Music

Julien Baker's new album is called Little Oblivions.

Music & Culture

Julien Baker Will Join NPR Music's Listening Party For 'Little Oblivions'

11:00am February 22, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

NPR Music will host an online listening party for the singer-songwriter's new album, featuring a live conversation with Julien Baker and Mackenzie Scott (Torres).

Bartees Strange plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Bartees Strange: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am February 22, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

The budding indie rock star performs four songs for his quarantined Tiny Desk, part of our Black History Month celebration.

Music & Culture

Country Music Continues To Confront Racism

5:03pm February 21, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Rissi Palmer, host of the Apple Music show "Color Me Country," about the Morgan Wallen controversy and what the fallout says about the culture of country music.

Protesters clash with Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police force, following a demonstration Saturday in Barcelona against the imprisonment of Spanish rapper Pablo Hasel.

Violence Erupts In Barcelona On 5th Night Of Protests Over Jailed Rapper

3:01pm February 21, 2021

by Jason Slotkin

Protesters lit fires and luxury stores were vandalized and looted. Nightly, at times violent, protests have followed Pablo Hasél's arrest under a law that criminalizes glorifying terrorism.

How The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles Is Diversifying Music

8:01am February 20, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Charles Dickerson, founder and conductor of The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, and cellist Hanna Innis about fostering diversity in orchestras.

Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York City remains closed following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on Jan. 16, 2021.

Metropolitan Opera Backstage Workers: 'Without People, The Opera Is Nothing'

9:46pm February 19, 2021

by Jeff Lunden

A union representing 800 backstage workers began a publicity campaign today urging donors and government entities to withdraw support for the company because of a labor dispute.

Music & Culture

Remembering U-Roy, Jamaican Dancehall Icon

4:16pm February 19, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The iconic dancehall musician U-Roy has died at age 78. The DJ and vocalist known as "The Originator" had a massive impact on Jamaican music, and was also viewed as a crucial forebear to rap.

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Music & Culture

Prince Markie Dee Of The Fat Boys Has Died

4:16pm February 19, 2021

Prince Markie Dee, a founding member of The Fat Boys, has died. The trio was among hip-hop's best-known groups in the 1980s.

Music & Culture

Remembering Legendary Jazz Pianist And Composer Chick Corea

1:34pm February 19, 2021

by Kevin Whitehead

Corea, who died Feb. 9, had a strong melodic sense and a crisp, distinctive touch at the keyboard. Looking back, it's easy to hear why he was among the most beloved of modern improvising composers.

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Country artists like Miko Marks, Rissi Palmer, Mickey Guyton and Willie Jones are making standout music despite the confines of an industry that privileges whiteness.

Music & Culture

With All Eyes On Country Music, Will Black Nashville Get The Reckoning It Deserves?

10:00am February 19, 2021

Country music's race problem became a hot topic in early February, but the roots of racial injustice in the industry go much deeper. Two Nashville writers unpack the history and recent responses.