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Music & Culture

Dawn Richard Will Join NPR Music's Listening Party For 'Second Line'

11:16am April 26, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

Join us in an online listening party for Dawn Richard's Second Line. Hosted by WNXP's Jewly Hight, the event will feature a live conversation with Richard herself — along with Dawn's mom, Debbie.

Music & Culture

Driessen's Latest Project Results From His Experiences Around The World

8:43am April 25, 2021

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with musician Casey Driessen about his latest project Otherlands: A Global Music Exploration. Besides recordings, his project includes short films and essays.

Digital Underground, led by Shock G, shown here in 1990, was one of the early rap groups to follow the example — in sound and energy — set by George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.

Music & Culture

Shock G, Leader Of Hip-Hop's Digital Underground, Dies At 57

9:10pm April 23, 2021

by Rodney Carmichael

The rapper and producer who animated the Bay Area crew had a huge hit in 1990 with "The Humpty Dance," introduced the world to Tupac Shakur and was a foundational figure in West Coast hip-hop.

Black Rob performs onstage during the Puff Daddy and The Family Bad Boy Reunion Tour in 2016. The "Whoa!" rapper died Saturday at age 52.

Music & Culture

Black Rob, Former Bad Boy Records Rapper, Dies At 52

2:32pm April 23, 2021

by LaTesha Harris

The New York rapper, best known as the husky voice behind top-of-the-millennium hit single "Whoa!," died April 17 in Atlanta.

Les McKeown, performing on Aug. 24, 2007 in Sydney.

Music & Culture

Les McKeown, Singer For Bay City Rollers, Dies At 65

11:30am April 23, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

The Scottish singer rode the wave of "Rollermania" to several chart hits in the glammed-out days of '70s rock.

Herbie Hancock, speaking to high school students in the State Dining Room of the White House during President Obama's celebration of International Jazz Day on April 29, 2016.

Music & Culture

International Jazz Day's Global Celebrations Are On, And Again Online

5:00pm April 22, 2021

by Nate Chinen

April 30 will bring the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert, with artists from across the world taking part in another digital edition of the show, in addition to several other events.

The State Theatre in Boyertown, Penn. photographed on Jan. 4, 2021. In April, the U.S. Small Business Administration had a troubled start to its Small Venue Operators Grant program.

Shuttered Venues Still Waiting for Government Aid Announced in December

4:43pm April 21, 2021

The Small Business Administration experienced a rough launch for its grant program intended to help long-beleaguered venues. After so long without a lifeline, though, time is running thin.

Music & Culture

Musician Distracts Himself During 1st Time Paragliding

5:56am April 21, 2021

The man in Turkey, to combat nervousness, brought along his violin — playing away as he soared through the sky. It's safe to say he conquered his fear. He has signed up to do it again.

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Billy McFarland, pictured leaving federal court in March 2018, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges related to the failed Fyre Festival. Ticket holders and event organizers reached a settlement in a class-action suit

Music & Culture

Hundreds Of Fyre Festival Ticket Holders Poised To Win Payout In Class-Action Suit

3:15pm April 16, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

A class-action settlement will award 277 ticket holders more than $7,000 each, pending a judge's approval in May. The final sum could be reduced depending on ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.

Rioters clash with law enforcement as they attempt to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Oath Keepers Member Is 1st To Plead Guilty In Capitol Riot Investigation

2:25pm April 16, 2021

by Ryan Lucas

Jon Schaffer pleaded guilty to two charges — obstructing an official proceeding and entering restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon. He has agreed to cooperate fully with investigators.