10 Kings Of R&B For 2018
These are NPR Music's picks for the top 10 R&B projects — not restricted by gender — that are leading the vanguard. Remember their names and watch the throne.
Music & Culture
How Australia's Unofficial Christmas Anthem Came To Be
In 1996, musician Paul Kelly released a song from the point of view of a man in prison thinking of family and friends celebrating Christmas without him. "How to Make Gravy" remains a hit.
What Inspired Singer JD McPherson's Christmas Album
NPR's Scott Simon talks to McPherson about "Socks," his new holiday album of original songs.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Barack Obama Collaborate On Gospel Version Of 'Hamilton' Song
Barack Obama appears on the new song, "One Last Time (44 Remix)." Originally from the Broadway hit "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda reworked the number and included the former president.
A Change Is Gonna Come, Live In Concert : Newport Folk 2018
Jon Batiste led a star-studded cast — including Mavis Staples, the Dap-Kings, Chris Thile and Brandi Carlile — through the civil rights-themed set.
A Portrait Of A Subtly Changing Nashville From 25 Angles
If you look at it broadly, the country music scene can appear frustratingly stagnant, with little growth for women and trailblazers. But from every corner, a rising generation is making progress.
Janelle Monáe On Her 'Dirty,' World-Dominating Year
Monáe's Dirty Computer can be found on just about every list of the best albums of 2018 — and it topped NPR's. The songwriter, actress and self-styled media exec says it could only have happened now.
Our Listeners Speak Up: Your Best Of 2018
Alt.Latino reviews some of the best 2018 music recommendations from listeners — and welcomes back a dear friend.
Loudon Wainwright III Opens Up About The 'Exes & Excess' That Inform His Music
Wainwright's music centers on family, and how we hurt and heal each other. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1992 and '17 about his life as a husband, father and son. His new Netflix special is Surviving Twin.
Barack Obama Brings Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Hamildrops' Series Full Circle
In a remix featuring Christopher Jackson and BeBe Winans, Obama channels the viral "Yes We Can" video from the 2008 campaign that inspired Hamilton's "One Last Time" in the first place.