As a kid discovering music, you assemble a hodgepodge of other people's opinions. But there's a lot of joy to be found when the urge to agree with the critics melts away, writes critic Laura Snapes.
This week marks what would have been the 50th birthday of Selena, who died in 1995. Now, she's experiencing a remarkable revival. But has she ever really been that far from our thoughts or playlists?
Marks' catalog — especially her latest album — deserves a close listen, revealing a history lesson not just about her own experiences and repertoire but the entire last century of Black roots music.
For all the fuss around the viral hit "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," its true message is a tender one: Hell hath no fury like what young queer people go through every day.
The versatile, eclectic multimedia artist and musician Laurie Anderson has taken stock of her life's work, pursuing reissues and retrospectives while always forging ahead.
On the re-recorded Fearless (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift – and her fans – reconnect with the past; we asked writers and musicians to share how they hear these songs now.
Taylor Swift is far from the first to revisit her old catalog for reasons of business as much as art – but even if it's often a managerial decision, the process can't help but be heartfelt.
The Nashville-based, Nigerian-American artist writes songs that offer trustworthy empathy, delivered without romanticism — a tone that has connected with listeners during the tumultuous pandemic era.
Women from Iraq's Yazidi minority get together to perform centuries-old sacred songs. They've survived captivity by ISIS and loved ones' deaths. "They are trying to heal," says a Yazidi politician.
Hear the first two hours of the documentary that chronicles the history of Haiti and explores that nation's influence on the music, culture and identity of the Crescent City: New Orleans.
Last month, the rapper was recommended for clemency after serving 21 years in prison for a crime he says he did not commit. Now he tells NPR about his time behind bars and his hope for life outside.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with artist Devonté Hynes about how his Grammy-nominated classical album Fields came together and the artist he is most grateful for – Angel Bat Dawid.
Corea, who died in February, remains the most-awarded jazz musician in Grammys history. But Corea, who always identified as a jazz player, wasn't landlocked by any genre conventions. He wasn't alone.
"I always wanted to take my mother to the Grammys and now I will." Alfredo is up for best rap album, but that won't stop Freddie Gibbs from making the music he wants to make.
The Toki School of Music is the brainchild of pianist Mahani Teave, who gave up a promising international career to return to Easter Island to teach children.
Butcher came to prominence through the close-knit and much-respected crew Griselda, but is now stepping to the front with a label, sports agency and new album, Plugs I Met 2.
Sung reflects on how, as a young classical pianist, she stuck to her jazz dreams. More recently, she's translated her emotions on social justice into a thematic composition for her quartet.
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Jonathan Ward on his new 100-track compilation of early recordings from around the world called Excavated Shellac: An Alternate History of the World's Music.
Country music's race problem became a hot topic in early February, but the roots of racial injustice in the industry go much deeper. Two Nashville writers unpack the history and recent responses.
