Music Interviews

Music & Culture

John Prine On Music, Cancer And Why He Never Thought He'd Be A Recording Artist

1:35pm June 18, 2018

by Terry Gross

The singer, songwriter and guitarist underwent surgeries in 1996 and 2013 that affected his throat and voice. He likes his voice better now: "It dropped down lower and feels friendlier."

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serpentwithfeet's debut album, soil, is available now.

Music & Culture

serpentwithfeet Crafts His Own Language For Queer Life

11:41am June 18, 2018

Growing up, Josiah Wise says, he was closeted because he didn't have the language to express himself. His new album is intended to put words to his identity that go beyond sex and attraction.

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Carla Morrison is one of the artists featured this week by Alt.Latino.

Music & Culture

Contemporary Mexican Music: Not Your Abuelita's Mariachi

9:07am June 17, 2018

NPR Music's Felix Contreras creates a round up of the sounds of modern Mexico.

Julian Saporiti and Erin Aoyama of No-No Boy.

Music & Culture

These Tiny Desk Contestants Set Stories Of The Asian-American Experience To Music

8:12am June 17, 2018

Brown University doctoral students Julian Saporiti and Erin Aoyama submitted an outstanding entry in this year's NPR Music Tiny Desk Contest. Together, they make up No-No Boy, the duo that presents the Asian-American experience through song.

Inductee Jermaine Dupri at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on June 14, 2018 in New York City.

Music & Culture

Jermaine Dupri Is A Songwriters Hall Of Famer And We Have The Playlist To Prove It

7:04pm June 16, 2018

Dupri's songs have sold millions of copies and helped launch the careers of Usher, Mariah Carey and many others. Now, he's been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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"Ayibobo means blessings or welcome," Paul Beaubrun explains.

Music & Culture

Paul Beaubrun Shares His Love For Haiti In Song: 'Our Message Is Still Strong'

6:41am June 16, 2018

The Creole word ayibobo can mean blessings, among other definitions. For Haitian singer Paul Beaubrun, it's also the name of his latest album.

Music & Culture

Geri Allen On Piano Jazz

2:46pm June 15, 2018

by NPR Staff

An unequivocal jazz figure, we remember and celebrate Geri Allen's genre-bending influence on contemporary jazz.

Welles and his band inside the World Cafe Performance Studio.

Music & Culture

Welles On World Cafe

11:36am June 15, 2018

by Stephen Kallao

Jeh-Sea Welles has the look, the voice, the licks, the hooks and the attitude of a real rock star.

Bobby McFerrin with his daughter Madison McFerrin at Monterey Jazz Festival in 2014.

Music & Culture

Finding Foundation: How Bobby McFerrin And His Daughter Make Music A Family Affair

2:35pm June 14, 2018

Bobby McFerrin is best known for his feelgood 1988 hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Now, his daughter Madison is a singer-songwriter on the rise.

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Natalie Prass inside the World Cafe Performance Studio.

Music & Culture

Natalie Prass On World Cafe

12:47pm June 14, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

Rather than taking on an acid tongue, Prass digs into the sweeter possibilities — that tough times can make people stick together, stand up and be counted and even dance.