Music & Culture

Trombonist and composer Reginald Cyntje was born in Dominica and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands on a diet of reggae, calypso, classical and jazz.

It's No Jive: Every Day Is International Jazz Day

3:43pm May 05, 2016

by Jackson Sinnenberg

Jazz may have been born in America but it has grown into a global form. We've got a playlist that ranges from a Pakistani version of "Take Five" to a love song with scatting in Mandarin.

Music & Culture

Latin Roots: Carrie Rodriguez

3:16pm May 05, 2016

The fiddle-playing songwriter performs music from her new, purposefully bilingual album, Lola.

Corinne Bailey Rae's new album, The Heart Speaks In Whispers, comes out May 13.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Corinne Bailey Rae, 'The Heart Speaks In Whispers'

2:33pm May 05, 2016

by Ann Powers

On Rae's third album, the singer-songwriter's fleshed-out jams and delicate, jazz-informed ballads examine the subtle trajectories emotions can take.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: The Grateful Dead, 'Samson And Delilah (Live, 1978)'

2:07pm May 05, 2016

by Jim Allen

The Dead brings together the blues, the Bible and a dramatic tale of passion and power in an electrifying, unreleased performance.

Music & Culture

Beyoncé Is 'At The Height Of Her Powers' In 'Lemonade'

1:44pm May 05, 2016

by Ken Tucker

The pop star's latest release extols the potency of black womanhood in the roles of mother, wife, lover and artist. Rock critic Ken Tucker calls Lemonade a feat of "invention and imagination."

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Throwback Thursday: When Thom Yorke Played Guest DJ

12:48pm May 05, 2016

by Jackson Sinnenberg

For Throwback Thursday, we revisit a 2008 conversation between Bob Boilen and Radiohead's Thom Yorke. Thom talks about In Rainbows, how he discovers new music and some of his favorite artists.

Nothing's new album, Tired Of Tomorrow, comes out May 13.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Nothing, 'Tired Of Tomorrow'

7:00am May 05, 2016

by Mike Katzif

Nothing's new album follows a tumultuous period in the band members' lives. Its 10 songs delve into anxiety and addiction, mental illness and mortality, while channeling anguish into catharsis.

Oddisee's new album, The Odd Tape, comes out May 13.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Oddisee, 'The Odd Tape'

2:48am May 05, 2016

by Kiana Fitzgerald

The Brooklyn rapper-producer's latest instrumental album is evenly weighted from front to back. There's never an off moment — or even a precarious one.

Music & Culture

With 'Be As You Are,' Mike Posner Finally Takes His Mom's Advice

5:17pm May 04, 2016

by NPR Staff

The singer's latest pop hit is — ironically — about the downsides of having a pop hit. But another song on his new album, At Night, Alone, focuses on his relationship with his mother.

Queue Listen Now

California Addiction Doctor Scheduled Meeting With Prince, Lawyer Says

5:17pm May 04, 2016

by Elizabeth Blair

A lawyer for a California addiction doctor held a press conference Wednesday. He said his client was scheduled to meet with Prince the day after the singer died, and that he had dispatched his son, who works with him, to Prince's Minnesota home.