In the finale of the first season of Play It Forward, Ari Shapiro speaks to dubstep pioneer Mala about minimalism, freedom and an artist he was inspired by, the late Augustus Pablo.

Ari Shapiro speaks with Blake about playing virtual concerts for thousands of fans, and finding his voice early on by studying the music of British producer Mala.

The anonymized, countryfied singer-rapper came barreling into the mainstream in February, seemingly out of thin air.

Ari Shapiro talks to jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin about her new album Pursuance: The Coltranes and an artist she is grateful for: James Blake.

"They unleashed sheer hell on peaceful protesters right outside my stoop," says Washington, D.C., resident Rahul Dubey.

In the fourth episode of Play It Forward, Ari Shapiro speaks with R&B polymath Georgia Anne Muldrow about how music has served her during the pandemic and the sprawling soul-jazz of Lakecia Benjamin.

In the third episode of Play It Forward, Ari Shapiro interviews Robin Dann of the Canadian band, Bernice. She talks about redefining success and how the freedom of jazz informs her music.

Many musicians canceled tours and delayed album releases due to the pandemic. But some are now using home recording setups and streaming services to write and publish songs about the coronavirus.

Glenn Copeland, whose ambient and electronic recordings were largely unknown for decades, talks about his late career reemergence, the power of positive thinking and the Canadian band Bernice.

In the inaugural segment of Play It Forward, Ari Shapiro speaks with Dan Snaith, who records under the name Caribou, about his new album Suddenly and the inspiration he found in Glenn Copeland.

The latest video, from the young master of funk's forthcoming new album, finds him unlucky in love — until the titular headcovering intervenes.

The young rapper behind the 2019 hit "Welcome to the Party" was killed early Wednesday morning in a home invasion.

The latest album by the rapper formerly known as Mos Def will be heard by very few people — a fact that represents everything fascinating and frustrating about his last decade.

The rapper was in the midst of completing the second in a two-album concept at the time of his death in 2018. Producer Jon Brion resolved to finish what they'd started.

"Futsal Shuffle 2020" arrives after a year and a half of stop-starts in the album's roll out, widely believed to be the product of a cold war between the rapper and his label.

The song, part of the soundtrack to the film Queen & Slim, has been a staple of Hill's live shows in recent years.

After two abbreviated releases she likens to experimentalist haikus, the singular 25-year-old artist refined her voice and expanded her collaborations to create a stunning, singular debut.

With Gang Starr, DJ Premier and Guru established one of the most influential projects in hip-hop history. Now, nine years after the death of their lyricist, comes the return.

"I'd twerk to Mozart!" is the type of bold thinking we need these days. The picks on this week's Heat Check subvert the norm and take you to unexpected places.

The musical polymath's new album, which features collaborations with Pharrell, Chris Martin, Sky Ferreira and more, is due out November 22.