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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On his new album of songs written for the vocal group Roomful of Teeth, Gabriel Kahane imagines a hotel populated by eccentric guests. This story first aired on All Things Considered on April 3, 2026.
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British-Sudanese soul singer Elmiene talks about his new album, 'Sounds for Someone,' making connections and how he was able to finally ask the key questions about his relationship with his father.
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NPR's Scott Simon speaks with singer, pianist and composer Bruce Hornsby about his new album "Indigo Park" and 40 years since the release of his biggest hit, "The Way It Is."
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Independent venue closures, social media algorithms and the rise of generative AI are all part of an ecosystem that artists say is becoming increasingly difficult for working musicians to weather. -
iPods were all the rage 20 years ago, but Apple discontinued them in 2022. Claire Hughes is refurbishing old, used iPods and sharing what she finds on them. -
On a new album, the experimental vocal group Roomful of Teeth and songwriter Gabriel Kahane take up residence in a multidimensional hotel with a time-traveling elevator and a quirky clientele. -
On the heels of a new memoir sharing the recipes of a rich cultural life, rap's first tour guide talks aging with the culture, seeing its influence all over, Basquiat's lasting legacy and gatekeeping. -
There's a lot more to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" than "peanuts and Cracker Jack." -
BTS recently returned from a nearly four-year hiatus with a new album and single. Both are now at the top of the Billboard charts.
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If you think you know "Machinehead" and "Glycerine," prepare to be surprised by these Tiny Desk arrangements of beloved alt-rock hits.
