Music

Carolina to 'Cowboy Carter' and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home

Jewly Hight

For musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer, trying to break down doors in the folk and country music scenes has been a long road. A festival in Durham this weekend aims to remedy that.
Jennifer Higdon won't apologize for writing accessible music

Tom Huizenga

As one of the most-performed living composers, the Pulitzer winner insists that her music communicate to everyone — from farmers to children to the classical music intelligentsia.
The best new albums out April 25

Stephen Thompson

Ayana Contreras

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Ayana Contreras of Denver public radio stations KUVO Jazz and The Drop to discuss today's top new releases.
Economy

Fyre Festival's embattled founder is selling the brand: 'It's time to pass the torch'

Rachel Treisman

Billy McFarland says he will sell the brand "to an operator that can fully realize its vision." The news comes days after the postponement of Fyre Festival 2, which was scheduled for late May.
Anatomy of a microgenre: hyperpop's next evolution

Sheldon Pearce

Raised on EDM and SoundCloud rap, shaped by online gaming and Discord chats, a young generation is tearing the blown-out experimental pop of the 2010s into new shapes.
In a quiet week for new releases, a noisy album tiptoes to the top of the charts

Stephen Thompson

For the last few years, Carson's star has been on the rise, and his latest album debuts at No. 1 thanks to a bit of good timing. Also: Record Store Day makes a dent on the album chart.
Pope Francis, the music nerd: a playlist

Tom Huizenga

The pontiff, who possessed a sizable record collection, was a keen listener. Hear his favorite tracks — from Bach to Piazzolla — and a few more that might have caught his discerning ear.
Arts & Culture

Drag, punk and TikTok stardom: Memoirs from RuPaul, Mark Hoppus and Dylan Mulvaney get personal

Leslie Gonzalez

Celebrities with San Diego ties open up about identity, fame and personal growth in three powerful new memoirs.
The best albums out April 18

Stephen Thompson

Brian Burns

Hear new albums by one-third of boygenius, two-thirds of Carolina Chocolate Drops, and one-quarter of TV on the Radio.
Tiny Desk Radio launches on public radio stations across America

Lars Gotrich

We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.