Staples has always lived in a few worlds: art-rap hero, hall-of-fame interviewee, and a homebody whose inner life is none of our business. On Dark Times, his worlds finally converge.
The rising young singer-songwriter, who tours with Willie Nelson and sings on Beyoncé's latest album, is making a name for herself in a new era of more inclusive country music.
This year, Clark Atlanta University's radio station, WCLK Jazz 91.9 FM, is celebrating its golden anniversary. As part of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the station will be honored in a "WLCK At 50" event at Atlanta's Symphony Hall on May 24, featuring Lil John Roberts and an Atlanta All-Star Band. Roberts may not be a household name, but this "musician's musician" has played with luminaries including Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Prince, Elton John and Janet Jackson.
One of the best albums of 2024, Diamond Jubilee, isn't on streaming services. The artist who released it, Cindy Lee, has rejected the streaming era's demands to create something entirely their own.
The rapper slipped free from the legal mess that swallowed his label and his mentor Young Thug — but on his new album, he's still in the grip of an unending image crisis.
Giacomo Puccini's final opera Turandot gets a brand new ending premiered in Washington, with music by a composer known for video game tunes and a librettist who produced 'Succession'
Dallas singer 4batz rose from obscurity to a breathlessly awaited debut in barely a year — but his arrival is part of a tense exchange between hip-hop and R&B more than a decade in the making.
As the jolt of adrenaline lit by the clash between the two biggest rappers of a generation fades, it's worth holding onto the possibility — however slim — that something new can grow from the chaos.
The singer-songwriter's fourth album is her best yet, with crisp, commanding songwriting, shades of '60s baroque pop and melodies that seem to have existed forever.
A new documentary, Hip-Hop and the White House, considers rap's association with presidential politics — and in so doing, reveals a persistent misunderstanding of how both operate.
Entrepreneurial Swifties are selling crafty products inspired by Taylor Swift's music and style. Swift herself has been known to send notes and even homemade gifts to creative super-fans.
A familiar rap character, the Cali hustler cruising in a low-rider, has faded in the 21st century. On new albums by G Perico, Mozzy and Gangrene, that figure is alive and well, living in the margins.
Record and email us a voice memo telling us about a song that reminds you of Mom. We'll share select stories and songs on an upcoming episode of All Songs Considered.
