{"product_id":"south-african-popular-music-9781501383427","title":"South African Popular Music","description":"From the storied ache of mbube harmonies of the '40s to the electronic boom of kwaito and the amapiano and house explosion of the '00s, this book explores vignettes taken from across South Africa's popular music history. There are moments in time where music can be a mighty weapon in the fight for freedom. Disguised in a danceable hook or shouted for the world to hear, artists have used songs to deliver important truths and bring listeners together in the face of a segregated reality. In the grip of the brutal apartheid era, South Africa crafted its own idiosyncratic popular musical vernacular that operated both as sociopolitical tool and realm of escape. In a country with 11 official languages, music had the power to unite South Africans in protest. Artists bloomed a new idyll from the branches of countless storied musical traditions, and in turn found themselves banned or exiled-the profound epiphany that music can exist both within the pleasure of itself and for serving a far greater purpose.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLior Phillips \u003c\/b\u003eis a South African music and culture journalist originally from Cape Town, now based in Chicago, USA. She writes about music, film, art, and more for international publications, including \u003ci\u003eDazed and Confused Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e, The Recording Academy, \u003ci\u003eVariety\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Billboard\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ePitchfork\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Quietus\u003c\/i\u003e, NPR, \u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eConsequence of Sound, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eGQ South Africa\u003c\/i\u003e. In addition, she is the creator, producer, and host of \u003ci\u003eThis Must Be the Gig\u003c\/i\u003e, a podcast dedicated to artists' vital memories of their first gigs and passion for live music and performanc\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Academic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50453934309650,"sku":"9781501383427","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_7b3c2370-9494-4bf3-bf67-7363a7a91a89.jpg?v=1729859379","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/south-african-popular-music-9781501383427","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}