Archie Roach (born 1956, Mooroopna, Victoria) is an Australian musician. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he survived a turbulent upbringing to develop into a powerful voice for Indigenous Australia, a storyteller in the tradition of his ancestors, and a nationally popular and respected artist.
Thomas Mapfumo (born 1945 in Marondera, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean musician known as "The Lion of Zimbabwe" for his immense popularity and for the political influence he wields through his music. Pre-Independence, his songs openly called for the violent overthrow of the government, with lyrics like "Mothers, send your sons to war." Since the white government didn't understand Shona, however, at first they didn't realize how radical the songs were.
Aziza is a Saharawi from Western Sahara, born in a refugee camp in Algeria. At the age of 11 Aziza received a schoolarship to study in Cube where she spent seven years, before abandoning her studies in order to dedicate herself to music. She won the first prize in a national song competition in a cultural festival of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic - the self-proclaimed Saharawi state, exiled in the refugee camps and recognized by over 80 countries.
Te Vaka is a unique group of ten musicians and dancers from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands, and New Zealand brought together under the inspired leadership of Opetaia Foa'i. They have been wowing international audiences since 1997, presenting a rich, luscious mix of Polynesia's ancient culture, to the modern world and in 2008 won the
Felpeyu creates powerful music that springs from Asturian folcloric roots and from its members' inspiration, and takes it into stage making audiences stand up and dance to it. They create new lyrics for ancient tunes, compose new music for traditional lyrics or arrange instrumental sets that are both energic and subtle. With three albums up to this date ("Felpeyu", "Tierra" and "Yá!"), Felpeyu has completely renewed its repertoire this year and is currently working in a new album, to be recorded in November.
Berri Txarrak was formed in 1994. Coming from the Basque Country, they have released 6 records, with a constant evolution that mixes alternative rock, energy, punk, hardcore, metal and some amazing melodies. Singing in euskera (basque language), Berri Txarrak has become one of the best rock bands within the Spanish State's panorama. Their last two albums, called "Libre©" and "Jaio. Musika. Hil" were praised as best 'Spanish' (here meaning produced in Spain...
Australia has produced very few, if any, popular singers of such extraordinary talent that their voices seem to be a gift from the gods. Not until now. Listen to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu as he sings in Galpu, Djambarrpuynu, Gumatj - and, occasionally, in English - and you will instantly surrender to the greatest voice this continent has ever recorded. Blind from birth, he is not an Aboriginal musician singing protest songs against a rock, reggae or folk-country backing.