Vince Staples, the visible man
Staples has always lived in a few worlds: art-rap hero, hall-of-fame interviewee, and a homebody whose inner life is none of our business. On Dark Times, his worlds finally converge.
Music & Culture
Jon Muq on his latest album, 'Flying Away'
The Ugandan singer-songwriter, now based in Austin, worked with The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach to craft his debut record.
Brittney Spencer brings her culture to country music
The rising young singer-songwriter, who tours with Willie Nelson and sings on Beyoncé's latest album, is making a name for herself in a new era of more inclusive country music.
Why Kansas City musician recorded an album in a Cold War missile silo
A Kansas City musician plays his pedal steel guitar in a Cold War missile silo to record a hopeful reminder that nuclear war is not inevitable
As summer starts, Taylor Swift, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen maintain chart reigns
For the fifth week in a row, Swift's The Tortured Poets Department was the best-selling album in the country. Post Malone and Wallen's "I Had Some Help" repeated as the top song.
Yo-Yo Ma on ‘touching infinity’ through his nearly 300-year-old cello, Petunia
About 25 years ago, the acclaimed cellist asked a high school student to help him name his instrument. He brings his cello — aka "Petunia" — to the Fresh Air studio for music and conversation.
The Philharmonik: Tiny Desk Concert
The 2024 Tiny Desk Contest winner — the multi-genre artist The Philharmonik — performs a celebratory set.
Wu-Tang Clan's unreleased 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin' is now at an Australian museum
The album, which features 31 songs, was previously owned by Martin Shkreli, who served seven years in prison for securities fraud, and had to forfeit it to the U.S. government.
The National Recording Registry's best Spanish language songs (and what it's missing)
The Library of Congress' National Recording Registry is more than just a collection of music and sound — it's a reflection of who we are as a country. In April, two new Spanish language songs were added to the registry: Juan Gabriel's "Amor Eterno" and Héctor Lavoe's "El Cantante."
This week on Alt.Latino, Felix and Ana take the opportunity to dive into the Spanish language songs that have made it into the historic collection, as well as share their dream picks for what should be chosen next.
Songs featured in this episode:
•Héctor Lavoe, "El Cantante"
•Juan Gabriel, "Amor Eterno (En Vivo [En el Palacio de Bellas Artes])"
•Buena Vista Social Club, "Chan Chan"
•Buena Vista Social Club, "Orgullecida"
•Buena Vista Social Club, "El Carretero"
•Santana, "Oye Como Va"
•Lydia Mendoza, "Mal Hombre (Cold-Hearted Man)"
•Dizzy Gillespie feat. Chano Pozo, "Manteca"
•Ivy Queen, "Quiero Bailar"
•Jose Feliciano, "El Reloj"
•
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
This week on Alt.Latino, Felix and Ana take the opportunity to dive into the Spanish language songs that have made it into the historic collection, as well as share their dream picks for what should be chosen next.
Songs featured in this episode:
•Héctor Lavoe, "El Cantante"
•Juan Gabriel, "Amor Eterno (En Vivo [En el Palacio de Bellas Artes])"
•Buena Vista Social Club, "Chan Chan"
•Buena Vista Social Club, "Orgullecida"
•Buena Vista Social Club, "El Carretero"
•Santana, "Oye Como Va"
•Lydia Mendoza, "Mal Hombre (Cold-Hearted Man)"
•Dizzy Gillespie feat. Chano Pozo, "Manteca"
•Ivy Queen, "Quiero Bailar"
•Jose Feliciano, "El Reloj"
•
Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.
The Contenders, Vol. 10: The songs we can't stop playing this week
Our biweekly update of the year's best tracks is a mix full of "the hurries and the worries" from Alkaline Trio, wistful reflections from Lake Street Dive, Cindy Lee's sprawling double album and more.
Like the show? Tell your friends and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
Feedback always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Featured artists and songs:
1. Alkaline Trio: "Teenage Heart," from 'Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs'
2. Lake Street Dive: "Twenty-Five," from 'Good Together'
3. Les Savy Fav: "Void Moon," from 'OUI, LSF'
4. La Luz: "Poppies," from 'News of the Universe'
5. Cindy Lee: "Wild Rose," from 'Diamond Jubilee'
6. Four Tet: "Loved" from 'Three'
Like the show? Tell your friends and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.
Feedback always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Featured artists and songs:
1. Alkaline Trio: "Teenage Heart," from 'Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs'
2. Lake Street Dive: "Twenty-Five," from 'Good Together'
3. Les Savy Fav: "Void Moon," from 'OUI, LSF'
4. La Luz: "Poppies," from 'News of the Universe'
5. Cindy Lee: "Wild Rose," from 'Diamond Jubilee'
6. Four Tet: "Loved" from 'Three'