Movement with Meklit Hadero

"Why I was spared" ft. Mon Rovîa Jan 14, 2025

How do we turn pain into empathy? Meklit talks with Liberian-American singer Mon Rovîa about his long journey to doing just that.

"Syria is finally free" ft. Hello Psychaleppo Dec 24, 2024

Bashar Al Assad, Syria’s brutal dictator, has fled the country -- opening a new and uncertain chapter after more than a decade of Civil War. Meklit speaks with the Syrian electronic composer Samer Saem Eldahr (otherwise known as Hello Psychaleppo) about how that conflict changed his life and music.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here" ft. Diana Gameros Dec 10, 2024

Diana Gameros was living in the US in 2010 when her home city of Juarez, Mexico became known as one of the most dangerous places on Earth. She was undocumented at the time; she couldn't travel back and forth even to see family. In this episode Diana tells the story of what it meant to finally go back and perform in Juarez after many years away.

"22 Nights" ft Chhom Nimol -- Live on stage Nov 26, 2024

Chhom Nimol of the band Dengue Fever tells the harrowing story of the 22 night she spent in an immigration detention facility.

"A circle moment" ft. Emel Mathlouthi Nov 12, 2024

Meklit talks with Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi about the moment that turned her into a viral sensation and the voice of a revolution -- but also about what it means to move beyond the shadow of that one moment.

"I've just thrown out the word expectation" ft. Adi Oasis Oct 22, 2024

Adi Oasis released an album and had a baby in the same year -- she thought it would be the end of her music career, but it's been the opposite. Adi and Meklit talk about the challenges of being a mama musician, and how motherhood changed how they see their own sense of place.

"Breaking unbreakable things" ft. Cheakaity Brown Oct 08, 2024

Cheakaity is a DC-based soul singer who was brought into the world with a weighty name: the one who breaks unbreakable things. He talks with Meklit about lineage, prophecies and the fear of living a life unfulfilled.

"Pragmatism and Revolution" ft. Victoria Ruiz Sep 24, 2024

Victoria Ruiz fronts the leftist punk band Downtown Boys, and has spent her career walking the line between pragmatism and idealism -- often in extremely visible settings, and often with painful consequences.

"Girls do not enter" ft. June Millington Sep 10, 2024

Fanny was the first all-women band to release a record on a major label, in 1970. Meklit talks with lead guitarist June Millington about the incredible pressures of navigating the industry at that time and how parts of their story were never fully told.

"I've been writing the same song since the first song I wrote" ft. Helado Negro Aug 20, 2024

Helado Negro has released 13 records in 15 years. He joins Meklit to talk about how the immigrant work ethic plays out in the arts, and Meklit wonders: is it good that we work this much?

"We got on the Bad Bunny Bus" ft. Buscabulla Aug 13, 2024

Buscabulla got the kind of lucky break most artists only dream about: the chance to record with the biggest artist in the world. But what happens after the lightning strikes -- can they channel its energy?

"I was reluctant to go" ft. Sid Sriram Aug 06, 2024

Sid Sriram wanted to make it big in the American music industry, so when got an opportunity to live and work in India as a singer for hit films, he wasn't sure he would take it. Meklit talks with Sid about his breakout album Sidharth, playing Coachella, and how he needed that time in India to find his way in the US.

“New York is the people that live here” ft. Mafer Bandola Jul 30, 2024

New York City is a city of immigrants, but right now that ethos and identity is being tested like never before. Meklit talks with Mafer Bandola, a Venezuelan musician who made the city her home, and then found herself on the front lines of the ongoing 'migrant crisis.'

“I’m ready for that transformation” ft. Dayme Arocena Jul 23, 2024

Daymé Arocena has one of the most stunning voices in music today. But when Meklit heard Daymé's latest album, Alkemi, she could tell something dramatic had changed. Her voice had changed, and Daymé had changed too.

Learn more about Movement at: https://www.movementstories.com/

“I found refuge in tap dancing” ft. Gerson Lanza Jul 16, 2024

Art is a form of self-expression. A lot of people say that, but for tap dance virtuoso Gerson Lanza it was literally true. Plus a teaser of what's to come on the new season of Movement with Meklit Hadero. Look out for new episodes through the summer and fall.

Learn more about Movement at https://www.movementstories.com/

Coming up on Season 2 Jul 09, 2024

Coming up on Season 2

"Returning as Myself" ft. San Cha Dec 19, 2023

Meklit talks with Mexican-American singer San Cha about how she fell in love with Ranchera — a style of music that represented all the cultural values, sexual repression and stigma that she had once tried to escape.

More about San Cha: https://www.churchofsancha.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Bananas and Cilantro" ft. Sasami Dec 12, 2023

Meklit talks with Sasami Ashworth about her acclaimed record “Squeeze,” and how it fits within a larger cycle of creation, restoration and self-discovery.

More about Sasami: https://sasamiashworth.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Not Standing Still Anymore" ft. Chhom Nimol (of Dengue Fever) Dec 05, 2023

Meklit talks with Cambodian-American singer Chhom Nimol about her long musical journey from performing on Cambodia’s first televised singing competition, to joining the band Dengue Fever. They also discuss her personal favorite track from the band’s new album — an ode to a Cambodian culinary staple, the fermented fish paste prohok.

