Music & Culture

Music & Culture

K-Pop, Korean Popular Music, Hits No. 1 In The U.S.

7:08am May 29, 2018

The Korean pop band BTS scores its first No. 1 album in the U.S. — debuting at the top of the charts with "Love Yourself: Tear." It's the first mostly-foreign language album to hit No. 1 in 12 years.

Queue Listen Now

Third Coast Percussion performs a Tiny Desk Concert on April 27, 2018 (Claire Harbage/NPR).

Music & Culture

Third Coast Percussion: Tiny Desk Concert

7:00am May 29, 2018

by Tom Huizenga

Watch the Chicago-based ensemble conjure otherworldly sounds from steel pipes, tuned cowbells and a bowl that sings.

"When you go get your education, you've earned that," Irma Thomas says.

Music & Culture

Soul Queen Irma Thomas Becomes A Doctor

6:04am May 29, 2018

by Eve Abrams

Thomas earned the title of the Soul Queen of New Orleans three decades ago. Earlier this month, she added the title of doctor to her name thanks to Tulane University.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Weezer Covers Toto Song But Not The One Fans Wanted

5:49am May 28, 2018

For over a year, fans have been trying to get the band to cover "Africa" by Toto. Weezer did decide to cover a Toto song but went with "Rosanna" instead.

Queue Listen Now

Kendrick Lamar performs at the BET Awards in 2015, the year his song "Alright" was released and exploded into an anthem of protest.

Music & Culture

What's Your American Anthem?

5:02am May 28, 2018

by Elizabeth Blair

Starting July 4, we'll bring you the stories of 50 songs — stretching from before the days of sound recording to the present — that rouse, uplift or call to action. To do that, we need your help.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Pusha T On His Controversial New Album 'Daytona'

5:57pm May 27, 2018

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with rapper Pusha T about his latest album, Daytona, his relationship with Kanye West, and his growth as an artist.

Queue Listen Now

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19.

Music & Culture

No Nerves From 19-Year-Old Royal Wedding Cellist

11:30am May 27, 2018

Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a rising star in the U.K. classical world, wants to serve as an inspiration for musicians even younger than he is.

Queue Listen Now

Mezzo-soprano Aleks Romano performs in Carmen in Concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on April 21, 2018.

Music & Culture

'My Voice Should Be Heard': #MeToo And The Women Of Opera

8:10am May 27, 2018

Three women — a soprano, a mezzo-soprano, and a vice president of opera programming — join NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro for a conversation about harassment and inequity in the opera world.

Music & Culture

Del McCoury On Bluegrass And Life On The Road

8:10am May 27, 2018

Bluegrass greats Del McCoury and Ronnie McCoury join NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro to talk about Del's new album, and life on the road with a band that's become like family.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason performs for millions at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Music & Culture

'Cello Bae' Sheku Kanneh-Mason Wins Worldwide Fans After Royal Wedding

5:13pm May 26, 2018

by Sidney Madden

Watch the moving performance from 19-year-old award-winner during the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.