Movement with Meklit Hadero

On this final episode of season three, Meklit shares the story of Geefata, a traditional song of celebration rooted in her father’s childhood village and in his journey from the village to the United States. 

GRAMMY nominated multi-instrumentalist Kiki Valera was born into family of musicians in Cuba. At 16, he was gifted a book gifted that changed his life.  - How To Build A Shortwave Receiver and Transmitter. Through scavenging parts, he made the machine that allowed him to listen to the world, and build a life dedicated to music. 

Today on Movement, we revisit a story we first recorded in 2021, following Sahba Aminikia - a classically trained Iranian composer, forced to flee the country he called home, while making music that transforms pain into beauty.

Arabic music filled the air of Laura Elkeslassy’s Moroccan Jewish childhood home in Paris, especially on Fridays before Shabbat. But she didn’t grow up speaking Arabic so she didn’t understand the words. In New York as an adult, Laura’s search for a wedding song takes her on a surprising journey where she connects with new musical, spiritual and political lineages and steps into her power as a musician and community leader. Learn more & sign up for Laura’s newsletter where she will announce the forthcoming studio release of Ya Ghorbati. Read more about the stories behind the songs via Ayin Press.

After years of singing backup in Havana, Cuban musician Cimafunk found his own sound by refusing to choose between tradition and innovation. The breakthrough came when he realized Afro-Cuban rhythms and American funk are not just compatible, they're in the same lineage.