More about Dengue Fever: https://denguefevermusic.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Dubai is Like a Big Airport" ft. Cromwell Ojeda Nov 28, 2023

Cromwell Ojeda and his brother grew up in Dubai — two Filipino kids in an expat family — but now his brother is moving to Canada where their family can finally gain citizenship. Meklit talks with Cromwell about what it’s like to make music and community in a place where people tend to come and go.

Follow Cromwell: https://www.instagram.com/muhaisnahfour/?hl=en

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"She's gonna do all of that?" ft. Ghaliaa Nov 21, 2023

In part two of our series on path breaking artists in the United Arab Emirates, Meklit talks with Syrian singer and producer Ghaliaa about how a complete collapse of confidence led to her latest record.

More about Ghaliaa: https://www.ghaliaaofficial.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"You're an Expat" ft. Freek Nov 07, 2023

When Mustafa Mohamed Ismail -- AKA Freek -- was 10 years old, he learned that he had no citizenship in the only country he'd ever known. And if he wanted to stay, he'd have to find a job.

More about Freek: https://www.youtube.com/@thefreektv

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Shiny Blue Keys" ft. Tatiana Crespo -- LIVE from Tempe, AZ Oct 31, 2023

Tatiana Crespo introduces us to her accordion Lindo, plus a busking adventure that changed her life. This story was recorded live on stage at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.

More about Tatiana: https://www.taticrespoarte.com/

"Between the Tears, So Much Pride" ft. Clarissa Bitar Oct 10, 2023

Meklit talks with oud virtuoso Clarissa Bitar about the doubts she overcame just to pick up the instrument, and the incredible response from her family when they realized she could actually play.

More about Clarissa: https://clarissabitar.com/#/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Separating our culture from our trauma" ft. Alsarah Sep 12, 2023

Meklit talks with an old friend — East African retro-pop singer Alsarah —about drawing inspiration from tradition, and making peace with the word “refugee.”

Watch the “Farasha” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaN9ELG4p4g

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"What's the Freshest Fruit?" ft. Felukah Aug 29, 2023

Meklit talks with Egyptian-American MC Felukah, about how moving to the birthplace of hip-hop transformed her from poet to rapper.

More about Felukah: https://www.felukah.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Laughter is Freedom" ft. Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul Aug 01, 2023

Meklit talks with the Belgian-based dance-pop duo of Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul about taking their new record out on the road, and wondering how some of its humor and provocation might be received in different parts of the world.

More on Charlotte and Bolis: https://charlotteandbolis.com/

More on Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"A World In Which I Can Exist" ft. Dakota Camacho Jul 18, 2023

On the island commonly known as “Guam," July 21st is commonly known as "Liberation Day.” But for Dakota Camacho, a Seattle-based artist who traces their lineage to the island, these simple terms hold a world of history and complexity.

More about Dakota: https://www.dakotacamacho.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Sing Every Song Like It's Your Last" ft. Gino Yevdjevich Jul 04, 2023

Meklit talks with Gino Yevdjevich, lead singer of the gypsy punk band Kultur Shock, about the need to create art, especially when the world is at its darkest.

More about Kulture Shock: http://www.kulturshock.com/

More about Movement: https://movementstories.com/

"Welcome Home Pop" ft. Momma Nikki -- Live from Seattle Jun 20, 2023

Momma Nikki speaks and sings about a complicated relationship with their father, who immigrated to the US from Haiti. The story was recorded live on stage at the Meany Center for the Performing arts at the University of Washington.

More about Momma Nikki: https://www.mommanikki.com/

More about Movement: https://www.mommanikki.com/

More about Meklit Hadero: https://www.meklitmusic.com/

"Love at First Sight" ft. Larry & Joe Jun 06, 2023

Larry Bellorín is a legend of Venezuelan Llanera music; Joe Troop is a bluegrass virtuoso from North Carolina. Meklit talks with this unlikely duo about the social forces and serendipity that brought them together.

Find all of Larry & Joe’s music at https://www.larryandjoe.com/

Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/

More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

"Making Weird Normal" ft. NNAMDI May 23, 2023

Meklit talks with Nnamdi Ogbonaya about making music that draws the listener in, while at the same time challenging them. His new album is called "Please Have a Seat."

Find all of NNAMDI’s music at https://nnamdi.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/

More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

"Writing a Ritual" ft. Xenia Rubinos May 09, 2023

Meklit talks with Xenia Rubinos about finding her way back to the stage after a long and difficult time away.

Find all of Xenia’s music at: https://www.xeniarubinos.com/

Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/

More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/

“The Craziest Thing I Ever Did" ft. Jesus Díaz Apr 25, 2023

Meklit talks with Cuban-American percussionist and bandleader Jesus Díaz about his journey from playing homemade drums in Havana to performing on the biggest stages in the world.

Find all of Jesus’s music at http://www.jesusdiazqba.com/
Learn more about Movement at https://movementstories.com/
More about Meklit at https://www.meklitmusic.com/