Music Features

Pink's 2009 pop hit "Sober" may be the best known song about sobriety. She's shown above at The BRIT Awards in London in 2019.

For Dry January, we ask a music critic for great songs about not drinking

9:58am January 11, 2024

by Neda Ulaby

Plenty of songs celebrate drinking. But what about music that finds joy in — well, not drinking? Music critic Sasha Frere-Jones reflects upon a few songs that have been meaningful to his sobriety.

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With songs by The Avett Brothers, Swept Away is inspired by the true story of an 19th century shipwreck in which seamen resorted to cannibalism to survive.

Truth, forgiveness: 'Swept Away' is a theatrical vessel for Avett Bros' music

4:27pm January 08, 2024

by Elizabeth Blair

With songs by the Avett Brothers, Swept Away follows four men fighting to survive a shipwreck. The musical is inspired by the true story in which men resort to cannibalism to survive.

Many states have introduced tablets into prisons, allowing users to do things like listen to music and send messages. Several incarcerated people told NPR that while the devices aren't perfect, the ability to stream music has been a game-changer.

People in prison explain what music means to them — and how they access it

1:25pm January 03, 2024

Three people incarcerated at prisons across the U.S. spoke to NPR's Morning Edition about how music helps them reconnect with the past, endure the present and envision the future.

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All Music Considered: My kids have the aux

5:37pm December 31, 2023

The directors of All Things Considered are the ones in control of the music you hear on the program. NPR's Scott Detrow talks with director Jonas Adams about how his kids controlled some of his music choices this year.

Herlin Riley performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 30, 2011.

Herlin Riley: master of drums in the cradle of jazz

5:30am December 30, 2023

by John Burnett

With a long career playing among jazz and R&B greats, he remains one of the most in-demand drummers in New Orleans.

Jazz Night and djembefola Weedie Braimah celebrate the lives lost in 2023

Music & Culture

Jazz Night celebrates the lives we lost in 2023

3:20pm December 29, 2023

by Nikki Birch

This year, Jazz Night celebrates the lives of the artists we lost with a djembe tribute by Weedie Braimah.

Tina Turner performs at the Brighton Centre in Brighton, U.K., on March 11, 1985.

Music & Culture

In Memoriam 2023: The Musicians We Lost

5:07am December 29, 2023

by Lars Gotrich

When artists die, it can feel impossible to imagine a world without their musical guidance. Yet it's also a moment to celebrate — not just their impact on culture but also inside ourselves.

Harry Belafonte, alongside Ed Sullivan, signs autographs for fans outside CBS Studio 50 in New York City, circa 1955.

Music & Culture

Island Man

5:00am December 29, 2023

by Joshua Jelly-Schapiro

Since his death at 96, tributes to the singer and activist have centered his legacies in the U.S. But it's impossible to grasp Belafonte's larger meaning without first understanding his island roots.

Peso Pluma tops the 2023 YouTube chart

5:24pm December 24, 2023

Peso Pluma is YouTube's most viewed artist of the year in the U.S. The Mexican music phenom beat out Taylor Swift, Drake, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Bad Bunny for the top spot.

Mexican singer Peso Pluma performs in concert at the Foro Sol in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

Peso Pluma bests Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny for most streamed YouTube artist of 2023

3:12pm December 23, 2023

by Chloe Veltman

The Mexican singer-songwriter racked up more than 8.5 billion views globally on the platform this year.