Louder: How Arcade Fire Found a Way Back

Critic’s Pick

Bonnie Raitt Faces Mortality With Compassion and Hope

On her latest album, “Just Like That…,” the singer-songwriter brings new depth to songs of love and loss.

By Jon Pareles

The Playlist

Mavis Staples and Levon Helm’s Last Show, and 12 More New Songs

Hear tracks by Pusha T, Laura Veirs, Helado Negro and others.

By Jon Pareles, Isabelia Herrera, Giovanni Russonello and Lindsay Zoladz

Will Smith, Before the Slap

Plenty has been said about Oscars night. But what about the rapper-turned-actor’s remarkable journey up to that point?

Do You Skip Intro?

Wesley Morris and Hanif Abdurraqib consider what’s lost when you breeze past the TV theme song.

By Wesley Morris, Elyssa Dudley, Hans Buetow and Sasha Weiss

She Taught New York to Sing

“Throw the note over your shoulder!” Debbie Harry, Kathleen Hanna, Justin Vivian Bond and other singers recall Barbara Gustern, a beloved vocal coach who was killed last month at age 87.

By Alex Traub

Honoring Genesis P-Orridge’s Legacy of Love, Art and Gender Revolt

Genesse P-Orridge celebrates her father in an exhibition that may renew interest in the transgender artist, musician and spirit of eternal flux.

By Zachary Small

DJ Kay Slay, Fiery Radio Star and Rap Mixtape Innovator, Dies at 55

The onetime graffiti artist and New York D.J. for Hot 97 was known for breaking artists and stoking beefs that gave fuel to the careers of Nas, Jay-Z, 50 Cent and more.

By Joe Coscarelli

Art Rupe, Who Brought Rhythm and Blues to the Mainstream, Dies at 104

As the founder of the independent label Specialty Records, he helped set the table for the rock ’n’ roll era by signing performers like Little Richard.

By William Grimes

Paul Siebel, Singer Whose Career Was Notable but Brief, Dies at 84

He arrived on the Greenwich Village folk scene in the mid-1960s and drew comparisons to Dylan. But he left the music business not long after.

By Richard Sandomir

ASAP Rocky Arrested in Connection With Los Angeles Shooting

The rapper, 33, was detained in connection with a November 2021 incident upon returning from Barbados with his pregnant girlfriend, Rihanna.

By Joe Coscarelli

The Charts

Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen Return to the Top of the Album Chart

The country star’s “Dangerous: The Double Album” has had tremendous staying power, landing at No. 2 in its 66th week out.

By Ben Sisario

Jacqueline Avant’s Killer Is Sentenced to 190 Years in Prison

Aariel Maynor, 30, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other charges after he broke into Ms. Avant’s home in December and fatally shot the philanthropist in the back, the authorities said.

By Alyssa Lukpat

Fiction

Janelle Monáe’s Queer, Afrofuturist Literary Debut

“The Memory Librarian” translates the themes of her 2018 album, “Dirty Computer,” onto the page.

By Stephen Kearse

‘Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain’ Review: Influential Rappers, Still Smokin’

This documentary by Estevan Oriol chronicles the rise of a group that he has been around since its inception.

By Glenn Kenny

Kid Cudi Aspires to Guide the Kids

The musician and actor discusses inspiration, growth, vulnerability and the lessons he wants to impart to his fans.

By Jon Caramanica

During Sound Check, Caroline Polachek Visualizes Her Performance

For the singer-songwriter, the preshow ritual is a sacred moment to imagine her act in a given space.

By Jason Chen

Chika Has Never Lost Sight of Her Dream

Even when the rapper is taking a break from work, she has the urge to get up in the middle of the night and record in her home studio.

By Marley Marius

Saweetie Shares Her Meditation Practice

Away from the chaos of the music industry, the rapper visualizes a higher purpose with the aid of palo santo.

By Sandra E. Garcia

How Manuel Solano Found Joy by Playing Music

Picking up a guitar set the artist on a new path, and they now consider jam sessions to be deeply therapeutic.

By Coco Romack