Amplifier Podcast
This has been a historic year for women in rap and hip-hop, all the way to the 2021 Grammy Awards when Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé broke records as the first pair of women to win in the best rap performance category. As NPR Music put it, “To know what tomorrow sounds like, one need only listen to the women in rap today.” And to know what the future of Charlotte hip-hop is, one need only turn to rhythmic lyricist ReeCee Raps.
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In Iran, popular rapper Toomaj Salehi, whose fiery lyrics helped galvanize an anti-government movement among young people, has been sentenced to death. He was charged with "corruption on earth."
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In their ongoing feud, Lamar skips AI for real emotion. "Euphoria" is so visceral and real that it's exactly what's been missing in this rap beef.
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In 1959, Rollins was a few years into one of the great hot streaks in jazz history when he took a three-week trip to Europe. Three hours from that tour are heard on a new Rollins-approved reissue.
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The key was identifying the song by its alternative name: "Ulterior Motives." Internet sleuths used a publishing database to narrow down the potential song writers.
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Swift's 14th chart-topping album ties with singer Jay Z for most No.1 albums on the Billboard charts by a soloist. Only the Beatles have more No.1 albums.
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A few years ago, Jon Bon Jovi stopped performing due to a vocal cord injury. The Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight offers a career retrospective, plus a view of his surgery and return to the stage.
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A new Johnny Cash song got NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich thinking about music released after a beloved artist dies. Check out "Well Alright," plus new music by Arooj Aftab and Tems on 8 Tracks.
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The country and bluegrass music legend performs an excellent set with a finale fit for church.
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NPR's Scott Detrow spoke with Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen when she visited NPR for her Tiny Desk concert.
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to a patron of the party, musician George Brown of the band Kool & The Gang, about his new book, new record, and the "Celebration" of a long and funky career.