This week at the protests in Washington, D.C., thousands of voices joined spontaneously in singing the Bill Withers classic 'Lean on Me,' led by local musician Kenny Sway.

Among music and music-adjacent businesses in the Twin Cities, black-owned businesses are underrepresented. Here are some black-owned or black-run music retailers, venues, theaters, mixed art spaces, and publications enriching the Twin Cities’ art and culture. Music retail Urban Lights is the only black-owned record store in the Twin Cities, and specializes in hip-hop. Urban Lights…

Following the killing of George Floyd while in police custody, the Twin Cities and beyond have become activated in many ways. Throughout a week of many protests, the community of the Twin Cities has formed a strong bond. In addition to demonstrations, communities have come together to operate donation banks, distribution centers, first aid, clothing…

In an interview with the Local Show's Andrea Swensson, Bob Mould talks about his new single, 'American Crisis,' which just happened to be released as the nation experiences a new awakening to Civil Rights. 'My role is to share what my heart tells me and to share the water that I catch when it rains,' Mould says.

This past Wednesday, June 3, Jill Riley talked with Dua Saleh on The Current’s Morning Show. Here’s their conversation, which touched on “body cast” – a new song with an urgent message that’s been amplified by the Recording Academy, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. Jill Riley: I have songwriter, poet, actor, Minneapolis community member, Dua Saleh,…

As demonstrations for racial equality continue across the U.S. and the world, artists have been shaping and sharing their grief, fury, resolve and vision for the future.

This week we have centered Coffee Break themes around cleaning up, neighbors, change, revolution, and now after two weeks of unrest in the Twin Cities and beyond, it seems time for a theme centered around the understanding that "people have the power".

As the world turned its eyes to Minneapolis this week, it found Tony Zaccardi. A member of Romantica and a longtime bartender at Grumpy’s NE, Zaccardi bought Palmer’s Bar in 2018. The bar, a hub of the legendary West Bank music scene, became the site of live broadcasts across the country and beyond as Zaccardi…

Art has been a grounding force in the people’s fight for justice throughout history. If you know of a Minnesota music video we should feature in an upcoming post, please let me know: fridayfive [at] mpr.org. Dua Saleh – “Body Cast” Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh‘s art has never been separate from their activism. On Instagram,…

In the latest edition of the Come-Up, correspondent Jeffrey Bissoy features new music and sounds from Twin Cities' artists. 'I pray that it gives you the energy you need to continue to uplift, heal and fight for justice,' Bissoy writes.