Music

Actors Take On Expanded Vocal Duties In Movie 'Sing'

5:00pm December 25, 2016

The new animated movie Sing features animals competing in a music competition like American Idol. Executive Music Producer Harvey Mason Jr. and actress Jennifer Hudson discuss the making of the movie.

Music & Culture

The 'Jingle Bells' Song Has Roots In Minstrelsy

8:56am December 25, 2016

The Christmas staple "Jingle Bells," has been the subject of many arguments about its provenance. Researcher Kyna Hamill, who did some more digging, talks with NPR's Ailsa Chang.

Amy Grant's new album, Tennessee Christmas, is out now.

Music & Culture

Amy Grant On Faith, Songwriting And Christmas Blues

8:56am December 25, 2016

by NPR Staff

The pop songwriter says she wants her album, Tennessee Christmas, "to feel like a good, steady companion, whether you're at the top of your game or struggling."

RTJ3 features Danny Brown, Kamasi Washington, BOOTS, Trina and Zack de la Rocha, among others.

Music & Culture

Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals! Here's Run The Jewels' New Album.

8:39am December 25, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

Run The Yules! Killer Mike and El-P dropped off RTJ3 three weeks early.

Mitski's song "Your Best American Girl" is one of Stephen Thompson's favorites of 2016.

Music & Culture

What 2016 Sounded Like

5:10pm December 24, 2016

by NPR Staff

NPR Music editor and reviewer Stephen Thompson reflects on the year through the lens of music and shares the songs that impressed him most.

Music & Culture

Encore: 'It Wasn't Alternative To Us': Chazmere On Making Your Own Entertainment

8:43am December 24, 2016

For his new album, Chaz Van Queen has opted to go by the moniker, Chazmere. He tells host Linda Wertheimer why he changed his name, and how to use the word "bae."

Music & Culture

Alternative Classical Christmas Music Recommendations

8:34am December 24, 2016

If traditional Christmas songs are burning a hole in your brain, we'll help expand your repertoire with alternative classical Christmas music served up by author and critic Colin Fleming.

"Samba doesn't accept restraint," says Sao Paulo performer Douglas Germano. "It has to break free or else it dies."

In Gritty Sao Paulo, Samba Reinvents Itself With An Introspective Sound

7:00am December 24, 2016

by Marina Lopes

A hundred years after the first recorded samba, São Paulo is pioneering the genre's second act. The city's introspective anthems couldn't be more different than Rio's optimistic, breezy samba beat.

Santa tell me? Ariana Grande performs at the Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 9.

How That Holiday Song Becomes An Inescapable Earworm

5:00am December 24, 2016

by Angus Chen

There's a reason why certain songs get stuck in our brains, scientists say. They interrupt the musical patterns we expect with surprises that we can't help but notice.

Music & Culture

André Previn On Piano Jazz

11:57am December 23, 2016

The conductor, composer and pianist plays a special treatment of "Stormy Weather" in a 1990 session.