World Music

Latin beats – from salsa and bachata to Chicano rap and electro-cumbia – have found a growing underground scene in an unexpected country: Japan.

from KCRW Features

Brazilian music legend Milton Nascimento and jazz supernova esperanza spalding discuss “dancing together” to create their 2024 album, Milton + esperanza.

from Music Special Programming

Part play, part rock concert, "Cambodian Rock Band" is a story of survival. Playwright Lauren Yee explores Cambodia's dark past with music and humor.

‘Cambodian Rock Band’: Reviving lost sound, confronting dark past

Part play, part rock concert, "Cambodian Rock Band" is a story of survival. Playwright Lauren Yee explores Cambodia's dark past with music and humor.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

South African musician Abel Selaocoe explains his “paper” technique of practicing cello as a kid, the power of singing to unite a community, and how he more deeply explored his roots…

South Africa’s Abel Selaocoe makes cello sound like percussion

South African musician Abel Selaocoe explains his “paper” technique of practicing cello as a kid, the power of singing to unite a community, and how he more deeply explored his roots…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

George Frideric Handel wrote the music for “Messiah” during political and social unrest. Charles Jennens put together the text when experiencing deep despair.

Encore: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ raises foundational questions of being human

George Frideric Handel wrote the music for “Messiah” during political and social unrest. Charles Jennens put together the text when experiencing deep despair.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

George Frideric Handel wrote the music for “Messiah” during political and social unrest. Charles Jennens put together the text when experiencing deep despair.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ raises foundational questions of being human

George Frideric Handel wrote the music for “Messiah” during political and social unrest. Charles Jennens put together the text when experiencing deep despair.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A group of Ukrainian musician-soldiers recently stopped in LA on a goodwill tour, bringing gratitude and a healthy dose of appreciation for Hank Williams.

Ukrainian soldiers fresh from front lines bring music to LA

A group of Ukrainian musician-soldiers recently stopped in LA on a goodwill tour, bringing gratitude and a healthy dose of appreciation for Hank Williams.

from KCRW Features

The Soweto Gospel Choir of South Africa’s latest album reimagines popular dance tracks of the last 50 years.

‘History of House’ puts an African twist on famous dance tracks

The Soweto Gospel Choir of South Africa’s latest album reimagines popular dance tracks of the last 50 years.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lost Notes explores how Fela Kuti’s time in LA in 1969 was instrumental in the creation of his legendary Afrobeat sound.

Lost Notes, Season 4 - Ep 3: My Lady’s Frustration: How Fela Kuti Found Afrobeat in LA

Lost Notes explores how Fela Kuti’s time in LA in 1969 was instrumental in the creation of his legendary Afrobeat sound.

from Lost Notes

Junf, Betto Arcos, and Moni Saldaña join Raul to bring you tunes for your holiday soundtrack. “Tengo Tanto Deseo de Ti” by Emally Villa brings the Señor Discos energy.

Dance into the New Year

Junf, Betto Arcos, and Moni Saldaña join Raul to bring you tunes for your holiday soundtrack. “Tengo Tanto Deseo de Ti” by Emally Villa brings the Señor Discos energy.

from Global Beat Mexico

Moni Saldaña is back with Raul and three new tracks! Mexico City’s LATIN MAFIA teams up with Humbe on a huge new hit “Patadas de Ahogado.”

Stellar vocals and moody dance vibes

Moni Saldaña is back with Raul and three new tracks! Mexico City’s LATIN MAFIA teams up with Humbe on a huge new hit “Patadas de Ahogado.”

from Global Beat Mexico

Junf is back with Raul and three new tracks! “No Juice” from Proux brings the Señor Discos energy to the dancefloor.

Get to the dancefloor

Junf is back with Raul and three new tracks! “No Juice” from Proux brings the Señor Discos energy to the dancefloor.

from Global Beat Mexico

Betto is back with Raul and three new tunes. First up, Los Malagueña put a modern twist on son huasteco in “Flores Negras.”

Rock neo norteño out of Chihuahua

Betto is back with Raul and three new tunes. First up, Los Malagueña put a modern twist on son huasteco in “Flores Negras.”

from Global Beat Mexico

Moni Saldaña is back with three fresh tracks for us: slick R&B vibes kick things off with “Azul” by Noa Sainz. Experience full vibrant color in “Abriendo Los Ojos” by Radio Carretera.

Slick R&B vibes from Mexico City

Moni Saldaña is back with three fresh tracks for us: slick R&B vibes kick things off with “Azul” by Noa Sainz. Experience full vibrant color in “Abriendo Los Ojos” by Radio Carretera.

from Global Beat Mexico

Betto is back from Mexico with 3 tracks all recorded at a legendary studio in Coyoacán, Mexico.

Traditional and experimental sounds out of Coyoacán

Betto is back from Mexico with 3 tracks all recorded at a legendary studio in Coyoacán, Mexico.

from Global Beat Mexico

Junf is back with Raul and 3 danceable tracks. Two siblings from Oaxaca bring us Britpop-inspired avant garde sounds in “Bola Ora” by Valgur.

Uplifting dancy tracks and Señor Discos vibes

Junf is back with Raul and 3 danceable tracks. Two siblings from Oaxaca bring us Britpop-inspired avant garde sounds in “Bola Ora” by Valgur.

from Global Beat Mexico

Moni Saldaña is back with two Tijuana-born bands: Vaya Futuro’s heavy rock track “Posesión” channels some angry energy.

From Tijuana to Monterrey

Moni Saldaña is back with two Tijuana-born bands: Vaya Futuro’s heavy rock track “Posesión” channels some angry energy.

from Global Beat Mexico

Betto is back with Raul alongside guest curator and legendary singer Lila Downs.

Beautiful rootsy sounds with guest Lila Downs

Betto is back with Raul alongside guest curator and legendary singer Lila Downs.

from Global Beat Mexico

Junf is back with a crushy track from Baja, “Me Gustas Tanto” by KNYA.

When you ask for more / I love you so much

Junf is back with a crushy track from Baja, “Me Gustas Tanto” by KNYA.

from Global Beat Mexico

The originators of Zamrock bring cuts from their hard-charging 2023 LP “Zango” — “Stop The Rot,” “Waile,” and more — to the Annenberg Performance Studio.

WITCH: KCRW Live from HQ

The originators of Zamrock bring cuts from their hard-charging 2023 LP “Zango” — “Stop The Rot,” “Waile,” and more — to the Annenberg Performance Studio.

from Live From