Music & Culture

On 4, Beyoncé presented a dynamic, multifaceted expression of womanhood — and took crucial steps toward claiming full artistic control over her work.

Music & Culture

Beyoncé's '4' Taught Me How To Become And Embrace Being An Emotional Woman

3:02pm June 24, 2021

by LaTesha Harris

The release of 4 found Beyoncé in a pivotal career moment — and set the stage for her as an auteur. For writer LaTesha Harris, the album also served as a much-needed guide to freedom and womanhood.

Multi-instrumentalist Katherine Paul is the frontwoman of Black Belt Eagle Scout.

Music & Culture

OPB Presents: Katherine Paul's Pandemic Playlist

3:00pm June 24, 2021

by Jerad Walker

The frontwoman of Black Belt Eagle Scout shares new music that she discovered while moving, unpacking and reconnecting with loved ones.

Music & Culture

Mario Pavone Is As Powerful As Ever On Final Albums 'Blue Vertical' And 'Isabella'

1:49pm June 24, 2021

by Kevin Whitehead

Last winter, knowing his time on earth was growing short, the bassist, who died May 15, resolved to cap 40 years of making his own records with a final statement: two albums, by two quartets.

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Mahani Teave performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Mahani Teave: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

12:58pm June 24, 2021

by Tom Huizenga

Tiny Desk heads to Easter Island in the South Pacific for sublime performances by pianist Mahani Teave and a heartwarming story.

Rotem Sivan submitted the song "Far From Shore" to the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

The Best 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Volume 5

12:00pm June 24, 2021

The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest closed on June 7; now, our judges are looking for a winner. Our favorite entries this week include songs for daydreaming about crushes and nursing old heartaches.

Music & Culture

Britney Spears Tells A Judge That She Wants Her Life Back

7:21am June 24, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

Addressing a Los Angeles Superior Court judge via a remote connection, pop star Britney Spears called for an end to her long-running conservatorship, which has controlled her life since 2008.

Britney Spears at a movie premiere in 2019. She pleaded with a judge on Wednesday to end a conservatorship that has controlled her personal and business lives for years.

Britney Spears Asks Court To End Conservatorship, Detailing Its Control Over Her Life

9:22pm June 23, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

Addressing a judge personally for the first time, the pop star called for an end to her long-running conservatorship.

#FreeBritney activists protest outside the Los Angeles Superior Court during one of Britney Spears' hearings this April.

Britney Spears Is Headed To Court To Address Her Conservatorship. Here's What To Know

4:28pm June 23, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Pop icon Britney Spears is scheduled to speak in court on Wednesday as part of her ongoing conservatorship case. Here's a guide to help understand why she's there and what's going on.

Music & Culture

New Takes On Old Songs In 'Standing In The Doorway' And 'The Waylon Sessions'

1:33pm June 23, 2021

by Ken Tucker

Chrissie Hynde sings Bob Dylan and Shannon McNally performs songs associated with country singer Waylon Jennings. They both use the structures the men built to create their own rich emotional spaces.

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Music & Culture

Crowded House Reunites On 'Dreamers Are Waiting'

1:24pm June 23, 2021

In this episode of World Cafe, we talk to Neil Finn of Crowded House about its new album and playing music with his sons.