Spotlight On: IBEYI

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

There is something so magical about music made by siblings. And with twins, it holds a magic all its own. Afro-Cuban, French twins Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz have always embodied that magic as the duo Ibeyi, whose name is a Yoruba word that means twins. Born in Cuba and raised in Paris, Lisa and Naomi's parents were both musicians. Their father was a well-known Cuban percussionist who earned a Grammy award for his work with the Latin jazz band Irakere, and worked with Buena Vista Social Club among many others, their mother a French-Venezuelan singer. After their father passed away suddenly in 2006 when the twins were just 11 years old, Naomi picked up the cajón - his signature instrument. By their late teens, Naomi and Lisa formed Ibeyi, fusing traditional Yoruban folklore and Afro-Cuban rhythms with electronic beats and neo soul, singing in Yoruba, Spanish, English and French. Tragedy struck again when their older sister passed away in 2013, so it was natural that their stunning 2015 self titled debut would touch on family history, grief, love and loss and pay tribute to their father and sister. Their powerful follow up Ash was released in 2017. This week, we celebrate Ibeyi’s return with their third album Spell 31 which arrives on May 6th, and we welcome Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz as our SHEROES in the Spotlight.

Our playlist includes new music from Koffee and Angel Olsen. 

SHERO BIRTHDAYS: We celebrate the birthdays of SHERO Lily Allen on 5/2, and the late legend Sharon Jones who would have been 66 on 5/4 and on 5/5, the late great Tammy Wynette who would have been 80. 

This week’s Radio SHERO: Susan Castle from KUTX in Austin joins us as our Radio SHERO, spinning the classic “Strange Things Are Happening Every Day” from the Godmother of rock and roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe.