Music News

Singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, performing in Carhaix-Plouguer, France in 2006.

Tracy Chapman Wins Lawsuit Against Nicki Minaj

3:57pm January 08, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

According to the suit, Minaj re-recorded the lyrics and vocal melody of Chapman's song "Baby Can I Hold You" without permission. Minaj will pay the singer-songwriter $450,000 in an order of judgment.

Music & Culture

Investment Firm Buys Rights To Neil Young's Music Catalog

9:22am January 08, 2021

Hipgnosis Songs Fund announced it has acquired a 50% interest in Neil Young's catalogue of 1,180 songs. Hipgnosis also has made deals with producer Jimmy Iovine and musician Lindsey Buckingham.

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Music & Culture

With 2021 Off To A Rocky Start, There's At Least New Music To Listen To

7:15am January 08, 2021

by Stephen Thompson

Members of the NPR Music team this week have been previewing the new music out this year. Another member of the team spotlights two of the albums he's looking forward to hearing.

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Music & Culture

A Preview Of New Music To Start Off 2021

7:37am January 06, 2021

by Suraya Mohamed

Another member of the NPR Music team previews two of the albums she's looking forward to hearing in 2021.

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The 2021 Grammy Awards ceremony is being postponed, due to coronavirus concerns.

2021 Grammy Awards Postponed Due To Coronavirus Concerns

6:42pm January 05, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

As Los Angeles experiences a significant increase in new COVID-19 infections, the Recording Academy and CBS have decided to postpone the annual music awards until March 14.

Lil Nas X, the Grammy-winner behind "Old Town Road," has written and released his first children's book, C Is for Country.

Music & Culture

Lil Nas X Says Children Are His Core Audience Right Now, And That's OK

5:38pm January 05, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

The Grammy-winning chart-topping rapper behind "Old Town Road," has just released C Is for Country, a children's book that's emblematic of his efforts to reach a younger audience.

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Music & Culture

2021 Music Recommendations: 'Heaux Tales,' 'Demidevil'

6:12am January 05, 2021

by LaTesha Harris

A preview of two of the albums a member of the NPR Music team is looking forward to hearing in 2021: Jazmine Sullivan's Heaux Tales and Ashnikko's Demidevil.

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Justin Lansing (left) and Joe Mailander of the Okee Dokee Brothers have declined their 2021 Grammy Award nomination for best children's album. The duo won the honor in 2013 for their album Can You Canoe? and have amassed five total nominations.

Music & Culture

3 Grammy Contenders Share Outrage At All-White Category, Decline Nominations

5:50pm January 04, 2021

by Mandalit del Barco

The Okee Dokee Brothers, Alastair Moock and Dog on Fleas — three of five acts nominated in the best children's album category — share their equity-based rationalizations for declining the ballot.

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Music & Culture

U.K. Man Gets Carried Away While Watching Celine Dion TV Concert

6:08am January 04, 2021

Thomas Dodd was enjoying the show with a few drinks. A couple days later, some unexpected mail arrived. He doesn't remember the details, but he apparently legally changed his name to Celine Dion.

Dale Ann Bradley (left), Tina Adair, Gena Britt and Deanie Richardson (center) of the bluegrass band Sister Sadie do their impression of the rock band Queen.

Music & Culture

Bluegrass Band Sister Sadie Embodies Tradition, But Bends It Too

12:17pm January 01, 2021

by Jewly Hight

This fall, the bluegrass supergroup Sister Sadie became the first all-female band ever to win the top prize at the International Bluegrass Music Association awards.

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