Challenges of Writing a Book on South African Popular Music

On this episode, Marc talks with Lior Phillips, author of “South African Popular Music,” released in May of 2023. It's one of the first installments in 33.3's “Genre" series–an extensively researched, information packed narrative covering many different styles of South African music, from stars like Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg, to artists little known outside of the country.

As Lior writes, “My greatest hope is that by diving deep into the popular music of South Africa, the ways in which African music inspires nearly all of modern music, and the astounding history of the apartheid era, this book may help elucidate those concentric circle of art and politics, grief and rejoicing, that permeate the world at large.”

We hope you enjoy Marc's talk with Lior!

And if you're interested in Marc's forthcoming book "High Bias: The Distorted History of The Cassette Tape," out October 3 on UNC Press, check out highbiasbook.com and highbiasbook.bandcamp.com. Thanks!