Music & Culture

Sundial is against sitting idle, and calls not just to hear its own voice, but to enter into conversation in the griot tradition of call and response.

Music & Culture

Noname's 'Sundial' pursues a hip-hop revolution

3:07pm August 28, 2023

by Harmony Holiday

The Chicago rapper and poet is among the greatest lyricists of her generation. In asking tough questions of the art she practices, her third album reveals a fearless and visionary performer.

Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' celebrates 50 years of hip-hop: DJ Kool Herc

1:56pm August 28, 2023

by Terry Gross

DJ Kool Herc is considered the first DJ to isolate the breaks --the most danceable beats in a record — and repeat them, to keep the dancers going. Originally broadcast in 2005.

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Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' celebrates 50 years of hip-hop: Grandmaster Flash

1:56pm August 28, 2023

by Terry Gross

Grandmaster Flash was one of the first DJs to make successful records. In 2002, he spoke to Fresh Air about how he discovered that he could use turntables as instruments.

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Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' celebrates 50 years of hip-hop: Rapper Melle Mel

1:56pm August 28, 2023

by Terry Gross

Melle Mel was the rapper on the 1982 hit "The Message." He spoke to Fresh Air in 1998 about the early days of rap, music with a social message and how the genre and his life had changed.

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Music & Culture

Middle school iPhone recordings lead to Hannah Jadagu's debut album 'Aperture'

12:42pm August 28, 2023

Hannah Jadagu was named by NPR Music as one of its "favorite new artists of 2023." NPR's A Martinez talks to her about juggling school and music. Jadagu's headline tour begins Sept. 6, 2023.

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Music & Culture

On her solo debut, Nanna considers the gargantuan task of starting over

11:13am August 28, 2023

The Icelandic musician talks about her new album, How To Start A Garden.

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Music & Culture

She sings, she acts and now Cher has her own gelato line — Cherlato

6:08am August 28, 2023

Cherlato even has a truck. The hot pink and yellow truck has been driving around LA, serving up flavors such as: "Breakfast at Cher's Coffee and Donuts" and "SoCal's Coldest Avocado on Toast."

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Music & Culture

The Library of Congress's latest addition is a guide to African American banjo music

8:59am August 27, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with researcher Joe Johnson and musician Jake Blount about the new Library of Congress guide to African American banjo music resources in its collection.

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A new children's album on Smithsonian Folkways includes a song about gay activist and politician Harvey Milk. The album was co-written by Cass McCombs and San Francisco preschool teacher Greg Gardner.

An ode to Harvey Milk for Smithsonian Folkways' 75th birthday

7:51am August 27, 2023

For Smithsonian Folkways' 75th anniversary, Cass McCombs and preschool teacher Greg Gardner wrote a collection of new folk songs for children. One of them is a tribute to gay activist Harvey Milk.

Music & Culture

Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez's new singles show the pop stars pivoting audiences

8:32am August 26, 2023

Two new songs from two huge pop stars: we hear about new releases from former child stars Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez.

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