Ann Powers

The music of this quintessential Nashville songwriter and lifelong independent spirit makes room for the wide range of emotions that careen through people as they stumble and dance through life.

The hip-hop star's "Toosie Slide" video, an opulent take on social distancing shot in his Toronto penthouse, is at once obvious and sneakily profound.

Spotify "data alchemist" Glenn McDonald has been regularly scanning the platform for new songs addressing the crisis, updating his master playlist along the way.

The global pandemic has caused extreme financial uncertainty for artists, particularly those who work independently.

Roberta Flack is only solo artist to win two consecutive Record of the Year Grammys and she helped usher in an enduring style of R&B. Could she be pop music's most under-appreciated influence?

In a ceremony that front-loaded performances by women and black artists, mixed messages sparked both cynicism and cautious hope.

Dolly Parton, Carla Thomas, Fanny, The Runaways and Salt n Pepa are just some of the women who should be in the Hall by now.

As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," NPR Music's Ann Powers nominates "Jesse" by Janis Ian. She's known mostly for her 1975 hit "At Seventeen."

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Rodney Carmichael discuss albums they're looking forward to, as well as the artists they're begging to come back.

A playlist of 50 notable songs from this year, paired with older ones that connect with them spiritually or sonically.

Emerging as a major pop star in 2019, Eilish is emblematic of her moment: a rebel who is also a popular kid, a loud cultural presence emanating from a carefully maintained private place.

The Grammy nominations are ripe for attempts to predict the future of popular music — but this year, we need to examine just one category to see how much everything is changing, and already has.

In light of the ongoing acrimony between Taylor Swift, the boss of her former label and the mega-manager who purchased that label, a list of songs of artists railing against the powers that be.

Carlile's tribute concert established a new approach to canonizing Mitchell's work. And in a video produced for the concert, musicians and friends share their favorite lyrics by Mitchell.

Courtney Marie Andrews and Rhiannon Giddens harmonize with all their hearts on the Carter Family's "You Are My Flower" during the 2019 NPR Music Turning the Tables opening concert at Lincoln Center.

Lizz Wright stuns with a somber version of "Strange Fruit," made famous by Billie Holiday, during the 2019 NPR Music Turning the Tables opening concert at Lincoln Center.

Charenée Wade performs the Mary Lou Williams composition "What's Your Story Morning Glory?" during the 2019 NPR Music Turning the Tables opening concert at Lincoln Center.

Xiomara Laugart pays tribute to Celia Cruz with a lively "Guantanamera" during the 2019 NPR Music Turning the Tables opening concert at Lincoln Center.

Valerie Simpson burns it all down performing "Send Me To the 'Lectric Chair," a signature song of Bessie Smith, during the 2019 NPR Music Turning the Tables opening concert at Lincoln Center.

Chills all around as Lizz Wright and Rhiannon Giddens invoke the spirit of Marian Anderson with "Deep River" and "Go Down Moses" at the 2019 NPR Music Turning the Tables concert at Lincoln Center.