Music Lists Lists of top artists and top songs compiled by musicians, critics, and noted NPR hosts.

Music Lists

American rapper, singer and songwriter Kurtis Blow, circa 1980. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Kurtis Blow breaks hip-hop nationally with his 1980 debut

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"Naatu Naatu" from the film RRR is up for best original song at the 95th Academy Awards. The tiger flying in the air toward Ram Charan (right), however, is not. DVV Entertainment & Variance Films hide caption

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DVV Entertainment & Variance Films

The 2023 Oscars' best original song nominees, cruelly ranked

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Machel Montano, onstage at the Essence Festival on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans. Montano became of soca's biggest stars following the release of his single "Big Truck" in 1997. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Essence hide caption

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Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Essence

From top left, clockwise: Linda Ayupuka, No Home, Romperayo, Cheba Wahida. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

Viking's Choice 2022: Outer Sounds Around the World

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