NPR Topics: Music

A look at FIFA World Cup songs

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:41:00 -0400

What makes a good World Cup anthem? Since the early '90s, FIFA officials have commissioned an official song for each World Cup. Some have been duds, while others turned into global hits.

Death Cab for Cutie plays through the pain

Raina Douris — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:01:55 -0400

Frontman Ben Gibbard talks about the band's latest album, I Built You a Tower.

(Image credit: Shervin Lainez)

Tiny Desk Radio: Koffee, Chronixx, KestheBand

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:36:42 -0400

We celebrate the rich culture, history of all Americans with Caribbean ancestry. Look for Tiny Desk Radio on your local NPR station.

Earth, Wind & Fire documentary explores band's creative genius

A Martínez — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:44:11 -0400

Morning Edition about the new HBO documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That's the Weight of the World)'/>

A new HBO documentary by Questlove tells the story of the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. Morning Edition host A Martinez speaks with band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson.

(Image credit: Erika Aguilar)

As Drake rules the charts, the 'song of the summer' race heats up

Stephen Thompson — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:47:41 -0400

Billboard's inaugural "Songs of the Summer" chart.'/>

No discussion of the midyear pop charts would be complete without a breakdown of contenders for the honorific "song of the summer."

(Image credit: Simone Joyner/Getty Images)

GENA: Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

With a pocket nudged just left of center, drummer Karriem Riggins and singer Liv.e breeze through a fresh and funky set of cosmic R&B.

(Image credit: Bronson Arcuri)

'The ship of my life': Sting talks the comeback of his musical

Leila Fadel — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:42:14 -0400

The Last Ship is the first musical to be staged at New York's Metropolitan Opera. It draws upon Sting's childhood growing up in the shadow of a shipyard.'/>

The Last Ship, the first musical to be staged at New York's Metropolitan Opera, inspired by Sting's childhood growing up in the shadow of a shipyard.

(Image credit: Mark Senior)

Michael Jackson's shadow of doubt

Rodney Carmichael — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Michael Jackson: The Verdict, a docuseries on the late artist's 2005 abuse trial, arrives on Netflix this week, his music continues to climb the charts following renewed interest from his biopic.'/>

A sanded-down biopic about the King of pop and propaganda has resurfaced his music on the charts — along with questions about how his enduring magic became make-believe

(Image credit: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

'They went through my vocal cords': Barry Manilow recovers after lung cancer surgery

Phil Harrell — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Nearly 83, Barry Manilow is recovering from cancer, preparing for a series of concerts, and releasing his first album of new songs in nearly 15 years, What a Time.

(Image credit: Christopher DeVargas)

Peabo Bryson, known for 'Aladdin' and 'Beauty and the Beast' duets, has died at 75

The Associated Press — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 01:08:28 -0400

Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Peabo Bryson has died at 75. He was known for his Disney duets "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World." He died Tuesday after having a stroke.

(Image credit: Reed Saxon)