Music Interviews

Rapsody released Laila's Wisdom, her sophomore album and first since partnering with Jay-Z's Roc Nation, in September.

Music & Culture

Define Your Line: Rapsody On Coexisting In Rap's Power Gap

2:18pm December 20, 2017

by Rodney Carmichael

As women lit up hip-hop this year, an old idea persisted that only one female MC can wear the crown at a time. Our year-end series continues with an artist determined to coexist without compromise.

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real appear inside the World Cafe Performance Studio.

Music & Culture

Lukas Nelson And Promise Of The Real On World Cafe

3:01pm December 19, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

From Willie Nelson's band to touring with Neil Young, here comes a new generation carrying the country-rock torch.

Katie Alice Greer of Washington, D.C.'s Priests. The band released its full-length debut, Nothing Feels Natural, in the early weeks of 2017.

Music & Culture

Power In Everything: Priests' Katie Alice Greer On Making Space For Art

9:22am December 19, 2017

by Marissa Lorusso

NPR Music's year-end interview series continues with a punk singer from the nation's capital, who says most conversations about "political art" are missing the point.

Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires perform onstage at the 2016 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in Franklin, Tenn.

Music & Culture

Naming The Beast: Jason Isbell And Amanda Shires On Speaking Up In 2017

9:16am December 18, 2017

by Jewly Hight

This week, NPR Music is speaking to creators whose work in 2017 captured something unique about a chaotic year. We begin with two musicians whose intertwined careers are a statement in themselves.

Eminem performs at the MTV EMAs 2017. The rapper's ninth studio album Revival is out now.

Music & Culture

'I Speak To Everybody Who Is Even Remotely Like Me': Eminem on 'Revival'

8:01am December 16, 2017

On his ninth studio album, Revival, Eminem takes on President Trump, racial disparity and coming to terms with his maturing career.

The Dominican Sisters of Mary's new album is available now.

Music & Culture

The Dominican Sisters Of Mary Highlights The 'True Beauty' Of Christmas With New Album

7:48am December 16, 2017

Members of the Ann Arbor, Mich. convent perform in the NPR studios and discuss their holiday album.

Music & Culture

Michael McDonald On World Cafe

5:01pm December 15, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

Wide Open gets pretty personal, and so did our conversation. McDonald discusses the reality of being a musician in his sixties and what he calls his "first big hurt" (and no, it's not a romantic one).

Music & Culture

Happy Birthday, Eddie Palmieri! Alt.Latino Helps El Maestro Blow Out 81 Candles

4:27pm December 15, 2017

by Catalina Maria Johnson

81 years young and showing no signs of slowing down, pianist and bandleader Eddie Palmieri talks about life and his latest album

The DJ and producer Louie Vega compiled a 91-song playlist, one for each year that New York's controversial Cabaret Law was on the books, to celebrate its recent repeal.

Music & Culture

Everybody Dance Now! A Musical Celebration Of New York's Cabaret Law Repeal

2:43pm December 15, 2017

by Felix Contreras

A law prohibiting unlicensed dancing in New York City lived long past its original intent. DJ and producer Louie Vega celebrates its repeal with a 91-song playlist, one for each year of its lifetime.

Pussy Riot, performing at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles, California on December 12.

Music & Culture

Pussy Riot Plays Its First Show In America

10:30pm December 14, 2017

by Eve Barlow

Led and voiced by Nadya Tolokonnikova, Pussy Riot is focused on the mainstream, through an oblique reconciliation with capitalism, in order to spread its message. The contradiction is compelling.