Music Interviews
José Martinez's mariachi opera Cruzar La Cara De La Luna premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in 2010.

José Martinez's mariachi opera Cruzar La Cara De La Luna premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in 2010. Felix Sanchez/Houston Grand Opera hide caption

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Alt.Latino

Alt.Latino Goes Classical: Orchestral Music From Latin America

Hear re-imagined pre-Colombian music and arias from the jungles of Brazil and beyond, chosen with the help of Tom Huizenga from NPR Music's Deceptive Cadence.

Alt.Latino Goes Classical: Orchestral Music From Latin America
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Gepe

Gepe Claudia Valenzuela Guzman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe

Latin Roots: Gepe

XPN

The Chilean artist born Daniel Riveros makes driving indie pop with elements of Andean folk. Watch a performance recorded live in Philadelphia.

Latin Roots: Hepe
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Corinne Bailey Rae's new album, The Heart Speaks in Whispers, focuses on hope and transformation.

Corinne Bailey Rae's new album, The Heart Speaks in Whispers, focuses on hope and transformation. Alexandra Valenti/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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On Corinne Bailey Rae's New Album, A Focus On Renewal

Between her first and second albums, the British singer's world was shattered by loss. Rae says her latest, The Heart Speaks in Whispers, is all about transformation and hope.

On Corinne Bailey Rae's New Album, A Focus On Renewal
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Music

Tiny Desk Contest Stand-Out 'Seratones' Adjusts To Tour Life

Last year, NPR's Rachel Martin spoke to one of the bands that stood out in NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert Contest: Seratones. A year later, the band is releasing its first album.

Tiny Desk Contest Stand-Out 'Seratones' Adjusts To Tour Life
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"There had never even been a Canadian DJ that made it to the finals, period," says Alain Macklovitch, aka A-Trak. "And I came in and I won."

"There had never even been a Canadian DJ that made it to the finals, period," says Alain Macklovitch, aka A-Trak. "And I came in and I won." Kenneth Cappello/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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My Big Break

Before Leaping Onto Kanye's Records, A-Trak Forged A Career From Scratch

It was happenstance that brought the Canadian DJ and Kanye West together. But A-Trak — Alain Macklovitch — first made his name by winning an international scratching competition, when he was just 15.

Before Leaping Onto Kanye's Records, A-Trak Forged A Career From Scratch
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The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right.

The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right. Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Deceptive Cadence

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music

"Classical music is many things," says violist Asbjørn Nørgaard. "It can sound like Coldplay. It can sound like heavy metal." The quartet's new album, out now, is called Adès/Nørgard/Abrahamsen.

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music
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"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says rapper Mr. Lif, a.k.a. Jeffrey Haynes. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years.

"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says rapper Mr. Lif, a.k.a. Jeffrey Haynes. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years. Dom Savini/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger:' Mr. Lif On Music And Healing

"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says the rapper, whose life was cracked in half when his tour bus crashed into a ravine. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years.

'What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger:' Mr. Lif On Music And Healing
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Kate Tempest has written music, plays, poetry and novels.

Kate Tempest has written music, plays, poetry and novels. David Stewert/Courtesy of Bloomsbury hide caption

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Author Interviews

'There Was More I Wanted To Say': Kate Tempest Turns Hit Album Into A Novel

The rapper's debut album, Everybody Down, followed Becky and Harry, two Londoners struggling with love, work and drugs. Now her new book, The Bricks That Built The Houses, takes a look at their pasts.

'There Was More I Wanted To Say': Kate Tempest Turns Hit Album Into A Novel
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Gizzle at her home in Los Angeles in April.

Gizzle at her home in Los Angeles in April. Graham Walzer for NPR hide caption

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Microphone Check

Gizzle: 'I Mean For It To Matter'

She's the one behind the curtain of the biggest and best-loved rap and R&B songs in recent memory.

Gizzle With Ali Shaheed Muhammad And Frannie Kelley
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