Music
Electro Sha'abi is the sound of Cairo's youth
Footwork and Fireworks — A new wave of consciousness is sweeping the streets of Cairo, fuelled by fireworks and electro beats.
Written by: Pauline Beugnies
The inner worlds of music's greatest drummers
Faces behind the beat — From Lars Ulrich to Questlove, photographer Deirdre O’Callaghan went out to unpick the enigma that surrounds the world’s most celebrated drummers.
Written by: Alex King
A conversation with Jenny Hval, musical provocateur and transgressive force
There will be blood... — Norwegian artist Jenny Hval has made an album inspired by female vampires and period blood. But as a shape-shifting musician who pushes against convention, her work is almost impossible to write about... and that's exactly what makes her so special.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Solange's ode to blackness is exactly what America needs
Why being pro-black doesn't mean anti-white — Having spent years on the periphery of mainstream pop and R&B, Solange's empowering new album proves why she's a progressive bad-ass with a message worth believing in.
Written by: Kemi Alemoru
Will Butler on why humour is the highest form of art
Learning to go with the flow... — Sometimes the multi-instrumentalist powerhouse behind Arcade Fire has to step out alone and do his own thing. And while taking time off from one of the biggest bands in the world requires single-minded self-belief, it just wouldn't work without the ability to laugh at himself.
Written by: Tom Fenwick
The all-girl hip-hop label taking on the boys and killing it
Welcome to Peach House — Redefining what it means to be a woman in the male-dominated music industry, Blimes Brixton and her Los Angeles girl gang have been making waves with their independent label, Peach House.
Written by: Ella Sadie Guthrie
DAMEHT: The punks keeping NYC’s rebellious spirit alive
Resurrecting an ‘80s counterculture icon — DAMEHT team up with artist, photographer and Lower East Side legend Clayton Patterson to release a limited edition version of the iconic Clayton Cap.
Written by: Alex King
The beautiful faces of Afropunk London
A celebration of diversity — Brooklyn based Afropunk festival – a much needed celebration of black culture in the city and beyond – hits London for the first time. We sent photographer Jordan Stephens to Alexandra Palace to capture the festival's inauguration in the city.
Written by: Michael Segalov
Billy Bragg and Joe Henry on trains, Trump, and the political power of pop
Sounds of change — When Billy Bragg and Joe Henry set out on their American railroad adventure, they planned to record great American folksongs in the stops along the way. What was unexpected, however, was quite how relevant they'd be today.
Written by: Michael Segalov
Vodun are about to unleash the spirits at Afropunk London
Following the eternal beat — Voodoo-inspired heavy metal three-piece Vōdūn are channeling the screams of Mother Earth and the pounding drums of Ouidah.
Written by: Alex King