Stevie Ray Vaughan: Playing as If His Life Depended on It

Peter Richardson / Truthdig Aug 23, 2019 How did the guitarist become the unique artist he was? A new book answers that question with uncommon clarity and authority. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Rap Artists and Women Take Center Stage at Grammys

DAVID BAUDER / The Associated Press Feb 11, 2019 Some rap artists feel the Grammys have been slow to recognize how the genre now dominates popular music. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Clinton, Cabello, Monae Provide Grammys’ Political Moments

DAVID BAUDER / The Associated Press Jan 29, 2018 One-time Grammy winner Hillary Clinton makes it back to the awards show in a skit about a recording of Michael Wolff's best-selling book, "Fire and Fury." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

ICYMI: Pharrell’s ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Grammy Performance

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Feb 10, 2015 Credit singer Pharrell Williams for transforming his exhausted, saccharine hit into a Grammy protest against police officers' killing of black men. Because he's happy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Jennifer Hudson: Faith, Tragedy and New Music

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Jul 30, 2014 Jennifer Hudson is preparing to release a new album, “JHUD,” in September -- her third studio album and her first since the conclusion of the lengthy trial of the man who killed three of her closest family members -- and her faith, in the wake of tragedy, is stronger than ever. Jennifer Hudson is preparing to release a new album, “JHUD,” in September—her third studio album and her first since the conclusion of the lengthy trial of the man who killed three of her closest family members. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Macklemore Fights Homophobia With ‘Same Love’ at Grammys

Staff / Truthdig Jan 28, 2014 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert and Madonna together performed the anti-homophobic bigotry song "Same Love" live at the Grammys on Sunday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Introducing the YouTube Symphony

Staff / Truthdig Apr 16, 2009 Thanks to the magic of the Internet, we can do all sorts of things we couldn't before, like post countless reaction videos to others' reaction videos on YouTube! However, some enterprising and musically inclined types found a more productive use of the medium and took their act all the way to Carnegie Hall. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Spector Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

Staff / Truthdig Apr 14, 2009 It's been a long, drawn-out process involving a series of completely inscrutable hairstyle choices, but legendary music producer Phil Spector was convicted of second-degree murder on Monday for the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Grammy Tops Off Obama’s Winning Weekend

Staff / Truthdig Feb 11, 2008 Maine caucus-goers and Grammy voters gave Barack Obama two more wins on Sunday, rounding out a weekend of victories in four states with the Grammy trophy for best spoken word album for his recording of "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream." Here's the kicker: Obama beat out former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter for the Grammy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Dixie Chicks Honored by ACLU

Staff / Truthdig Feb 13, 2007 The Dixie Chicks were honored in December by the ACLU for defending liberty and the right to free speech in the face of overwhelming pressure. Lead vocalist Natalie Maines said she's proud to be a card-carrying member and "It hasn't taken courage to stand strong, just a first-grade education." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Dixie Chicks Enjoy Grammy Revenge

Staff / Truthdig Feb 12, 2007 The Dixie Chicks, who became country music pariahs after the band's lead singer criticized President Bush in 2003, swept the Grammys on Sunday, winning every award the band was nominated for -- five in all -- plus a standing ovation. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )