Music & Culture

Music & Culture

K-Pop Band BTS Proves Its Skill And Influence On 'Map Of The Soul: 7'

2:30pm March 16, 2020

by Ken Tucker

BTS' new record features songs that vary from grandly dramatic to impishly playful. The album's been a near-instant hit, selling over 2 million copies in its first two hours of release in South Korea.

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BIRTHH's angelic ascension will help you temporarily escape reality.

Music & Culture

Heat Check: Socially Distanced, Emotionally Here

2:10pm March 16, 2020

For your at-home workout. For you stress baking. For avoiding your kids. We're not here to judge, just to help.

Harry Styles plays a Tiny Desk Concert (Max Posner/NPR).

Music & Culture

Harry Styles: Tiny Desk Concert

9:01am March 16, 2020

The former One Direction singer gave a charming performance of "Watermelon Sugar," "Adore You" and other cuts from his latest album, Fine Line.

Wu Tang Clan Tries To Help Stop Spread Of Coronavirus

8:02am March 16, 2020

Wu Tang as an acrostic: W: wash your hands. U: use masks properly. T: touch nothing. A: avoid crowds. N: never touch your face with unclean hands. G: go to the hospital if you have severe symptoms.

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Guitarist Adrian Quesada (left) and vocalist Eric Burton from the Texas soul-rock band Black Pumas.

Music & Culture

Music: Black Pumas

11:49pm March 15, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with vocalist Eric Burton and guitarist Adrian Quesada from the Texas soul-rock band Black Pumas.

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Julie Byrne on the cover of 2017's Not Even Happiness. Her song "Natural Blue" begins our playlist of soothing music.

Music & Culture

Isle Of Calm: Stream 6 Hours Of Soothing Music

3:17pm March 15, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

Help settle your jangled nerves, slow your heart rate and string up a little hammock for your soul with 6 hours of calming music.

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Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, photographed in New York on Aug. 19, 2007. The artist, best known for their work in the groups Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, died on March 14, 2020.

Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Provocateur And Industrial Co-Creator, Dead At 70

12:00pm March 15, 2020

by Sasha Geffen

The Manchester-raised artist was an invariably complicated and controversial figure, said to exert an unhealthy level of control over their collaborators.

La Doña's music is a blend of Bay Area hip-hop, reggaeton and traditional Mexican and Latin American musical styles. Her new EP Algo Nuevo is out now.

Music & Culture

La Doña On 'Algo Nuevo,' Feminist Reggaeton And Teaching Mariachi In Schools

7:54am March 15, 2020

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks to the San Francisco-based artist about her debut EP, as well as teaching folks traditions in public schools and her style of music she calls "femmeton."

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Big Boi performs in Atlanta, Ga., on March 25, 2017.

Not My Job: We Quiz Big Boi On Professional Moving Services

10:02am March 14, 2020

We recorded the show in Atlanta, Ga., this week and so we've invited Big Boi — Grammy-winning rapper and producer and Atlanta resident — to play a game called "I like the way you move ... my stuff."

Ballaké Sissoko, Driss El Maloumi and Rajery are masters of three different stringed instruments from three different African cultures. Together, they are a trio called 3MA.

Music & Culture

3 Musicians, 51 Strings: 3MA On Redefining African Musical Traditions

8:14am March 14, 2020

by Betto Arcos

Ballaké Sissoko made headlines last month after his instrument was irreparably damaged in airline transit. The music that his band, 3MA, makes has a larger impact beyond just a tiff with the TSA.

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