Music Features : NPR

Remembering Chris Lighty, Hip-Hop Leader And My Friend

Chris Lighty with party guests in 2004. Johnny Nunez/WireImage hide caption

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Johnny Nunez/WireImage

The Record

Remembering Chris Lighty, Hip-Hop Leader And My Friend

August 31, 2012 • As a teenager he carried records for DJs. As a professional, he carried water for an industry and for a culture.

Remembering Chris Lighty, Hip-Hop Leader And My Friend

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Gospel star Tamela Mann's album, Best Days, charted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 in its first week. Courtesy of Tillyman Entertainment hide caption

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Courtesy of Tillyman Entertainment

The Record

The Hits You Haven't Heard

August 29, 2012 • We look at five albums on last week's Billboard charts that were made by bands who succeed despite the fact that they don't usually get much love from the press.

My American Dream Sounds Like Black Star

Talib Kweli and Mos Def of Black Star. Bob Berg/Getty Images hide caption

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Bob Berg/Getty Images

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My American Dream Sounds Like Black Star

August 22, 2012 • For Teju Cole, "Respiration," a song about New York City, is the best words in the best order.

Courtesy of Big Machine Records

The Record

Taylor Swift, Princess Of Punk?

August 21, 2012 • What exactly does the country star's new single, a kiss-off to an unworthy ex called "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," have in common with angry punk rock? Plenty.

Taylor Swift, Princess Of Punk?

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It's Her Spotlight, The Band Just Lives In It

Lighting director Jackie Finney runs the light show during concerts for the band fun. Mito Habe-Evans/NPR hide caption

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Mito Habe-Evans/NPR

The Record

It's Her Spotlight, The Band Just Lives In It

August 18, 2012 • Another stop on our summer tour with the band fun. This week, we check in with lighting director Jackie Finney in Los Angeles, where she's setting up a powerful new lighting system that's possibly a metaphor for the band's growing success.

It's Her Spotlight, The Band Just Lives In It

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Musicians Who Paid The Price Before Pussy Riot

Thomas Mapfumo wrote one of the most famous revolutionary songs, "Hokoyo." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Record

Musicians Who Paid The Price Before Pussy Riot

August 17, 2012 • This isn't the first time singing anti-establishment songs has had consequences.

Musicians Who Paid The Price Before Pussy Riot

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'We Are Not Guilty; The Whole World Says So'

A supporter of feminist punk band Pussy Riot wearing the group's trademark colored balaclava waves a flag on a balcony in Moscow on Friday. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images

The Record

'We Are Not Guilty; The Whole World Says So'

August 17, 2012 • The trial of three women in the Russian punk group Pussy Riot set off a global wave of support that, in almost every case, connects music to political protest.

My American Dream Sounds Like The White Stripes

The White Stripes. Autumn De Wilde/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Autumn De Wilde/Courtesy of the artists

The Record

My American Dream Sounds Like The White Stripes

August 15, 2012 • dream hampton says "Little Room" is an inventory of success, but it is also about Detroit right now.

My American Dream Sounds Like The White Stripes

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An Electronic Composer Reconstructs The Natural World

The British producer Darren Cunningham, who records electronic music under the name Actress. Will Bankhead/Courtesy of Honest Jon's hide caption

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Will Bankhead/Courtesy of Honest Jon's

The Record

An Electronic Composer Reconstructs The Natural World

August 14, 2012 • The British producer known as Actress makes shadowy music that resists easy classification. Trying to interview him can be equally tricky.

Ellie Goulding will release her second album, Halcyon, in October. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Record

All At Once, Ellie Goulding Lights Up

August 11, 2012 • At over a year old, Goulding's "Lights" is finally a hit, just in time for her new album. With so much British music of the past featured in the Olympic closing ceremony, this singer — at the intersection of classic pop and electronic dance music — is a perfect star for right now.

Muse's Ridiculous(ly Awesome) Olympic Anthem

Muse: (from left) Chris Wolstenholme, Matt Bellamy and Dominic Howard. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Record

Muse's Ridiculous(ly Awesome) Olympic Anthem

August 10, 2012 • "Survival" is the band's tribute to Olympic athletes and the first taste of its album The 2nd Law.

Plan B's 'Ill Manors' Falls On Fertile Ground In Britain

Plan B. Courtesy of Atlantic Records hide caption

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Courtesy of Atlantic Records

The Record

Plan B's 'Ill Manors' Falls On Fertile Ground In Britain

August 9, 2012 • The song, a bitterly articulate howl of scornful rage, is a national sensation across the pond.

Laughing To Keep From Crying: A Comic Novel About Copyright Law

Courtesy of Random House

The Record

Laughing To Keep From Crying: A Comic Novel About Copyright Law

August 8, 2012 • Intellectual property and penalties for infringement have been fertile ground for writer Rob Reid.

Laughing To Keep From Crying: A Comic Novel About Copyright Law

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Remembering Award-Winning Composer Marvin Hamlisch

Marvin Hamlisch (left) with Liza Minnelli and Barry Manilow in 1987. Time & Life Pictures/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images hide caption

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Time & Life Pictures/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

The Record

Remembering Award-Winning Composer Marvin Hamlisch

August 7, 2012 • He wrote music for The Sting, A Chorus Line and The Way We Were, and won a Tony, Oscars, Grammys and Emmys.

Remembering Award-Winning Composer Marvin Hamlisch

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Antony's 'Future Feminism': Stage Banter As Statement Of Purpose

Antony performs in Oslo, Norway in 2011. Jan Erik Svendsen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jan Erik Svendsen/Courtesy of the artist

The Record

Antony's 'Future Feminism': Stage Banter As Statement Of Purpose

August 7, 2012 • A recording (and transcript) of the singer's remarks about nature, religion and gender, from the new live album Cut The World.

Friday August 31, 2012

Remembering Chris Lighty, Hip-Hop Leader And My Friend

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Wednesday August 22, 2012

Tuesday August 21, 2012

Taylor Swift, Princess Of Punk?

Saturday August 18, 2012

It's Her Spotlight, The Band Just Lives In It

Friday August 17, 2012

Musicians Who Paid The Price Before Pussy Riot

Wednesday August 15, 2012

My American Dream Sounds Like The White Stripes

Tuesday August 14, 2012

Saturday August 11, 2012

Friday August 10, 2012

Thursday August 9, 2012

Wednesday August 8, 2012

Laughing To Keep From Crying: A Comic Novel About Copyright Law

Tuesday August 7, 2012

Remembering Award-Winning Composer Marvin Hamlisch