Music News

Harry Nilsson's concept album The Point — about a round-headed boy in a world where everything is pointy — turns 50 this year.

Music & Culture

50 Years Of 'The Point,' Harry Nilsson's Wonderful, Weird Musical Fable

8:25am February 15, 2020

50 years after Harry Nilsson's concept album about a round-headed boy from a land of pointy heads, his son Kiefo and actor Mike Lookinland talk about a new release of the animated film from 1971.

R. Kelly attends a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago in September 2019.

Music & Culture

R. Kelly Faces New Sex Abuse Charges From Illinois Federal Prosecutors

7:05pm February 14, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

In a superseding indictment filed Thursday, federal prosecutors allege that beginning in about 1997, the R&B singer sexually abused another minor, who was about 14 years old at the time.

Music & Culture

Court Records Confirm Works From Nirvana, Elton John And Others Damaged In 2008 Fire

5:12pm February 14, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

In court filings made public Thursday, Universal Music Group disclosed specifics about recordings lost or damaged in a 2008 vault fire.

Siblings Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish, photographed attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Feb. 9, 2020 in Beverly Hills.

Music & Culture

At Last, Billie Eilish's James Bond Theme Song Is Here

9:42pm February 13, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

"No Time to Die," the theme to the first new Bond film since 2015, trades on the moody melancholy of the newly minted Grammy winner.

Music & Culture

Krewe Du Kanaval Honors The Haitian Roots Of New Orleans

10:00am February 12, 2020

by Alex Lewis

A few years ago, a new Mardi Gras krewe sprung up with the aim of celebrating the Haitian roots that run deep through the city's cultural identity. It was co-founded by two members of Arcade Fire.

Music & Culture

Joseph Shabalala, Founder Of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dies At 78

4:49pm February 11, 2020

by Elizabeth Blair

Joseph Shabalala, founder of the acclaimed South African musical group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, died in Pretoria on Tuesday. He was 78.

Joseph Shabala leads Ladysmith Black Mambazo in performance in 2011.

Music & Culture

Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo Founder, Dies At 78

2:38pm February 11, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The founder of the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which brought an innovative version of Zulu singing to a worldwide audience, died Tuesday in Pretoria. He was 78 years old.

Music & Culture

You Can Now Enter The 2020 Tiny Desk Contest

10:01am February 11, 2020

by Marissa Lorusso

Send in your video before midnight ET on March 30. If you win, you'll play your very own Tiny Desk concert at NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C., and tour the country with NPR Music.

"Ultimately, this is a love song," Christone "Kingfish" Ingram says, "and it's one I truly wanted to put my own spin on."

Music & Culture

Stream Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram's Scorching Kiss-Off, 'Empty Promises'

7:22am February 10, 2020

by Robin Hilton

The young blues-guitar wonder shares an emotionally raw new song ahead of Valentine's Day.

Justin Bieber, photographed during the 2018 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 16, 2018.

Music & Culture

Busy Friday, But Is It Good? Looking At New Releases From Bieber, Carly Rae And More

3:29pm February 07, 2020

The end of the workweek always brings with it a lot of music, but for whatever reason today is particularly jam-packed, with releases from Carly Rae Jepsen, Lil Nas X, David Bowie and many others.