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Recent stories from The Current
June 20, 2020

A custom guitar played by Prince at the height of his stardom in the 1980s and 1990s has sold for a staggering $563,500 at auction.

Custom guitar from Prince's 1980s prime sells for $563,500

Custom guitar from Prince's 1980s prime sells for $563,500

The Associated Press • Jun 20, 2020

A custom guitar played by Prince at the height of his stardom in the 1980s and 1990s has sold for a staggering $563,500 at auction.

Beyonce releases new song 'Black Parade' in the final hours of Juneteenth

Beyonce releases new song 'Black Parade' in the final hours of Juneteenth

Kiana Fitzgerald • Jun 20, 2020

'Black Parade,' a call to action and a salve for a wounded nation, is the latest example of Beyonce using her pop domination to put Black pride front and center.

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.

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