In Memoriam 2015
NPR Music remembers musicians — singers, songwriters, instrumentalists — and other visionaries we lost in 2015. Explore and celebrate their musical legacies.
Music & Culture
2015: Looking Back On A Year At The Tiny Desk
This year, NPR Music published 84 sessions from behind Bob Boilen's desk. From a 23-piece band to a lone guitarist to a massive dance party, here are 15 highlights.
A Rational Conversation: Rembert Browne On Music In 2015, Even During The Hard Times
The writer-at-large for New York magazine discusses the year that saw the rise of Fetty Wap and Young Thug, Snapchat vs. Twitter and Meek Mill vs. Drake. Plus: continuous devastation.
In The Podcast World, Some Music Students Seek A Career Gateway
One of the nation's most prestigious music schools is filling classes with students whose work will likely never make them famous.
Alabama Shakes, Live At Austin City Limits
Watch Brittany Howard and band lay into the heady soul ballad "Joe" at their headlining ACL performance, in advance of the show's 41st season premiere.
Spotify Faces Class Action For Copyright Infringement
The lawsuit alleges that the streaming music service fails to properly compensate artists for the right to reproduce or distribute recordings. It's the latest in the ongoing debate over streaming.
Life's Many Codas: Maya Shankar's Path From Juilliard To The White House
Shankar was well on her way to an extraordinary career as a violinist when an injury closed that door. This week, we look at how she wound up at the top of another field: the social sciences.
Startup Aims To Give Classical Musicians An Online Bump
For classical musicians, it's difficult to sell their work online because of how the music is tagged on apps like Spotify. A tech startup in Nashville is trying to change that.
Lemmy Of Motörhead And Rock Icon Dies At 70
Ian Kilmister — most known as Lemmy — has died from cancer at the age of 70. He was the founder, bassist and frontman for the influential metal band Motörhead.
How To Annoy Your Dad: Play The Harpsichord
Mahan Esfahani says the harpsichord is as relevant today as it was when Bach and Vivaldi were playing it, and his interview with NPR's Robert Siegel this past June left no doubt.