Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Putting The 'K' In Muzak: Years Of Kmart Background Music, Archived On Tape

4:04pm October 12, 2015

Care to hear four years' worth of the music played on Kmart's loudspeakers? Well, whether or not you do, now you can — on Archive.org. Mark Davis explains why he collected and uploaded the tunes.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Next: Brooke Annibale

9:54am October 12, 2015

Hear two songs from the Pittsburgh singer-songwriter, whose music you might have heard on TV.

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Music & Culture

At 84, Award-Winning Actress Rita Moreno Tries New Projects

9:05am October 12, 2015

by Felix Contreras

Rita Moreno will receive the Kennedy Center Honor next month for her career in show business. With a new gig as a voice in an animated TV series and a new album, there's no way she's done performing.

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Brownout's single "La Raza" is a tribute to Kid Frost and El Chicano.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Brownout, 'La Raza'

8:54am October 12, 2015

by Felix Contreras

We celebrate Dia de La Raza with a posse remake of Kid Frost's Latin hip-hop classic that also features Mellow Man Ace, Niña Dioz, Das Racist's Kool A.D. and others.

Neon Indian's new album, <em>VEGA INTL. Night School</em>, comes out Oct. 16.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Neon Indian, 'VEGA INTL. Night School'

8:24am October 12, 2015

by Andy Battaglia

On the band's new album, old and new technologies come together in a sly but seemingly sincere way, with throwback results that keep the prospect of a party in mind.

Syrian Basel Esa, 23, sits in the grass behind a gas station near the Hungary-Serbia border, rapping into an NPR microphone. The amateur rapper fled his home in Raqqa two years ago and lived in Turkey before deciding to go to Europe. He raps about war, su

Syria's 'DJ Marshall B' Raps About The Pain Of Being A Refugee

8:27am October 11, 2015

by Lauren Frayer

The Syrian performer has made his way through Europe while rapping about his experiences: "Lost between heaven and hell, I'm desperately trying to reach the light at the end."

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Tigran Hamasyan merges ancient Armenian sacred music with jazz piano.

Music & Culture

Music From The Shadows: Ancient Armenian Hymns And Piano Jazz

9:14am October 09, 2015

by Tom Huizenga

Award-winning pianist Tigran Hamasyan merges ancient sacred hymns from his homeland with improvisation, and a little mystery.

Tiny Desk Concert with Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah.

Music & Culture

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah: Tiny Desk Concert

9:03am October 09, 2015

by Patrick Jarenwattananon

Artists don't usually tell long, rambling stories for us. They don't usually name their tunes "Ku Klux Police Department." The trumpeter presents his jazz-hybridized "stretch music" in performance.

No Expiration Date

10:42am October 08, 2015

Indie folk duo The Milk Carton Kids wishes you knew just how dark their band name is.

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Music & Culture

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2016 Nominees Include The Cars, Janet Jackson

8:58am October 08, 2015

by Marie Andrusewicz

More than 800 artists and music industry professionals vote on the inductees, who are announced in December.