Published January 2, 2025
The "Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa," a leading publication in the field, recently featured an interview article authored by Chijioke Ngobili, a PhD student in the Department of History. The piece is a rich dialogue with Emeritus Professor John Collins, a trailblazing scholar of African popular music who celebrated his 80th birthday this year.
Their conversation delves into the evolution of African popular music, issues of misogyny in art music, the global influence of world music, and the role of women in African art music. Remarkably, Professor Collins, who earned his PhD at UB decades ago with a groundbreaking thesis on African music, shares a unique connection with Chijioke through their UB roots.
Collins’ vast experiences living, performing, and working across Ghana and Africa bring depth to the discussion, which highlights the enduring legacy of UB’s influence in African music scholarship.