Music

The trial of Sean Combs: What you need to know

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Prosecutors are scheduled to begin their arguments today against the rap mogul, who is accused of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here is an overview of Combs' career and the charges he faces.
Aggressive immigration enforcement makes musicians rethink U.S. tours

Nastia Voynovskaya

In a time of aggressive immigration enforcement, some international musicians are deciding that going through the complicated process of getting a U.S. artist visa may not be worth the financial and safety risks.
Arts & Culture

This opera tells the story of 'The Central Park Five,' Donald Trump's role included

Neda Ulaby

In 1989, Trump took out full-page newspaper ads demanding the death penalty "for roving bands of wild criminals." The Detroit Opera decided to program this work long before the presidential election.
Under the spell of Hildegard: A new album reboots ancient music

Tom Huizenga

The 12th century abbess, scientist and composer inspires new interpretations of her music, and new works, on an album spotlighting soprano Barbara Hannigan.
What should I sing? How to pick the perfect karaoke song

Zak Rosen

Malaka Gharib

It can be hard to pick a good karaoke song. You want it to be something you know well enough to pull off onstage, but also something you actually like. Here's how to narrow down your options.
The best new albums out May 9

Stephen Thompson

John Morrison

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes WXPN's John Morrison to discuss billy woods, Thom Yorke, PinkPantheress and more.
Arts & Culture

San Diego weekend arts events: Mother's Day art, cello and 'Hamilton'

Julia Dixon Evans

This weekend in the arts: The "Hamilton" ticket lottery, Mother's Day activities and art, Alisa Weilerstein and Rafael Payare performing together, GI Film Festival San Diego and more.
Jury selection for Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial faces delays

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Fear that selected jurors may back out of the highly publicized trial has prompted Judge Arun Subramanian to push the final selection to Monday, May 12, before scheduled opening arguments.
A Swedish hard-rock band tops the charts, while Kendrick Lamar ties an all-time record

Stephen Thompson

The Swedish hard-rock band Ghost has never topped the Billboard 200 albums chart — until this week. Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar's "Luther (feat. SZA)" holds at No. 1 for an 11th week, tying a record for hip-hop songs.
On his surprise piano EP, André 3000 continues to play with our expectations

Rodney Carmichael

Few music icons have consistently pulled magic — or unpredictable pivots — out the hat like André 3000. 7 piano sketches, his newly released surprise EP, follows up the instrumental turn he took on 2023's New Blue Sun with another non-rap project.