Music

John Moreland performs a Tiny Desk Concert on March 27, 2018 (Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR).

Music & Culture

John Moreland: Tiny Desk Concert

5:00am April 20, 2018

by Bob Boilen

When you hear John Moreland's sweet voice, it's hard to believe he spent years singing in punk, metal-core and hardcore bands. He plays acoustic guitar now, but his songs are still full of passion.

Kanye West returned to Twitter this week to post aphorisms... and announce several new albums, including one from Pusha-T (left).

Music & Culture

That's A Wrap: Kanye's Koans, K-Dot's Prize, Drake's 'Scorpion,' J. Cole's 'K.O.D.'

10:45pm April 19, 2018

by Rodney Carmichael

Hip-hop has been everywhere this week, with the genre's biggest stars teasing surprise album releases — oh, and winning historic Pulitzer Prizes.

Rappers Farid Bang and Kollegah, performing on stage during the Echo Awards show in Berlin on April 12.

Music & Culture

Charges Of Anti-Semitism Roil German Music Awards

6:08pm April 19, 2018

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The hip-hop duo of Farid Bang and Kollegah, whose lyrics have been described as anti-semitic, won the Germany equivalent of a Grammy, prompting several to return their own awards in protest.

Music & Culture

Sam Baker On Mountain Stage

3:29pm April 19, 2018

During the Austin songwriter's second appearance on Mountain Stage, he performs a career-spanning set.

Vocalist and accordion player Jorge Hernández engages the crowd of inmates in the main yard of Folsom State Prison.

Music & Culture

50 Years After Johnny Cash, Los Tigres Del Norte Perform At Folsom Prison

2:41pm April 19, 2018

by Felix Contreras

The norteño band became the first major Latin band to play at Folsom Prison since Johnny Cash did in 1968.

Queue Listen Now

To Curb Ocean Pollution, U.K. May Ban Plastic Straws, Stirrers And Cotton Swabs

2:35pm April 19, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Prime Minister Theresa May called plastic waste "one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world." The government said it will work with industry to develop alternatives.

Lykke Li's so sad so sexy comes out June 8.

Music & Culture

Lykke Li's Two New Songs Dance At The Edges Of Pop Music

2:01pm April 19, 2018

by Lars Gotrich

The Swedish singer is a pop star, but she doesn't necessarily make pop music. Listen to two singles from her upcoming album, so sad so sexy.

Music & Culture

From The Vaults, A Showstopper: Hear Prince Perform 'Nothing Compares 2 U'

1:45pm April 19, 2018

by Stephen Thompson

As news swirls about culpability for Prince's death, his estate has released a major find: a long-lost 1984 recording of his classic composition, along with rare video footage from his rehearsals.

Music & Culture

Erika Wennerstrom On World Cafe

1:45pm April 19, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

The Heartless Bastards front woman details her experience on a trip through the Amazon and how it informed the art she made on her latest solo album, Sweet Unknown.

Prince performing in New Orleans on July 2, 2004.

No Criminal Charges To Be Brought In Prince's Death

1:42pm April 19, 2018

by Andrew Flanagan

Prince likely was unaware that the pills he was taking to combat chronic pain were laced with a powerful opioid, according to an attorney for Minnesota's Carver County who made the announcement.