Music

Music & Culture

Pittsburgh Rapper Mac Miller Reportedly Dead At 26

7:13pm September 07, 2018

by Rodney Carmichael

Mac Miller, the Pittsburgh-born rapper who developed a ravenous following over the course of five successful albums, died Friday of an apparent overdose in his San Fernando Valley home, multiple outlets have reported. He was 26.

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The rapper Nas, pictured in 2016 in New York City.

Music & Culture

Nas Denies Abuse Allegations From His Ex-Wife, Kelis

3:54pm September 07, 2018

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

On Thursday night, the rapper posted a sprawling series of denials, complaints and his own allegations against Kelis in a seven-part letter posted on Instagram.

At Florida's Tampa Stadium in 1991, Whitney Houston delivered an iconic performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" to kick off Super Bowl XXV.

How Sports Met 'The Star Spangled Banner'

2:08pm September 07, 2018

by Tom Goldman

"The Star Spangled Banner" has been played at major sporting events as far back as the Civil War, even before it was officially named the national anthem. How and why did the tradition stick?

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The Mountain Goats' new EP is called Hex of Infinite Binding.

Music & Culture

Hear The Mountain Goats' New Surprise EP, 'Hex Of Infinite Binding'

12:11pm September 07, 2018

by Marissa Lorusso

"I miss the general spiritual realm of the EP and am hereby centering an intention to spend more time thereat," John Darnielle says about the 4-song release.

Music & Culture

Sonny Landreth On Mountain Stage

11:56am September 07, 2018

by Adam Harris

Hear Landreth's first fully acoustic set in his 10 appearances on Mountain Stage since 1995, featuring Dave Ranson on ukulele bass and Brian Brignac on cajon and percussion.

Music & Culture

Ry Cooder On World Cafe

11:21am September 07, 2018

Cooder and his band re-imagine some of those classic blues and gospel songs he loved as boy. He discusses how his latest album 'Prodigal Son' is ultimately about reverence.

Singer-songwriter Blaze Foley (Ben Dickey) met Sybil Rosen (Alia Shawkat) in 1975. Later, the two lived together in a tree house in the woods.

The Music Soars As A Singer Burns Out In A Muddled 'Blaze'

11:12am September 07, 2018

by David Edelstein

Critic David Edelstein says Ethan Hawke's new film about country singer-songwriter Blaze Foley is best at its simplest: "When [star Ben] Dickey performs, the movie is great."

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Richard Thompson (credit: Tom Bejgrowicz), The War and Treaty (credit: David McClister), Cordovas (credit: Alysse Gafkjen)

Music & Culture

NPR Music, WMOT And World Cafe To Livestream AmericanaFest Performances And Awards

10:22am September 07, 2018

by Bruce Warren

Over 25 acts will appear on the livestream, including Richard Thompson, The War and Treaty, Alejandro Escovedo, Cordovas, Kathy Mattea, Ruston Kelly and more.

Jupiter and Okwess perform a Tiny Desk Concert on July 20, 2018 (Samantha Clark/NPR).

Music & Culture

Jupiter & Okwess: Tiny Desk Concert

5:00am September 07, 2018

by Bob Boilen

Jupiter Bokondji and his band Okwess play music that feels both African and American, with Jupiter's early musical tastes inspired by The Jackson 5, James Brown and the sounds of Motown.

Paul McCartney's Egypt Station is on our shortlist for the week's best new albums, out on Sep. 7.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday For Sep. 7: Eight Albums You Should Hear Now

5:00am September 07, 2018

by Robin Hilton

This week's essential new releases includes Paul McCartney's best album in 20 years, the funk and disco of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, dark and twisted sounds from the rap duo $uicideboy$ and more.

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