Music News

Two competing data firms, BuzzAngle and Nielsen Music, released reports in early Jan. 2020 detailing the many changes in listening over the past decade.

Music & Culture

The Past Year, And Decade, In Music Listening: Video Rules, The Boy's Club Remains

9:43am January 14, 2020

by Cherie Hu

Two reports released recently shine a light on the decade-long trends shaping our relationships to listening, from the dominance of video to the vinyl "boom" that isn't quite.

Janet Jackson speaks onstage during the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. In her speech, she criticized the lack of women in the Rock Hall.

Music & Culture

Women Make Up Less Than 8% Of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees

5:52am January 14, 2020

by David C. Barnett

The 2020 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be announced Jan. 15. Systemic issues — in the industry and the nominating process — have maintained a severe imbalance.

Drummer Neil Peart, on stage with Rush in Springfield, Mass. in 1976.

Music & Culture

Rush Drummer And Lyricist Neil Peart Has Died

9:22pm January 10, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Peart, who joined the iconic prog rock band Rush in 1974, was 67 years old. He was diagnosed with brain cancer more than three years ago.

"I think we've been tricked into believing that we have to constantly consume, and I think challenging the way we consume is important," Noname says.

On Jan. 11, Rapper Noname Wants You To Register For A Library Card

3:53pm January 10, 2020

The independent artist started a book club with the intention of promoting works by authors of color; now she's encouraging community engagement, too.

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The album art for the forthcoming Is It Any Wonder? EP.

Music & Culture

Hear A Previously Unreleased Version Of David Bowie's 'The Man Who Sold The World'

2:49pm January 08, 2020

by Cyrena Touros

An EP of unreleased recordings will be rolling out new songs over the next six weeks.

From left: Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music Group; artist Billie Eilish; and Eilish's brother, songwriter Finneas O'Connell — photographed during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 24, 2019 in Los Angeles.

Chinese Tech Giant Tencent Wants A Piece Of The World's Most Successful Record Label

10:57am January 08, 2020

by Cherie Hu

On Jan. 31, French media company Vivendi announced it would be selling a 10% stake in Universal Music to Tencent, underscoring the labyrinthine nature of global media in the digital age.

(L-R) Steve Norman, Martin Kemp,Tony Hadley and Gary Kemp of the band Spandau Ballet perform live in 2015.

Music & Culture

Zane Lowe On The Power Of Spandau Ballet

1:16pm January 06, 2020

by Phil Harrell

As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," BBC Radio legend Zane Lowe nominates "Gold" by Spandau Ballet. The group is mostly known for its 1983 Top 10 hit "True."

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Kevin Parker of Tame Impala performs at Coachella in 2019. The band's latest album, The Slow Rush, is due out in February.

Music & Culture

An Early 2020 Preview: 5 Upcoming Albums We Can't Wait To Hear

1:42pm January 03, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

From Moses Sumney's upcoming double album to a folk supergroup starring two of the minds behind Hadestown and Fruit Bats, here are some of Stephen Thompson's early picks for 2020.

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Billboard chart analyst Chris Molanphy cites Taylor Swift as an artist who effectively differentiates between albums with the help of her video aesthetics.

Music & Culture

Here Comes YouTube: 'Billboard' To Change How It Calculates Top Albums

4:46pm January 02, 2020

Starting Jan. 3, Billboard is changing the way it calculates the top albums of the week. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Slate writer and critic Chris Molanphy about what the rule changes mean.

Music & Culture

Obama Releases His List Of Favorite Songs Of 2019

7:14am December 31, 2019

Former President Barack Obama has shared his favorite songs of 2019, including selections from Lizzo, Bruce Springsteen and Lil Nas X. It's a tradition he's continued since he was in office.

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