Music & Culture

American Blues musician Otis Rush at the Petrillo Band Shell, Chicago, Illinois, June 3, 1995.

Otis Rush, Chicago Blues Legend, Dies At 84

6:23pm September 30, 2018

by Eric Westervelt

Rush's unique style of soloing and powerful tenor voice helped shape the Chicago blues sound and deeply influenced famed guitarists like Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

M.I.A. performs during Bestival 2018 in Lulworth Castle, England. Matangi / Maya / M.I.A., the new documentary about the pop star, is out now.

Music & Culture

'It Never Existed Before': M.I.A. On Changing Pop And Documenting Her Story

6:04pm September 30, 2018

'MATANGI/ MAYA/ M.I.A.' is a new documentary about musician and activist M.I.A. She joins NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro to talk about the film and what it's like for women who speak out.

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Music & Culture

Remembering Guitarist Otis Rush

4:49pm September 30, 2018

by Eric Westervelt

Guitarist Otis Rush helped shape the Chicago blues sound, and deeply influenced a generation of musicians including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. He died on Saturday at the age of 84.

Music For Healing: A Meditative Alt.Latino Playlist

1:34pm September 30, 2018

An emotionally exhausting week calls for music that helps you to unwind and just breathe.

Music & Culture

New Music From Alt.Latino

8:23am September 30, 2018

by Felix Contreras

After a week of relentless and emotionally taxing news, Alt.Latino gives us a playlist of soothing songs to wash away the stress.

Members of New F4, a popular Chinese boy band, perform during Chinese Central Television's annual back-to-school special.

A Fiery Debate Over 'Sissies' Vs. Macho Men In China's Social Media

7:00am September 30, 2018

by Yuhan Xu

It started when the boy band New F4 was featured on the annual back-to-school special that every primary and middle school student must watch and discuss.

Students at the Dhow Countries Music Academy, dedicated to preserving the music known as "taarab," play on a balcony overlooking Zanzibar's port.

The Hot New Musical Trend In Zanzibar Is From The '80s — The 1880s

3:53pm September 29, 2018

by Amy Yee

The traditional music known as taarab was fading away — until a school began giving lessons to aspiring musicians.

Balin performs at the Monterey Pop Festival in Monterey, Calif., on June 17, 1967.

Music & Culture

Jefferson Airplane Co-Founder, Singer And Songwriter Marty Balin Dead At 76

11:59am September 29, 2018

by Andrew Flanagan

Balin was a principal contributor to the San Francisco psychedelic scene — and by extension, a prominent contributor to the sound of American rock.

Music & Culture

Jefferson Airplane's Marty Balin Dies At 76

8:00am September 29, 2018

Marty Balin was a co-founder and lead singer of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship. At their height both bands were among the hottest in America. Balin has died at age 76.

Buffy Sainte-Marie performs during Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park in Oct. 2016 in San Francisco.

Buffy Sainte-Marie's Authorized Biography Serves As A 'Map Of Hope'

7:25am September 29, 2018

The award-winning native Canadian singer-songwriter and social activist looks back on a life of music, milestones and empowerment.