Music

This week’s Arts Briefs include new concert series, a Thai New Year’s celebration and updates from the arts community. Also in Absolute Bleeding Edge: a multimedia project about beds, and the lack of them.

Musician J.D. Steele is known for his work with Prince and singing and producing R&B, gospel and soul with The Steeles. Coming up 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with this Minnesota music powerhouse about his career, directing community choirs and inspiring the next generation to sing.

Three years later, SoulFlower, Breezy2Fresh, Mack OC and Oaojooo came together to share their experiences, inspirations and thoughts on the role of music in bringing about social change.

Three years after the murder of George Floyd, music has been an essential tool for healing. Floyd’s former partner Courteney Ross and south Minneapolis musician Raycurt Johnson share their stories.

She teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age. Turner's manager says she died Tuesday after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.

Enjoy a playlist of cuts from the legendary musician, who turns 82 this year.

Through trials and tribulations, the Minneapolis promoters celebrate 25 years of dance parties, raves, and the future of the Twin Cities techno community.

Nearly 6,000 independent artists submitted to this year's Tiny Desk Contest. Meet the Utah band that rose to the top.

William Eddins’ music career has taken him around the world as an orchestra conductor. Now he hopes to support music education for young people in the Twin Cities with his St. Paul brewery MetroNOME. MPR News guest host Euan Kerr talks with Eddins about music, beer and the brewery’s mission.

Meet VanVan, the four-year-old rapper who is giving Nicki Minaj and Doja Cat a run for their money. She's getting millions of views on TikTok and Instagram.