Music

Music & Culture

Chinatown's Place In California Punk

7:53am December 21, 2019

A punk band played a Denny's in California last week, but that's not so strange: turns out punk has a history in the restaurants of LA's Chinatown. Madeline Leung Coleman talks about the history.

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Michael Kiwanuka went to music school, but he thinks technical knowledge is less important than passion and free expression.

Music & Culture

Michael Kiwanuka On Embracing His Name And How 'Big Little Lies' Changed His Life

11:20am December 20, 2019

As the son of Ugandan parents, he struggled with feeling like an outsider. But he's back with his third album, simply titled Kiwanuka.

Balún plays a Tiny Desk Concert (Claire Harbage/NPR).

Music & Culture

Balún: Tiny Desk Concert

5:00am December 20, 2019

by Felix Contreras

It's impossible to not be drawn in by the visual specter of Balún as the band mixes traditional instruments and electronics, set against a rich tapestry of voices.

Music & Culture

Griselda Set Out To Be Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rappers. It's Paying Off

2:57pm December 19, 2019

by Frannie Kelley

The Buffalo, N.Y. trio sounds more like '90s street rap than modern hitmakers, but has found its way to success anyway: business co-signs from Jay-Z and Eminem and, this month, its major label debut.

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Music & Culture

San Fermin On Mountain Stage

9:00am December 19, 2019

by Dave Lavender

The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based indie pop orchestra San Fermin made its second appearance on Mountain Stage on the last night of an extensive tour promoting the first of two companion albums.

Music & Culture

The South African Songbook: Jazz Musicians Who Stayed During Apartheid

8:00am December 19, 2019

by Simon Rentner

We celebrate 25 Years of democracy in South Africa by focusing on the trailblazers that stayed during the brutal era of apartheid, featuring Herbie Tsoaeli and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Big Thief released two of Bob Boilen's favorite albums in 2019: U.F.O.F. and Two Hands.

Music & Culture

Bob Boilen's Top 20 Albums For 2019

8:31pm December 18, 2019

by Bob Boilen

The All Songs Considered host shares his favorite albums of the year, from Big Thief and FKA Twigs to Billie Eilish and Mdou Moctar.

Mexican vocalist Georgel and Cuban American vocalist Kat Dahlia help close out 2019.

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino Playlist: One Last Tamal For 2019

3:12pm December 18, 2019

A playlist perfect for holiday parties in your tia's kitchen and with the primos in the basement. Plus, an exclusive video from Ruben Blades.

Jamila Woods' 2019 album LEGACY! LEGACY! was made up of songs that draw inspiration from earlier artists. Her songs were among many this year that sent NPR Music's critic Ann Powers seeking out historical partners.

Music & Culture

Songs That Bend Time: A Musical Time Machine For 2019

1:48pm December 18, 2019

by Ann Powers

A playlist of 50 notable songs from this year, paired with older ones that connect with them spiritually or sonically.

NEON's debut album spirals through some brain-rewiring punk.

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice: Burger Punk, Hard-Swung Free Jazz, Bioluminescent Ambient

1:44pm December 18, 2019

by Lars Gotrich

A few late-year greats, including tracks from Dark Thoughts, Irreversible Entanglements and Shorelights. Plus, a nine-hour playlist of the year in Viking's Choice.