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Lupe Fiasco is a Chicago-based rapper who made his mainstream debut on the most recent CD by Kanye West, who is also from Chicago. Now Fiasco is further cementing the Windy City's reputation as a breeding ground for innovative hip-hop, with a new CD, Food and Liquor.

In terms of pop hits, the shadow of 2013 fell over most of 2014. But for NPR Music's Stephen Thompson, there were plenty of winners this year as well.

The co-host of All Songs Considered shares his ten favorite records of 2015.

New York Times Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd step down in the wake of a scandal involving former reporter Jayson Blair. Raines and Boyd faced intense criticism after Blair was accused of various ethical transgressions during his four years at The Times. Hear Jack Schaffer of Slate magazine.

Downloading popular songs to use as personal cell phone ring tones has turned into a $3 billion global industry. A growing revenue stream for songwriters and publishers, ring tones are now outselling digital downloads of music. NPR's Michele Norris talks to Geoff Mayfield, the director of charts for Billboard Magazine, which has just launched a "Hot Ringtones" chart.

Presidential candidates are weighing in on how to address the subprime mortgage crisis. Hillary Clinton is calling for a freeze on adjustable mortgage rates. Barack Obama wants to eliminate predatory lending. And Mitt Romney wants the FHA to help more homeowners. But that's just one of the economic issues addressed by the candidates.

The teams the experts most expected to advance survive three rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. It's rare for four No. 1 seeds to be alive so deep into the tournament. But Florida, Kansas, Ohio State and North Carolina play on.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has reinstated Pakistan's top judge, ruling that his suspension by Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the nation's president and military ruler, was "illegal." Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry's March suspension sparked protests by lawyers and opposition parties.

Brig. Gen. Mark Martins says he hopes the decision will drain some of the politics out of the position.

All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen shares the albums and songs that stood out even if some were more peaceful than explosive.