NPR
In the Code Switch newsletter, a weekly podcast about race and identity, Leah Donnella explores how to navigate the holidays with relatives whose beliefs deeply conflict with your own. As political and social divides intensify, many face the challenge of breaking bread with loved ones whose decisions may feel morally opposed to their own values. […]
Durand Jones delivered a captivating and soulful Tiny Desk performance, showcasing his remarkable voice and profound storytelling. Performing four tracks from his debut solo album, Wait Til I Get Over, Jones passionately explored themes of hope, resilience, and finding joy in adversity. Backed by an impressive ensemble, including members of The Harlem Gospel Travelers, he […]
Voicemails played a poignant role during the 9/11 attacks, as overloaded cellphone networks left many victims’ last messages to their loved ones in the form of voicemails. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, NPR set up a phone booth in Brooklyn Bridge Park, inviting people to leave voicemails for those […]
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, is focusing on the economic proposals of the current presidential campaigns, particularly their impact on Black voters. Speaking ahead of his appearance at the Democratic National Convention, Johnson noted an increase in enthusiasm among young Black voters since Vice President Kamala Harris became a prominent figure in the election. […]
Kehlani recently performed at NPR’s Tiny Desk, delivering a powerful and intimate set. The Oakland native, known for their vulnerability and raw talent, began their performance with “Nights Like This” from the 2019 mixtape While We Wait. Kehlani then transitioned seamlessly into “Distraction” from their debut album SweetSexySavage, followed by “The Way” from the 2015 […]
In the first episode of “Honoring My Enslaved Ancestors,” Code Switch co-host B.A. Parker explores her family’s history at Somerset Plantation in Creswell, North Carolina. Despite passing the site every summer, Parker had avoided visiting it for years. Following the death of her Grandma Doris, Parker grapples with how to honor her enslaved ancestors’ legacy. […]
In the new prequel movie “A Quiet Place: Day One,” Lupita Nyong’o stars as a cancer patient, Sam, who tries to survive in the early days of the apocalyptic scenario where aliens pounce on any sound, forcing humans to live in silence. The film follows Sam and her cat, Frodo, in the newly silent world. […]
In celebration of Black Music Month, Chaka Khan performed on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” show, delivering a soulful and energetic 30-minute set. At 71, the legendary singer captivated the audience with her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. She opened the performance with “Tell Me Something Good” and continued with hits like “What Cha’ Gonna Do […]
In celebration of Black Music Month, Tiny Desk is showcasing nine concerts featuring Black women artists. One standout performance is by Tierra Whack and her band, “The Big Backs,” hailed as one of the best in Tiny Desk history. Known for her playful and energetic style, Whack’s performance included whimsical elements like a giant pencil, […]
NPR music feature writer Sheldon Pearce explores the “whirlwind rise” of Dallas artist 4batz and what it “means for the genres he lies between.” 4batz’s video for “act ii: date @ 8” went viral on TikTok in 2023. By January of this year, he caught the attention of Kanye West, and by March 2024, he […]