NPR Music

12/16/2024

NPR has confirmed the death of master tabla player Zakir Hussain. He died Sunday from a rare form of lung disease.

Hussain's career spanned over five decades, during which he was revered as both a national treasure in India and admired worldwide.

12/13/2024

French pianist Martial Solal, who among many other things composed the score to Jean-Luc Godard's 'Breathless,' died Thursday at the age of 97.

A brilliant French jazz pianist who led a distinguished 75-year career, Martial Solal is also known for composing the score for Jean-Luc Godard's first film. Solal died on Dec. 12 in Versailles, at 97.

12/12/2024

Billie Eilish at the Tiny Desk!

The pop star effortlessly illustrates in her music what it means to love and lose simultaneously.

12/06/2024

The breakout rapper of the year brought her rapid-fire skills to the Tiny Desk.

The Grammy-nominated rapper moved throughout her Tiny Desk with purpose — knowing exactly what she wanted and how to achieve it.

12/05/2024

12/05/2024

WXPN in Philadelphia is counting down its listeners' 885 greatest songs of the 21st century! Follow along by following their page.

Throughout the 885 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century countdown, we’re taking you into a deep dive of select songs that made the countdown each day. Today we're looking at "This Mess We're In" by PJ Harvey ft. Thom Yorke, which sits at no. 884 on the .

This song is not about a love song about long-term commitment, it’s about right now and likely never again, and it’s about finding the beauty in a fleeting connection before the next daylight breaks and the chapter turns. Between fervent minor chord guitar strums, an icily minimal hi-hat snare rhythm, and two beautiful voices intertwining in and around one another, the song is simple in its arrangement but packs a punch.

Learn more about the song, and the : https://xpn.org/2024/12/05/no-884-pj-harvey-thom-yorke-885-countdown/

12/04/2024

We are so thrilled to share the 124 Best Songs of 2024, as selected by NPR Music and our public radio station partners. Check out the link in the comments and find something new to love.

12/04/2024

Just the choice nugs.

2024 was a year of breakthroughs, with new stars storming the top of the charts and artists across genres making modern classics. NPR Music's list of best songs of the year has something for everyone.

12/02/2024

Check out our picks for the best albums of 2024. Did your favorites make the list? 👑

You can't always know that it's a great year for new music while it's happening, but there was a sense from the very start of 2024 that we were in for a ride.

12/02/2024

We want to know: What song hit you hard this year?

Send us a voice memo about a song that hit you hard in 2023 -- one you listened to on repeat, ugly cried to, or that just made you feel something deeper than any other song this year.

11/25/2024

Having already won the year, Kendrick Lamar aims on the surprise-released 'GNX' to change the state of play for everyone else. Read our review.

Lamar already won the year in a landslide. On his bristly new album, GNX, the rapper aims to change the state of play for everyone else.

11/22/2024

Cheers to Bruce Warren, one of public radio’s greatest. ❤️

Public radio veteran and long time WXPN program director Bruce Warren has announced his phased retirement beginning in January.

11/12/2024

😢

Haynes influenced generations of drummers and helped change the direction of jazz improvisation.

11/12/2024

Roy Haynes, the pioneering jazz drummer who performed with legends like Charlie Parker, Lester Young and Sarah Vaughan, died Tuesday at the age of 99.

Haynes influenced generations of drummers and helped change the direction of jazz improvisation.

11/11/2024

Lou Donaldson, the alto saxophonist who played a crucial role in both the development of hard bop and its evolution into soul jazz, died on Saturday. He was eight days past his 98th birthday.

An alto saxophonist who played a crucial role in both the development of hard bop and its evolution into soul jazz, Lou Donaldson died on Nov. 9 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 98.

11/11/2024

Ella Jenkins, the first lady of children's music, has died at 100

Jenkins, whose signature tune was "You'll Sing A Song," received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was known worldwide for her call-and-response songs.

11/08/2024

Beyoncé received a whopping 11 nominations today, while two young pop stars stand a chance of taking all four top categories at next year’s Grammy awards.

With 11 nominations for COWBOY CARTER, Beyoncé now has more than any artist in Grammy history. Her competition this year includes Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Post Malone.

11/05/2024

If you want to lose yourself in peaceful music today, listen to the latest All Songs Considered wherever you get your podcasts. 😮‍💨

In our second installment of blood-slowing songs we take a deep breath and let it out with the music of Max Richter, Hania Rani, Fleet Foxes, Yasmin Williams and more.Featured artists and songs:1. Joan Shelley: "Easy Now," from Over and Even2. Fleet Foxes: "Helplessness Blues," from Helplessness Blu...