Music

In this composite image, a comparison has been made between Nina Simone and actress Zoe Saldana.

Music & Culture

Saldana As Simone Resurfaces A Debate Beyond Black And White

3:05pm March 05, 2016

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reflects on the debate over the casting of Zoe Saldana in the role of iconic jazz singer Nina Simone. Saldana wore makeup to darken her skin and look more like Simone.

Queue Listen Now

BJ The Chicago Kid's new album, In My Mind, is out now.

Music & Culture

From Backup To Spotlight: BJ The Chicago Kid On Being The 'New Cupid'

9:08am March 05, 2016

by NPR Staff

The R&B singer-songwriter — known for his lending his voice and songwriting skills to Usher, Mary J. Blige and more — puts himself front and center on his new album, In My Mind.

Queue Listen Now

Kendrick Lamar performs at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in February.

Music & Culture

There's A New Kendrick Lamar Project Out, But It May Sound Familiar Already

5:57pm March 04, 2016

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The fluid and sprawling untitled unmastered. was released unexpectedly. It feels like a peek behind the curtain of the rapper's creative process — using some material that fans already know.

Queue Listen Now

This is your brain on Palehound in a scene for its new video for the song "Molly"

Music & Culture

The Sunny Side Up Of Palehound's 'Molly'

5:02pm March 04, 2016

by Jackson Sinnenberg

This is your brain on Palehound.

Jamie Jauncey is the author of The Witness, a young-adult novel set in the Scottish Highlands.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: 'The Witness'

4:46pm March 04, 2016

Fiona Ritchie talks with writer Jamie Jauncey about the role of music in his novel The Witness.

Music & Culture

Jay Leonhart On Piano Jazz

4:43pm March 04, 2016

Hear the bassist and singer perform his composition "Blues For Marilyn" and several standards.

Music & Culture

Poliça On World Cafe

4:39pm March 04, 2016

The Minneapolis duo performs songs from its new album, United Crushers.

Singer and violinist Gaelynn Lea performing in her winning video for this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

All Songs +1: A Chat With Tiny Desk Contest Winner Gaelynn Lea

3:31pm March 04, 2016

On this week's +1 podcast, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton chat with the remarkable violinist Gaelynn Lea, winner of this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

NPR Music's SXSW Showcase features, clockwise from upper left, Vince Staples, Charles Bradley, members of the band Chicano Batman, Margo Price, Anderson .Paak and Mitski

Music & Culture

Vince Staples, Anderson .Paak, Margo Price, To Play NPR Music's 2016 SXSW Showcase

10:00am March 04, 2016

by Robin Hilton

Country, classic soul, searing rock and hip-hop are all part of NPR Music's 2016 SXSW opening night showcase.

Full Circle is Loretta Lynn's first album in nearly 12 years.

Music & Culture

On 'Full Circle,' Loretta Lynn Has New Stories From 'Fist City'

9:35am March 04, 2016

by NPR Staff

With more than 50 albums behind her — and her latest, Full Circle, out now — Lynn has some advice for persevering: "Girls, listen," she says. "You gotta be tough."

Queue Listen Now