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Music

Music recommendations, industry developments, and other music coverage from Vox.

Awards Shows
Watch the video for “Shallow,” the song from A Star Is Born that will probably win an OscarWatch the video for “Shallow,” the song from A Star Is Born that will probably win an Oscar
Awards Shows

It’s the movie’s pivotal song, performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Jon Batiste walks us through a day in the life of The Late Show with Stephen ColbertJon Batiste walks us through a day in the life of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Podcast
Culture

“You have to learn the material within 15, 20 minutes,” says the late-night bandleader of his daunting job.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Do you remember the very best meme of September?Do you remember the very best meme of September?
Culture

Why September 21 is so much more than a random calendar date.

By Aja Romano
Photos: Aretha Franklin’s funeral was absolutely fit for the Queen of Soul
Features

Franklin was laid to rest in a golden casket at a day-long service attended by family, friends, activists, musicians, politicians, and clergy.

By Michelle Garcia
Culture
Eminem’s surprise album Kamikaze is his best in yearsEminem’s surprise album Kamikaze is his best in years
Culture

For the most part, Kamikaze is a diss-filled power move.

By Aja Romano
Culture
The insidious cultural history of Kanye West’s slavery commentsThe insidious cultural history of Kanye West’s slavery comments
Culture

Kanye West thinks slavery was a choice. He’s not the only one.

By Tara Isabella Burton
Music
From midlife crises to cowboy dreams: August’s biggest new albumsFrom midlife crises to cowboy dreams: August’s biggest new albums
Music

Ariana Grande, Troye Sivan, and Mitski are among this month’s high-profile releases.

By Karen Han
Culture
Beyond West Side Story: 5 of Leonard Bernstein’s musical masterpiecesBeyond West Side Story: 5 of Leonard Bernstein’s musical masterpieces
Culture

Leonard Bernstein gave American music so much more than West Side Story.

By Aja Romano
Culture
Madonna’s VMAs “tribute” to Aretha Franklin was all about MadonnaMadonna’s VMAs “tribute” to Aretha Franklin was all about Madonna
Culture

Madonna gave no respect to the Queen of Soul — and viewers weren’t having it.

By Aja Romano
Culture
VMAs: performances, winners, and highlightsVMAs: performances, winners, and highlights
Culture

The ceremony was a dud overall, but there were still some worthwhile bright spots.

By Vox Staff
Culture
VMAs 2018: 6 winners and 2 losers from a mostly lackluster showVMAs 2018: 6 winners and 2 losers from a mostly lackluster show
Culture

The ceremony was a dud overall, but there were still some worthwhile bright spots.

By Alex Abad-Santos and Karen Han
Culture
Watch: the 3 best performances of the 2018 VMAsWatch: the 3 best performances of the 2018 VMAs
Culture

Watch J. Lo live her best life, Nicki Minaj go regal, and Ariana Grande go religious.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Watch: Logic’s emotional VMAs performance protesting family separationWatch: Logic’s emotional VMAs performance protesting family separation
Culture

Logic performed alongside immigrant children and parents during the 2018 VMAs.

By Karen Han
Culture
What to expect at the 2018 MTV Video Music AwardsWhat to expect at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards
Culture

Cardi B and Beyoncé and Jay-Z lead the nominations, and scheduled performers include Ariana Grande and Panic at the Disco.

By Karen Han
Culture
Cardi B, Beyoncé and Jay-Z lead the 2018 VMA nominationsCardi B, Beyoncé and Jay-Z lead the 2018 VMA nominations
Culture

Cardi B has 10 nominations for “Finesse,” just ahead of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s eight nominations for “Apeshit.”

By Karen Han
Video
The gospel according to Aretha FranklinThe gospel according to Aretha Franklin
Play
Video

Two songs that show off Aretha Franklin’s gospel roots.

By Estelle Caswell
Celebrity Culture
Watch: Ariana Grande sings “A Natural Woman” in tribute to Aretha FranklinWatch: Ariana Grande sings “A Natural Woman” in tribute to Aretha Franklin
Celebrity Culture

The singer honored the Queen of Soul in an emotional performance on The Tonight Show.

By Karen Han
Culture
7 iconic Aretha Franklin musical moments from movies and TV7 iconic Aretha Franklin musical moments from movies and TV
Culture

Plus the one song that eclipsed them all.

By Emily St. James, Constance Grady and 2 more
Culture
The Obamas’ Aretha Franklin tribute is an elegant reminder of how she united usThe Obamas’ Aretha Franklin tribute is an elegant reminder of how she united us
Culture

“She helped us feel more hopeful, more human.”

By Aja Romano
Culture
Aretha Franklin’s “royal persona” commanded respectAretha Franklin’s “royal persona” commanded respect
Culture

The late singer’s legacy, in the words of Etta James, Barack Obama, and Tavis Smiley.

