Music

Music & Culture

'Summer Of Soul': Singer Mavis Staples

1:32pm September 07, 2021

by Terry Gross

Staples began singing with her family as a teenager. The Staple Singers started out in gospel, but moved over to pop, eventually playing the '69 Harlem Cultural Festival. Originally broadcast in 1989.

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Music & Culture

Aaliyah, 'Are You That Somebody'

12:24pm September 07, 2021

by Chasity Hale

On the Timbaland-produced "Are You That Somebody," Aaliyah's soulful, contemporary-sounding vocals enchant. Even though it's been over 20 years, this track feels like yesterday.

Vocalist Brendan Yates directing the dance at Turnstile's Glow On release show at Clifton Park Bandshell in Baltimore.

Music & Culture

Get Your Booty On The Floor. Turnstile Is Here To Help

10:50am September 07, 2021

by Zachary Lipez

Turnstile's nothing but true to the sprawling, rambunctious spirit of hardcore. But overlooked — or at least hidden in plain sight — is the band's allegiance to funk.

Unfit Wives entered the song "Milk & Honey" into the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

Unfit Wives, 'Milk & Honey'

7:00am September 07, 2021

by Gabe Rosenberg

This #NowPlaying discovery of Unfit Wives comes to us from this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

The World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's in Orlando, Fla., was once known for its bizarre exterior. The restaurant has since undergone renovations. It is a planned stop on Max Krieger's tour of strange and unusual McDonald's in Florida.

Music & Culture

One Man's Journey To Document The Strangest McDonald's In The World

4:20pm September 04, 2021

by Savannah Sicurella

Max Krieger celebrates the most uncommon locations of the restaurant that serves as a common bond for most of us. He plans to visit remodeled sites and ones that persist in all their eccentric glory.

Music & Culture

Damu The Fudgemunk Breaks Down His Latest Album

10:07am September 04, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Earl Davis, aka Damu The Fudgemunk, about the samples and grooves he used for his new album, Conversation Peace.

Music & Culture

Lady Gaga, 'Babylon (Bree Runway & Jimmy Edgar Remix)'

5:11pm September 03, 2021

by Reanna Cruz

Rising popstar Bree Runway and glitch-house producer Jimmy Edgar understand that Lady Gaga's original "Babylon" gives camp.

Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson sets the music of Mozart amid his peers to offer a fresh take on the master composer.

Music & Culture

Víkingur Ólafsson Wants To Change Your Mind About Mozart

4:43pm September 03, 2021

by Tom Huizenga

On his new album, Mozart & Contemporaries, the deep-thinking pianist from Iceland aims to debunk the image of Amadeus as the giggling savant by contrasting his music with that of his peers.

Music & Culture

Sun, 'Video Games'

2:35pm September 03, 2021

by Nikki Birch

"Video Games" is a flirtatious anthem that tempts us to leave the virtual and enter reality for a steamy encounter.

Music & Culture

'Summer Of Soul': Abbey Lincoln And Max Roach

2:16pm September 03, 2021

by Terry Gross

Lincoln started out as a nightclub singer, but began performing in a style influenced by the civil rights movement after she met drummer/bebop pioneer Max Roach. Originally broadcast in 1986 and 1987.

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