. $15.

Nado presents The Politics of African Music: Songs of Protest, Revolution and Liberation

As Ken Wiwa, the son of Ken Saro-Wiwa, leader of the Ogoni people who was assasinated by the Nigerian government in 1995, said, “When voices like my father are silenced, others rise and often they belong to musicians. Africa’s musicians carry a sacred burden—they are the griots, the historians of Africa’s rich, varied, and infinitely complex past.”

In this series Emmanuel Nado explores the historical involvement of music in Africa politics, the delicate and intricate relationship between African musicians and African leaders. From songs of praise to songs of protest, we’ll feature the music of outspoken African artists and their impact on the political development of their respective countries.

Photo of Ken Saro-Wiwa © BBC News