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Blur’s Alex James on possibility of new music: “I never know what’s going to happen”

Blur bassist Alex James has commented on the possibility of new music from the Britpop pioneers. James was speaking to Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music earlier today (November 14) alongside drummer Dave Rowntree, following the news that the band will reunite for a one-off headline show at Wembley Stadium next year. Lamacq said to them: “I can’t imagine that you won’t write or record something because I just can’t imagine you in a room with Damon Albarn and not coming up with something new because he just can’t let it go. He has to write, doesn’t he?” “I literally never know what’s going to happen next with Damon,” James replied. “It might be the last show, it might [lead to] a new album. It’s part of the fun of it, I literally never know what’s going to happen.” Advertisement “It’s part of the terror of being in Blur,” added Rowntree. The pair also talked in more detail about the upcoming Wembley gig. “We’ve been trying to get something happening for some time, but we were thwarted by Covid as much as anything else, the hangover from Covid, because all the venues have been booked up for God knows how long,”… Read More →

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Primal Scream, Grace Jones, The Kooks, Human League and more for Camp Bestival 2023 twin sites line-up

Organisers of Camp Bestival have announced the headliners for the 15th anniversary of the festival, which is again being held at two sites. Grace Jones, Craig David and The Kooks will top the bill at the festival’s Dorset site at Lulworth Castle from July 27-30, 2023, while Primal Scream, Rudimental and The Human League will headline the Shropshire event in Weston Park from August 17-20, 2023. Also playing Camp Bestival Dorset event are: Confidence Man, Melanie C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sam Ryder, Ella Henderson, East 17, The Cuban Brothers, David Rodigan, Goldie Lookin Chain, Hot Dub Time Machine, Roni Size, Stereo MC’s, Elvana – Elvis Fronted Nirvana, The Bootleg Beatles, and more. Advertisement Meanwhile, Confidence Man, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Melanie C, Groove Armada, Napalm Death, and more are set to play Camp Bestival Shropshire event three weeks later. Tickets go on general sale here this Thursday (November 17) at 10am GMT. There is a Barclaycard 48-hour presale that opens tomorrow (November 15) at 9am GMT. Speaking about Camp Bestival Dorset’s line-up, Camp Bestival curators Josie and Rob da Bank said: “Who says November is dull and boring?! Just look at what we’ve got for you happy campers – something for everyone from… Read More →

Video

<strong>MSB Boog Releases A High-Octane Music Video For Recent Single “Rockstar”</strong>

MSB Boog (Money Stackin Bozz) gathers the entire neighborhood in a dynamic and arresting new music video for “Rockstar.” The Pensacola-based rapper has had a fruitful year so far with successful releases like “Run It Up,” which comes off the EP Life In The Trenchez. “Rockstar” follows the six-track record that includes songs like “My Time,” “Woah,” “In The Field,” “I’m Back,” and “Black Mask.” The powerful rap song is inspired by MSB Boog’s true life story and perfectly depicts his transition from a hustler to a rockstar. The clip brings the mean streets energy onto the screen, giving the audience a taste of the neighborhood that MSB Boog came from. “Rockstar” is the perfect embodiment of the artist’s journey, “Blockstar came from the block now rockstar/ Use to be in the back of cop car/ Now five star eating lobster/ Fucking bad bitches no cuffing her/ Everything exclusive no regular/ Playing with the game we gone bury ya/ Quit with the dissing it get terrible yea yea.” Thanks to his spunk and focus, MSB Boog was able to conquer his inner demons and reshape his life. The Hip Hop artist also signed with EQ/RocNation, promising to share more bangers… Read More →

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<strong>Duse Beatz Achieves Another Milestone With Recent LP ‘</strong><strong><em>Westside Connected Vol. 1’ </em></strong>

