Music News

Where is 'Harry's House' anyway? Harry Styles explains

Harry Styles has been constantly on the go since his teenage years in the boy band One Direction – one world tour after another. So the idea of home

Vangelis, famed film composer and synth pioneer, dead at 79

Composer Vangelis, who gave the movie Chariots of Fire its signature synth-driven sound, has died. He was 79 years old. According to his assistant Lefteris Zermas, Vangelis died on

Kendrick Lamar's song 'Auntie Diaries' Has divided the LGBTQ+ Community

After five years, Kendrick Lamar released his latest album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers last week. One of its tracks immediately proved divisive among LGBTQ+ people. "Auntie Diaries"

Kendrick Lamar's new song 'Auntie Diaries' divides the LGBTQ+ community

After five years, Kendrick Lamar released his latest album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers last week. One of its tracks immediately proved divisive among LGBTQ+ people. "Auntie Diaries"

Eric Clapton cancels shows after testing positive for COVID-19

Eric Clapton, a critic of coronavirus vaccines and pandemic restrictions, has tested positive for COVID-19 and canceled two upcoming European gigs. Clapton's upcoming shows in Zurich on Tuesday and

Rapper J. Cole helps to inspire a superfan to finish college

In 2013, Cierra Bosarge asked Cole to attend her high school graduation. He did and said he would be at her college graduation if she got into a 4-year school.

The White House has a stellar record collection, but it needs updating

It all started on a Carter family vacation, around 2008-09. John Chuldenko's uncle, Jeff Carter — the son of former President Jimmy Carter — was talking about a night

From Pat Boone to the Sex Pistols: Inside the secret White House record collection

It all started on a Carter family vacation, around 2008-09. John Chuldenko's uncle, Jeff Carter — the son of former President Jimmy Carter — was talking about a night

Meet Alisa Amador, the winner of the 2022 Tiny Desk Contest

Today, Morning Edition announced the winner of the eighth annual Tiny Desk Contest: Alisa Amador. A songwriter from Boston, Mass., her entry "Milonga accidental" rose to the top of

A dealer is sentenced to 17.5 years for his role in Mac Miller's fatal overdose

A Los Angeles man will serve nearly two decades in prison for his role in supplying the fentanyl-laced pills that contributed to rapper Mac Miller's accidental drug overdose in

A Bay Area teen stepped in for Pearl Jam's drummer after he got COVID-19

It had to be on Kai Neukerman's wish list to play with Pearl Jam. Neukerman left the Oakland arena saying it felt surreal, but also with a bit of immortality.

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tiny Desk Contest

YouTube Choosing one Tiny Desk Contest winner from all the incredible entries NPR Music receives each year never gets any easier — though the

Songs of Remembrance: Bruce Simms loved 'Paradise' by John Prine

Angela Simms and her daughter Dorri Smith remember husband and father Bruce Simms of LaGrange, Ga. He died of COVID-19 in February at the age of 73.

A Ukrainian band is this year's Eurovision Song Contest winner

The band Kalush Orchestra mixes traditional folk music with contemporary hip hop. Their song "Stefania" took the first-place prize.

Billboard Music Awards honor Mary J. Blige as a musical icon

Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen made controversial returns on the Billboard Music Awards stage on Sunday, while Mary J. Blige was honored for her musical excellence. Wallen performed in

Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest

Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest, perhaps Europe's biggest musical competition. NPR's Joanna Kakissis was watching with Ukrainians in Dnipro.

