Music & Culture

Music & Culture

'Accidental Racist': The Controversy And The Conversation

2:49pm April 09, 2013

"Accidental Racist," the new collaboration between country singer Brad Paisley and rapper LL Cool J, has set off a firestorm. Paisley sings about the dilemma of balancing Southern pride without projecting a racist attitude. The artists have called the widely-panned tune a conversation-starter.

Queue Listen Now

Jherek Bischoff's new album is titled Composed.

Music & Culture

Jherek Bischoff Crafts A Symphonic Sound On 'Composed'

2:05pm April 09, 2013

The musician, songwriter, composer and producer has made a name for himself by playing with the likes of Amanda Palmer. For his latest album, however, he found himself departing from a rock sound as he began writing his own orchestral arrangements.

Queue Listen Now

Charlotte Church's new album is titled One & Two.

Music & Culture

Charlotte Church Returns, A 'Beautiful Wreck' In A Digital Age

5:30pm April 08, 2013

by NPR Staff

As a child, the Welsh singer rocketed into success with classical and religious music, and performed for Nelson Mandela and the pope. Now she's back with a new album, One & Two, and a new sound.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Vespers, Habaneras And Early Morning Walks: New Classical Albums

6:52pm April 07, 2013

by Tom Huizenga

From the radiant voices of a Latvian choir to a fresh young string quartet and a seasoned symphony, NPR's Tom Huizenga and host Jacki Lyden spin an eclectic mix of new classical releases.

Queue Listen Now

Willemjin Verkaik is the latest leading lady to play Elphaba, the misunderstood green girl who grows up to become the Wicked Witch of the West in Broadway's long-running Wicked. She has also played the role in Dutch and German in Europe.

On Broadway, Old Shows And New Tricks

11:08am April 07, 2013

by Jeff Lunden

These days, a hit show can run not just for years but for decades. So how do you keep it fresh for new audiences? Reporter Jeff Lunden talks to people who work on three of Broadway's biggest hits to find out.

Queue Listen Now

Bonobo's new album is titled The North Borders.

Music & Culture

Bonobo: Challenging Music's 'Borders,' Finding A New Frontier

6:04pm April 05, 2013

by NPR Staff

On his new album, The North Borders, the British composer and DJ uses samples from the outside world, like the sound of a truck's air brakes, to push the idea of what can create melody and rhythm.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Bombino: A Desert Rock 'Nomad' Rolls Into Nashville

9:56pm April 02, 2013

by Banning Eyre

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach produced the Tuareg guitar virtuoso's latest album and adds sonic heft rarely heard on African guitar recordings.

Queue Listen Now

Kacey Musgraves' "Merry Go 'Round" was one of NPR Music's favorite songs of 2012.

Music & Culture

Kacey Musgraves: Country's Blunt And Poetic New Voice

2:46pm April 02, 2013

by Ken Tucker

The talented young singer-songwriter has as much in common with John Prine as she does with Kenny Chesney. With any luck, Same Trailer, Different Park is the start of a long career that will make both Musgraves' core audience and other open-minded listeners sit up and take notice.

Queue Listen Now

The 20/20 Experience is Justin Timberlake's first album since 2006.

Justin Timberlake Returns To Music With Enthusiasm And 'Experience'

10:03am April 02, 2013

by Ken Tucker

On his first album since 2006, The 20/20 Experience, Justin Timberlake explores his range, from soul-man groove to falsetto croon, taking inspiration from neo-soul and the expansiveness of '60s and '70s rock song formats.

Queue Listen Now

A still from the video for E-40's 1993 song "Practice Looking Hard," in which rappers like The Coup's Boots Riley (second from right) and Tupac (not pictured) also appeared.

Music & Culture

The Many Sounds Of 1993 Bay Area Rap

8:27pm March 28, 2013

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

Overlooked by the industry, Bay Area rappers as different as E-40, Too Short and The Coup were free to make and sell music that didn't sound like anybody else's.

Queue Listen Now