GRUNGECAKE

Tag: NPR

  • Nigeria’s Asake brings Afro-Fusion brilliance to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series: Watch

    The Nigerian star delivers a soulful, high-energy set that showcases his blend of Afrobeats, Fuji, and Amapiano in an intimate performance.

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    Nigerian artist Asake delivered a spirited and soulful performance for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, blending infectious rhythms with heartfelt vocals in an intimate studio setting. The performance, released today, showcased the singer’s signature mix of Afrobeats, Fuji, and Amapiano, reaffirming his place as one of the genre’s most innovative voices.

    Supported by a full live band—including talking drums, percussion, keyboards, and backup singers—Asake opened with ‘Sunshine’, immediately setting a vibrant yet reflective tone. His setlist also included fan favorites like ‘Lonely at the Top’, ‘Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)’, and ‘Remember’, each reimagined with live instrumentation that highlighted the warmth and depth of his sound.

    Throughout the twenty-minute session, Asake balanced energy and emotion, gliding effortlessly between Yoruba, Pidgin, and English lyrics. The performance gave listeners a glimpse into his artistry beyond studio production, revealing a more vulnerable, spiritual side of the star known for high-tempo hits and crowd-thrilling stage shows.

    Asake joins fellow Nigerian artists like Burna Boy and Tems, who have appeared on Tiny Desk, signalling the growing influence of Afrobeats on global platforms. The performance not only celebrated Asake’s rise but also highlighted the continued worldwide appreciation for contemporary African music.

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    With his Tiny Desk Concert, Asake proved that even in a stripped-down space, his sound remains larger than life—radiating rhythm, soul, and unmistakable joy.

  • NPR sues Trump over executive order, cutting public media funding

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    National Public Radio (NPR), alongside three Colorado-based member stations, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Executive Order 14290—“Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media”—issued on May 1, 2025. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and federal agencies to cease all funding for NPR and its television counterpart PBS.

    Key Legal Claims and Stakes

    The lawsuit contends that the order violates both the First Amendment and the separation of powers, asserting that the president lacks authority to withdraw funding that Congress has already appropriated. NPR argues that the move is clearly retaliatory, based on perceived “liberal bias”, and punishes the news organization for its editorial content.

    The filing quotes President Trump’s April Truth Social post labeling NPR and PBS “Radical Left ‘Monsters”, asserting this demonstrates the order’s political motivation.

    From a financial standpoint, NPR itself receives only about 1 % of its budget from CPB, while local stations rely on that funding for 8–19 % of their operations. A funding cut would endanger journalism infrastructure, emergency alerts, and community programming, the lawsuit notes.

    Broader Context and Response

    This litigation follows earlier legal opposition from CPB over board removals, and mirrors PBS’s separate lawsuit filed days later.

    Media watchdogs like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press argue the order “strikes at the heart of free speech”, reinforcing that only Congress, not the president, holds the power of the purse.

    A DC federal judge is expected to review NPR’s motion for summary judgment, potentially setting a landmark precedent on executive authority versus media independence. This lawsuit spotlights a pivotal clash over public media funding, journalistic freedom, and constitutional checks and balances, with implications extending well beyond NPR’s network.