After numerous collaborative efforts since 2012’s For My Mother, producer and composer Big Cats returns with another solo project, though the term is not entirely accurate. The eight-song album What If It Doesn’t Get Better? pulls from a core group of collaborators for additional vocals, instrumentation, and composition — including Lydia Liza, Claire de Lune,…

In the wake of the death of A Tribe Called Quest member Phife Dawg, musicians and fans from around the world have been paying tribute. Onstage in Sydney, Kendrick Lamar asked an arena full of fans, holding their phone lights in the air, to chant the late rapper’s name. Calling Phife Dawg “one of the pioneers of hip-hop,” Lamar…

Andrea Swensson talks with Bob Mehr, author of the new Replacements biography 'Trouble Boys.'

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that feature non-English lyrics from English-speaking bands?

Phife Dawg, a core member of A Tribe Called Quest, has died at age 45. The cause of the rapper’s death has not been confirmed, but he suffered from chronic health issues related to Type 1 diabetes. In the pioneering indie-rap group, Phife Dawg — born Malik Taylor — played counterpoint to the laconic Q-Tip.…

Bombs exploded at the Brussels airport and one of the city's metro stations Tuesday, killing at least 31 people and wounding dozens. Following news of the attacks, several in the music world shared their thoughts via social media. View a collection of some of those messages.

A 17th century London townhouse used as living and recording quarters for the Sex Pistols from 1975 to 1977 has received a rare historical designation from the group Historic England. The house, which still bears graffiti left by Johnny Rotten, now has the group’s second-highest designation for structures of historical interest. (Rolling Stone) Musicians react to Brussels…

Songs with one-word titles are nothing new, but they are on the rise. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, let's listen to one-word title songs.

Each week on the Local Show, we’ll meet a new person from the Minnesota music community who has some fresh discoveries to share in a feature called “Ask a Cool Person.” These people will come from all corners of the scene, including record store clerks, recording studio engineers and producers, artists, writers, bookers, photographers, and…

Bob Mould: Patch the Sky Rolling Stone calls Patch the Sky “prime-era, intense Mould.” Bob Mould’s 13th solo studio album will be released on Friday, and in just a month he’s headlining two shows at First Avenue’s Mainroom — a room with which he has a long history. It’s gonna get loud. Davina and the Vagabonds: Nicollet and Tenth…