Young Thug is the latest rapper to be charged under historically problematic RICO law

Last week, the Fulton County District Attorney in Atlanta charged rappers Young Thug and Gunna with an indictment of more than 80 pages for allegedly participating in street gang

The charges against Young Thug build on a growing trend of criminalizing rap crews

Last week, the Fulton County District Attorney in Atlanta charged rappers Young Thug and Gunna with an indictment of more than 80 pages for allegedly participating in street gang

Dennis DeCarlo, 61: 'No One Is Alone' from 'Into the Woods'

Ashley Judd reveals details about Naomi Judd's suicide

Ashley Judd revealed a number of details about the death of her mother, country star Naomi Judd, in an interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America. Judd said

Songs of Remembrance: 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' brightened her uncle's day

Carlos M. Herrera, 65: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's 'Over the Rainbow'

Tank and the Bangas' album tackles serious issues including the Capitol attack

Tank and The Bangas has come a long way since winning the 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, going on to be nominated for Best New Artist at the 2020 Grammys

A fan-favorite band from Ukraine advances to the Eurovision grand final

Ten countries advanced last night from the first round of Eurovision semi-finals to the final round of the songwriting competition, which will take place on Saturday in Turin, Italy.

Apple discontinues the iPod, but you can buy an iPod touch while supplies last

The iPod was introduced in 2001 as a new way to listen to music on a device that could hold up to "1,000 CD-quality songs." But with streaming services, iPods

Kendrick Lamar returns, 5 years later and a world away

For the five years since the release of his last album, fans and the music industry have eagerly — if not always patiently — awaited a new album from

U2's Bono and the Edge held a concert in a Kyiv subway station in support of Ukraine

Two members of the Irish rock band U2 played a concert in a Kyiv subway station on Sunday, performing some of their classics and sharing the stage with Ukranian

Celebrated Indian musician and composer Shivkumar Sharma has died at age 84

Indian musician and composer Shivkumar Sharma, who elevated the 100-stringed hammered dulcimer to classical concert stages around the world, died Tuesday in Mumbai at age 84. He created a

Meet Raven Chacon, the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music

Raven Chacon's Voiceless Mass received its world premiere Nov. 21, 2021 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee, Wis. Far from any kind of traditional Catholic

Metallica fan in Brazil gives birth during the band's show

Joice Figueiro, who was 39 weeks pregnant, was at a Metallica concert with her husband. As the band played "Enter Sandman," she went into labor. She delivered a baby boy.

Bono and The Edge performed in a subway station in Kyiv, Ukraine

Two of the members of the Irish rock band U2 played in support of Ukraine on an invitation from President Zelenskyy.

Rappers Young Thug and Gunna were charged with racketeering

ATLANTA — Atlanta rapper Young Thug co-founded a violent street gang that committed multiple murders, shootings and carjackings over roughly a decade and promoted its activities in songs and

Rapper Young Thug is arrested on gang-related charges

ATLANTA — Atlanta rapper Young Thug co-founded a violent street gang that committed multiple murders, shootings and carjackings over roughly a decade and promoted its activities in songs and

2022 Pulitzer Prizes in arts and letters go to 'Fat Ham' and 'The Netenyahus'

Songs of Remembrance: 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was his dad's favorite

NPR remembers some of those who lost their lives in the pandemic by listening to the music they loved. Jorge Espinosa pays tribute to his father, Jaime Alejandro Espinosa-Anabalon, who

A center dedicated to Bob Dylan prepares to open in Oklahoma

Bob Dylan was born in Minnesota and came up through the New York folk scene – but tomorrow in Tulsa, Okla., a new museum dedicated to the legendary artist,

Vinyl sales see a huge resurgence, but leave indie labels behind

Sales of vinyl are enjoying a huge resurgence. Long left behind in the audio landscape, music fans are flocking back to records during the pandemic.

Mickey Gilley, the country singer whose club inspired 'Urban Cowboy,' dies at 86

Mickey Gilley, the country music star whose Texas nightclub served as the inspiration for the 1980 film Urban Cowboy, died on Saturday in Branson, Mo. His death was

Olivia Rodrigo voices support for abortion rights onstage during her concert in D.C.

