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Kelefa Sanneh discusses his article 'How Music Criticism Lost Its Edge'

By Steve Inskeep

Published September 1, 2025 at 4:56 AM EDT

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Kelefa Sanneh, a music critic writing for The New Yorker, about his essay "How Music Criticism Lost Its Edge."

More Stories

A hometown hero wins the Air Guitar World Championships in Finland

Ayesha Rascoe

Aapo "The Angus" Rautio has won this year's Air Guitar World Championships in his hometown of Oulu, Finland. It's the first time since 2000 that a Finnish air guitarist has won the world title.
Queen's Classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' finds a new voice in Zulu

Kate Bartlett

It's one of the most famous rock songs ever — Bohemian Rhapsody — and now, for the first time, it's been translated with Queen's blessing into Zulu.
Roots of R&B: Record producer Jerry Wexler

Terry Gross

Wexler produced hits for Atlantic Records by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, and is credited with coining the term "rhythm and blues." He died in 2008. Originally broadcast in 1993.
Roots of Rock: Lyricist Jerry Leiber and composer Mike Stoller

Terry Gross

Leiber and Stoller met in LA when Leiber still was in high school. They went on to write and produce songs for artists like Elvis Presley, The Drifters and Ben E. King. Originally broadcast in 1991.
Roots of R&B: Singer Ben E. King

Terry Gross

Ben E. King was the lead singer of The Drifters, and later went solo with such hits as "Stand By Me" and "Spanish Harlem." He died 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.