2016: The Year Pop Went Country
A host of pop and rock musicians — including Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper and Beyoncé — took turns down country roads this year. Fans both old and new seem happy to follow them there.
Music & Culture
Metropolis: 11/19/16
Hear new music from Electric Guest, A Tribe Called Quest and Milky Chance in this week's two-hour dance mix from KCRW's Jason Bentley.
Tegan And Sara: Tiny Desk Concert
Appearing in the NPR Music offices on the eve of the 2016 elections, the Canadian pop duo crafts acoustic versions of pop anthems like "Closer and "Boyfriend."
A Queen Among Kings
The fiery singer, whose work with The Dap-Kings helped inspire a soul revival, died Nov. 18 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
A Tribe Called Red Breaks Down Its 'Powwow-Step' Style
A group of three indigenous DJs from Canada combines dubstep, hip-hop, and traditional powwow samples in its music. Bear Witness calls it "a very inclusive party that everybody showed up to."
Music Moment: Lewis Del Mar
Danny Miller and Max Harwood form the music duo. Their song, Puerto Cabezas, NI, draws on Miller's trip to the Latin American town where his parents met. The trip helped him understand who he is.
In 'Moana,' New Voices Both Uphold And Challenge The Disney Tradition
The team behind the new animated film tapped Hamilton auteur Lin-Manuel Miranda and Samoan musician Opetaia Foa'i in hopes of creating a culturally sensitive musical story with breakout potential.
Remembering The Soulful Voice Of Sharon Jones
Singer Sharon Jones came to define what was called the "neo-soul" movement and was known for her high-energy performances. Jones died Friday after a battle with cancer.
'Musicians Don't Retire': A Tribe Called Quest On The Work Ahead
The death this year of a founding member means that the group's long-delayed new album may really be its last. But as Q-Tip and Jarobi White put it, "Musicians don't retire."
'Hamilton' To Pence: 'We Are The Diverse America Who Are Alarmed'
Pence was met with boos and cheers as he came to see the show, and afterwards the diverse cast and crew delivered a pointed statement about what they believe really makes America great.