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Recent stories from The Current
June 19, 2020

In a new song and video, Anderson .Paak and video director Dave Meyers take a hushed look at the lives amidst the movement.

Anderson .Paak's 'Lockdown' examines the quiet spaces of an uprising

Anderson .Paak's 'Lockdown' examines the quiet spaces of an uprising

Ann Powers • Jun 19, 2020

In a new song and video, Anderson .Paak and video director Dave Meyers take a hushed look at the lives amidst the movement.

Prince's most powerful moments of protest

Prince's most powerful moments of protest

Sean McPherson • Jun 19, 2020

In the run-up to Juneteenth, the staff and listeners of Purple Current assembled a playlist of Prince's greatest protest songs - the music that amplifies Prince's Blackness and speaks directly to it.

Coffee Break: Freedom songs for Juneteenth

Coffee Break: Freedom songs for Juneteenth

Anna Weggel • Jun 19, 2020

In honor of Juneteenth, what freedom songs do you want to hear for today's 9:30 Coffee Break?

Professor Keith Mayes: celebrations like Juneteenth 'speak to what it means to be Black in the United States'

Professor Keith Mayes: celebrations like Juneteenth 'speak to what it means to be Black in the United States'

Jill Riley • Jun 19, 2020

Dr. Keith Mayes, a professor in the department of African American and African studies at the University of Minnesota, talks with Jill Riley about the history of Juneteenth, as well as the necessity for more extensive Black history to be present in the curriculum taught in K-12 classrooms. 'We need these parallel, separate histories,' Dr. Mayes says, 'but if we really told the true story of the United States, we wouldn't even need them.'

Friday Five: Ashley DuBose, Maria Isa, and more new Minnesota music videos

Friday Five: Ashley DuBose, Maria Isa, and more new Minnesota music videos

Maddie Schwappach • Jun 19, 2020

If you have a music video you want to be featured, send it my way at fridayfive [at] mpr.org! Ashley DuBose – “Love Tingz” The latest track from former Voice contestant Ashley Dubose is a summer-ready jam with percussion made for dancing. The video for “Love Tingz” features tender romance and dance sequences in tandem…

Join The Current for Pride Weekend

Join The Current for Pride Weekend

Jun 18, 2020

The Current celebrates Pride weekend, June 26 to 28. Check out a schedule of special programming, and to help us craft a great playlist for the celebration, tell us what Pride Anthems you'd like to hear.

Music News: Drive-in shows by Garth Brooks and others a bright spot amid uncertain future for live music

Music News: Drive-in shows by Garth Brooks and others a bright spot amid uncertain future for live music

Jay Gabler • Jun 18, 2020

As music venues continue to fight for their survival during the coronavirus pandemic, artists are getting creative. We talk to the company behind Garth Brooks's upcoming drive-in streaming show, look at what went wrong during the U.K. 'quarantine raves,' and consider the risk Live Nation is now asking artists to assume.

Phoebe Bridgers on her new album 'Punisher,' surprise released a day early

Phoebe Bridgers on her new album 'Punisher,' surprise released a day early

Rachel Martin, Taylor Haney and Cyrena Touros • Jun 18, 2020

The Los Angeles singer-songwriter talks about her second solo album, which includes guest appearances from peers like Conor Oberst, copying ideas from her heroes and the way lyrical specificity mimics poetry.

Coffee Break: A birthday party for Paul McCartney

Coffee Break: A birthday party for Paul McCartney

Jun 18, 2020

Sir James Paul McCartney was born today in 1942, making him 78 today. Let's throw him a birthday party this morning. What Paul McCartney songs do you want hear, spanning his career with the Beatles, the Wings and his solo work?

Ten of the many Black Minnesota artists you can support on Bandcamp this Juneteenth (and always)

Ten of the many Black Minnesota artists you can support on Bandcamp this Juneteenth (and always)

Staff • Jun 18, 2020

Juneteenth (June 19) commemorates Black freedom and is recognized as a “time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.” It is often celebrated with picnics, celebrations, guest speakers, and family gatherings. The origins of Juneteenth date back to June 19th, 1865, acknowledged as the day that the remaining African-American slaves in the Confederacy were…

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