Category: Featured Show

Announcing ‘Dengê Kurdistan/Voice of Kurdistan’ – Our Newest Show!

WXNA FM

WXNA Nashville and the Kurdish Culture & Music Association (KCMA) are pleased to present “Dengê Kurdistan / Voice of Kurdistan,” a new weekly program dedicated to Nashville’s Kurdish community.

Nesrin Şimşek and Asiye Taşkın, together with Bager Chelik, İbrahim Zınar, and Bawer Özer, collaborate through KCMA to create spaces for cultural exchange, dialogue, and community connection. Each Saturday from 12 to 1 PM, Nesrin, Asiye, Bager, İbrahim, and Bawer will host the program on a rotating weekly basis, featuring guest speakers from the Kurdish community as they explore Kurdish culture, history, music, politics, and current issues.

Nashville and Middle Tennessee are home to one of the largest Kurdish populations in the United States—if not in all of North America—with roots in the region spanning more than five decades. Kurds are the largest stateless ethnic group in the world, with a rich and complex history shaped by resilience and cultural continuity.

Through this collaboration, WXNA and KCMA create a platform that fosters dialogue, cultural understanding, and community engagement. “Dengê Kurdistan” will be broadcast in both Kurmanji and English. Tune in every Saturday at noon to connect with your Kurdish neighbors and discover the stories, music, and voices that shape this vibrant community.

Listen to archived shows and learn more at wxnafm.org/kurdistan.

About the Kurdish Culture & Music Association

Kurdish Culture and Music Association is dedicated to fostering and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Kurdish community within Nashville, with a commitment to charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Our mission is to uplift and cultivate Kurdish cultural traditions, both among Kurdish and non-Kurdish communities, by exploring, preserving, and sharing the Kurdish Heritage. We aim to promote the understanding and appreciation of Kurdish culture through various educational and artistic initiatives.

Learn more at kcmatn.org or follow them on Instagram at @kcmatn.

 

 

New Show: Reggae University

wxna

By Ahmid Sesay (Star)

Reggae University airs Wednesday nights at 9pm ct

What is Reggae? How does Reggae sound? This answer will vary depending on how many people you ask and the era in which they grew up. What is Reggae to me? Reggae is African music. Reggae is spiritual music. Reggae is educational music. How does Reggae sound? A baseline, rhythm guitar, and a one drop beat. It is African music because it resonates with Africans. I was born in Sierra Leone. The majority of my Reggae knowledge comes from being around my late father and my uncles. That is where my inspiration for music was born. The message in the music shows that we share a cultural bond and fight the same struggles universally. Reggae IS a culture.

I focus mostly on Roots Reggae. When I say “roots,” folks quickly associate that with “old school” reggae. Roots is just what most know to be the original style before Dancehall came in and took over. In my opinion, the two are not the same genre. Dancehall is to Reggae what Rap is to R&B. They come from the same people and culture, but they’re extremely different. I dislike the fact that when one is looking for Reggae, Dancehall is often first offered. That bothers me. If I’m hungry and tell you I want Curry, don’t give me jerk. Same culture, different food. Reggae is a style of music. It creates a melodic, yet relaxed vibration. Just because a man chats Patois on a song doesn’t make it Reggae.

That’s why I chose the name “Reggae University” for my show. I aim to teach people about Reggae from ALL eras. Being that I’ve never stepped foot in Jamaica but have a great knowledge of the music, I want to show the POWER of Reggae. Reggae music is a music full of activists. One would like to credit the Rastafarian faith, but it’s not just the Rastas. Jimmy Cliff, Culture, Burning Spear, Bunny Wailer, Peter, and of course Bob are just a few of the “activists” in Reggae. Most people know those names. I want to extend their knowledge to artists like Justin Hinds, The Maytones, and more. I also want to focus on educating people on the newer Roots Reggae artists like Romain Virgo, Lila Ike, Naomi Cowan, Protoje and more. Mi ave nuff fi teach unu (I have a lot to teach you all)!

The message in Reggae, especially in the earlier days, taught the Black race, wherever they may be in the world, to focus on and to cherish Africa. It is our home. It taught us the teachings of Marcus Garvey. It taught about peace and love. The beauty of Reggae is that you can never learn nor have enough. I have crates of records and boxes of cds and still feel like I need to double the amount of what I have. First you start with Bob Marley, then next it may be Gregory Isaacs, then Culture, then Morgan Heritage or Luciano. The music has a deep, rich history that I hope will be revered more as time progresses. So….when you’re chanced, come a mi school and sit dung inna de front row. Its a serious ting mi deh pon…..Reggae University.