Skip to main content

Music

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

Culture
Lil Nas X and Wrangler collaborated on a clothing line. Some Wrangler customers aren’t having it.Lil Nas X and Wrangler collaborated on a clothing line. Some Wrangler customers aren’t having it.
Culture

The Western wear brand is celebrating, and capitalizing on, its callout in “Old Town Road.”

By Allegra Frank
Culture
Watch: Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” gets a time-traveling Western mini movieWatch: Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” gets a time-traveling Western mini movie
Culture

The rapper rounds up Billy Ray Cyrus and Chris Rock for the song’s hilariously perfect official video.

By Allegra Frank
Culture
Beyoncé builds stardom by being an idol. Taylor Swift wants to be your best friend.Beyoncé builds stardom by being an idol. Taylor Swift wants to be your best friend.
Culture

Pitting them against each other doesn’t make sense.

By Constance Grady
Technology
Disney+ will not be a “Netflix killer” because at this point, nothing can kill NetflixDisney+ will not be a “Netflix killer” because at this point, nothing can kill Netflix
Podcast
Technology

Redef CEO Jason Hirschhorn watches a lot of TV and he says Netflix has sucked him into watching less of everything else.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Apple is under scrutiny for squashing competitors on the App Store — againApple is under scrutiny for squashing competitors on the App Store — again
Technology

Apple built its own screen-time management app. Then things got weird on the App Store.

By Emily Stewart
Culture
K-pop is being rocked by a sex scandal. It’s part of a bigger societal problem.K-pop is being rocked by a sex scandal. It’s part of a bigger societal problem.
Culture

Here’s what you need to know.

By Fareehan Elgakhlab
Video
The devilish history of the explicit lyrics stickerThe devilish history of the explicit lyrics sticker
Play
Video

Heavy metal versus the USA.

By Estelle Caswell and Mona Lalwani
Culture
Rumors of the Old Taylor’s death have been greatly exaggeratedRumors of the Old Taylor’s death have been greatly exaggerated
Culture

The Old Taylor can actually come to the phone right now. Why? ’Cause she’s not dead.

By Constance Grady
Video
Why disco made pop songs longerWhy disco made pop songs longer
Play
Video

Discos, DJs, and the impact of the 12-inch single.

By Estelle Caswell
Culture
Taylor Swift ends her long countdown with her new single, “ME!”Taylor Swift ends her long countdown with her new single, “ME!”
Culture

Turns out for Taylor Swift, Reputation preceded “ME!”

By Constance Grady
Culture
Music’s biggest stars are women. Music festivals would make you think otherwise.Music’s biggest stars are women. Music festivals would make you think otherwise.
Culture

Music festival lineups are heavily male, but some women are trying to change that.

By Allegra Frank
Culture
Beyoncé’s Lemonade is now available to stream on all major servicesBeyoncé’s Lemonade is now available to stream on all major services
Culture

Including Spotify and Apple Music.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber are CGI animals in this generation’s “We Are the World”Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber are CGI animals in this generation’s “We Are the World”
Culture

“Earth,” a song and short film by comedy rapper Lil Dicky, is all about climate change and butts.

By Allegra Frank
Culture
Beyoncé’s new documentary shows exactly how much work it takes to be queenBeyoncé’s new documentary shows exactly how much work it takes to be queen
Culture

Netflix’s Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé is a testament to its star’s work ethic.

By Constance Grady
Culture
After Columbine, martyrdom became a powerful fantasy for Christian teenagersAfter Columbine, martyrdom became a powerful fantasy for Christian teenagers
Culture

Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott weren’t just victims — they became part of a bigger narrative, with far-reaching effects.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Beyoncé made her iconic Coachella performance into a live album. You can stream it right now.Beyoncé made her iconic Coachella performance into a live album. You can stream it right now.
Culture

Beyoncé dropped a surprise live album along with her Netflix documentary.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s death put an inspiring life in the spotlightRapper Nipsey Hussle’s death put an inspiring life in the spotlight
Culture

The Grammy nominee’s quiet rise from the Crips to community activist defines his legacy.

By Allegra Frank
Culture
Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is officially the biggest song in the countryLil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is officially the biggest song in the country
Culture

The song rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 — on the rapper’s birthday, no less.

By Allegra Frank
Culture
With “Kill This Love,” K-pop queens Blackpink have made YouTube and iTunes historyWith “Kill This Love,” K-pop queens Blackpink have made YouTube and iTunes history
Culture

Destiny’s Child held the iTunes record for 15 years before Blackpink came along.

