Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Jury Finds R. Kelly Guilty Of Racketeering And Sex Trafficking

7:48am September 28, 2021

NPR's Noel King talks to Jim DeRogatis, one of the first journalists to publicly break the story about R. Kelly's sex abuse crimes, after receiving an anonymous fax in November of 2000.

Music & Culture

'Britney Vs. Spears' Is Netflix's New Documentary About Spears' Conservatorship

7:48am September 28, 2021

The documentary about Britney Spears debuts Tuesday on Netflix. It is about the singer's battle against her father, who she's accused of "conservatorship abuse."

News Brief: Funding Bill Blocked, R. Kelly's Conviction, Murder Rate Surges

6:25am September 28, 2021

GOP senators blocked a government funding bill in a battle over the debt limit. R. Kelly is found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. The FBI reports an unprecedented spike in murders in 2020.

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Music & Culture

Australian Man Pays Homage To Nirvana's 'Nevermind' In A Roundabout Way

5:38am September 28, 2021

Using a GPS tracking app, Pete Stokes biked a 93-mile route that formed a picture of the album's art — a naked baby in a pool — when viewed from above. It took him nearly eight and a half hours.

In this illustration drawn from a video feed, the prosecution presents its closing argument in the federal trial against singer R. Kelly on Sept. 22 in New York.

R. Kelly Found Guilty Of Racketeering And Sex Trafficking

5:39pm September 27, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

A jury found the disgraced R&B star guilty of charges that included sexual exploitation of a child, racketeering and sex trafficking. He faces a possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

Anthony Hamilton performs on Sept. 16 in New York City. Love Is The New Black is his first full length album in five years.

Anthony Hamilton On Being Vulnerable And His New Album 'Love Is The New Black'

3:38pm September 27, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton, who delivers his first album in five years with the help of some friends including Jennifer Hudson.

Music & Culture

Mickey Guyton Is A Country Artist With A Big Voice An An Even Bigger Message

2:07pm September 27, 2021

In this episode of World Cafe, Mickey Guyton talks about Spotify's role in making her music more visible, women in country music getting "chicked," her debut album, Remember Her Name, and more.

Will Liverman (center) as Charles in Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones.

Terence Blanchard Makes History At The Metropolitan Opera

1:28pm September 27, 2021

by Tom Vitale

Fire Shut Up in My Bones, based on the Charles M. Blow memoir of the same title, is the first work by a Black composer to be staged by the Metropolitan Opera.

Music & Culture

A Jury In New York Begins Deliberations In R. Kelly's Federal Trial

7:50am September 27, 2021

After six weeks of hearing from accusers, ex-employees and expert witnesses, the jury decides what's next for Kelly. He faces charges including sexual exploitation of a child, bribery and kidnapping.

Silvana Estrada performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Silvana Estrada: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

6:16am September 27, 2021

by Anamaria Sayre

The Mexican singer returns to the instrument workshop that started it all, performing a stunning set from her parent's home in Veracruz, Mexico.