Pop star Olivia Rodrigo spoke out about protecting the right to legal abortion in Washington, D.C. last night. And she wasn't at a rally for reproductive rights — she

Songs Of Remembrance: Daughter misses her mom's jokes

Carlita Lewis remembers her mother, Eileen Moody-Lee, who died of COVID-19 in August. Her mom, who worked at the Indian Health Service Unit in Arizona, loved R.E.M's song, "Losing My

Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers says she had an abortion last year

Phoebe Bridgers has joined a growing list of celebrities and social media users publicly sharing their abortion stories following the leak of the Supreme Court's draft opinion. The

Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar and Lionel Richie are among acts voted into Rock Hall

In what is possibly the most motley crew — but not, you know, Mötley Crüe — they could have assembled, voters for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Stradivarius is expected to bring in as much as $20 million at auction

The rare instrument, which is 300 years old, belonged to Toscha Seidel, who is widely considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century.

85-year-old bassist Ron Carter has no plans on slowing down

Ron Carter is one of the most prolific and influential bassists in jazz history. During his six-decade career, he has recorded more than 2,000 records, and he has no

Garth Brooks' fans in Louisiana cause a small earthquake

Louisiana isn't known for earthquakes. But during Brooks' Saturday night concert at LSU's Tiger Stadium, over a 100,000 fans danced and sang so hard, a seismograph on campus registered a

Talib Kweli on Black Star's return: 'We stand tall on the shoulders of our ancestors'

The first Black Star album was released in Sept. 1998 to critical acclaim, immediately launching the solo careers for the duo of Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey, formerly known

The Judds and Ray Charles join the Country Music Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ray Charles and The Judds joined the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday in a ceremony filled with tears, music and laughter, just a day

Country music star Naomi Judd dies at 76

Naomi Judd, who sang with daughter Wynonna as part of country music's famed duo The Judds has died at 76.

Naomi Judd, country music matriarch of The Judds, is dead at 76

Naomi Judd, part of the Grammy-award winning country music duo The Judds, is dead at 76. Judd's daughters, country singer Wynonna and actress Ashley Judd, confirmed the artist's death

'American Idol' winner Laine Hardy is accused of bugging an ex-girlfriend's dorm

BATON ROUGE, La. — "American Idol" winner Laine Hardy was arrested Friday after being accused of putting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend's college dorm room, authorities said. Hardy,

Ozzy Osbourne has been diagnosed with COVID-19

Ozzy Osbourne has been diagnosed with COVID-19, his wife Sharon Osbourne said on The Talk UK. "I am very worried about Ozzy right now," Sharon Osbourne said tearfully on

Dolly Parton and James Patterson join forces for the novel 'Run Rose Run'

Dolly Parton hit a trifecta with her latest project Run, Rose, Run – it's a thriller, a studio album and will eventually be turned into a movie. Parton

'Dreams do still come true' in a new novel by Dolly Parton and James Patterson

Dolly Parton hit a trifecta with her latest project Run, Rose, Run – it's a thriller, a studio album and will eventually be turned into a movie. Parton

The late Eddie Van Halen left a big donation to Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation

Van Halen worked closely with the group that helps build out music programs in schools in low-income communities. The foundation says it received a seven-figure donation from Van Halen.

Remembering jazz great Charles Mingus who was born 100 years ago

The inventive compositions of jazz bassist Charles Mingus and his volatile personality loom large in the jazz world.

How the late jazz great Charles Mingus is being remembered 100 years later

Charles Mingus is one of the greatest jazz artists of the 20th century. He would have celebrated his 100th birthday on April 22. "Charles Mingus is one of

Cypress Hill's impact comes into focus in new documentary

When Cypress Hill released its debut album in 1991, the group's staccato lyrics were, for most outside of their LA hometown, a first introduction to Spanglish slang. "We didn't

A$AP Rocky is arrested in Los Angeles in connection with a 2021 shooting

Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was released on bond following his arrest Wednesday in connection with a shooting that occurred in Hollywood last November. Police

A$AP Rocky is released on bond after arrest in LA in connection with a 2021 shooting

Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was released on bond following his arrest Wednesday in connection with a shooting that occurred in Hollywood last November. Police

A Virginia Tech entomologist named a new millipede species after Taylor Swift

Derek Hennen is a huge fan of Taylor Swift. When his team discovered a new species of millipede in Swift's home state of Tennessee, he named it after her. It's

Taylor Swift was the inspiration for the name of a new millipede species

Taylor Swift has more than 200 songs to her name. And now, there's also a millipede. Derek Hennen, an entomologist who completed his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech in 2020,

A number of jazz recordings will be released Saturday in honor of Record Store Day

Zev Feldman, co-president of Resonance Records, is the guy who single-handedly made Record Store Day a red-letter date for fans of classic jazz.

Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha delivers an urgent message to U.S. audiences

The Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha calls itself "ethno-chaos." Over the past decade, this Ukrainian-folk-meets-punk group has brought their music to audiences around the world. They recently kicked off a U.S.

Radu Lupu, celebrated Romanian pianist, dies at age 76

The widely admired Romanian pianist Radu Lupu has died at age 76. His manager, Jenny Vogel, told NPR that he died "peacefully at his home in Switzerland from multiple

Harrison Birtwistle, an influential English composer, has died at age 87

Harrison Birtwistle, an English composer famed for his rigorous artistic vision, sonic audacity and deeply theatrical expression has died at age 87. His death was confirmed Monday by

Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay dies of COVID-19 at age 55

NEW YORK — Pioneering hip-hop artist Keith Grayson, who performed as DJ Kay Slay and worked with top stars, has died of complications from COVID-19. Grayson's death at age 55

One key to a coveted guitar sound is a small glass tube — but there's a shortage

Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Randall Ball of Ball Amplification about the worldwide guitar tube shortage and the reason behind the warm sounds they produce.

Charnett Moffett, expansive bassist who could challenge legends, dies at 54

Bassist Charnett Moffett, a stylistically agnostic staple of the jazz scene since the '80s, died last week on April 12 at Stanford University Hospital following a heart attack. He

Guitar from Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' video will be sold at auction

The music video remains one of the most popular of all time. The iconic blue guitar that Kurt Cobain played in that video will be up for auction next month.

How the late jazz great Chick Corea is being remembered — in concert

Chick Corea is known as one of the most powerful pianists, composers, and bandleaders in the history of jazz. He earned 27 Grammy awards and blazed trails across bebop,

The Library of Congress adds 25 titles, including Alicia Keys and Ricky Martin

When the World Trade Center was destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, staffers at the city's largest public radio station struggled to report the news — not because their transmitter

The Library of Congress is preserving these major historical recordings for posterity

When the World Trade Center was destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, staffers at the city's largest public radio station struggled to report the news — not because their transmitter

Encore: Maine couple revives sea shanties thought lost to time

After a decade of research, a couple from Maine has published a book of seafaring folk songs rarely heard in the last 80 years. (This story originally aired on All

Britney Spears announces she's pregnant

Britney Spears is pregnant, the 40-year-old pop star announced on Instagram on Monday. Spears wrote in her post that shortly after a trip to Maui with her fiancé, Sam

John Lennon's son, Julian, performs 'Imagine' for the 1st time, in support of Ukraine

Julian Lennon, the son of the late Beatles star turned solo artist John Lennon, publicly performed his father's hit song "Imagine" last week for the first time. He said

How (members of) Pink Floyd reunited to record a song for Ukraine

When the invasion of Ukraine began, singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk cut his U.S. tour short, returned home and took up arms to defend his homeland. A few days later,

2 projects revive Selena's music for new generations

NPR's A Martínez talks to Maria Garcia, creator and host of the podcast Anything for Selena, about two projects — a new album set for release this month and,

Ed Sheeran wins a copyright battle over 'Shape of You'

LONDON (AP) — Grammy Award-winning songwriter Ed Sheeran won a U.K. copyright battle over his 2017 hit "Shape of You" on Wednesday, then slammed what he described as a

Bobby Rydell, a '60s teen idol and 'Bye Bye Birdie' star, dies

Bobby Rydell, a pompadoured heartthrob of early rock 'n roll who was a star of radio, television and the movie musical "Bye Bye Birdie," died Tuesday. Rydell died of

