NOVEMBER 2 “THIS WEEK IN THE MUSIC OF NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE”

Venezuelan political activist and musician Ali Primera was born this week in 1942 (October 31st). Primera developed the “nuveca cancon” (new song) genre in Venezuela and used his music to condemn repression and show the powers of resistance. In Venezuela, he is known as the “people’s singer.”

His first album–Gente de mi tierra–touched on themes that he would continue to develop for the next two decades, including the injustice of poverty and inequality. At the 1967 Chilean “Festival of Protest Songs,” Primera became hugely popular.

Primera tragically died in a 1985 car accident, but you can listen to his music here and read more about him with this biography.