Music News

R. Kelly, sentenced by a court in New York, still faces charges in other states

After decades of allegations, R&B superstar R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking and racketeering. But his legal woes are far from over.

Radio mystery: Canadian station plays Rage Against the Machine song nonstop

Soft rock Kiss Radio played the song "Killing in the Name" over and over again. All listener requests were denied. And there was no on-air explanation for why the song

Federal prosecutors want R. Kelly to be sentenced to 25 years in prison

R. Kelly will be sentenced in a New York courtroom on Wednesday. The disgraced R&B star was found guilty of crimes including violating the Mann Act, an anti-sex trafficking law.

Musicians react to Supreme Court decision on right to abortion

When the Supreme Court issued its decision on Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization on Friday, effectively overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that codified the right to

The band MUNA says take a song for what means or use it for the way you need

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin of the band MUNA about their third album: MUNA.

The band MUNA says take a song for its meaning or use it for the way you need it

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin of the band MUNA about their third album: MUNA.

MUNA's new album features growth and an 'astral projection anthem'

A new album by MUNA, out today, has it all: personal growth, influences from pop prophet Robyn and a song the band calls an "astral projection anthem." Singer-songwriter Katie

Trio of albums gives saxophonist Charles Lloyd the opportunity to search inward

Charles Lloyd, now 84, has lived many lives. Over the decades, the saxophone virtuoso has blurred the lines between jazz and popular music, playing with B.B. King, Cannonball Adderley,

A South Korean musician wins the prestigious Van Cliburn piano competition

Six finalists competed in the competition in Fort Worth, Texas, including two from Russia and one from Ukraine. An 18-year-old South Korean was the youngest to win in the contest's

Encore: Rock 'n' roll's 'Creem Magazine' is back in print and online

Creem Magazine, which covered rock 'n' roll from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, is returning: first as a digital magazine with full archives, then in the fall as

Beyoncé announces new album 'Renaissance'

Beyoncé is back. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has announced a new album, titled Renaissance, out July 29 according to a new listing for a Renaissance CD and products on her

Meghan Stabile, promoter who united jazz and hip-hop, dead at 39

Meghan Stabile, a promoter, presenter and producer whose impassioned advocacy helped spark a resurgence of mainstream interest in jazz, particularly among young artists and audiences of color, died on

K-pop sensation BTS is going on a break but promises to return

The K-pop superstar group BTS is taking a break. The South Korean boy band announced their decision over a long dinner they filmed and shared on social media. "I

Lizzo rerecords 'Grrrls' following criticism over ableist lyric

Singer-songwriter Lizzo has rereleased her new single "Grrrls" with a lyric change after it sparked heated discussions online about ableist language. The song, which is set to appear

Ableist language in Lizzo's new song sparks discussions about ableism, anti-Blackness

When singer-songwriter Lizzo's new single, "Grrrls," sparked a heated online discussion over the weekend about ableist language, Black disabled activist Vilissa Thompson noticed that the conversations were dominated by

As Lizzo was called out for ableism, many Black disabled people felt overlooked

Britney Spears' ex-husband is charged with stalking after trying to crash her wedding

Jason Alexander, a childhood friend of Britney Spears' and the pop star's first husband, was charged with a felony and three misdemeanors for his attempt to crash Spears' wedding

Country star Toby Keith says that he has stomach cancer

Country music star Toby Keith announced Sunday that he has been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer since last fall. The multi-platinum-selling singer said on Twitter that he underwent surgery

Snoop Dogg gives his full-time blunt roller a raise due to inflation

Snoop Dogg had previously been paying the blunt man $40,000 to $50,000 a year, but he tweeted last week that he's upped the salary to an undisclosed amount.

Rock 'n' roll's Creem Magazine is back in print and online

Creem Magazine, which covered rock 'n' roll from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, is returning: first as a digital magazine with full archives, then in the fall as

Justin Bieber postponed his tour because a disorder paralyzed half of his face

LOS ANGELES — Justin Bieber says a rare disorder that paralyzed half of the superstar performer's face is the reason behind his tour postponement. The multi-Grammy winner is suffering

Julee Cruise, otherworldly crooner on 'Twin Peaks,' dies at 65

Julee Cruise, the singer best known for her collaborations with director David Lynch and The B-52s, died Thursday. Her husband, author Edward Grinnan, confirmed to NPR that Cruise died

