Music

A selection of MacArthur fellows from the Class of 2021 (left to right, top row to bottom): Hanif Abdurraqib, Daniel Alarcón, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Jordan Casteel, Don Mee Choi, Nicole Fleetwood, Cristina Ibarra, Ibram X. Kendi, Daniel Lind-Ramos, Monic

This Year's MacArthur 'Genius Grants' Were Just Announced—Here's The Full Winner List

3:56pm September 28, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

Yes, we know they're technically called "MacArthur fellows." But for this group of artists, scientists and scholars, the term fits well enough as any other.

Colombian singer Camilo is up for album of the year, song the year and record of the year across 10 nominations for the Latin Grammys.

Music & Culture

Camilo Nabs 10 Latin Grammy Nominations. Reggaeton Still Largely Shut Out

1:48pm September 28, 2021

by Anamaria Sayre

The Latin Grammys nominations favor a wider range of artists, genre, and fusion pieces, but mostly relegate reggaeton music to its own category.

Cover art for Friction's Conditioned to Chaos.

Music & Culture

Friction, 'Take It Or Leave It'

11:25am September 28, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

A two-minute bruiser taken from the Toronto five-piece's new album, Conditioned to Chaos.

Cover art for The Eivind Aarset 4-tet's Phantasmagoria, or A Different Kind of Journey.

Music & Culture

The Eivind Aarset 4-Tet, 'Manta Ray, Or Soft Spot'

11:00am September 28, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

Resonant gongs, vibraphone, fluttering trumpet and groaning, synth-like transmissions from Aarset's guitar coalesce over the seven minutes of "Manta Ray."

Music & Culture

NoSo, 'Suburbia'

9:59am September 28, 2021

by Marissa Lorusso

The latest song from the former Tiny Desk Contest entrant is about the indignities and joys of growing up in the suburbs.

In this illustration drawn from a video feed, the prosecution presents its closing argument in the federal trial against singer R. Kelly on Sept. 22 in New York.

R. Kelly Found Guilty Of Racketeering And Sex Trafficking

5:39pm September 27, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

A jury found the disgraced R&B star guilty of charges that included sexual exploitation of a child, racketeering and sex trafficking. He faces a possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

Anthony Hamilton performs on Sept. 16 in New York City. Love Is The New Black is his first full length album in five years.

Anthony Hamilton On Being Vulnerable And His New Album 'Love Is The New Black'

3:38pm September 27, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton, who delivers his first album in five years with the help of some friends including Jennifer Hudson.

Music & Culture

Mickey Guyton Is A Country Artist With A Big Voice An An Even Bigger Message

2:07pm September 27, 2021

In this episode of World Cafe, Mickey Guyton talks about Spotify's role in making her music more visible, women in country music getting "chicked," her debut album, Remember Her Name, and more.

Will Liverman (center) as Charles in Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones.

Terence Blanchard Makes History At The Metropolitan Opera

1:28pm September 27, 2021

by Tom Vitale

Fire Shut Up in My Bones, based on the Charles M. Blow memoir of the same title, is the first work by a Black composer to be staged by the Metropolitan Opera.

Silvana Estrada performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Silvana Estrada: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

6:16am September 27, 2021

by Anamaria Sayre

The Mexican singer returns to the instrument workshop that started it all, performing a stunning set from her parent's home in Veracruz, Mexico.