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Through Slavery, Segregation And More, 'La Bamba' Has Been The Sound Of Survival

The East L.A. band Las Cafeteras is known for a version of "La Bamba" that mixes traditional Mexican son jarocho with hip-hop. Jessica Pons for NPR hide caption

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Jessica Pons for NPR

Through Slavery, Segregation And More, 'La Bamba' Has Been The Sound Of Survival

October 14, 2018 • Sixty years ago, a Mexican folk tune sung entirely in Spanish became a rock and roll phenomenon. Generations after Ritchie Valens, young Latinos are still harnessing its power.

Hear the story 9:33

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Beyoncé Is The 21st Century's Master Of Leveling Up

Beyoncé performs at Coachella in 2018. Photo illustration: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella and Angela Hsieh/NPR hide caption

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Photo illustration: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella and Angela Hsieh/NPR

Beyoncé Is The 21st Century's Master Of Leveling Up

Through her career, Bey has shown that there are more levels to her artistry than we could have imagined. And she's using those levels to delve further into her personalized elevation of black women.

Elvis Costello Doesn't Want Your Nostalgia, He Wants You To 'Look Now'

Look Now may lack some sentimentality, but Elvis Costello does return to familiar ground. James O'Mara/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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James O'Mara/Courtesy of the artist

Elvis Costello Doesn't Want Your Nostalgia, He Wants You To 'Look Now'

Elvis Costello is releasing his first album with The Imposters in nearly a decade, titled Look Now. The legendary musician speaks about his work and surviving a cancer scare that caused him to cancel tour dates earlier this year.

A Woman's Rage: Songs About Being Fed Up

Protesters gathered across the country during the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court judge Brett Kavanaugh. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

A Woman's Rage: Songs About Being Fed Up

To cope with the tumult of a difficult week and the anniversary of the #MeToo movement, music critic Ann Powers spent the week with music from women expressing one thing: Being fed up.

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Phony Ppl

mō'zā-ik.

Incorporating jazz, funk and bossa nova, the Brooklyn band offers a subconscious vacation for the soul.

43:21

Becky Warren

Undesirable

The Nashville-based songwriter uses her platform to share the untold stories of the city's homeless and formerly homeless population.

35:57

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Tiny Desk

Café Tacvba: Tiny Desk Concert

by Felix Contreras

October 12, 2018 • The pioneering Mexican band recreates the adventurous musical energy of their massive stadium shows behind Bob Boilen's desk.

Watch the video 18:53

Mark de Clive-Lowe Takes Risks To Unlock His Creativity

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Jazz Night In America

Want To Get Creative? Take More Risks

by Simon Rentner , Colin Marshall

October 10, 2018 • Pianist and electronic DJ Mark de Clive-Lowe turns his mistakes into art by sampling his bandmates live in the moment.

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Tiny Desk

Big Boi: Tiny Desk Concert

by Abby O'Neill

October 9, 2018 • The OutKast star performs "So Fresh, So Clean," "The Way You Move" and his solo single "All Night" with the help of singer Sleepy Brown and an eight-member backing band.

Watch the video 12:55

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The Thistle & Shamrock

Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.

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World Cafe

WXPN in Philadelphia and host Talia Schlanger present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

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