D'Angelo's 'Black Messiah' Collapses Years, Genres
Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker says Black Messiah is as adventurous as any fan could hope for.
Music & Culture
"5" Royales To Be Inducted Into The Rock Hall Of Fame
A pioneering Winston-Salem band will be honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The “5” Royales were active for 20 years starting in the mid-40s.
Redman On Music And Marijuana: Now Is The Time For Some Action
"I think the audience is becoming more aware," he said backstage at the last date of his fall tour with Method Man. "Smarter."
Ken Tucker's Top 9 Albums Of 2014, Plus A Book
Making new sounds while staying mindful of the past is a common theme in the Fresh Air music critic's year-end list.
The Right Way To Complain About The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
There are plenty of things about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's induction process that are worthy of complaint, but the most common gripe isn't one of them.
2015 Rock Hall Of Fame Class Includes Lou Reed, Joan Jett, Green Day
The Smiths and N.W.A. were left off of the list of inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Hall voters opted for acts such as Bill Withers and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Hear The First New D'Angelo Album In 15 Years
Just like that, Black Messiah exists. For lovers of R&B and soul — for lovers of music that transcends in general — the album's arrival is unreal. You can listen to it right now.
'Pippin' Performs The Final Ballad Of 'The Hobbit'
Billy Boyd was the hobbit Pippin in The Lord of the Rings films, and he's a musician, too. He talks to NPR's Rachel Martin about writing the last song for the new movie, The Battle of the Five Armies.
LISTEN: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snubs
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is expected to announce its latest group of inductees this coming week. As usual, many legends will be snubbed.
Malawi Mouse Boys: Hunting Mice And Singing In Harmony
When record producer Ian Brennan met the Malawi Mouse Boys, they were selling mice as roadside snacks and singing together in church. Now, they've released two albums and toured the U.S.