Music Features

'I've been trying to do this for over 30 years' — Billy Porter sings on his terms

6:41am November 20, 2023

by Phil Harrell

Following star-making roles in Broadway's Kinky Boots and FX's Pose, Billy Porter has released an original album that plays out like mini-autobiographies: Black Mona Lisa.

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 26: Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Day 1 of 2023 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Music & Culture

What the abuse lawsuit against Diddy, one of hip-hop's most powerful men, means

6:15pm November 17, 2023

The singer Cassie has accused the rap mogul of subjecting her to years of abuse, in a suit made possible by the Adult Survivors Act. Can the case spark a sexual assault reckoning within hip-hop?

What Now, the second solo album from Brittany Howard, is out Feb. 2, 2024.

Music & Culture

Brittany Howard is going to make her dreams come true

11:45am November 17, 2023

by Jewly Hight

The Alabama Shakes singer exploded preconceptions with her 2019 solo debut. On What Now, a follow-up born from a few years of life-quaking resets, she's ready to leave any remaining limits behind.

Lara Downes speaks with Christian McBride

Music & Culture

The curious mind — and hard work — of bassist Christian McBride

5:01am November 16, 2023

by Lara Downes

The Grammy-winning bassist, bandleader and broadcaster talks about his love for music, family ties in the jazz world, and the thrill of sitting in with Wynton Marsalis as a teenager.

But the debates unfolding now about what it means for Spain to host the Latin Grammys hint at much larger questions about how the Academy decides what constitutes Latin music.

Music & Culture

The Latin Grammys are in Spain this year. So what?

5:00pm November 15, 2023

by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

This year, the Latin Grammys will be held outside the U.S., in Seville, Spain. The location raises larger questions about how the awards perpetuate inequalities related to race, class and colonialism.

The result of the improvised sessions that led to New Blue Sun is subtle but daring. Mainly because it flies in the face of everything we've come to expect, and selfishly demand, as André 3000 fans.

Music & Culture

Exclusive: André 3000 opens up about 'New Blue Sun,' his daring new solo album

5:27pm November 14, 2023

by Rodney Carmichael

Ahead of a return to music, the outrageous half of OutKast about talks his first album in 17 years, his wild ayahuasca trip and why he gets so many requests to play flute at funerals.

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Yo-Yo Ma, Pattie Gonia and Quinn Christopherson made the music video for "Won't Give Up" at Kenai Fjords National Park.

This trio hopes 'Won't Give Up' will become an anthem for the climate movement

3:13pm November 14, 2023

by Chloe Veltman

NPR Tiny Desk contest winner Quinn Christopherson, drag queen Pattie Gonia and world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma would like "Won't Give Up" to be sung at climate change rallies and in concert halls.

Billie Eilish is nominated for six Grammys at the 2024 awards ceremony. Five of those nominations are for her song "What Was I Made For," from the soundtrack to the film Barbie.

Music & Culture

2024 Grammy Nominations: A guide to the best, worst and most surprising nominees

6:26pm November 10, 2023

Themes emerge quickly when you dig into the nominations for the 66th Grammy Awards. The major categories are dominated by women and seemingly up for grabs; elsewhere, progress is not always so clear.

Music & Culture

PinkPantheress, IRL

11:00am November 08, 2023

by Hazel Cills

The artist doesn't need TikTok anymore to prove she can make a hit. Her debut album, Heaven Knows, makes it clear she's ready to conquer worlds beyond the web.

The Great Stalacpipe Organ spans 3.5 acres of the cave and is considered the world's largest musical instrument. The name is a combination of the words stalactite and pipe organ but in actuality, it is a percussion instrument.

The largest musical instrument in the world is underground in a Virginia cave

2:04pm November 07, 2023

by Alan Goffinski

Luray Caverns in Northern Virginia is celebrating 50 years of being a National Natural Landmark. It's also the place that holds the largest musical instrument in the world.