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In its 30-year history, the Los Angeles record label Stones Throw has released generational classics by J Dilla, MF DOOM and Madlib, and launched newer stars including Sudan Archives, Knxwledge and Anderson .Paak.

Photos by B+, Eric Coleman, Yanran Xiong, Jeremy Weiss and Israel Ramos / Illustration by Jackie Lay

NPR / Courtesy of Stones Throw

Music

To Madvillainy and beyond: How Stones Throw Records created a galaxy of taste

Sheldon Pearce

From generational classics like J Dilla's Donuts to the star turns of Sudan Archives and Anderson .Paak, one small LA label has made history for 30 years — without losing its roots.

Ray Brown (left) and Christian McBride (right) in 1993

Courtesy of Christian McBride

Music

Two Bass Hit: Ray Brown at 100 with Christian McBride and John Clayton

Sarah Geledi, Simon Rentner

"We're in a glorious age of distraction," says Grian Chatten, the lead singer of the Irish band Fontaines D.C. "I just want to make people really feel things about the world that they live in. Because it's such a terrifying world at the moment."

Elizaveta Porodina

Music

Fontaines D.C.'s decadent, dystopian vision of our time

Ann Powers

NPR Tiny Desk Concerts

Los Texmaniacs perform a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C. on Friday August 28th, 2026.

Los Texmaniacs: Tiny Desk Concert

Los Texmaniacs' accordion-driven music is a living history lesson, which just so happens to be perfect for twirling on the dance floor.

Mac Ayres performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C. on Monday, June 22nd, 2026.

Mac Ayres: Tiny Desk Concert

It's so easy to fall in love with the music of Mac Ayres. This set, backed by a stunning band, is profoundly satisfying, tastefully arranged and always in the pocket.