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Some sprout from the cities and states they rep for; others are imports, held up in pride by a sister community. NPR's American Anthem series continues with a list of place-based bangers.

During a turbulent year rife with personal and political trauma, the most memorable songs pulled no punches in the pursuit of pop.

Topline writers like Sia shape the sound of pop most directly — and everyone from Rihanna to Halsey to Beyoncé has been impacted by the shape created by Sia's voice and songwriting.

Already a quiet influence on the hyperpop scene, fame, relationships, stimulants and screens collide in brakence's "realer-than-real" sound.

The saxophonist and composer resisted his Japanese American heritage for decades. He now funnels that painful and triumphant personal history into a string of vital records.

Myths about affirmative action being discriminatory against Asian Americans helped spread a narrative that college admissions meant to increase diversity were actually racist.

On the heels of her new, independent album, Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only, the artist speaks candidly about the mask that once gave her freedom and the fight for creative autonomy.

Protest requires people to take a stand and hold firm. Pop songs are designed to appeal across demographic lines. In music, as in the rest of the world, resistance takes place closer to the ground.

On jagged new albums and festival stages, rising pop artists are learning there may be no escape from the influencer economy.

For years, Julieta Venegas sprinkled traditional elements of northern Mexican music throughout her records. Her new album, Norteña, places the singer-songwriter's folkloric sensibilities front and center.