Music

Jamala representing Ukraine performs the song "1944" at the Ericsson Globe on Saturday in Stockholm, Sweden.

A Heavy Dose Of Glitter, Pyrotechnics and Politics At Eurovision 2016

2:59pm May 15, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Ukraine's Jamala is this year's winner with a haunting song about the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars during World War II. Politics are never far from the surface at the European song contest.

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Contest Stand-Out 'Seratones' Adjusts To Tour Life

7:58am May 15, 2016

Last year, NPR's Rachel Martin spoke to one of the bands that stood out in NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert Contest: Seratones. A year later, the band is releasing its first album.

Library Of Congress Opens 'Jazz Singers' Exhibition

7:58am May 15, 2016

by Susan Stamberg

The new exhibition features the likes of Billie Holiday and other jazz greats, from the 1920s to today. Photos, papers, video and scores are on display and will travel to Los Angeles later this year.

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"There had never even been a Canadian DJ that made it to the finals, period," says Alan Macklovitch, aka A-Trak. "And I came in and I won."

Before Leaping Onto Kanye's Records, A-Trak Forged A Career From Scratch

8:09pm May 14, 2016

by NPR Staff

It was happenstance that brought the Canadian DJ and Kanye West together. But A-Trak — Alan Macklovitch — first made his name by winning an international scratching competition, when he was just 15.

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The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right.

Music & Culture

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music

8:48am May 14, 2016

by NPR Staff

"Classical music is many things," says violist Asbjørn Nørgaard. "It can sound like Coldplay. It can sound like heavy metal." The quartet's new album, out now, is called Adès/Nørgard/Abrahamsen.

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"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says rapper Mr. Lif, a.k.a. Jeffrey Haynes. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years.

Music & Culture

'What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger:' Mr. Lif On Music And Healing

8:48am May 14, 2016

by NPR Staff

"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says the rapper, whose life was cracked in half when his tour bus crashed into a ravine. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years.

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Music & Culture

Music Review: 'Monistic Theory,' Joe Driscoll And Sekou Kouyate

4:27pm May 13, 2016

When Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate met at a music festival two years ago, they did not even speak a common language, but their musical connection was instant. Music reviewer Banning Eyre says their sophomore album, Monistic Theory is a refreshingly casual flow of rapping, singing, riffing and grooving.

Danilo Pérez performs with Berklee students at the Panama Jazz Festival.

Music & Culture

Danilo Pérez: A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama

3:47pm May 13, 2016

For the pianist and founder, the Panama Jazz Festival is much more than a bunch of concerts in his hometown. It's an exhibition of how music can change a neighborhood, a political climate or a life.

The Heavy's frontman, Kelvin Swaby, performing live for World Cafe.

Music & Culture

The Heavy On World Cafe

3:22pm May 13, 2016

The English band is more than its hit song "How You Like Me Now?"

Music & Culture

Tania Maria On Piano Jazz

2:58pm May 13, 2016

The Brazilian pianist and singer mixes frenetic originals with Antônio Carlos Jobim interpretations.