Pioneering Traffic Rap artist, Duse Beatz , continues to make waves with his latest LP Westside Connected Vol. 1. Following the release of the new record, the multi-talented producer has received great acclaim and recognition from fellow musicians, especially upcoming artists who have been reaching out to him to get beats. Westside Connected Vol. 1 is Duse Beatz’ seventh studio album, following Makin Bangers Instrumental (Volumes 1, 2, & 3). The LP includes 9 tracks among which are, “OTM Said,” “Affiliates,” “Handkerchief,” “Light Show,” “No Cap,” “Get It Poppin,” “Clear Water,” “High Enough,” and “A Message From Bubba Dub.” In a recent interview, Duse Beatz revealed that he has unreleased tracks with the late Drakeo The Ruler; his mentor and friend and Fenin Flex, both whom have collaborated on Westside Connected Vol. 1, in addition to YeloHill, Tru Carr, Ralfy The Plug, Bravo The Bagchaser, and many more. Now that Westside Connected Vol. 1 is scoring all the right numbers, Duse Beatz is looking forward to releasing more material in the future. The Nevada rapper is currently working on beat tapes with a couple of new producers. Listen to Westside Connected Vol. 1 here:

News

Hawkwind co-founder and saxophonist Nik Turner has died aged 82

Hawkwind co-founder and saxophonist Nik Turner has died aged 82. In a post on his Facebook page, a spokesperson for the musician revealed that he died peacefully at home on Thursday evening (November 10). We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nik Turner – The Mighty Thunder Rider, who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening,” the post read. “He has moved onto the next phase of his Cosmic Journey, guided by the love of his family, friends and fans. Watch this space for his arrangements.” We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nik Turner – The Mighty Thunder Rider, who passed away peacefully at… Posted by Nik Turner on Friday, November 11, 2022 Turner founded Hawkwind alongside Dave Brock, Mick Slattery, John Harrison and Terry Ollis, initially performing roadie duties with the band before officially joining as a full-time member in 1969. He performed with the space rock pioneers until 1976, including a period with a pre-Motörhead Lemmy also in the band, before being kicked out. He then returned in 1982 for a two-year stint before leaving once again. In the wake of Turner’s death, tributes have been pouring in online, with Motörhead’s official Twitter… Read More →

News

Anita Baker announces first tour for nearly 30 years

Anita Baker has announced she will be touring in 2023 for the first time in almost three decades. The tour will take in fifteen arenas across North America, kicking off in Hollywood, Florida, in February, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of her debut album ‘The Songstress’. “Looking forward to some crazy, lovely, hang time with my fans,” rejoiced the eight-time Grammy winning singer songwriter in a press release. “Gonna bring some new music & special guests, too.” Advertisement Tickets will go on sale on November 17. You can buy your tickets here. 2023 Coming Straight to YOU? This time…With *My Own* catalog? sO Grateful??*MiraclesOfMusic*ABXO??Special Guest, too? pic.twitter.com/Rj1fzJrE5I — Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) November 10, 2022 Baker will be making the following stops on her 2023 tour: FEBRUARY Saturday 11 – Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock Live Tuesday 14 – Atlanta, GA, State Farm Arena Friday 17 – New Orleans, LA, Smoothie King Center MAY Wednesday 10 – Newark, NJ, Prudential Center Friday 12 – Long Island, NY, UBS Arena Sunday 14 – Baltimore, MD, CFG Bank Arena JUNE Friday 30 – Chicago, IL, United Center Advertisement JULY Sunday 2 – Detroit, MI, Pine Knob Music Theatre NOVEMBER Saturday 18 – Greensboro, NC… Read More →

News

Mahalia debuts tender new track ‘Bag Of You’

Mahalia has returned with a brand new single, titled ‘Bag Of You’. The song, produced by JD Reid and Max Pope, is the Leicester singer-songwriter’s first release since her EP, ‘Letter To Ur Ex’, which was released earlier this year. READ MORE: Mahalia on her “epic” Brixton show and reflective new material “This song is one of my favourites so far. ‘Bag Of You’ is all about that sweet spot in a relationship when everything is just lovely, where the idea of being without that person – even just for a second – is too much to bear,” Mahalia said. “I love everything about this record. It’s definitely the start of what’s to come next year.” Advertisement The track is expected to feature alongside the title track from ‘Letter To Ur Ex’ on the as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2019’s ‘Love and Compromise’. You can watch the track’s accompanying visuals below: Earlier this week, Mahalia performed at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London as part of this year’s ceremony for the Music Industry Trusts Award, which was awarded posthumously to the late Jamal Edwards. Little Simz, Jorja Smith and Max Cyrus also performed. “The first time I met Jamal, I was 12 in… Read More →

