World Cafe Playlist for 07/17/2026
Mon Rovia joins host Stephen Kallao
As a young man living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Janjay Lowe, who performs as Mon Rovia, tried to forget his early life in Liberia, but survivor’s guilt caught up with him. Mon would process those feelings through writing songs and performing on TikTok. After a spontaneous moment led to a viral hit, he had a breakthrough that led to his debut album, Bloodline. Mon Rovia shares his story, and we’ll hear a live performance.
Listen to the session here.
Today’s Playlist
Coldplay “Fix You” X & Y
Mon Rovia “Field Song” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Mon Rovia “Bloodline” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Mon Rovia “Minute Maid Lemonade” Minute Maid Lemonade (single)
Mon Rovia “Big Love Ahead” Big Love Ahead (single)
Ray Lamontagne “The Changing Man” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Mon Rovia “Heavy Foot” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Mon Rovia “Foreshadowing” Bloodline
Mon Rovia “Crooked the Road” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Adia Victoria “Different Kind Of Love” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Phoebe Bridgers “Lost Boys” Lost Weekend
Spoon “Do You” They Want My Soul
World Party “Is It Like Today?” Bang
Hour Two
Kurt Vile “Chance to Bleed” Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me
This Is Lorelei “Billy Came Back” The Singer in My Band
Ratboys “Penny in the Lake” Singin’ to an Empty Chair
Dave Matthews Band “Stay (Wasting Time)” Before These Crowded Streets
Kevin Morby “100,000” Little Wide Open
American Football “Never Meant” American Football
Cake “Never There” Recorded Live for World Cafe
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives “Sister Surround” Recorded Live for World Cafe
The Womack Sisters “Chauffer” The Womack Sisters
Bob Marley & The Wailers “Roots, Rock, Reggae” Rastaman Vibration
Santigold “Creator” Recorded Live for World Cafe
Alex Amen “California Blues” Sun of Amen
George Harrison “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” Living in the Material World
beabadoobee “The Perfect Pair” Beatopia
Arlo Parks “2Sided” Ambiguous Desire
Bakar “1st Time” (single)