Arts·Episode

Commotion: If an artist isn't on Spotify, did they even make a sound?

Today on Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud: writers Maura Johnston and Ian Steaman, graphic designer Aubrey Powell

Today on Commotion: Maura Johnston and Ian Steaman, Aubrey Powell

Rap trio De La Soul, Pink Floyd's album Dark Side of the Moon and its cover art designer Aubrey Powell
Rap trio De La Soul, Pink Floyd's album Dark Side of the Moon and its cover art designer Aubrey Powell (Getty Images, Pink Floyd, Aubrey Powell)

Today on Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud:

  •  After years of legal limbo, the groundbreaking music of influential rap trio De La Soul will finally be available on streaming services this week. Maura Johnston and Ian Steaman dig into what took so long, and how an absence from streaming platforms can affect an artist's legacy. If an artist isn't on Spotify in 2023, do they still exist?

  • Pink Floyd's album Dark Side of the Moon turns 50 this week. As essential as those songs are to rock'n'roll history, the album cover is equally iconic. Aubrey Powell and the late Storm Thorgerson were responsible for that album art, and Aubrey stops by to tell us the story of how they made Dark Side of the Moon.

You can also find today's episode on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.