Music

Meshell Ndegeocello's album Ventriloquism is a collection of covers of R&B songs from the 1980s and '90s.

Music & Culture

Disturb This Groove: What Is The Legacy Of Soul Music?

8:00am March 24, 2018

by Tav Nyong'o

Recent questions about R&B, covers, karaoke and cultural appropriation that were ignited by an offhand comment about Bruno Mars made by Meshell Ndegeocello get a workout in the bassist's new album.

Rayvn Lenae's Crush EP is available now.

Music & Culture

Ravyn Lenae's Music Honors The Merry-Go-Round Of Love

7:27am March 24, 2018

The singer's Crush EP is about the good and bad parts of first love.

Chad Lawson's Re: Piano is available now.

Music & Culture

Chad Lawson Wants To Revive Piano For The 'Spotify Generation'

7:27am March 24, 2018

Lawson's new album Re:Piano aims to change perceptions of the piano by fusing it with digital filters, loops and effects.

Sunflower Bean performs live at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert in Philadelphia.

Music & Culture

Sunflower Bean On World Cafe

4:37pm March 23, 2018

by Stephen Kallao

This three piece band has already been crowned by many as the hardest working band in New York.

Roxanne Shante attends a special screening of Roxanne Roxanne March 19, 2018 in New York City.

Music & Culture

Roxanne Shante Smells Her Flowers With 'Roxanne Roxanne' Biopic

4:21pm March 23, 2018

The new Netflix film chronicles the rapper's early career.

Amara La Negra performs for Alt.Latino at South By South West

Music & Culture

Who We Found In Austin: The Marías, Liniker, Combo Chimbita And More

4:15pm March 23, 2018

by Felix Contreras

The music featured on this week's show expands the notion of just what is Latin music.

Clockwise from top left: Julie Odell; Niambi Ra & The Blackstarz; Erin Lunsford; Scorpio and the Hunter

Music & Culture

More Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Love

2:50pm March 23, 2018

Just ahead of our entry deadline this coming Sunday, we're sharing more Tiny Desk Contest entries that grabbed our attention.

Music & Culture

Margo Price Sings About The Heartache And Beauty Of Small-Town America

2:27pm March 23, 2018

Growing up in Aledo, Ill., Price longed to live somewhere "more romantic." When she moved away, her outlook changed: "Now, when I go back, I see the beauty in it." Originally broadcast Nov. 22, 2017.

Queue Listen Now

Kanye West performs at The Meadows Music & Arts Festival October 2016 in Queens, New York.

Music & Culture

Are Kanye West And Michael Scott From 'The Office' The Same Person? Yes.

1:07pm March 23, 2018

by Joshua Bote

The Internet has a great way of merging pieces of pop culture that may seem disparate — to wit, one Kanye West fan is using scenes from the hit NBC comedy to review the Chicago rapper's discography.

WebsterX performing at SXSW as part of NPR Music's Slingshot Showcase

Music & Culture

Watch WebsterX Get The Crowd Jumping On "Until I"

12:49pm March 23, 2018

by Justin Barney

The Milwaukee rapper is an arts activist involved in community engagement. The NPR Slingshot artist's charisma and passion paints his high-energy performance.