Music News

Electric Lady "was this colorful, vibrant space that encouraged you to use your imagination and and inspired new music," says Lee Foster. It's an atmosphere he continues to cultivate in the studios today.

Music & Culture

50 Years Later, Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios Is Still An Artistic Haven

9:12am August 26, 2020

On Aug. 26, 1970, Jimi Hendrix opened his legendary studios New York City. He died just three weeks later before he could see its success, decline and rebirth as a palace of hits.

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Music & Culture

Sotheby's Hosts Its First Hip-Hop Auction Next Month

5:56am August 26, 2020

Two of the biggest items include: Biggie Smalls signed crown from his "King of New York" photo shoot — his last ever. And 22 love letters written by Tupac Shakur to his childhood sweetheart.

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Justin Townes Earle, seen here performing at the 8th annual Americana Honors and Awards in 2009, has died.

Music & Culture

Justin Townes Earle, 2nd-Generation Americana Star, Dies At 38

10:16pm August 23, 2020

by Otis Hart

The son of singer Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle recorded eight albums, including 2019's The Saint of Lost Causes. His death was announced on his Facebook page Sunday night.

The previously unreleased song is the first single from her upcoming album, The Rarities.

Music & Culture

Hear Mariah Carey Sample Lauryn Hill On Her New Song, 'Save The Day'

10:39am August 21, 2020

by Cyrena Touros

The previously unreleased track from her upcoming album, The Rarities, interpolates The Fugees' 1996 cover of "Killing Me Softly."

Music & Culture

Bright Eyes Will Join NPR Music's Listening Party For 'Down In The Weeds...'

9:04am August 18, 2020

by Lars Gotrich

Friday at 4 p.m. ET, NPR Music will host an online listening party for Bright Eyes' new album, Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, featuring a live conversation with the band.

Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, from left, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Joseph "DJ Run" Simmons of the hip-hop group Run-DMC in 2002. Federal prosecutors announced charges Monday in Mizell's death, a case that has gone unsolved for nearly two decades.

2 Men Charged In Long-Unsolved Killing of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay

10:42pm August 17, 2020

by Andrew Limbong

Prosecutors announce the charges Monday, nearly two decades after the Run-DMC DJ was shot and killed in a studio in New York City.

Steve Grossman, photographed while performing on July 1, 1991 in Nice, France.

Music & Culture

Steve Grossman, Saxophonist And Post-Coltrane Leading Light, Dead At 69

7:33pm August 17, 2020

by Nate Chinen

One of Grossman's earliest recording credits comes from his time in Miles Davis' band, a high-water mark he maintained through the decades. "He was the best of all of us."

Vox Virtual, An International Music Festival, Is About To Launch

7:03am August 17, 2020

by Elizabeth Blair

Vocal ensembles that normally would be touring the summer festival circuit have organized a virtual concert series. Groups hail from 10 different countries including the U.S., Zimbabwe and France.

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Journalist Gretchen Carlson addresses the crowd before the planned screening of Surviving R. Kelly in New York on Dec. 4, 2018. The room was evacuated after a gun threat was called in.

R. Kelly's Former Manager Charged With Gun Threat To 'Surviving R. Kelly' Screening

4:41pm August 14, 2020

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Federal prosecutors in New York say that Donnell Russell placed a phone call threatening gun violence in order to stop an advance screening of the Lifetime docuseries in December 2018.

Mark Kozelek, performing as Sun Kil Moon on Sept. 30, 2018 in Long Beach, Calif.

Music & Culture

Mark Kozelek, Of Sun Kil Moon And Red House Painters, Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

6:06pm August 13, 2020

by Marissa Lorusso

The established indie singer and songwriter was accused in a report published by Pitchfork on Thursday.