Musicheads®

Musicheads® Essentials is a web feature that gives the Current staff a chance to share some of our favorite albums of all time with our listeners. Join us each week as a different Current host or staff member picks an essential album from their collection and tells you why they love it.

Musicheads Essential Artist: Brittany Howard


A prodigiously talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist who's become a torchbearer for a new generation of rockers, Brittany Howard is a Musicheads Essential Artist.

Musicheads Essential Artist: Otis Redding


Otis Redding shares the honorific the King of Soul with both James Brown and Sam Cooke. Not only is his influence heard in soul and R&B music, but his impact on the history of popular music is immense.

Musicheads Essential Artist: Charley Pride


This beloved country star was an African American man whose success in a genre that often marginalized Black artists made him an inspiration for those who believe that country music is for all Americans.

Musicheads Essential Artist: Public Enemy


The groundbreaking hip-hop group Public Enemy ushered in a new era of politically and socially conscious rap music that influenced the next several decades of popular music.

Musicheads Essential Artist: Marvin Gaye


After a short career in the Air Force and dabbling in doo-wop groups in his native D.C., Marvin Gaye found himself writing and working as a session drummer for Motown. Ultimately he was called up to the vocal mic, and he got his first taste of sustained success in a series of chart-topping duets with Tammi Terrell.

Musicheads Essential Artist: Motion City Soundtrack


April is Minnesota Music Month. To celebrate, each weekday this month we'll be spotlighting a different artist with special coverage on air and online. For Wednesday, April 29, we're shining a light on Motion City Soundtrack.

Musicheads Essential Artist: The Time


The Time, a smooth-talking funk group, were Prince's first successful protege act and launched the careers of Morris Day and the chart-topping producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.