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cupcakKe switches her flow up so many times that "Discounts" is a raunchy and hilarious three-minute shopper bargain. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images hide caption

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Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Heat Check

Whether stealthy rotation faves or creatives re-introducing themselves, this week's Heat Check head-nods the musical stalwarts who deserve flowers mid-climb.

We Insist: A Century Of Black Music Against State Violence

Lil Baby performs during a Juneteenth voter registration rally on June 19, 2020 at Murphy Park Fairgrounds in Atlanta, Ga. One week earlier, he released "The Bigger Picture," a song protesting police brutality. Paras Griffin/Getty Images hide caption

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Paras Griffin/Getty Images

We Insist

These songs take on some of the ugliest stories in our history and reflect the commitment of Black musicians to telling the truth of how Black people have been wronged, and survived, and fought back.

Jay Blakesberg/Courtesy of the artist

Heavy Rotation

What's your public radio station's top song of the year? Read on to find out.

Team Dresch's song "Fagetarian and Dyke" is featured in our playlist of queer punk. Courtesy of Jealous Butcher Records hide caption

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Courtesy of Jealous Butcher Records

Queer As Punk

"Queer punk" might be redundant if making over-the-top statements at the top of your lungs isn't precisely what makes punk "punk" and queer "queer." Here's a guide to the genre's history and legacy.

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'Hamilton' Comes Home, Just In Time For The Fourth Of July

Leslie Odom, Jr. originated the role of Aaron Burr on Broadway in Hamilton. Like the rest of the original cast, he's now available to watch at home in the film, now on Disney . Disney hide caption

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Disney

'Hamilton' Comes Home, Just In Time For The Fourth Of July

The very good movie version of Hamilton, filmed with the original cast at the height of the show's popularity, will perk up faithful cast album fans — and new viewers, too.

A Different Kind Of Pride: Perspectives On 50 Years Of Celebration, Part 6

The song "True Trans Soul Rebel" by Against Me! is on Deborah Sprague's Pride playlist. Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

A Different Kind Of Pride: Perspectives On 50 Years Of Celebration, Part 6

We asked writers in the LGBTQ+ community to reflect on the relationship between celebration, music and LGBTQ+ activism. Deborah Sprague writes about songs that reflect her experience as a trans woman.

K-Pop's Digital 'Army' Musters To Meet The Moment, Baggage In Tow

A fan of BTS poses for photos against a backdrop featuring an image of the group's members in Seoul on Oct. 29, 2019. ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images