Music

Luke Combs, one of the most buzzed-about artists at this year's CMA Fest, performs on June 11, 2017.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Nashville: The CMA Fest Experience

7:00am June 19, 2017

The annual festival is a chance for fans to get up close and personal with their favorite country stars — and to discover new artists. Ann Powers and Jewly Hight report back from this year's event.

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah performs live at WXPN's Non-COMMvention in Philadelphia, Pa., in May 2017.

Music & Culture

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah On World Cafe

6:00am June 19, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

Enjoy a live performance from the trumpet virtuoso who's stretching modern jazz music to include flavors of hip-hop, trap and West African percussion.

Beth Ditto's first solo album, Fake Sugar, is out now.

Music & Culture

Beth Ditto On 'Fake Sugar' And Sweet Memories

7:45am June 18, 2017

She'd left her Arkansas hometown by age 20, but the Gossip frontwoman's solo album recalls her Southern roots. Losing her father, she says, has made her look back more fondly at her childhood.

Yoko Ono Joins John Lennon With Credit Line For Writing 'Imagine'

6:04pm June 17, 2017

by Neda Ulaby

The song "Imagine" is an international anthem of peace and, well, imagination. Until this week, John Lennon had sole credit for writing the song, but in his lifetime, Lennon wanted that changed.

Four years after her hit debut, Pure Heroine, Lorde returns with a new album, Melodrama, out Friday.

Music & Culture

Lorde On Dialing Out And Turning Inward

6:04pm June 17, 2017

After the rush of stardom accompanying her 2013 debut, the singer felt "deeply conspicuous" working in her native New Zealand. To finish her new album, Melodrama, she let herself get lost in New York.

Jason Haaheim is principal timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Music & Culture

Meet The Nanotechnologist Behind The Timpani At The Met

8:15am June 17, 2017

Jason Haaheim was a senior scientist at a nanotech company before deciding he wanted to play in a professional orchestra. He's now principal timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Music therapist Brian Schreck began working with Nate Kramer after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Together, they recorded a song of Nate's heartbeat layered over melodies.

Heartbeat Music: Parents Remember Their Son Through His Song Of Life

7:34pm June 16, 2017

by Erika Lantz

Nate Kramer was a tall, quiet collegiate swimmer when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He died four years later. But during treatment he met a therapist, and together they played and recorded music.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Music News: Beyonce's Twins, Katy Perry's New Album

4:38pm June 16, 2017

by Jacob Ganz

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with NPR Music editor Jacob Ganz about the music news of the week, including the buzz around Beyonce's twins, Katy Perry's new album and a 48-year-old songwriting credit for Yoko Ono on John Lennon's, "Imagine."

Liliana Saumet (left) and Simón Mejía perform in Bomba Estéreo.

Music & Culture

Bomba Estéreo Returns With 'Duele,' A Hypnotic Portrait Of Heartbreak

3:25pm June 16, 2017

by Julyssa Lopez

With undulating rhythms and a beguiling vocal, the Colombian band's new song evokes a subtle sense of tradition and spirituality. The surreal video unfolds like an animated Dalí painting.

Music & Culture

Jay Z: The Fresh Air Interview

1:37pm June 16, 2017

On Thursday, Jay Z became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. We'll listen back to his 2010 conversation with Terry Gross. Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2010.

Queue Listen Now