Los Lobos founding member Francisco González has died at 68

Francisco González, a founding member of Los Lobos, has died. He was 68. In the early 1970s, González joined fellow musicians Louie Perez, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas and

10 takeaways from a night of strong performances and curveballs at the Grammys

This year's Grammy Awards were supposed to take place in January, but they wound up postponed until seven days after a cursed Oscars telecast. So, now that the awards

Pianist and singer Jon Batiste was the biggest winner at the Grammy Awards

Jon Batiste won five awards including album of the year for: We Are. Olivia Rodrigo was crowned this year's Best New Artist and she picked up the Best Pop Vocal

Jon Batiste and Silk Sonic take home major prizes at 2022 Grammys

At the 64th Grammy Awards, which took place Sunday in Las Vegas, the major prizes were spread among a number of winners, including Jon Batiste, Silk Sonic and Olivia

2022 Grammy Awards: The full list of nominees and winners

7 storylines to watch at this year's Grammy Awards

Each year's awards season typically ends with the Oscars, but the Grammys' postponement propelled them into headlining status — or pushed them to the back of the line, depending

Last year's children's song Grammy nominees were all white—but that's changed in 2022

This year, all of the nominees in the Grammy Awards' children's music category are musicians of color. They sing about marching for social justice, uplift cultures, and celebrate the

Singer cancels concert to watch Duke and North Carolina in the NCAA Final Four

If you're a die hard Tar Heels fan like country singer Eric Church, you are not missing that game for anything. Church canceled his sold-out show in San Antonio, Texas.

Daddy Yankee, a reggaeton 'leyenda,' retires

Reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee has announced his retirement from music at the age of 45. But it's unclear whether that means he'll never perform or release music again.

Women are still missing in the music industry, especially behind the scenes

The music industry is nowhere near reaching gender parity. According to a new study from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, women lag behind men as artists, but the problem

Lesson learned from 'Song Exploder' leads Hirway to an album of his own songs

Hrishikesh Hirway is host of the podcast Song Exploder, which examines pop songs and artists. He talks to NPR's A Martinez about releasing an album of his own compositions.

Foo Fighters cancel all tour dates after drummer Taylor Hawkins' death

The multi-platinum rock band Foo Fighters has canceled all of its upcoming tour dates after the death of its drummer, Taylor Hawkins. "It is with great sadness that

Taylor Swift has 11 Grammys and now she'll get an honorary doctorate

New York University will award Taylor Swift an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts. She will speak at the school's commencement ceremony in May at Yankee Stadium.

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dies at 50

Taylor Hawkins, the longtime drummer for the megaplatinum band Foo Fighters, has died. He was 50, and died in Bogota, Colombia, where the group was scheduled to perform. Hawkins'

George Floyd remembered in new choral work

The death of George Floyd nearly two years ago triggered mass protests across the US and around the world after a video was shared online showing a

Wildchild, 'Manifestin (prod. by Madlib)'

YouTube Produced by Madlib, with vocals from his Lootpack comrade Wildchild, "Manifestin" is a heart-wrenching examination of racism and police violence. The song opens

The U.S. gets its own version of the 'Eurovision Song Contest'

NBC begins the American Song Contest with representatives from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and five territories. Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson are the hosts for the new show.

Ye, aka Kanye West, is banned from performing at the Grammys

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has been barred from performing at the 2022 Grammy Awards because of his "concerning online behavior," according to a spokesperson for

'CODA' actor rocks out to music and NPR news

In the movie CODA, which is up for best picture at this year's Academy Awards, the father of the family, who is deaf, likes to listen to loud hip

Dolly Parton will stay on this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee list

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame said Thursday that it's declining Dolly Parton's request to bow out of this year's nominations for the Hall of Fame class. This

How some people are trying to make art, not war, in Ukraine right now

YouTube LVIV, Ukraine — Slava Vakarchuk is used to filling stadiums. He's the lead singer of Okean Elzy, Ukraine's biggest rock band. But on