Britney Spears marries Sam Asghari in California

LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears has married her longtime partner Sam Asghari at a Southern California ceremony that came months after the pop superstar won her freedom from a

Lil Nas X teases diss track against BET over awards show snub

Rapper Lil Nas X teased a diss track against BET over his exclusion from the channel's awards nominations in 2022. The Grammy award winner first expressed his frustration

Foo Fighters will honor their late bandmate Taylor Hawkins with 2 tribute concerts

Rock band the Foo Fighters will perform two tribute concerts for their late drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died March 25. The band will have shows at the Wembley Stadium

Remembering Dave Smith, inventor of MIDI and the Prophet-5 synthesizer

The sound of pop music in the '80s was shaped by synthesizers – and one of the most impactful people behind that sound was inventor Dave Smith, creator of

Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' rises in the charts thanks to 'Stranger Things'

English singer-songwriter Kate Bush just broke into the Billboard Top 10 for the first time — with a song she released four decades ago. "Running Up That Hill

1985 hit 'Running Up That Hill' sprints up the charts, thanks to 'Stranger Things'

English singer-songwriter Kate Bush just broke into the Billboard Top 10 for the first time — with a song she released four decades ago. "Running Up That Hill

The Atlanta rapper Trouble was shot and killed Sunday in a domestic dispute

The Atlanta rapper known as Trouble was shot and killed in a suburb of the city on Sunday, authorities said. He was 34. The artist, whose name was Mariel

Authorities arrest suspect in the killing of the Atlanta rapper Trouble

The Atlanta rapper known as Trouble was shot and killed in a suburb of the city on Sunday, authorities said. He was 34. The artist, whose name was Mariel

Kyiv opera house reopens after 3 months

KYIV, Ukraine — Last year, President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian and Ukrainian are dialects of the same language, somehow forced into separate languages by Europe in order to

Grachan Moncur III, trailblazing jazz trombonist, dies at 85

Grachan Moncur III, a trombonist and composer who carved an intrepid path through modern jazz, on his own and with collaborators like the saxophonists Archie Shepp and Jackie McLean,

Composer and performer Ingram Marshall dies at age 80

Composer and performer Ingram Marshall, whose honors include awards from the Guggenheim Foundation and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, has died at the age of 80 from

Songs of Remembrance: Marjorie Zien enjoyed playing 'Clair de Lune' on the piano

Marjorie Zien remembers her mother, Renee Hebert, who died of COVID-19 in 2020. She was 89.

Songs of Remembrance: Renee Hebert enjoyed playing 'Clair de Lune' on the piano

Marjorie Zien remembers her mother, Renee Hebert, who died of COVID-19 in 2020. She was 89.

Sex Pistols aim to give Queen Elizabeth's jubilee a touch of punk

LONDON — In Britain, there are several traditional elements to a royal anniversary: pageants, street parties, the Sex Pistols. Queen Elizabeth II and the Pistols have been linked since

K-Pop stars BTS went to the White House to talk about anti-Asian hate crimes

Global K-Pop stars BTS were at The White House on Tuesday to speak with President Biden about anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. With their dance videos and catchy songs,

Depeche Mode founding keyboardist Andy Fletcher dies at 60

LOS ANGELES — Andy "Fletch" Fletcher, the unassuming, bespectacled, red-headed keyboardist who for more than 40 years added his synth sounds to Depeche Mode hits like "Just Can't Get

Will the soundtrack to 'Top Gun: Maverick' stack up against the original?

The sequel to Top Gun opens in theaters over Memorial Day weekend. The soundtrack from the original movie was a major success. The music for Top Gun: Maverick has a

Songs of Remembrance: Dolly Parton's 'Dumb Blonde' was her grandmother's favorite

Kristin Ziegler of Denver, Colo., remembers her grandmother Elfriede Liselotte Matza Froisland. She died of COVID-19 in 2020.

Songs of Remembrance: Their dad liked Three Dog Nights' 'Joy To The World'

Two sisters from Nashville, Tenn., remember their father David Hardee who died of COVID-19 in March.

Songs of Remembrance: Their dad liked Three Dog Night's 'Joy To The World'

Two sisters from Nashville, Tenn., remember their father David Hardee, who died of COVID-19 in March.

TikTok has changed music — and the industry is hustling to catch up

Tyler Colon played college basketball. He won an MTV reality show. He's tried podcasting, modeling, and acting. But in 2019, he got serious about pursuing music. "After singing in

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