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Page last updated at 07:44 GMT, Monday, 28 May 2012 08:44 UK

Harry Belafonte on the power of song

The singer Harry Belafonte became known as the King of Calypso - he made the Caribbean style of music hugely popular, not least with the Banana Boat song and its famous chorus of Day-O.

Now in his 80s, his daughter has made a film of his life called Sing Your Song. It shows how he was involved in some of the defining struggles of the 20th century from the US civil rights movement to the anti-apartheid cause in South Africa.

Sarah Montague spoke to him about music, politics, and his struggle against racism.

This is an extended version of the broadcast interview.


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