Music

Clockwise from upper left: Mitski, Jenny Lewis, ANOHNI, Kali Uchis

Music & Culture

A Conversation On The Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+

8:31am August 21, 2018

All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton talks with Ann Powers, Marissa Lorusso and Sidney Madden about some of the greatest songs released by women and non-binary artists in the past 18 years.

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Bernie Leadon, Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh of the Eagles perform during "History Of The Eagles Live In Concert" in October 2013 in Nashville.

Music & Culture

The Eagles Have The Best-Selling Album Of All Time ... For Now

7:19am August 21, 2018

by Christina Cala

The Eagles' 1976 compilation album, Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, has surpassed Michael Jackson's Thriller for the title of best-selling album of all time.

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Aretha Franklin performs during Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular in Chicago in 2011.

Music & Culture

Aretha Franklin Album Reaches The Top 10, Her Highest Chart Placement In 46 Years

8:05pm August 20, 2018

by Sidney Madden

Following her death last Thursday, Franklin's 30 Greatest Hits, from 1985, delivered the Queen of Soul to her highest placement on the Billboard 200 in nearly half a century.

Madonna at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, where her racy performance of "Like a Virgin" caused an uproar.

Music & Culture

'Like A Virgin' Lives On, A Winking Anthem For Women Getting Married

7:30pm August 20, 2018

by Neda Ulaby

The unofficial anthem of bachelorette parties, Madonna's 1984 hit can be seen as a wink at virginity's ongoing place in the theater of weddings — even today, when most brides are sexually experienced.

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Music & Culture

New Music, New Stories From Century-Old Celluloid

5:25pm August 20, 2018

by Tom Huizenga

Watch an excerpt from The Unchanging Sea, the latest commingling of filmmaker Bill Morrison's decaying reels of silent film and Michael Gordon's undulating music.

The Carters, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, are among the top nominees at the 2018 MTV VMAs.

Music & Culture

An Afro-Surrealistic Worldview Looms Over This Year's Video Music Awards

4:52pm August 20, 2018

by Rodney Carmichael

From Childish Gambino's dystopian vision of America to The Carters' takeover of the Louvre, absurdity is the new black and it fuels the best music videos nominated this year.

Music & Culture

'Wild! Wild! Wild!' Coheres As A Carefully Conceived Lark

3:33pm August 20, 2018

by Ken Tucker

Linda Gail Lewis and Robbie Fulks have teamed up on a shrewd, witty album that's a throwback to the earliest era of rock n' roll — but it's not pickled in nostalgia.

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Khaira Arby, performing a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music in 2010.

The 'Queen' Of Saharan Song, Khaira Arby, Has Died

3:05pm August 20, 2018

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The singer and songwriter from Mali died Sunday at age 59. She was revered across west Africa and beyond for her raw, rootsy sound and her embrace of the many cultures in her beloved city, Timbuktu.

A clip from Cardi B's "Ring" video featuring Kehlani.

Music & Culture

Cardi B And Kehlani Get Caught In A Glass Case Of Emotion In 'Ring'

1:44pm August 20, 2018

by Sidney Madden

The rapper and R&B singer are through with deciphering mixed messages in a platinum-plated new video.

Aretha Franklin, onstage at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 18, 2011.

Music & Culture

Aretha Franklin: Just Her And A Piano

12:39pm August 20, 2018

by Marc Silver

A small, sterling selection of the best stripped-down performances the Queen of Soul delivered in her later years.