Music

International

How the Irish band Kneecap went from rising hip-hop group to global lightning rod

Fatima Al-Kassab

Kneecap, three young men from Northern Ireland who rap in Irish, has risen to prominence in recent years, with controversy surrounding its shows and political statements.
What happens to Sean Combs now?

Sheldon Pearce

The hip-hop mogul's legal saga has reached an uneasy outcome. Despite a tainted legacy and severed business ties, does his acquittal on the most serious charges leave room for a return?
Arts & Culture

San Diego weekend arts events: Text message art, a Fourth of July concert and dance for the morning after

Julia Dixon Evans

This weekend in the arts in San Diego: Outdoor digital art at UC San Diego; ICA NextGen; San Diego Symphony and fireworks; "The Janeiad" at The Old Globe; "Consequential Dances" at Art Produce; Lambda Archives Intergenerational Exhibit at the Central Library; live music and more arts picks.
Benson Boone and Karol G can't displace Morgan Wallen on the charts

Stephen Thompson

This week's highest debuts on the Billboard 200 albums chart — Benson Boone's American Heart, Karol G's Tropicoqueta and the soundtrack to Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters — all land in the top 10. But they don't come anywhere near displacing Morgan Wallen's I'm the Problem.
National

Sean Combs found guilty on two counts, but acquitted on most serious charges

Anastasia Tsioulcas

The music mogul was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, but the jury found him not guilty on three counts related to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Combs jury says it has verdicts on four counts, will keep deliberating on final count

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

After 12 hours of deliberation, the jury told Judge Arun Subramanian that it had decided on counts related to sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution but not yet on racketeering.
National

Sean Combs trial update: The jury is deliberating over a complex set of charges

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Sheldon Pearce

The hip-hop mogul faces an overlapping set of charges that include sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The jury resumes deliberations on Tuesday.
International

After Glastonbury, Bob Vylan faces U.K. criminal investigation and U.S. visa revocation

Fatima Al-Kassab

British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan led chants against the Israeli military in a live BBC broadcast on Saturday. Irish-language rappers Kneecap also are being investigated.
International

Northern Irish rap group Kneecap plays Glastonbury despite controversy

The Associated Press

Irish-language rap group Kneecap gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans on Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio.
Willi Carlisle blends the absurd and the sentimental on 'Winged Victory'

Scott Simon

Dave Mistich

Samantha Balaban

On Winged Victory, songwriter Willi Carlisle weaves between the absurd and the sentimental. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Carlisle about the 11 tracks of originals and covers.