By Allegra Frank
Technology
Apple has sold lots of music subscriptions — so it thinks it will sell lots of other stuff, tooApple has sold lots of music subscriptions — so it thinks it will sell lots of other stuff, too
Technology

Apple Music has eclipsed Spotify in the US. Now Apple wants to do the same thing in news, games, and video.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is a banger. But is it country? Depends on whom you ask.Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is a banger. But is it country? Depends on whom you ask.
Culture

The fantastic viral crossover hit is challenging what country music sounds, and looks, like.

By Allegra Frank
Technology
Money-losing companies that went public in 2018 did better than profitable onesMoney-losing companies that went public in 2018 did better than profitable ones
Technology

That says more about the market than the companies.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Spotify is asking European regulators to help it fight Apple — just before Apple launches a big new subscription serviceSpotify is asking European regulators to help it fight Apple — just before Apple launches a big new subscription service
Technology

Spotify has complained about Apple for years. Now it has filed a formal complaint with the EU.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, and the dangerous intimacy of fandomMichael Jackson, R. Kelly, and the dangerous intimacy of fandom
Culture

We feel like we know our favorite stars. Leaving Neverland and Surviving R. Kelly show how predators can take advantage of that feeling.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Watch: R. Kelly mounts an unconvincing defense in an emotional interview with Gayle KingWatch: R. Kelly mounts an unconvincing defense in an emotional interview with Gayle King
Culture

Kelly claims he’s not holding women against their will because that would be stupid.

By Constance Grady
Technology
Spotify and Warner Music are fighting, so Spotify users in India can’t listen to Cardi B or Ed SheeranSpotify and Warner Music are fighting, so Spotify users in India can’t listen to Cardi B or Ed Sheeran
Technology

Big Tech and Big Music are used to being frenemies. Now things are getting feistier.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Oscars performance gave us one last great Star Is Born memeLady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Oscars performance gave us one last great Star Is Born meme
Culture

The pair’s soul-gazing “Shallow” duet sent social media off the deep end.

By Aja Romano
Culture
Watch: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper get intimate for “Shallow”Watch: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper get intimate for “Shallow”
Play
Culture

Their performance is pure old Hollywood glamour.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Queen and Adam Lambert opened the 2019 Oscars. It was fine.Queen and Adam Lambert opened the 2019 Oscars. It was fine.
Play
Culture

No host? No problem, so long as you can recruit one of the greatest rock bands of all time to perform.

By Emily St. James
Culture
R. Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuseR. Kelly has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse
Culture

The charges may involve a tape that appears to show Kelly engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl.

By Constance Grady
Culture
“All the Stars” is up for an Oscar, but Kendrick Lamar and SZA won’t perform it during the show“All the Stars” is up for an Oscar, but Kendrick Lamar and SZA won’t perform it during the show
Culture

The pair turned down an invitation to perform their Black Panther song at the ceremony on Sunday.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Multiple women, including Mandy Moore, have accused musician Ryan Adams of emotional abuseMultiple women, including Mandy Moore, have accused musician Ryan Adams of emotional abuse
Culture

The Ryan Adams accusations are a reminder of how predators deny us their victims’ art.

By Constance Grady
Culture
The charismatic hustle of Cardi BThe charismatic hustle of Cardi B
Culture

Cardi B is working hard and telling everyone. It’s a sneakily radical move.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Lady Gaga performed “Shallow” at the Grammys like a monstrous spider. It was awesome.Lady Gaga performed “Shallow” at the Grammys like a monstrous spider. It was awesome.
Play
Culture

Her performance blended her weirdo pop star and traditional chanteuse sides beautifully.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Watch: Michelle Obama makes a surprise appearance at the opening of the GrammysWatch: Michelle Obama makes a surprise appearance at the opening of the Grammys
Play
Culture

It’s a moment that echoed the opening of Obama’s book tour.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Here’s the complete list of 2019 Grammy winnersHere’s the complete list of 2019 Grammy winners
Culture

Kacey Musgraves, Childish Gambino, Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile, Cardi B, and Lady Gaga were among the night’s big winners.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
The 8 best performances of the 2019 GrammysThe 8 best performances of the 2019 Grammys
Culture

Cardi B, Dolly Parton, Janelle Monae, and more rocked the night.

By Alex Abad-Santos and Constance Grady
Culture
Jennifer Lopez performed the Grammys’ Motown tribute. Motown fans were not pleased.Jennifer Lopez performed the Grammys’ Motown tribute. Motown fans were not pleased.
Culture

Having J.Lo perform a tribute to Motown’s soulful pop legacy was a choice.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
The Grammys were good this yearThe Grammys were good this year
Culture

Thank women, host Alicia Keys, and director Louis J. Horvitz for the most entertaining show in some time.

By Emily St. James
Culture
Drake used his acceptance speech to critique the Grammys. They cut him off.Drake used his acceptance speech to critique the Grammys. They cut him off.
Play
Culture

Drake, while winning a Grammy: Winning a Grammy isn’t everything.

By Aja Romano