Amplifier Podcast
Photo courtesy of the artist
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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Michelle Branch's hit song "All You Wanted" released in 2001. -
NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: Is the rap mogul's self-selection a crowning achievement or a final affront? -
From an indie darling getting called a "psyop" to plagiarism allegations against a rising pop star, this year feels like an especially fraught time to bicker about authenticity in the music industry. -
"Is it real?" is the most pressing question in music in 2026, and it's one that feels impossible to adequately answer, in almost any context. -
Controversy over an artist being fake — or someone thinking they are — is hardly new. Here are some of the craziest moments in recent music history when the boundary between real and fake collapsed. -
From top to (cheeky) bottom, CMAT's Tiny Desk has it all: captivating stage presence, sharp songwriting, vocal range, a great band and comedic timing. -
ATC dibs. Out 10/23.NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Elena Pinderhughes, a jazz flutist known for her work with hip-hop and R&B artists, on her debut solo album, i hope you feel it too.
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NPR's Scott Simon talks to singer Wynonna Judd about her deeply personal new album, "The Hard Truth."
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Taylor Swift still has the No. 1 song in the country, but there are several songs behind her worth your attention.
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World Cafe host Raina Douris said she tries to capture the humanity behind well-known and up-and-coming artists.
