Music Features In-depth storytelling from the NPR Music team.

Music Features

Friday July 30, 2010

Twitter

In Other News: This Was The Week Kanye West Joined Twitter

July 30, 2010 • Kanye West's brand new Twitter account sets the internet on fire and Ellen DeGeneres announces that she's leaving American Idol. Plus: R.I.P. Melvin Bliss, and more stories from the week in music news.

Fairuz performs in Dubai in 2006. Rabih Moghrabi/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rabih Moghrabi/AFP/Getty Images

Royalty Dispute May Silence Fairouz

July 30, 2010 • A family dispute over some of the Lebanese singer's most famous songs has led to protests around the world. The children of Fairuz's brother-in-law own the rights to the songs, and are demanding approval before she is allowed to perform them.

We Plan Your Weekend: Twin Cities

July 30, 2010 • Barb Abney, mid-day host at Minnesota Pubic Radio's The Current, picks best bets for live music on a very busy Saturday night in her home town, including a local music festival and southern rock at the Minnesota Zoo.

Aftermath Records

How Does Eminem Keep Selling Records?

July 30, 2010 • The rapper's new album has been the best selling album in the country for five straight weeks.

Thursday July 29, 2010

Selling Sex And Symphonies: The Image Of Women In Classical Music

Violinist Vanessa-Mae's album cover for 1999's The Original Four Seasons. hide caption

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Selling Sex And Symphonies: The Image Of Women In Classical Music

July 29, 2010 • What do classical music's album covers say about how we expect women performers to look?

Nathen Page put out his 1983 album PAGE-ing NATHEN on his own record label, Hugo's Music. Claire O'Neill/NPR hide caption

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Claire O'Neill/NPR

DIY Or Bust For Jazz Musicians, Too

July 29, 2010 • With many jazz musicians joining indie rock and rap musicians to sell their own music -- and their image -- online, it's clear that only through a lot of non-musical work can musicians take control of their careers.

Wednesday July 28, 2010

FCC Fines Univision For Payola

July 28, 2010 • The government says Univision's radio arm billed the company's record label for increased airplay.

bautista3000/screencap via YouTube

Kanye West Raps At The Facebook Cafeteria

July 28, 2010 • The rapper debuted new material a capella in front of employees of the social network.

Tuesday July 27, 2010

Mexican Summer

In Stock?: New CDs from Avenged Sevenfold, Best Coast and Seu Jorge

July 27, 2010 • Each week, we check five record stores around the country to see what new releases they have in the building.

Cherrytree Records

Robyn Makes Touring (And Everything Else About The Music Industry) Seem Fun

July 27, 2010 • Watch the Swedish pop star's new video for "Hang With Me," from the forthcoming Body Talk Pt. 2.

Monday July 26, 2010

In Deep Mourning: Mourners gather at the site of the Love Parade festival in Duisburg Germany after at least 19 people were killed and hundreds more injured after a stampede broke out during the festival. Patrik Stollarz/AFP hide caption

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Patrik Stollarz/AFP

The Record

Love Parade Festival Canceled Forever

July 26, 2010 • A stampede at the German dance music festival killed 19 and injured hundreds.

The Record

They'll Also Sell You A Shelf On Which To Display Your MP3 Collection

July 26, 2010 • Walmart offers a free promotional mp3 of Big Boi performance, "while supplies last."

Friday July 23, 2010

The Record

What We Missed: Al Jarreau Hospitalized, New Taylor Swift, R.I.P. Andy Hummel

July 23, 2010 • Links to a few stories we didn't cover this week.

The Record

Concert Tonight: Rage, Oberst Protest Arizona Immigration Policy

July 23, 2010 • Proceeds from the concert will benefit non-profit service groups that aid immigrants in Arizona.

Critical Breakdown: Wavves, Reluctant King Of The Blogs?

Wavves: From left, Nathan Williams, Stephen Pope and Billy Hayes. Lauren Dukoff hide caption

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Lauren Dukoff

The Record

Critical Breakdown: Wavves, Reluctant King Of The Blogs?

July 23, 2010 • A look at what music writers are saying about the new album King of the Beach, by the band Wavves.