News

Watch ZZ Top perform with ridiculous 17-string bass

ZZ Top performed with a ridiculous 17-string bass last week (November 5) during their performance in Huntsville, Alabama. Check out footage of the moment below. Elwood Francis’ behemoth bass is likely custom-made, although it is marked Fender on the headstock. Francis was formerly a stage tech for the band, before joining them last year following the death of ZZ Top bassist, Dusty Hill. “I was doing night internet searching [and] turned up a picture of this crazy 17-string bass,” Francis told UCR yesterday (November 10). “I sent a picture to [ZZ Top guitarist-vocalist] Billy [Gibbons] and we laughed about it and made some jokes about actually trying to use it.” Advertisement He added, “A few weeks later, after I had forgotten about it, Billy shows up with [the 17-string bass].” The bassist went on to describe performing with the bass as “one of those ‘hold my beer’ moments.” ZZ Top, meanwhile, have continued to perform despite the passing of Hill last year. They released a live album titled ‘Raw’ in July, which was supported by a North American tour from May through August. The Sam Dunn-directed film sees ZZ Top’s original line-up – guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and late bassist Dusty… Read More →

News

Confidence Man almost missed collab with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker due to unread Instagram DM

Confidence Man have revealed how their lastest collaboration with Tame Impala came about. READ MORE: Confidence Man: “Our live shows? It’s all the fun without any faff” Tame Impala’s frontman Kevin Parker remixed the Brisbane quartet’s track ‘Holiday’ for their recent EP ‘RE-TILT‘, which features remixes of some of their songs from their latest album, ‘TILT’. Speaking to NME for the latest Big Read, the band said he’d approached them asking to collaborate on Instagram. However, the duo only heard he had messaged them on the grapevine and didn’t fully believe it until they checked the hidden requests section of their Instagram inbox. Advertisement “It had been two months and we still hadn’t replied to him,” said co-frontwoman Janet Planet. Fortunately, it didn’t get in the way of them working together. “We’re old fans being Aussies, coming from that Tame Impala heritage,” added co-frontman Sugar Bones. “It was just weird, we were like, ‘Are you serious, Kev?’” Confidence Man on the cover of NME Elsewhere in the feature, the pair discussed their experience performing at this year’s edition of Glastonbury and how they were able to win over festivalgoers who weren’t so familiar with them. “You can see a crowd… Read More →

News

MOBOs 2022: Nova Twins, Little Simz and FKA twigs among nominees

Nova Twins, Little Simz and FKA twigs are among the nominees for this year’s MOBO Awards – check out the full list below. The annual ceremony, which celebrates music of Black origin, is due to host its 25th anniversary edition at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on Wednesday, November 30. Tickets are available here. READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Nova Twins: “The massive surge of POC pop-punk and rock is an act of rebellion” As announced this morning (November 11), Nova Twins are in the running for the Best Alternative Music Act statue along with Skunk Anansie, Big Joanie, Bob Vylan, Kid Bookie and Loathe. Advertisement That category is new for 2022, as is Best Electronic/Dance Act. The latter list features FKA twigs, Jax Jones, Nia Archives and more. In a statement, Nova Twins wrote: “What a moment this is, it’s a massive win for the alt community. To think back to two years ago, when we wrote our open letter to now, being here celebrating this new category alongside all the amazing artists who help push the genre forward, as well Kanya [King, MOBOs founder] and the MOBOs team.” The duo continued: “Working alongside Kanya, we have… Read More →

