Music

Alex Lifeson (left) and Geddy Lee (with Neil Peart on drums) on stage in 1976 on the tour that followed the release of 2112.

Music & Culture

All The Gifts Of Life: 40 Years Of Rush's '2112'

8:27am April 30, 2016

by Adrien Begrand

This month, the Canadian trio's breakthrough album celebrated its 40th anniversary. Guitarist Alex Lifeson recalls its unlikely creation and fans of the band testify to its powers.

Quiles And Cloud perform live for Folk Alley.

Music & Culture

Watch Quiles & Cloud Perform 'Black Sky Lightning' Live In The Studio

8:00am April 30, 2016

by Linda Fahey

The San Francisco duo performs a song about real and metaphorical storms live for Folk Alley.

American Stars Jam With Cuba's Best Musicians In Havana

7:58am April 30, 2016

by Mandalit del Barco

American and Cuban musicians played together in Havana in the first official cultural exchange in half a century. Among them: Usher, Dave Matthews, X Alfonso, and Smokey Robinson.

K-Tel Founder And Infomercial Icon Philip Kives Dies At 87

4:54pm April 29, 2016

by Dana Farrington

He started the company in the 1960s and struck gold pitching gadgets such as the Veg-O-Matic food slicer.

Mdou Moctar, a musician from Agadez, Niger, became the star of a Tuareg remake of Purple Rain.

Music & Culture

Echoes Of Prince — From Everywhere

3:03pm April 29, 2016

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

They may not all be obvious homages, but these artists from Niger, Congo, Portugal, Turkey, Angola, Lebanon and beyond refract different facets of His Purple Majesty's immense talents.

Music & Culture

Florist: Tiny Desk Concert

2:14pm April 29, 2016

by Bob Boilen

Emily Sprague performs three quiet, delicate songs in the NPR Music offices with help from members of New York's Epoch collective.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Kaytranada, 'Glowed Up (Feat. Anderson .Paak)'

1:39pm April 29, 2016

by Linda Nyakundi

With an assist from the master of California mellow, the Montreal-based producer embodies that all-purpose millennial watchword: chill.

Music & Culture

Musicians Pay Tribute To Blind Willie Johnson On 'God Don't Never Change'

1:31pm April 29, 2016

by Milo Miles

A range of musicians, including Tom Waits and Sinéad O'Connor, cover gospel-blues performer Johnson on a new tribute album. Critic Milo Miles says the record's tracks are striking and inventive.

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Music & Culture

All Songs +1: Electronic Artist Tim Hecker On How He Bends Sound

1:03pm April 29, 2016

The electronic musician has been turning traditional song structures inside out for nearly 20 years. On this +1 he explains how he breathes life into an artificial sonic world.

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An advertisement for Apple Music in New York City in 2015.

Music & Culture

With New Deals, Apple And SoundCloud Remix The Dance Music Marketplace

12:09pm April 29, 2016

by Michaelangelo Matos

Apple's agreement with Dubset could ease legal posting of DJ sets that contain copyrighted material. SoundCloud is unveiling a paid service. It's hard to say for sure who is going to benefit.