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NPR's Mandalit del Barco delves into the history of "Rapper's Delight" — and the ongoing controversy over the song. The hip-hop tune, propelled by a funky Chic bass groove, was first heard on the radio a quarter-century ago and became an instant classic.

Taipei 101, the world's tallest building, will be officially inaugurated in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 31. Designing the 1,666-foot skyscraper in the earthquake- and typhoon-prone region presented engineers with quite a challenge. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and structural engineering consultant Dennis Poon.

Students in the United States trail many of their peers in Europe and Asia in math and science scores, according to the newly released results of an international standardized test.

President Bush says Social Security is in "crisis," but polls show a majority of seniors think the system needs only minor fixes. Retirees in Arizona and Pennsylvania weigh in on the issue.

In his new book, You Call it Madness, musician and writer Lenny Kaye brings back the forgotten voice of Russ Columbo, one of the great crooners of the 1930s.

President Bush taps Alberto Gonzales to succeed John Ashcroft as attorney general, calling the man who currently serves as White House counsel "a calm and steady voice in times of crisis."

The '90s saw Cole rise from a supporting player on a Peter Gabriel tour to a pop sensation. But after an eight-year recording hiatus, she finds herself on the rise again, thanks to a new album (Courage) and tour. Hear an interview and in-studio performance.

The son of folk-singing parents Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Wainwright has been writing and performing his own music throughout most of his life. His ambitious new disc is titled Release the Stars.

Los Lobos' music is hard to classify: Its members play raucous rock 'n' roll, but they often incorporate elegant melodic ballads into the mix. Sometimes they play blues or rockabilly or folk, but each song incorporates at least a touch of their Mexican-American heritage.

Bruce Hornsby performs songs that span a 20-year career, in a live appearance at NPR. The Grammy Award-winning songwriter also talks about his collaborations with artists of almost every musical genre.