The Raid That Changed Rap
When federal agents raided DJ Drama's studio in 2007 over his Gangsta Grillz empire, he became a martyr for mixtape culture. In many ways, it never recovered.
Music
Kelsey Waldon Covers Nina Simone's 'Mississippi Goddam' On New EP
They'll Never Keep Us Down is the title of a forthcoming EP from Nashville singer-songwriter Kelsey Waldon, on which she covers protest and empowerment songs.
Crate Digging With Christian McBride: The History Of Latin Bass
Hear the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra in 2006, with four virtuoso bassists: Rubén Rodríguez, Charnett Moffett, the late Andy González, and the mighty Cachao, two years before his death.
5 Local Live Performances From GBH's Fraser Performance Studio
From the Ballroom Thieves to Anjimile, listen to five stand out performances from local musicians in Boston, recorded live from GBH's acoustically pristine Fraser Performance Studio.
Play It Forward: Nick Hakim Finds Humor In Darkness
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Brooklyn-based musician Nick Hakim about creating little worlds with music and the artist he is grateful for: Laraaji.
Why Algiers Went Personal Instead Of Political In 2020
The rock band Algiers has a reputation for being a firebrand. But that wasn't the case on There Is No Year.
Ty Dolla $ign: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
The R&B superstar assembled some frequent collaborators — including Skrillex — for a six-song quarantine concert.
Join NPR Music's Listening Party For OutKast's 'Stankonia'
Friday at 2 p.m. ET, NPR Music will host an online listening party for the 20th anniversary of OutKast's landmark album. Join the chat room, ask our expert panel questions and shout your love.
Beauty Pill's 'Instant Night' Sets A Dreadful Moment In Motion
This song, part of our 'We Insist' timeline of 2020's noteworthy protest music, was released Oct. 26.
Rhiannon Giddens Confronts Emotional Whiplash On 'Best Day / Worst Day'
Giddens explains how the new song she composed for Morning Edition's Song Project series grew from this year's extreme ups and downs.