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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Few musicians have changed American music quite like John Coltrane did. -
"Mermaid Avenue" was a collaboration between Billy Bragg and Wilco to put a trove of lyrics by America folk singer Woody Guthrie to music. -
New albums by Lizzo and the rising artist Imani Imani are both "event" records — but one arrives with arguably too much backstory, the other with almost none. -
The fresh arrangements, the emcee's commanding performance and the audience's enthusiastic response shows that Eve's music remains timeless. -
Lindsey Jordan, of Snail Mail, tackles mortality, religion and the afterlife on her third studio album. -
The South African musician's "Mannenberg" was often called his country's unofficial anthem during the final years of apartheid. -
NPR's David Folkenflik talks to blues musician Taj Mahal about his new album, "Time."
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NPR's Elissa Nadworny speaks to Eric Johnson of the band Fruit Bats about their album "The Landfill," and how those man-made mountains may change your perspective.
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NPR's Juana Summers speaks with pop artist Bebe Rexha about her new record, Dirty Blonde.
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The French pianists celebrate more than a half century of recording together with a triple-disc set containing many brand new tracks.
