Music

Aretha Franklin performs in Antibes, France in 1970.

Music & Culture

'Black People Will Be Free': How Aretha Lived The Promise Of Detroit

6:50pm August 16, 2018

by dream hampton

Black Power, black leadership and the black church all converged in the city of Aretha Franklin's youth. Once she had the means, she resolved to bring Detroit's potential with her.

George W. Bush awards Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in 2005.

Music & Culture

Aretha Franklin, The 'Queen Of Soul,' Dies At 76

6:03pm August 16, 2018

by Ted Robbins

One of the most powerful and beloved voices of all time died Thursday in Detroit.

Queue Listen Now

Aretha Franklin performs at Radio City Music Hall in February 2012 in New York City.

Music & Culture

The Queen Of Soul: Celebrating Aretha Franklin's Immeasurable Contributions

5:50pm August 16, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

It is overwhelming to imagine just how many molecules and how many mountains Aretha Franklin has moved with her music.

Music & Culture

How Fans Of R&B Singer Aretha Franklin Are Reacting To Her Death

5:02pm August 16, 2018

Fans of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin are mourning the singer's death. From presidents to locals in her adopted hometown of Detroit, they remembering her contributions and voice.

Music & Culture

Honoring And Remembering Singer Aretha Franklin And Her Voice

5:02pm August 16, 2018

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Thulani Davis about Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," who died Thursday at 76. Davis says Franklin let the style of singing African-Americans knew from church blend into popular music.

Queue Listen Now

Dee White's debut is called Southern Gentleman.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Dee White, 'Southern Gentleman'

4:10pm August 16, 2018

by Jewly Hight

On his debut, recorded with studio gurus Dan Auerbach and David Ferguson, Dee White does something very different with his vintage country tastes. Alison Krauss guests.

Music & Culture

Triad Musicians Remember The 'Queen Of Soul,' Aretha Franklin

3:48pm August 16, 2018

by David Ford and Sean Bueter

Triad musicians are celebrating the life of the “Queen of Soul” today.

The publicist for Aretha Franklin announced that she died at her home in Detroit at the age of 76.

A low cloud obscures the high ground in a remote part of the Isle of Skye.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: Ballads Of The Border

3:17pm August 16, 2018

Cattle raids, battles, betrayals and family loyalties are all commemorated in the ballads of the borderlands between Scotland and England, sometimes referred to as "the debatable lands".

Beyoncé performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during her set at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April.

Music & Culture

Till Victory Is Won: The Staying Power Of 'Lift Every Voice And Sing'

3:00pm August 16, 2018

by Claudette Lindsay-Habermann

Beyoncé sang it at Coachella. Kim Weston sang it at Wattstax. The song often called the "black national anthem" is still with us — in part because the struggle it describes never went away.

Queue Listen Now

Death Cab For Cutie inside the World Cafe Performance Studio

Music & Culture

Death Cab For Cutie Is Thankful For 20 Years Of Memories

2:52pm August 16, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

"We're still considered by virtually everybody as an indie band," says Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard.