Releasing your debut album in the midst of a global pandemic is not something Elisabeth Elektra expected when she started making it. The Glasgow-based songwriter, who spent five years growing up in France, counts Prince, Kate Bush and Mylène Farmer among her influences. We caught up with her to discuss her effervescent electro pop debut album "Mercurial" and were treated to a live performance of her track "Sadie".

In Poland, opposition to the government's authoritarian tendencies has found a new form of expression: rap music. Musicians, opposition figures, judges and journalists are using rap to denounce attempts to muzzle the courts and media.

Many people still associate rap music with gangsters and criminals. Up-and-coming Kenyan rapper Madigolo wants to change this perception. The young artist believes her music helps empower other young women.

Music show: The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess on his uplifting fifth solo album

While deprived of rehearsals and performances because of the COVID-19 pandemic, musicians from the Deutsche Oper in Berlin are offering a series of free concerts in the courtyards of nursing homes. This gives them the opportunity to entertain and play for elderly people who rarely have the chance to go out, and to rediscover the pleasure of performing together.

Reactions to protests in the US continue, more than a week after George Floyd's death in police custody – including Barack Obama's opinion piece and the music industry rallying behind protesters with "Blackout Tuesday". Also, outrage in Zimbabwe after three female politicians accused of illegally holding a demonstration against food shortages were tortured and sexually assaulted. Their hospital ward has now been converted into a makeshift courtroom. Finally, things are looking up for a Pakistani pigeon accused of espionage and facing life in prison!

Rap star Stormzy has revealed he's stopped smoking marijuana in a bid to improve his mental health.

Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour and Grammy-winner Angélique Kidjo were among a star-studded line-up of African talent brought together for a virtual concert to raise awareness of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 100 artists and celebrities from across the continent and the diaspora took part in the WAN Show broadcast online by the Worldwide Afro Network. It was carried by 200 African channels to mark Africa Day - and organised by FRANCE 24's very own music critic Amobé Mévégué. We look at the highlights.

British musician Laura Marling wasn't planning to release her seventh album until the end of the summer. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and her US and European tours were canceled, she decided to put it out early. The singer-songwriter speaks to Eve Jackson about London in lockdown, writing an album for her younger self and giving online guitar lessons.

The Yeke Yeke singer who brought West African music to the world in the 1980s has died in his native Guinea. His son said the coronavirus travel restrictions prevented him from travelling to France for health treatment.

On May 20, BET announced that despite the COVID-19pandemic, the 2020 BET Awards will still be held. According to Scott Mills, President of BET, it is “more important than ever” to celebrate Black culture, accomplishments and excellence.

Halsey says the coronavirus pandemic has been a "whirlwind", because her life went so quickly from playing shows in front of "thousands of people" to being "all alone" at home.