News

Paul McCartney discusses crate-digging in Jamaica and discovering reggae

Paul McCartney has discussed crate-digging in Jamaica and discovering reggae in an extract from his new book. As revealed yesterday (November 10), the Beatle will release a new vinyl boxset called ‘The 7″ Singles’ on December 2. Limited to 3000 copies, the product comprises 80 career-spanning 7″ singles personally curated by McCartney. READ MORE: Paul McCartney live at Glastonbury 2022: history-making rock’n’Grohl with The Boss ‘The 7″ Singles’ features 163 tracks overall, totalling 10 hours of music from Macca’s half-century as a solo artist. Additionally, each box contains a randomly selected exclusive test pressing of one of the singles. Advertisement Fans will also get a 148-page book with a personal foreword by McCartney, essay by music journalist Rob Sheffield, extensive chart information, liner notes, and official artwork, per a press release. Following the box set’s announcement, an extract of the book’s foreword has been published by Rolling Stone, in which McCartney remembers discovering reggae while in Jamaica, and how he still loves discovering new music via record shops and buying vinyl. Paul McCartney. CREDIT: Mary McCartney “I’ve always found there’s something exciting about flicking through the crates in a record shop, looking for that next discovery,” Macca wrote. “I still love… Read More →

News

Watch Gen Z react to Slipknot: “Is this The Purge?”

A new video on the REACT YouTube channel features members of Gen Z reacting to a number of Slipknot music videos – watch below. READ MORE: The Big Read – Slipknot: “Nobody created us except us – we have always drawn our own map” Gen Z, which generally includes people born from 1997 through to 2012, would have been born after Slipknot formed in 1995, which makes the band similar in age to the oldest members of Gen Z. In the REACT video, the participants are shown videos like ‘Wait And Bleed’ from the band’s self-titled 1999 album and ‘The Dying Song (Time to Sing)’ from their latest effort, ‘The End So Far’. Advertisement “Their masks freak me out way too much,” one Gen Z-er says in the video, followed by another that asks “Oh, is this The Purge?” referencing the 2013 film. Elsewhere, comments include: “I’m OK with metal, but heavy metal is like a bit much for me!” and “Not my cup of tea but it seems so lit! I’m not gonna lie, everybody here seems to be having a good time”. In response to the video for ‘Left Behind’, the same teen notes: “If I was eight years-old… Read More →

News

KARA to reunite on stage for first time in seven years at the 2022 MAMA Awards

The 2022 MAMA Awards have announced that veteran girl group KARA will be reuniting on stage for the first time in over seven years for a performance during the ceremony. READ MORE: N.Flying on their comeback ‘Dearest’ and their future after the military: “There are no worries” The announcement was made via the MAMA Awards’ official Twitter page today (November 10), which marked the second-generation K-pop group’s first performance as a complete unit in over seven years. This year’s edition of the annual MAMA Awards is set to take place across two days later this month on November 29 and 30 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. According to a separate report from Newsen, KARA – comprising all members Heo Young-ji, Nicole, Kang Ji-young, Gyuri and Seungyeon – will reportedly perform on the first day of the awards ceremony. Their much-anticipated performance is also said to include the premiere of a new song from their upcoming 15th-anniversary comeback album ‘Move Again’, the full release of which will coincide with their on-stage reunion. [#2022MAMA] Performing Artist | #kara Please give a warm welcome toKARA to join 2022 MAMA World’s No.1 K-POP Awards⠀2022 MAMA AWARDS2022.11.29(TUE)-30(WED) 6PM(KST)#2022MAMA #MAMAAWARDS#2022MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/v1D9nJKYFP — MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) November… Read More →

News

Watch Bruce Springsteen play songs and tell jokes at Stand Up For Heroes acoustic show

Bruce Springsteen delivered his annual performance of songs and one-liners at this year’s Stand Up For Heroes benefit gig. READ MORE: Every single Bruce Springsteen album ranked in order of greatness Running since 2007, Stand Up For Heroes is an annual gig that benefits the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports charities and runs programs benefitting US veterans. This year’s edition on Monday night (November 7) also featured performances from The Lumineers, Jon Stewart, Jeff Ross, Amber Iman, Hasan Minhaj, and Iliza Shlesinger. “I’ve been here for 16 years,” Springsteen told the crowd. He has played every event since the event’s inception in 2007, bar 2017 when the date clashed with his Broadway run. “It’s always an honour to be here with our men and women in uniform who have given us so much. Thank you, thank you.” Advertisement The Boss opened with ‘House Of A Thousand Guitars’ from his 2020 album ‘Letter To You’, which he described as his “state of the union”, followed by ‘I’ll Work For Your Love’ and ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’ (per Rolling Stone). Springsteen closed his set with his 1984 classic ‘Dancing In The Dark’. Check out fan footage of ‘See You In My Dreams’… Read More →

