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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Bobby Hart teamed with Tommy Boyce on such hits as "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone." -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Amanda Pascali about her new album, full of her interpretations of traditional Balkan and Mediterranean tunes. It's called "Roses and Basil."
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NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummins of Umphrey's McGee about "Blueprints," their new album that's rooted in improvisation but also gave fans some say in the final product. -
From its association with workers' rights in the 19th century to its inclusion in a video game, the famous old Italian song "Bella Ciao" has an evolving legacy. -
Spinal Tap, the band from the beloved 1984 mockumentary about a fictional rock band, is back! Their new movie is called Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
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NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with King Princess about their new album, Girl Violence.
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40 years ago, musicians faced off against a Washington committee over whether to warn parents about explicit lyrics. -
A favorite of A$AP Rocky and Earl Sweatshirt, El Cousteau is a product of the District in every way. On Dirty Harry 2, he unpacks his upbringing with a nuance absent from national debate. -
The firing of Kevin Struthers is the latest in a line of dismissals and resignations at the D.C. arts behemoth. -
Steve Alcala, a music teacher and trumpet player, fell in love with Latin Jazz, but very little sheet music was available to help his students learn. So he started a sheet music publishing company.
