On the Download

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
Recently, file-sharing company Grokster and the recording industry squared off before the Supreme Court over online music sharing. Today, Mark Coleman, author of Playback: From the Victrola to the MP3, 100 Years of Music, Machines, and Money, discusses how such battles are nothing new, and technology has influenced music for more than a century. Also: Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo is embracing downloading with his new release, "Rise Up," which is available as a digital download from CalabashMusic.com, a Web site dedicated to world music. CalabashMusic.com founder Brad Powell gives us the scoop. Lastly: raised by Jehovah's Witness parents in locales as disparate as Toronto and Trinidad, rapper/producer/preacher Kheaven Brereton, aka K-Os (pronounced: chaos), proved that being preachy didn't have to mean being boring. He swept this year's Juno awards - the Canadian Grammy's - and he joins us today.
Additional Resources:
» Thomas Mapfumo press release
» Mark Coleman's Playback
» A K-Os bio

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Parts of Manhattan to sacrifice 10% of street parking as NYC installs new trash bins

The Upper West and East sides of Manhattan are set to lose thousands of parking spaces as the city begins to containerize residential trash.
Gothamist |

Speak to Speaker Menin

City Council Speaker Julie Menin talks about the latest news from City Council and takes calls from listeners.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Odyssey' Translator Emily Wilson on Bringing the Ancient Tale to Life in Christopher Nolan's New Film

All Of It with Alison Stewart |

The World Cup, the Knicks, and LeBron James’s Fate: An All-Time Summer in Sports

The staff writer Louisa Thomas on the U.S. men’s national soccer team, the N.B.A. off-season, and Serena Williams.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |
YOU ARE ONLINE