Forty years on, New York Times reporter Lynsey Chutel considers the legacy of one of the most popular, controversial and contested musical releases ever - Graceland.
The pairing of joyful Black South African music with Paul Simon’s cinematic lyricism is either a high point in cultural exchange, or an outrageous betrayal of the anti-apartheid movement. How should we view Simon's Graceland album now - in a time when cultural boycotts, cultural appropriation, and cancel culture are on the tip of everyone's tongue?
Forty years on, and through a distinctly South African lens, New York Times reporter Lynsey Chutel considers the legacy of one the most popular, controversial, and contested record releases ever. Was Paul Simon arrogant? Ignorant? And did his music really aid the struggle against apartheid?
Contributors:
Stanley De Klerk, Lynsey's uncle
Professor Sean Jacobs, Director of International Affairs at The New School
Bakithi Kumalo, bassist on Graceland
Billy Bragg, singer-songwriter
Dali Tambo, founder of Artists Against Apartheid
Sonti Mndebele, singer on the Graceland tour
Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi, music writer
Presented by Lynsey Chutel
Produced by Seun Matiluko & Jack Howson
Mixed by Louis Blatherwick
With thanks to Tom Bonnett for inspiration, as well as Rose-Anna Hyde, Richard Power and Saskia Cookson for additional research
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 4