By Karen Han
Culture
Aretha Franklin dragged a columnist who body-shamed her. It was perfect.Aretha Franklin dragged a columnist who body-shamed her. It was perfect.
Culture

Aretha Franklin’s reads are almost as iconic as her music.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Aretha Franklin’s long reign as the Queen of Soul, explained in 12 performances
Culture

The Queen of Soul held her crown for more than 50 years. These performances show why.

By Naima Cochrane
Culture
Ariana Grande sings Carpool Karaoke, reminds us she can imitate the biggest pop starsAriana Grande sings Carpool Karaoke, reminds us she can imitate the biggest pop stars
Culture

Ariana Grande breaks out her pitch-perfect Celine Dion and reminds us that musical impressions are her secret weapon.

By Constance Grady
Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, is dead at 76
Culture

Celebrating the joyful legacy of a musical icon.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Watch: Kanye West defends his support of Donald Trump to Jimmy KimmelWatch: Kanye West defends his support of Donald Trump to Jimmy Kimmel
Culture

“You’ve said, ‘George Bush doesn’t care about black people.’ It makes me wonder: What makes you think that Donald Trump does?”

By Karen Han
Culture
Demi Lovato has always been honest about recovery and relapse. It’s why her fans love her.Demi Lovato has always been honest about recovery and relapse. It’s why her fans love her.
Culture

Lovato’s fans don’t love her because she’s perfect. They love her because she is getting better.

By Constance Grady
Technology
Spotify is removing some Alex Jones podcasts — but not all of them — because they are ‘hate content’Spotify is removing some Alex Jones podcasts — but not all of them — because they are ‘hate content’
Technology

The music streaming service has been the target of public outrage for carrying Jones’s show.

By Kurt Wagner
Culture
Why “Missing U,” Robyn’s first new solo music in 8 years, is a gift to her fansWhy “Missing U,” Robyn’s first new solo music in 8 years, is a gift to her fans
Culture

Call your girlfriend, who will be dancing on her own to “Missing U.”

By Genevieve Koski
How music has responded to a decade of economic inequality
Culture

Popular music has always delivered social critique. But it’s struggled to grapple with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

By Scott Timberg
Culture
Bobby Brown denies ever having hit Whitney Houston: “The public record is wrong”Bobby Brown denies ever having hit Whitney Houston: “The public record is wrong”
Culture

The public record includes Brown himself, in a 2016 interview.

By Emily St. James
Technology
Spotify tried to reinvent the IPO. But two quarters later, things look ... normal?Spotify tried to reinvent the IPO. But two quarters later, things look ... normal?
Technology

If this is a revolution, it’s pretty quiet.

By Theodore Schleifer
Culture
R. Kelly released a 19-minute song called “I Admit.” It doesn’t admit much.R. Kelly released a 19-minute song called “I Admit.” It doesn’t admit much.
Culture

In a lengthy new track, R. Kelly (sorta) addresses those sex cult rumors and (mostly) feels sorry for himself.

By Constance Grady
Culture
How to write a great song, according to singer-songwriter Neko CaseHow to write a great song, according to singer-songwriter Neko Case
Podcast
Culture

“[Songwriting] is work. Experience, selection, taste. None of those things are something that happens to you. You’re not just an antenna.”

By Emily St. James
Culture
Chance the Rapper releases 4 new songs, reveals he bought the news website ChicagoistChance the Rapper releases 4 new songs, reveals he bought the news website Chicagoist
Culture

The rapper’s acquisition of the Chicago news website is cause for cautious optimism.

By Karen Han
Video
What a conductor actually does onstageWhat a conductor actually does onstage
Play
Video

It’s more than just dancing around.

By Estelle Caswell
Music
Drake’s new album Scorpion matches Springsteen and surpasses Taylor Swift on the chartsDrake’s new album Scorpion matches Springsteen and surpasses Taylor Swift on the charts
Music

The rapper’s new album is breaking records and experiencing unprecedented success.

By Karen Han
Culture
The unexpected resonance of Zooropa, U2’s least-remembered album, 25 years laterThe unexpected resonance of Zooropa, U2’s least-remembered album, 25 years later
Culture

On the 1993 release, U2 decided to stop being U2 for a little while.

By Dylan Scott
Explainers
Pusha T vs. Drake: rap’s feud of the momentPusha T vs. Drake: rap’s feud of the moment
Explainers

Pusha’s epic Drake callout includes explorations of black identity, decades-old grudges, and street fashion wars.

By Aja Romano
Technology
Full transcript: The Verge’s Casey Newton and Recode’s Peter Kafka on Too Embarrassed to AskFull transcript: The Verge’s Casey Newton and Recode’s Peter Kafka on Too Embarrassed to Ask
Technology

Recorded onsite in Rancho Palos Verdes, host Kara Swisher asks what they thought of the Code Conference speakers.

By Recode Staff
Culture
The meaning behind the classical paintings in Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s “Apeshit”The meaning behind the classical paintings in Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s “Apeshit”
Culture

Why it matters that the video takes place in the Louvre.

By Constance Grady