The recent chart success of French duo Les Nubians’ One Step Forward is a heartening rebuke and disturbing indicator of our country’s xenophobic culture. Usually, foreign-speaking artists have to sing in English (like Shakira or t.A.T.u.) to succeed in the U.S. at the risk of becoming childlike novelties (like Falco…

The Bronx is hundreds of miles away from house-music giant Little Louie Vega’s vantage point on the patio behind Miami Beach’s Panna Café, where he sits and enjoys a cup of coffee. He’s here under some duress: In three hours he has to rejoin his wife, the beautiful Cape Verdean…