Music & Culture

The members of Melodika live in a group house together in Kigali, Rwanda. Percussionist Omer Nzoyisaba is far left, with singer Christian Ninteretse third from the left.

Music & Culture

In Exile, Burundian Musicians Create Out Of Crisis

5:51pm December 29, 2015

by Gregory Warner

Political violence in the African nation of Burundi has forced an estimated 200,000 people to flee. Some are musicians who are bringing the country's diverse styles together in one band.

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Music & Culture

World Cafe's Best Of 2015

4:31pm December 29, 2015

Hear highlights of concerts and studio sessions recorded live for World Cafe this year.

Sadie Dupuis calls Dilly Dally's Sore her favorite album of 2015.

Music & Culture

A Rational Conversation: Sadie Dupuis Of Speedy Ortiz Looks Back On Music In 2015

2:51pm December 29, 2015

by Eric Ducker

The lead singer of the rock band Speedy Ortiz talks the albums that lingered in her memory. Plus: the power of controlling the means of production and making rock clubs into safe spaces.

The Weeknd in the video for "I Can't Feel My Face."

Music & Culture

DJ Earworm's Year-End Mashup Hits A Nostalgic Groove

1:04pm December 29, 2015

"I knew I needed to get the vibe that was a lot more emotional than it was a few years ago," the mashup artist says of 2015's pop concoction.

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Kendrick Lamar onstage at Brooklyn's Barclays Center in October.

Music & Culture

Kendrick Lamar: 'I Can't Change The World Until I Change Myself First'

1:03pm December 29, 2015

by NPR Staff

Even with To Pimp A Butterfly's success, Lamar is still conflicted about his place in music. "How am I influencing so many people on this stage rather than influencing the ones that I have back home?"

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Music & Culture

Viking's Choice 2015: The Year In The Loud And The Weird

11:12am December 29, 2015

In 2015, Iron Maiden reigned, a once-mysterious sacred music collective returned after 20 years away, and some Olympia punks smashed the patriarchy with a boot to the head.

Life's Many Codas: Maya Shankar's Path From Juilliard To The White House

12:00am December 29, 2015

by NPR Staff

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.

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Music & Culture

20 Feet From DJ

10:30pm December 28, 2015

by Mike Rubin

Remembering one of dance music's secret stars, Diane Charlemagne, amidst the plight of the genre's featured vocalists.

Lemmy Kilmister at the Revolver 2012 Golden Gods Award Show.

Rock Icon Lemmy Of Motörhead Dies At Age 70

9:31pm December 28, 2015

by Laura Wagner

The frontman of the heavy metal band died Monday from an aggressive form of cancer. He learned of the diagnosis just two days ago.

Mbongwana Star rose out the remains of Staff Benda Bilili.

Music & Culture

What Artist Did You Fall In Love With In 2015?

6:47pm December 28, 2015

Three staffers from NPR Music tell Audie Cornish about a futurist Congolese band, a couple of house-music Kiwis in London and the unreleased recordings of a pianist who dated Doris Duke.

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