Sidney Madden
Sidney Madden is a reporter and editor for NPR Music. As someone who always gravitated towards the artforms of music, prose and dance to communicate, Madden entered the world of music journalism as a means to authentically marry her passions and platform marginalized voices who do the same.
Originally from Boston, Madden graduated from Hofstra University in New York with a bachelor's degree in journalism and sociology. As a freelancer, she earned bylines at MTV, People's Choice, Nylon Magazine and more before joining the editorial team at storied hip-hop pillar XXL Magazine.
During her time at XXL, both as an editorial assistant and assistant editor, Madden pitched, wrote and edited news posts and features for the outlet and interviewed artists ranging from all eras and facets of rap — from Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent to Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B and Lil Uzi Vert. In addition to working on cultural touchstones like the magazine's annual Freshman Class covers, in 2016, Madden assisted in reporting out one of the magazine's seminal investigative packages, The Current Status of Every Murdered Rapper's Case, which revealed the high percentage of unsolved murders involving rappers over the last 30 years.
Madden joined the NPR Music team in 2017, serving as editorial lead for digitizing and editing music stories that air on NPR's premiere news magazine programs, Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. In 2018, she began producing Tiny Desk Concerts with a special focus on bringing burgeoning, left-of-center artists from the worlds of R&B and hip-hop to the desk. To date, her Tiny Desk Concert productions include Jorja Smith, Megan Thee Stallion, DVSN and Snoh Aalegra. She's also created reports for on-air and digital that contextualize hip-hop culture within society's larger strata — whether it's unpacking the genius marketing of Cardi B, Tyler, The Creator's subversive heartbreak or the socioeconomics that fuel Solange's downhome Afrofuturism.
In September 2020, after two years of research, reporting and development, Madden became the co-host of Louder Than A Riot, NPR Music's first narrative investigative podcast that traces the interconnected rise of hip-hop and mass incarceration.
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From Empress Of to Poundside Pop, this week's Heat Check selects reflect a brain refreshed. -
Tyler, The Creator's alter ego spirals into a clothes-throwing, lawn-sprinting, bubble-bath-soaking mess — you know, as you do during a breakup.
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Like most things in our century, nostalgia has caught up with us at a bewildering rate. This week's additions to the Heat Check playlist take you back while they push you forward. -
This week's motivating playlist additions from all across the culture map — from hip-hop to pop to Jersey club — carry the essence of the hustle. Playtime is over. -
Our list of the best albums out this week includes The Highwomen's self-titled release, R&B singer Mahalia's remarkable Love and Compromise, new Frankie Cosmos, MUNA, Lower Dens and more. -
In their latest video, the New Orleans-based band roams the streets of Paris, trying to remember what, exactly, they're supposed to be doing.
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This week on Heat Check, hear the hottest, grimiest, funkiest new artists recommended by friends with bomb music taste. -
This week's Heat Check playlist selects will compel your ear to stay agile and might even inspire you to do some obscure sample-digging. -
The Virginia game-changer and Grammy winner drops a five-song EP ahead of being honored at the MTV Video Music Awards. -
This week's Heat Check playlist is dedicated to that warm, willowy sweet spot of summer denial. Stream new tracks by Jorja Smith, Brockhampton and Bakar.
