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How Rico Nasty and Kenny Beats became the loudest, unlikeliest duo in rap

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How Rico Nasty and Kenny Beats became the loudest, unlikeliest duo in rap

October 22, 2021 • Rico Nasty and producer Kenny Beats explain how the vital collaboration that culminated in their joint 2019 mixtape Anger Management traces back to a single scream during an impromptu studio session.

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#NowPlaying: Essential New Music Playlist

NPR Music staff and NPR Member stations share today's essential new music that makes us dance, smile and weep.

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The Alt.Latino Playlist

From your parents' favorite boleros reimagined to cumbia-punk, trapchata and the most PG-13 pop, Alt.Latino's got you you covered.

Comic book artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Murder Falcon, Extremity) illustrates the music of Viking's Choice. Horns up! Daniel Warren Johnson hide caption

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Daniel Warren Johnson

This week: Bitchin Bajas' switched-on Sun Ra tribute, Brazilian singer Juçara Marçal's experimental pop music, Se Permiten Submarinos' flamenco-flecked stoner rock, 200 Stab Wounds' grueling death metal.

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Chris Sharron

NPR Classical

This year, Estonians celebrate 30 years of independence. This week's playlist celebrates the rich history of Estonian music, with composers Arvo Pärt, Ester Mägi, Veljo Tormis, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tõnu Kõrvits and Cyrillus Kreek

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On 'Weight of the World,' Maxo Kream's world expands amid personal tragedy

In his first two albums, Maxo Kream mined his family history for material. His latest, Weight of the World, continues on that theme, marking his transition to family breadwinner. Justin Heron/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Justin Heron/Courtesy of the artist

On 'Weight of the World,' Maxo Kream's world expands amid personal tragedy

"I always try to honor my family in my music," Maxo Kream says. On his third album, the rapper balances contemplations of newfound family responsibilities with a sense of charisma and triumph.

Helado Negro creates his own world on the cosmic 'Far In'

"The way I talk about and think about sound and music is to think about things being shapes and colors and textures," Helado Negro tells NPR. "That's, as much as it is musical, kind of like a language." Nathan Bajar/ hide caption

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Nathan Bajar/