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Conversations
Rock ’n’ Roller: Ty Segall in Conversation
The singer, songwriter and musician on his recent surprise album, ‘Harmonizer,’ softening his breakneck release schedule, and the stack of used LPs that changed his life. By David Fricke.
Life Force: Esperanza Spalding in Conversation
With her new compositions and Songwrights Apothecary Lab, the artist explores music’s potential to restore us — and invites listeners to consider how that process works.
“A revolution weapon”: The Legend of Lee “Scratch” Perry
TIDAL’s reggae and dancehall curator recalls the wisdom and whimsy of the Upsetter.
Essays
The Chic Effect
Was the production house that Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards built the most influential of the past 40 years?
Blood Sugar Sex Breakthrough: Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Masterpiece @ 30
How L.A.’s sex-crazed punk-funksters recast themselves as one of rock’s best and biggest acts.
Finding Brian: On the Beach Boys’ ‘Surf’s Up’
Now 50 years old, this fascinating entry in the Beach Boys’ catalog makes space for Brian Wilson’s genius while also seeing the other members step up.
The World of: A Tribe Called Quest’s ‘The Low End Theory’
Go inside the production and era of the hip-hop landmark with this storytelling playlist.
Discover
TIDAL Primer: Guaracha
On the heels of Farruko’s megahit “Pepas,” Guaracha is taking center stage in the Latin space. Get to know the Colombian electronic subgenre beyond the blaring horns.
Murda She Wrote: August 2021
The month’s best reggae and dancehall, featuring Vybz Kartel (pictured), Spice, Yendry, Damian Marley and Shenseea.
TIDAL Primer: 2020s Pop-Punk Revival
The peppy, hooky, mall-friendly sound of the ’90s and early aughts is officially a thing again. Here are 10 releases that define the resurgence.
The World of: Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’
Celebrate an essential rock album with this evocative narrative playlist.
Features
Kanye’s ‘Donda’ and the Art of Album Delay
A survey of highly anticipated LPs that arrived very, very late or not at all.
A Great Gentleman: Remembering Charlie Watts
Veteran drummer Steve Smith, acclaimed for his years in Journey and for his jazz work, pays tribute to his hero Charlie Watts, the legendary Rolling Stones anchor who died on Aug. 24.
“Very, very, very psychedelic”: The Legacy of Roky Erickson
Billy F Gibbons, Charlie Sexton and more pay tribute to Texas’ eccentric saint of rock ’n’ roll.
Culture
‘Cypress Hill’: Hardcore Latin Hip-Hop Begins
TIDAL’s head of Latinx programming reflects on the life-changing influence of a fearless rap triumph.
“Necessary, poignant, timeless”: Ne-Yo on Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’
The current soul luminary defines the influence of the greatest LP in all of popular music, released 50 years ago this month.
Spotlight on R&B Heroes
A Truth of Self: The Story of the Dynamic Superiors
How Motown’s unsung vocal aces opened new pathways to the last four decades of R&B, dance music, pop and queer identity.
The Art of Open Space: George Porter Jr. in Conversation
The Meters’ bassist and NOLA-music giant on innovating a globally renowned groove, navigating the rough-and-tumble music biz, recording his new album during the pandemic and more.
Soul Survivor: The Bar-Kays’ James Alexander in Conversation
The Bar-Kays’ lone founding member reflects on his half-century-plus in R&B — and details a tragedy that changed the course of American music.
Women's Stories & Sounds
Raunchy Reinas: Tokischa, Gailen La Moyeta, Tomasa del Real and More
The women serving up sex-positivity in Latin music, and the bold, sultry forebears behind their ascent.
Billie Holiday and the Cult of Jazz Machismo
How Lady Day was the first woman allowed to be a jazz musician.
A Life at the Opera
Alicia Hall Moran’s subjective history of Black excellence in classical music’s most profound storytelling tradition.
