Music

Denise Carlos of Las Cafeteras plays the jarana, a guitar-like string instrument from Mexico.

Music & Culture

Through Slavery, Segregation And More, 'La Bamba' Has Been The Sound Of Survival

5:24pm October 14, 2018

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

Sixty years ago, a Mexican folk tune sung entirely in Spanish became a rock and roll phenomenon. Generations after Ritchie Valens, young Latinos are still harnessing its power.

Chris Redd and Alec Baldwin perform in a spoof of Kanye West's visit to the White House on Saturday Night Live.

Music & Culture

'SNL' Spoofs Kanye West, Welcomes Back Paul Simon

4:44pm October 14, 2018

by Otis Hart

The cold open revisited West's bizarre White House soliloquy, while Simon performed an emotional rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Vijay Gupta is a violinist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic whose life's work has been to make music accessible to all. That passion caught the attention of others and this year he was awarded a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

MacArthur Fellow Vijay Gupta On Making Music Accessible For All

6:49pm October 13, 2018

Violinist and social justice advocate Vijay Gupta, one of the 2018 winners of the MacArthur Fellowship, speaks about his work in under-resourced communities in Los Angeles and what's next.

Music & Culture

NPR's Scott Simon Meets Musician Scott Simons

8:05am October 13, 2018

Simon talks with Simons about his career in Los Angeles, including his work on shows like "America's Got Talent," and having such similar names.

A memorial mural of musician Leonard Cohen in downtown Montreal.

Leonard Cohen's Poem 'Kanye West Is Not Picasso,' As Read By Michael Shannon

7:31pm October 12, 2018

by Andrew Flanagan

Cohen talks Kanye, in the voice of Michael Shannon. It's all pretty straightforward, no?

John Grant's comical and moving new album Love is Magic is on our list of the best releases for Oct. 12.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday For Oct. 12: 6 Albums You Should Hear Now

5:20pm October 12, 2018

by Robin Hilton

The comical and moving synth pop of John Grant, enchanting harmonies from The Watson Twins, the first new music from Elvis Costello & The Imposters in a decade and more.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Watch Hozier Perform 'Nina Cried Power' On World Cafe

12:17pm October 12, 2018

by Bruce Warren

The Irish singer-songwriter performs a stripped-down version of the song from his latest EP.

Jilian Linklater's single "Break Up With Your Best Friend" is out October 12.

Music & Culture

The Poppiest Song I've Loved In Years

11:15am October 12, 2018

by Bob Boilen

Out of over 100 songs submitted for a DIY musician conference, Jilian Linklater's "Break Up With Your Best Friend" stood out to NPR Music's Bob Boilen.

Music & Culture

Beyoncé Is The 21st Century's Master Of Leveling Up

10:15am October 12, 2018

by Kiana Fitzgerald

Through her career, Bey has shown that there are more levels to her artistry than we could have imagined. And she's using those levels to delve further into her personalized elevation of black women.

JS Ondara's debut album Tales of America is out Feb. 1 on Verve Forecast.

Music & Culture

The 'American Dream' Through The Kenyan Eyes Of J.S. Ondara

9:00am October 12, 2018

by Bob Boilen

J.S. Ondara's "American Dream" video follows a delusional man on his journey to purchase a weapon.