The North Carolina MC — German-born, emotionally forthright and a magna cum laude college graduate — says integrity and individuality are essential to the future of hip-hop.

The singer-songwriter's acclaim extends beyond his reputation as one of Ireland's most loved artists. He's renowned worldwide as one of folk music's greats.

SMiLE may be the most famous unreleased album of all time, but it's not really unreleased: Bits and pieces of it wound up on other Beach Boys albums. Now that EMI has assembled a definitive collection of the session tracks, Ed Ward has listened to them — and wonders what the shouting was about.

The prolific anti-folk singer-songwriter — who's also a comic-book artist — is a likable supernerd.

Jeffrey Lewis is a quirky songwriter and also a renowned comic-book artist. His new album A Turn in the Dream-Songs showcases both of those talents.

Hear an interview with the legendary producer, who reflects on some of the famous albums he's helped make, including Raising Sand and the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.