Music

Can rap beef exist when no one agrees on what's being fought for?

Sheldon Pearce

If the current conflict between J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Drake feels confusing, it's because the artists often hailed as hip-hop's "big three" have never played by the same rules.
Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' is a portrait of the artist getting joyously weird

Ann Powers

Cowboy Carter has spurred plenty of discussion for being a groundbreaking country album. But for one critic, it calls to mind a cult favorite '70s psych-rock concept album.
'Hello there, I'm Hazel Scott': Jazz's unsung artist-activist

Mitra I. Arthur

Jazz Night shines a light on the artistry and activism of pianist and singer Hazel Scott, and the efforts to recover her legacy.
International

Chechnya is banning music that's too fast or slow. These songs wouldn't make the cut

Rachel Treisman

Authorities in the Russian republic of Chechnya will only allow music between 80 and 116 beats per minute, though it's unclear how the rule will be enforced.
National

Morgan Wallen arrested for throwing a chair from a rooftop bar in Nashville

Anastasia Tsioulcas

The country music star was arrested on four charges, including reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. The chair, thrown from a rooftop bar, landed on the street close to two police officers.
Young Miko upended norms in Latin pop. On her debut 'Att.' she raises her own bar

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

The Puerto Rican rapper has risen through the ranks of Latin pop, collaborating with artists like Karol G and Bad Bunny. With her playful, experimental debut Att., she's poised to be a bigger star.
Cellist Maya Beiser's variation on a minimalist manifesto

Tom Huizenga

Armed with just her cello, a looping machine and a pair of percussionists, Beiser crafts a rendition of Terry Riley's pioneering In C that is equally mesmerizing and graceful.
Arts & Culture

Sweetwater Union music teacher named to the National Teachers Hall of Fame

M.G. Perez

Keith Ballard, a mariachi music teacher at Southwest Middle School, was one of five educators nationwide named to the Teachers Hall of Fame.
Science & Technology

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

Lara Hamdan

Brian Munoz

There are the obvious options (Soundgarden, Bonnie Tyler and Pink Floyd,) plus some celestially coded jams that are unexpectedly fitting for your viewing adventures.
Emo rap at its limits

Sheldon Pearce

Embedded in genre : sadboy, a collaborative release by rappers MGK and Trippie Redd, is an accidental lesson in what once made the collision of rap and pop-punk so electrifying.