AudioFiles Presents: Belonging

On this bonus episode of AudioFiles, we’re showcasing audio documentaries about belonging, from the people and things that make us feel seen to the places that turn into home. First, meet the Latina women from the Bronx transforming New York’s nightlife. Reporter Laura Rojas Aponte takes us to the club to hear from Ultraviolet, Dana Lu, Dada Cozmic, and others who are making waves as DJs. K-pop’s demand in the US has skyrocketed. But, critics say the genre is guilty of cultural appropriation. Reporter Marissa Braswell dives into K-Pop’s history, its cultural connections to Black culture, and the ongoing debate between appreciation and appropriation. For more than 10 years, the Center for African and Diaspora Dance has been serving Brooklyn with a selection of dance and music classes rooted in Africa. But for many who dance there, the studio is more than just a place to move their body. Reporter Hannah Kathryn Valles explores the rhythms of CUMBE. This episode was hosted and produced by Melanie Marich.