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Ray Phiri

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His fans call Chikapa Ray Phiri "the prophet," in tribute to the burning intensity of his music, and the flame of social consciousness that keeps it alight. He and his group, Stimela (Steam Train),...

His fans call Chikapa Ray Phiri "the prophet," in tribute to the burning intensity of his music, and the flame of social consciousness that keeps it alight. He and his group, Stimela (Steam Train), stoke the sound of a nation torn between apartheid's legacy of suffering and the vision of a new, free South Africa. This program traces Phiri's life from his poor roots as the son of a laborer, to co-arranger of Paul Simon's successful South African music album, Graceland. Between footage of performances, Phiri explains his music as a key to self-discovery, an outlet for personal and political frustration, and an inspiration for change.

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