Music

Calvin The II entered the song "Black" into the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

The Best 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Volume 4

1:00pm June 17, 2021

While our judges search for the winner, we're sharing more entries we love. This week's selection includes an ode to Black identity shot on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Portland-based rapper Danny Sky performs at Kelly's Olympian as part of the hip-pop showcase, The Thesis.

Music & Culture

Portland's Young Hip-Hop Artists Are Paving The Way For Music And Justice

10:46am June 17, 2021

by Jerad Walker

A new generation of hip-hop artists are melding music and activism in response to the pandemic and last summer's protests for racial justice.

Anthony Braxton, conducting his group 100Tubatet in New York on June 4, 2006.

Music & Culture

Jazz Elder Statesman Anthony Braxton Continues To Defy Expectations

10:26am June 17, 2021

by Nate Chinen

Maverick jazz composer Anthony Braxton was set to spend his 75th birthday performing at events around the world, but then... well, you know. He has two new boxed sets out this month.

Hiatus Kaiyote's new album, Mood Valiant, is out June 25.

Music & Culture

How Collaboration, Curiosity And Mortality Shaped Hiatus Kaiyote's 'Mood Valiant'

7:01am June 17, 2021

by Nicholas Russell

The band has been sampled by Drake and Beyoncé, and its genre-hopping sound is hard to pin down. But as its latest release proves, trying to fit the band into a box misses how it makes its magic.

Pino Palladino + Blake Mills perform a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Pino Palladino + Blake Mills: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am June 17, 2021

by Nikki Birch

The prolific bassist and two-time Grammy-nominated producer and guitarist come together to distill the sonic creativity of their album, Notes With Attachments.

Lara Downes, with her father in San Francisco, ca. 1975.

Music & Culture

Celebrating Juneteenth And Black Music Month With Classical Classics

3:03pm June 16, 2021

As part of an ongoing series, NPR's Rachel Martin talks to pianist Lara Downes about classical recordings of "Lift Every Voice" and "A Change Is Gonna Come," to mark Black Music Month and Juneteenth.

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Men I Trust play a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Men I Trust: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am June 16, 2021

by Bobby Carter

Smooth vibes abound in this quarantine concert, recorded in a cottage near the Montreal band's home.

Lin-Manuel Miranda attends the opening night premiere of In the Heights at the Tribeca Film Festival last week in New York City.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Apologizes For Lack Of Afro-Latinx Actors In 'In The Heights'

9:45pm June 15, 2021

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

In a Twitter message, the co-creator of In The Heights wrote: "In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short. I'm truly sorry."

'Y Volver, Volver': As Restrictions Lift, Mariachi Are Back

4:35pm June 15, 2021

by Adrian Florido

As the pandemic recedes, the sounds of daily life are returning to American neighborhoods. In Mexican communities, that means mariachi musicians are back serenading family parties.

Joni Mitchell on the cover of Blue, an album turning 50 in 2021.

Music & Culture

Brandi Carlile Will Join NPR Music's Listening Party For Joni Mitchell's 'Blue'

1:06pm June 15, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

For its 50th anniversary, join us in an online listening party for Joni Mitchell's Blue. NPR Music's Ann Powers will be joined by Brandi Carlile in a live conversation about the album.