On Saturday, President Barack Obama invited a host of music luminaries to the White House to celebrate International Jazz Day. Among the performers — along with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Sting — was Aretha Franklin, who paid tribute to Prince by singing a portion of “Purple Rain.” Watch the performance here. (Rolling Stone) At Jazz Fest in…

One of the greatest stars in rock history, Prince bridged rock and R&B to fuse a "Minneapolis Sound" that helped define the music of the 1980s. In this documentary, The Current explores his life and legacy through his music and memories of those closest to him.

We are charmed by a story we read today about a little trouble-maker who caused mayhem during Take Your Child To Work Day at NPR. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that reference kids?

You may not be able to see ghosts, but you can hear one in the new trailer for this year’s Captain Fantastic. Jeremy Messersmith’s “Ghost,” from his album Heart Murmurs, shows up about a minute and a half into the preview. Directed by Matt Ross (who acted in American Psycho and The Aviator), Captain Fantastic stars Viggo…

Something surprising I learned as the Local Current DJ in Residence: being a radio host is exhausting. Programming six hours of music can be draining when you’re as indecisive as me, biting your nails over which Lizzo or Hollow Boys song to play next, and then you spend a good chunk of time talking to…

The King of Skiffle was born; Ringo sang about an 'Octopus's Garden'; Bruce Springsteen got collared for being a superfan; Bon Jovi got married; Aretha Franklin released a defining hit; and Dusty Springfield's home was honored, Today in Music History.

Fraea, “Criminal” Pop duo Fraea released a music video for “Criminal” this week, interpreting their lead single with inky swirls, smothering white leather costuming, and desaturated shots of home life. Director Maria Juranic also worked on Doomtree’s “Final Boss” video, and while “Criminal” shares the former’s careful attention to light and dark, it’s a hazier, more wistful slice of Juranic’s…

In terms of tone, Sing Street falls somewhere between The Commitments and High School Musical. Set in a gritty Dublin neighborhood in 1985, the film tells the story of a band of boys who form a band in the New Romantic tradition — the glammed-out post-punk pop moment that gave us Duran Duran, Culture Club, and Spandau Ballet. It…

Prince announced just last month that he was working on a memoir to be published in 2017. Rolling Stone called it "one of the most anticipated memoirs in music history." After Prince's death last week, however, the future of the book is uncertain.

Prince, a multitalented musician who came out of the Minneapolis scene and changed the world of music forever, has died at age 57. His music touched lives in Minnesota and around the world. Share your thoughts and memories as we remember a music legend.