News

Dream Wife on their “unapologetic” new single ‘Leech’: “I’ve had it with being polite”

Dream Wife have returned with their “unapologetic” new single ‘Leech’. Check it out below, alongside our interview with the band. ‘Leech’ is the first piece of new music Dream Wife have shared since the release of 2020’s second album ‘So When You Gonna…’. Speaking to NME, vocalist Rakel Mjöll said it is “definitely kickstarting a new era” for the trio. READ MORE: Dream Wife – ‘So When You Gonna…’ review: the swagger of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the sneer of riot grrrl “It was really important that ‘Leech’ was the first song we shared because it’s such a heavy statement,” she explained. “The lyrics are incredibly truthful and personal. It’s a collective shared experience between the three of us, as we look backward as well as forwards.” Advertisement A press release explains how Dream Wife “wanted to write something that feels like letting an animal out of a cage” with ‘Leech’. “It’s an anthem for empathy,” the statement from the band continued. “For solidarity. Musically tense and withheld, erupting to angry, cathartic crescendos.” They added that the “push and pull” of the track “calls out the double standards of power”, noting that “nobody really wins in a patriarchal society – we… Read More →

News

Black Honey announce third album ‘A Fistful Of Peaches’ with new single ‘Heavy’

Black Honey have announced their third album ‘A Fistful Of Peaches’ – listen to new single ‘Heavy’ below. The Brighton band are due to release the 12 track record – the follow-up to last year’s ‘Written & Directed’ – on March 17, 2023 via FoxFive Records. You can pre-order/pre-save it here. READ MORE: Black Honey live in Kingston: despite the setbacks, the Brightonians are a band unleashed Arriving this week, the grunge-y and anthemic ‘Heavy’ sees frontwoman Izzy Phillips delve into “the parallels between grief and depression”. It also references Artax’s traumatic death scene in The NeverEnding Story (“Serotonin let us down/ Don’t wanna watch the white horse drown“). Advertisement “We wrote this song the day I found out the founder of our fan club passed away from COVID-19,” explained Phillips in a statement. “We were talking about the weight of grief and the way it holds you down. “The weight of mental illness and how it brings you a deeper understanding grief. There’s always a glimmer of light though and I love how ‘Heavy’ has that kind of glitter darkness. It’s in my nature to become co-dependant and I think in this song I’m reaching for someone to help me… Read More →

News

Former Nazareth frontman Dan McCafferty has died aged 76

Dan McCafferty, a founding member of the Scottish rock band Nazareth, has died. News of the singer’s death at the age of 76 was confirmed today (November 8) by Nazareth bassist Pete Agnew. “This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make,” Agnew wrote on Facebook. “Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived. Too upset to say anything more at this time.” McCafferty was the singer for Nazareth from their formation in 1968 through to 2013, when the band announced his retirement from touring due to health issues. He appeared on all of Nazareth’s albums up to 2014, beginning with 1971’s self-titled effort, and toured with the group for 45 years. The last Nazareth album McCafferty was involved with was 2014’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone’. Dan died at 12:40 today. Posted by Nazareth on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 In 2019, McCafferty released ‘Last Testament’, his third and final solo album, which followed 1975’s ‘Dan McCafferty’ and 1987’s ‘Into The Ring’. Nazareth are known best for their 1975 album ‘Hair Of The Dog’, which featured the title… Read More →

