Music & Culture

Country artist George Birge heard Erynn Chambers' TikTok satirizing the stereotypical country songs written by men versus women and turned it into a radio hit.

How A Joke TikTok About Country Music Stereotypes Hit The Radio

5:07am August 19, 2021

Country artist George Birge saw a popular TikTok skewering the way men in his genre write music and decided to issue himself a songwriting challenge. The result? "Beer Beer, Truck Truck."

Singer R. Kelly appears in a Chicago courtroom in March 2019. The charges that R. Kelly faces in New York include racketeering "to prey upon young women and teenagers," and sexually trafficking these girls and women between states.

R. Kelly's Trial Has Begun. The Singer Faces Decades Of Sex Abuse Charges

7:23pm August 18, 2021

The charges that R. Kelly faces in New York include racketeering "to prey upon young women and teenagers" and sexually trafficking these girls and women between states.

R. Kelly's Trial For Charges Including Sex Trafficking Has Begun

4:59pm August 18, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Opening statements have begun in the federal trial of R. Kelly, who faces charges of sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, kidnapping, forced labor and sexual trafficking across state lines.

Music & Culture

säje, 'Wisteria'

2:58pm August 18, 2021

by Eric Teel

The four-voiced juggernaut explores the edges of jazz and pop. "Wisteria" is a love letter of sorts for the vocal ensemble and what it represents.

IDK released his second studio album, USEE4YOURSELF, in early July.

Music & Culture

On New Album, Rapper IDK Reconciles A Disparate Self: 'And Here We Are Today'

12:02pm August 18, 2021

NPR's A Martínez speaks to hip-hop artist and producer IDK about his latest album, USEE4YOURSELF, and his recently launched music business program for BIPOC creatives.

Music & Culture

News Brief: Taliban's Charm Offensive, Airport Evacuations, R. Kelly Trial

6:28am August 18, 2021

The Taliban try to convince the world they've changed. For thousands trying to get out of Afghanistan, the focus is on the airport. Opening statements will begin in the criminal trial of R. Kelly.

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Music & Culture

83-Year-Old Scottish Composer Janet Beat Releases Her First Album

6:14am August 18, 2021

Janet Beat is known for her trailblazing work in electronic music. The album, Pioneering Knob Twiddler, features compositions she made on synthesizers, tape machines and other acoustic instruments.