Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Recommended listening: Louis Armstrong's 'The Night Before Christmas'

8:16am December 14, 2021

Writer Danny Freedman in Smithsonian Magazine argues that trumpeter Louis Armstrong's recording of "The Night Before Christmas" should become required holiday listening.

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The legacy of Vicente Fernandez, king of ranchera music, who died on Sunday

5:10pm December 13, 2021

by Carrie Kahn

The King of ranchera music, Vicente Fernandez, died Sunday. He leaves tens of millions of devoted fans throughout the Latino world.

Latin Grammy winner to Cuban leaders: 'We're done with your lies and indoctrination'

4:44pm December 13, 2021

by Elisa Baena

Afro-Cuban rapper Yotuel Romero discusses the song that won Song of the Year and inspired protesters in one of the biggest waves of demonstrations in Cuba in decades.

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Music & Culture

Quinn Christopherson, 'Loaded Gun'

1:15pm December 13, 2021

by Elle Mannion

A love letter to Quinn Christopherson's younger self that yearns with sweet specificity.

Projects released by Rauw Alejandro, Camila Cabello, and Nathy Peluso are included in NPR Music's Best Latin music of 2021.

Music & Culture

The Best Latin Music of 2021

12:00pm December 13, 2021

The singles and albums that came out this year seem to reflect the diversity of Latin music more than ever.

Music & Culture

An icon of traditional Mexican music, Vicente Fernández, dies at 81

9:39am December 13, 2021

Vincente Fernández was largely considered the last living legend of the Mexican ranchera, the style of song deeply rooted in the values and traditions of rural Mexico.

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World Cafe celebrates 30 years with a 1999 playlist.

Music & Culture

World Cafe 30th Anniversary Playlist: 1999

9:25am December 13, 2021

by Bruce Warren

The last year of the 1990s may have carried the semi-imposing threat of the Y2K millennium bug, but it also managed to deliver some excellent music.

News brief: tornado destruction, coronavirus roundup, Vicente Fernández

6:58am December 13, 2021

Dozens have been killed by devastating tornadoes across the Midwest. The U.S. is nearing 800,000 coronavirus related deaths. And, an icon of traditional Mexican music has died.

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Vicente Fernández performs onstage during the 20th annual Latin Grammy Awards in 2019.

Vicente 'Chente' Fernández, 'El Rey' of ranchera music, has died at 81

6:20am December 13, 2021

by Adrian Florido

The singer had been in critical condition recently after being hospitalized due to a fall at his Guadalajara ranch in August, and being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome afterwards.

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Music & Culture

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion is now Megan Thee College Graduate

6:05am December 13, 2021

She walked across Texas Southern University's stage — receiving a Bachelor's degree in health administration. She says she wanted to complete her education to honor her late mother and grandmother.