News

Rudimental announced for London’s South Facing Festival 2023

Rudimental have been announced for next summer’s South Facing Festival, where they will celebrate 10 years of their 2013 album ‘Home’. READ MORE: 5 things you didn’t know about South Facing festival The collective will play an open-air show at the London festival on Saturday, August 5 2023. Also announced today, David Rodigan & Outlook Orchestra will return to London for a show on August 6, with special guests including Maxi Priest, Eek-a-Mouse, Sister Nancy, Eva Lazarus and more. The festival is held at the capital’s Crystal Palace Bowl, and debuted in 2021 with a line-up including Supergrass, The Streets, Sleaford Mods and Max Richter. 2022’s programme then saw London Grammar, Jungle, Richard Ashcroft and more head south of the river. Advertisement Rudimental join previously announced headliners for 2023 Noel Gallagher and Craig David, who play on July 28 and August 13, respectively. Tickets for the Rudimental gig go on general sale on Friday (November 11) at 10am GMT and can be found here, while David Rodigan tickets can be found here. Did you know our debut album HOME turns 10 next year? We want to celebrate it with you all by putting on a very special show on the 5th of August at Crystal Palace Bowl. Expect all the Rudi classics,… Read More →

News

Stormzy has “made peace” with the idea that no one may like ‘This Is What I Mean’

Stormzy has spoken about his upcoming third album ‘This Is What I Mean’, saying he’s “made peace with the idea that no one may like it.” READ MORE: Stormzy live at Reading Festival 2021: festival return is another rockstar moment The follow-up to 2019’s ‘Heavy Is The Head’, ‘This Is What I Mean’ is due out November 25 and was previewed by lead single ‘Hide & Seek’. Speaking about the new record in an interview with Rick Rubin for i-D, Stormzy explained how he finds it “impossible to figure out what people want from me.” Advertisement “This idea of being in the studio, thinking you have to make a certain kind of song… it’s the least creative place you can be,” he said. “And really, the audience doesn’t even know what they like – and I know that because I’m the same when I’m listening to music.” Stormzy went on to say “the process of making this album has been very selfish.” He continued: “One thing I tried to keep in mind when making the album was that I needed to love it. I need to love the music I make more than anyone else. It should be my pride… Read More →

News

Zayn Malik calls on Prime Minister to extend free school meals

Zayn Malik has called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to offer free school meals “to every child in poverty in England” amid the ongoing cost of living crisis. Taking to Instagram last night (November 7), the former One Direction member shared a letter he’d written to the PM. “No child should have to suffer the trauma and stigma of hunger & poverty,” he captioned the post. “We want every child to grow up healthy to lead productive lives.” Advertisement The letter began: “I am writing to share my concern about the struggles children are living through because of the cost-of-living crisis and to ask for your help to ensure no child living in poverty misses out on a hot nutritious meal at school especially since that school may be the only hot meal they receive all day.” “We are all aware that the difficulties facing families right now are profoundly serious. Four million children live in households who experienced food poverty in September 2022. In addition, 800,000 children in England miss out on a Free School Meal even though they are living in poverty.” Zayn Malik attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2018. CREDIT: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Malik continued: “These children… Read More →

News

Taylor Swift releases limited-time download of ‘Anti Hero’ single featuring Bleachers

Taylor Swift has released a limited-time download of ‘Anti Hero’ single featuring her ‘Midnights‘ co-producer, Jack Antonoff of Bleachers. READ MORE: Taylor Swift – ‘Midnights’ review: a shimmering return to pure pop The new version of the lead single from the pop star’s 10th album is available to download exclusively at her online store until 11.59pm ET today (November 7), which is 4.59am tomorrow (November 8) in the UK. Swift wrote on Instagram that Antonoff’s version of “sexy baby“, which is a lyric from the original song, is “art bro“. The original lyric perplexed numerous fans online upon the song’s release. “We sincerely hope it confuses just as many people,” Swift added. Advertisement The release comes after a fan created a remix of the song that features a guest appearance from Nintendo mascot Mario – check it out here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) Swift previously said that ‘Anti Hero’ hears her delve deeper into her “insecurities” than ever before, describing it as a guided tour through “all the things I hate about myself”. It comes as the singer celebrates breaking yet more records. Most recently, Swift beat The Beatles to the top of… Read More →