All Rap Is Local
As it celebrates its 50th birthday, hip-hop is a global phenomenon. But to map the music's true impact, you have to look closer. Here's a guide to rap history, charted across more than a dozen cities.
Music & Culture
The Weeknd sets attendance records during weekend performances in London
The Weeknd set attendance records during recent concerts in London, performing for 160,000 fans on July 7-8. It's a welcome win since many agreed that his show "The Idol" was not worth idolizing.
Vibrating haptic suits give deaf people a new way to feel live music
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, Music: Not Impossible brought vibrating haptic suits to a Lincoln Center dance party.
GWAR: Tiny Desk Concert
For nearly four decades, the band has terrorized planet Earth with its raucous stage shows, raunchy metal songs and grotesque satire. GWAR finally came to destroy the Tiny Desk, once and for all.
Jane Birkin, British actress, singer and French icon, dies at 76
The London-born star, whose British accent and natural style charmed her adopted country of France, died on Sunday. Her fame rivals the Hermès luxury handbags named after her.
Local economies are getting a boost from Taylor Swift and Beyoncé concerts
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer asks economist Mara Klaunig about the economic effects on local communities of concerts like Taylor Swift's or Beyoncé's.
Varsha's Tiny Desk Contest is inspired by the Hindu goddess Durga
Musician Varsha Krishnamoorthy shares the inspiration behind her Tiny Desk Contest submission, "Woman."
Octavia Butler wrote a 'Parable' that became a prophecy — now it's also an opera
Octavia Butler's novel Parable of the Sower — depicting a dystopian U.S. in 2024 — was published 30 years ago. Toshi Reagon's new musical retelling explores the web of past, present and future.
Hilary Hahn, 'Sonata No. 3, Ballade'
The intrepid violinist undertakes some of the most challenging solo violin music, marking the centenary of its creation by composer Eugéne Ysaÿe.
Something went wrong with the vinyl pressing of Taylor Swift's new album
Swifties rejoiced when Speak Now (Taylor's Version) dropped. But instead of hearing Taylor belt out the song "Mine," some fans got "Soul Vine" by Cabaret Voltaire. Affected fans got a replacement.