NPR Music, an overlooked prime source for music

By Kaitlyn Affuso

To hear and learn about favorite musical artists, there is more than YouTube, Wikipedia and social networking site rumors. NPR Music has everything from recorded interviews, to behind-the-scenes videos and music videos from artists of all genres – folk, hip-hop/rap, classical and more.

Current headlines consist of the anniversary celebration of Tupac’s hip-hop life and how he impacted the genre as a whole. In addition to the article, “20 Years Ago, Tupac Broke Through,” attached is a seven-minute audio clip of regarding his history.

Other articles are the inner struggles in the folk band The Civil Wars, which affect their upcoming album to be released in August. “The Civil Wars live up to their name…” describes the band’s sound and taste, as well as a potential future falling-out between the two members, with a music video and behind-the-scenes footage and interviews included.

Photo from npr.org/music: Allister Ann/Courtesy of the artist, The Civil Wars

The site also holds multiple programs, such as Tiny Desk Concerts, First Listen, Live in Concert, World Café, From the Top and many more. These programs have features multiple artists: OK Go, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Furthermore, the site as radio and featured channels, like Songs of Summer, Alt.Latino Radio, Jazz24 and more, all representing several different genres of music.

If you’re not hooked yet, maybe this will get you: being that this is National Public Radio, it is free. Yes, free. No requirement to sign in or sign up with Facebook to enjoy all the media. Just visit the site and enjoy. Now, if you want to be a member and a bigger part of NPR and all their great music things, well it is there as an option.