Music

Wu Man plays the pipa live at NPR's studios in Washington, D.C.

Music & Culture

Pipa Virtuoso Wu Man Brings Ancient Chinese Music To The Present

8:07am May 05, 2018

Wu Man is a master of the Chinese pipa, a lute-like instrument with a 2,000-year history. She stopped by NPR to talk about her fresh twist on ancient music and perform live.

Singer R. Kelly performs onstage in Los Angeles in 2004.

Music & Culture

3 More Women Come Forward To Accuse R. Kelly Of Abuse

7:10pm May 04, 2018

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

A pair of articles published on Friday by BuzzFeed News and the Washington Post include allegations of sexual and physical abuse from three women who were all teenagers when they met the singer.

Joanne Brackeen and Jason Moran at NPR's Studio One in Washington, D.C.

Music & Culture

Jazz Giants Take The Stage At The NEA Jazz Masters Listening Party

6:27pm May 04, 2018

by Suraya Mohamed

Jason Moran sat down with the NEA Jazz Masters to talk about their careers and listen to music that played important roles in their lives.

Singer Kanye West and President-elect Donald Trump talk as they arrive to talk to the press after their meetings at Trump Tower December 13, 2016 in New York.

What The Kanye Controversy Can Teach Us About Black Voters

5:33pm May 04, 2018

by Gene Demby

The reactions to Kanye West's noisy rightward lurch illustrate some important dynamics about black voting behavior and why a country with many black conservatives has so few black Republicans.

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Jay-Z in 2006, celebrating the opening of a Rocawear's pop-up in New York.

Music & Culture

Jay-Z Ordered To Testify In Federal Investigation Of Company That Bought The 'Roc'

5:26pm May 04, 2018

by Andrew Flanagan

A federal judge has granted a request by the SEC to compel the rap mogul to testify in its investigation of a company which bought a suite of trademarks from him for $200 million over a decade ago.

Bridges' sophomore album Good Thing reflects the singer's sonic maturation.

Music & Culture

Leon Bridges Remixes His Retro Style To 'Move The Sound Forward'

4:43pm May 04, 2018

The singer talks about branching out from '60s soul, writing honest love songs and experimenting with new sounds on his second album, Good Thing.

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This 1996 episode of Piano Jazz features jazz pianist Don Friedman.

Music & Culture

Don Friedman On Piano Jazz

3:35pm May 04, 2018

The classically-trained jazz pianist enchanted audiences during his lifetime. In celebration of his 83rd birthday, hear his Piano Jazz performance from 1996.

Dave Lory (left) with Jeff Buckley (right)

Music & Culture

Dave Lory On World Cafe: A Window Into Jeff Buckley's Tremendous Artistic Life

3:31pm May 04, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

Enjoy an early preview of stories from Lory's new book, Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah to Last Goodbye, coming May 29, the anniversary of Buckley's death.

James McMurtry performs on Mountain Stage

Music & Culture

James McMurtry On Mountain Stage

3:29pm May 04, 2018

Revered songwriter James McMurtry marks his 12th performance on Mountain Stage with his signature brand of astute, observational storytelling.

Liz Phair's massive Exile In Guyville reissue comes out May 4.

Music & Culture

Liz Phair On Demanding A Voice In 25 Years Of 'Guyville'

2:21pm May 04, 2018

by Alyssa Edes

Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville is being reissued with a massive 25th anniversary box set. It features seven LPs, the official release of the Girly-Sound tapes and a book detailing the album's history.

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