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Genius in short Sex-obsessed pop polymath? Jehovah's Witness? One thing is certain, the artist known as Prince is back to his dazzling best. Catching up with the superstar in New York and at his home in Los Angeles, Barney Hoskyns unravels a continuing enigma. |
Riot of their own
When Paris's suburbs burned late last year, it was rap that found itself in the politicians' firing line. Jason Burke searches for the truth about French hip hop.
Flash forward
Former boy band pin-up Matt Willis landed in rehab after Busted split but, says Sarah Boden, the closet Van Halen fan could storm the charts as a solo star.
Can't play? So what!
On 21 February 1976 the Sex Pistols were announced to the world in their first-ever review, written by Neil Spencer. He recalls that fateful evening and how the group's infamy spread like a virus.
The awkward squad
John Lydon tells Campbell Stevenson why modern music is pizza, why punk mattered - and bollocks to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.
The ten classic instrumentals
They're so good that words fail us. Well, everyone except Graeme Thomson.
Hot tunes
Essential listening for the month ahead including a revamp for Radiohead.
Reissue of the month
By the end of 1970, the jazz great was deep into uncharted musical waters. And this live set is well worth fathoming out, writes Stuart Nicholson.
What I really really want
I want the perfect girl band: the Slits meet the Spice Girls, says Paul Morley.
Regulars
Sounding off
Do we really need to know every little thing about our stars? A little bit of mystique goes a long way, says Miranda Sawyer.
Soundtrack of my life: Shakira
The Colombian superstar reveals five records that have been central to her life, and confesses to Will Hodgkinson that she's a sucker for a man with an English accent.
Flashback: February 1968
The Beatles (and friends) visit India to learn transcendental meditation.
A postcard from ...
... Bamako
Barometer
Uppers and downers
OMM readers recommend: 10 unlikely love songs
10 unlikely love songs
Recommended
This month's best buys.
The blog
OMM's month of awards and tours in excerpts from the Observer blog.
Your call
Can music change society?
