Music

Music & Culture

Bluegrass musician Del McCoury explores love gone bad on 'Almost Proud'

12:13pm March 09, 2022

by Ken Tucker

McCoury's been prominent in bluegrass since the 1960s, when he performed in Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys. His new album, with sons Rob and Ronnie, in an energetic work that also takes a dark turn.

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World Cafe continues it's 30th Anniversary Celebration with a playlist from 2011

Music & Culture

World Cafe 30th Anniversary Playlist: 2011

12:11pm March 09, 2022

by Bruce Warren

2011 was an exemplary year, with memorable releases by Drake, Radiohead, Adele, PJ Harvey and more.

Music & Culture

He died 25 years ago, but Notorious B.I.G is still synonymous with Brooklyn

10:21am March 09, 2022

by Jasmine Garsd

Wednesday marks the 25th anniversary of the death of rapper Christopher Wallace, the Notorious B.I.G. His influential rhymes still resonate with the people in his hometown of Brooklyn.

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Abdullah Ibrahim performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert

Music & Culture

Abdullah Ibrahim: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

7:49am March 09, 2022

by Bob Boilen

This performance by the celebrated South African pianist and NEA Jazz Master reflects on the past and helps clarify the present.

Yo-Yo Ma played Ukraine's national anthem and brought the audience to its feet at the Kennedy Center on Monday.

Yo-Yo Ma performs a musical protest outside the Russian Embassy

2:20pm March 08, 2022

by Bill Chappell

The world-famous cellist made a personal stand with Ukraine on Monday, setting up his instrument on the sidewalk in Washington, D.C., next to an improvised street sign reading, "Zelensky Way."

Patricia Kopatchinskaja performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

8:48am March 08, 2022

by Tom Huizenga

A fearless risk-taker who makes warhorses sound freshly minted, Kopatchinskaja, from her Vienna apartment, sets fire to Beethoven and offers rarely heard American music.

Music & Culture

Entries We Love: Selina Moon, 'Let It Go'

3:47pm March 07, 2022

by Jill Britton

Selina Moon is no stranger to the Tiny Desk Contest. In this year's entry, the uplifting "Let It Go" transports the listener from behind their screen to a place of enchantment.

Music & Culture

Entries We Love: Devin + Tori, 'Better'

3:46pm March 07, 2022

by Taylor Jennings-Brown

In this Tiny Desk Contest entry, Devin's soft pop-meets-R&B instrumentals feel like the foundation of a home, and Tori's soulful vocals are its building blocks.

The making of the Cartography Project, a work honoring victims of racial violence

5:17pm March 06, 2022

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with artists Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Liz Gre about The Cartography Project — a multi-year art commission that explores the effects of racial violence.

What's making us happy: A guide for your weekend reading, listening and viewing

7:00am March 05, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: new music from Drug Church, learning to knit and Judy Greer.