Afro Picks is the South African edition of RBMA Radio's Inside Out program, straight out of Red Bull Studio in Cape Town. Hosted by well-respected TV presenter / DJ / magazine editor / songwriter Lee Kasumba, Afro Picks is set out to explore the vast influence of African music on global pop culture and vice versa – from high-life-fuelled deep house tunes to reggae licks from East Africa. The music is selected by Kenny Nzama aka Kenzhero, a DJ and club promoter based in the outskirts of Northern Jo’burg.

“The rest of the world has always been the ones to tell Africa's musical stories,” says Lee, who’s worked for the MTV and YFM as well as the UN and the African leg of Live 8, and has been dubbed ‘Queen of Jo’burg’ amongst many other things. “And whenever it’s been told or explored in general it has been called ‘development music’, which is kind of intense because it’s like ‘Oh, yes, we need to develop African music so it can get to our standard’ – like Zap Mama, you know? Truth is, it’s impacted – and continues to impact – even mainstream music in so many ways, and I would like the show to capture that. That's the essence, you know? But before you can go forward it's important to understand the background. Afro Picks is documenting it in sound and some interviews of the people who make the music appreciate it, showing different trends in African music as young people are kind of looking back to their roots, merging western influences with Africa and how those two worlds meet.”

In 2010, the Afro Picks concept will also be brought to life in some of the best venues around South Africa, with special concert and club events hosted and curated by Lee & Kenny. In the meantime, check out the first few episodes below, and stay tuned for regular updates.

Inside Out - Afro Picks Vol 1 - South Africa
Inside Out - Afro Picks Vol 2 - Ethiopia
Inside Out - Afro Picks Vol 3 - Egypt