Singer, Waje, call for enlightenment on malaria

With nearly two decades of music behind her, Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun has made a name for herself the world over as a moving and passionate songwriter. This autumn, she's back with her first body of original music in five years, two albums released a month apart: "After the Great Storm" and "How Beauty Holds the Hand of Sorrow". She tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about the different moods and musical landscapes on the album and how they reflect two sides of her.

With a voice that's both soulful and haunting, London-based singer-songwriter Luca Wilding has carved out a niche in poetic, storytelling songs with a melancholy edge. He's been dubbed an artist to keep an eye out for. He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about his debut EP "To", a beautiful and unique collection of dream-folk songs released back in November. We also look at new releases from French trip-hop producer Wax Tailor as well as LA-based duos Rhye and Midnight Sister.

Pop, rock or punk: Yungblud doesn't like to be put in a box. He's only 23 but the musician already has a strong fan base and videos that notch up millions of views on social media. Yungblud's flamboyant style sets him apart. It's no surprise he's received accolades from Sir Elton John or Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl. Clovis Casali sat down with him in Paris for the release of his new album "Weird".

India's government lashes out at foreign celebrities for weighing in on the ongoing farmers' protests. They don't mention Rihanna by name, but the comments come after a tweet by the singer went viral, prompting The Times of India to praise her for bringing Indian farmers "under her umbrella". We also look at reactions to the Golden Globe nominations, a historic ruling holding the French government responsible for climate change and a story about pubic hair illustrated with grated carrots!

On this week's Middle East Matters, we're joined by a singer whose voice has been compared to the legendary French singer-songwriter Edith Piaf. Barbara Pravi, whose mother is Iranian, hails from a family of musicians and artists. In May, she'll be flying the flag for France in the Eurovision Song Contest. She tells us more.

Singer, Waje, call for enlightenment on malaria

In 2015, childhood friends Victor Solf and Simon Carpentier formed the neo-soul duo "Her". The band enjoyed a successful run on the French music scene but Carpentier tragically passed away in 2017, just before the release of the band's self-titled debut LP. After leading a tour for the record, Victor Solf decided to move on. He's just released his first solo album in his name, entitled "Still. There's Hope". He tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about his desire to celebrate life and why he decided to go solo.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid shot to fame in 2017 following the release of her debut EP "Don't Kill My Vibe". The 2019 release of her debut album "Sucker Punch" confirmed her place in pop stardom. She's been described as iconoclast, rewriting the rules of what it means to be a pop star – especially a female pop star.

As a teenager, she had to perform in the Auschwitz girls' orchestra. But Esther Bejarano never stopped loving music — or fighting against racism.

One year after singer Akon laid the first stone of the $6 billion futuristic city he plans to build in his native Senegal, the site remains grassland. Construction of "Akon City," a project due to feature ultramodern twisting skyscrapers, was already meant to have begun near the Atlantic Ocean village of Mbodiene. But building work is yet to start, prompting residents who were hoping for jobs to wonder about its future.

Britney Spears fans celebrate outside a court in Los Angeles after a judge ordered the singer’s father be removed as her guardian. Spears’ father had controlled her life for the past 13 years, under a legal arrangement the 39-year-old singer has slammed as “abusive”.

Quebec-based singer-songwriter Hubert Lenoir shot onto the scene with his debut solo album "Darlène", a glam rock psychedelic postmodern opera that was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize. He’s back with a very personal sophomore album entitled "PICTURA DE IPSE : Musique directe". This musical autobiography is a tribute to the "cinéma direct" movement, which started in Québec at the end of the 1950s.