Eva Thai

Joey Bada$$ defends Chris Brown collaboration after backlash from fans

Joey Bada$$ has defended his decision to work with Chris Brown after facing backlash from fans, saying “people make mistakes”. After delays over sampling clearance issues, the rapper released his latest album ‘2000’ last Friday (July 22). The 14-tracker features previously released singles ‘Survivors Guilt’ and ‘Where I Belong’, as well as a collaborative cut with Brown, titled ‘Welcome Back’. His choice to work with Brown on the song was initially questioned during a Reddit AMA last week, when one user wrote: “Why u put Chris brown on ur album dawg.” In response to the comment, Joey said it was “an honor” to have Brown on the album, adding: “I get it, you guys may not think he’s perfect or cool because of things he’s done in his past, but which one of you guys are perfect?” Advertisement Joey Bada$$ responding to Chris Brown collaboration criticism on Reddit. Credit: Reddit Elaborating on the situation in a recent interview with TMZ, Joey said: “Like I said, I think Chris Brown is one of the best artists of this generation, of our times. Of all times, you know what I mean?” “So, for me personally, it was an honor working with him…. Read More →

30JULNews

St Vincent covers Fleetwood Mac during residency on ‘Colbert’

St Vincent covered Fleetwood Mac during her residency on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. READ MORE: St. Vincent at Glastonbury 2022 – the story of her set in stunning photos The musician, real name Annie Clark, has just finished a new week-long stint on Colbert that’s seen her playing songs alongside the show’s in-house band, Stay Human. They covered Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ on Friday (July 30) and you can watch the moment here: Advertisement On an earlier show, Colbert asked Clark about her Dallas hometown in Texas. After joking about Dallas’ “sibling rivalry” with Austin and Houston, the presenter asked if she’d ever sung the National Anthem at a Dallas Cowboy’s game. “No, but I’ve been trying to,” Clark said. “They have never taken me up on my offer.” Colbert replied: “Cowboys, you’re passing up an enormous opportunity here.” You can see that moment above. As Deadline noted last week, St Vincent’s residency is be a part of a new series that will also see artists such as James Taylor and the Eagles’ Joe Walsh take part in a weekly series of gigs on the show. Taylor is due to take part in the residency next week, followed a week later by Walsh… Read More →

30JULNews

Watch Billie Eilish play intimate acoustic set at record store

Billie Eilish played an intimate acoustic set at a record store in the US – check out the moment below. READ MORE: The Big Read – Billie Eilish Eilish marked the one-year anniversary of the release of ‘Happier Than Ever’ with a surprise performance at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Eilish was accompanied by her brother Finneas and performed four songs during the set: ‘Billie Bossa Nova’, ‘Getting Older’, ‘TV’ and ‘Happier Than Ever’. Advertisement Speaking to the audience between songs, Eilish said: “This is so cute…You guys are just the best, and it’s been the most amazing year. You guys have been so sweet and respectful about this album and I just love you.” Eilish also took requests from the audience, but joked about now singing one of her songs. “I’m hearing ‘Everybody Dies,’ but it’s such a downer,” she told the audience. Earlier this month, Eilish released a two-track collection called ‘Guitar Songs’ featuring ‘TV’ and ‘The 30th’. Eilish previously premiered ‘TV’ live during her Manchester gig last month where she performed the acoustic track on stage with her brother Finneas. “Finneas and I really wanted these to be yours as soon as possible,” she told fans of the surprise release…. Read More →

29JULNews

Shakira prosecutors call for eight year prison sentence over alleged tax fraud

Spanish prosecutors have said Shakira should face eight years in prison over the ongoing alleged tax fraud case involving the musician. READ MORE: Shakira on the movie of her ill-fated El Dorado tour: “I knew someday I’d lose my youth or my beauty, but I never thought I would lose my voice…” Shakira has been charged with failing to pay the government millions in taxes between 2012 and 2014. Shakira was offered a plea deal earlier this year but instead opted to pursue a trial. A statement sent to the BBC by Shakira’s publicist said the singer is “fully confident of her innocence” and called the case a “violation of her rights.” Advertisement The charges, which date back to 2018, come from an allegation that Shakira spent more than half the year of each year in Spain between 2012 and 2014. Shakira performing live in 2020. Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images. According to tax laws in Spain, anyone residing in the country for over six months is considered a “resident” and therefore must pay taxes. Shakira is claiming she did not live most of the year in Spain during that time. Since the tax fraud allegations were made in 2018, Shakira… Read More →

29JULNews

Watch the trailer for Nicki Minaj’s upcoming docuseries ‘Nicki’

Nicki Minaj has shared the first trailer for her eponymous docuseries Nicki, a six-part event that will chronicle the rapper’s meteoric rise to stardom in the 2010s. READ MORE: Nicki Minaj: every album ranked and rated The trailer features a litany of notable quotes from Minaj, opening with the declaration that “you don’t get a manual on how to be a famous rapper – you just learn it as you go”. Reflecting on her roots as an up-and-coming rapper in the mid-2000s, she continues: “I think the woman [I was] back then, she wasn’t afraid to fail. Female rappers weren’t really charting at the time… I’m fighting for the girls who never thought they could win.” We also learn that Minaj never sought out the spotlight, as she says of her initial ambitions: “I never wanted to be mainstream – mainstream came to be.” But an equally large focus in the six-part Nicki series seems to be the struggles that Minaj has faced as a woman in the hip-hop scene, with the rapper noting that she “simply [doesn’t] get the respect that men do”. Advertisement “This industry is just not a loving [or] supportive place,” Minaj says later in the… Read More →

29JULHit Singles

Sam Prekop & John McEntire – Sons Of

Sam Prekop and John McEntire have worked in harmony for close to 30 years. As the singer-guitarist and drummer in The Sea And Cake – alongside bassist Archer Prewitt – the pair have amassed a body of work that takes a good few hours to sift through on Spotify, though such is the breezy, effortless nature of the material, you’d be hard pushed to remember which songs stand out. For fans, this familiarity has long been part of the Chicago band’s appeal: across 11 albums since their debut in 1994, The Sea And Cake’s innocuous post-rock – at times jazzy, sometimes overtly pop, always elegantly turned out – has been a reliable, comforting presence; a stable reminder that no matter how terrible things are in the world, Sam Prekop will still be singing his inscrutable poetry in hushed tones over lushly arranged grooves, each new instalment of classy fusion slightly different to the last. ORDER NOW: Wilco are on the cover of the latest issue of Uncut Listen closely and they’re a dynamic proposition – elements of modular synthesis and percussive percolations populate 2011’s The Moonlight Butterfly and 2012’s Runner – yet like any quality act, their individual talents are… Read More →

29JULNews

Unauthorised fireworks set off at Dua Lipa’s Toronto gig injure fans

The use of unauthorised fireworks at a Dua Lipa‘s concert in Toronto this week is being investigated after the incident left three people with minor injuries. READ MORE: Griff on touring with Dua Lipa – “It was a very surreal experience” On Wednesday night (July 27) a series of fireworks were set off by unidentified persons during Lipa’s show at the Scotiabank Arena. According to fan-captured videos of the incident the fireworks were set off on the arena floor, sending fans running towards the seated areas for cover. Lipa didn’t appear to notice. Advertisement The pop star has now issued a statement via her Instagram stories. “Creating a safe and inclusive space at my shows is always my first priority, and my team and I are just as shocked and confused by the events as you all are,” she wrote. anyone know if these fireworks at the toronto dua lipa concert were planned?? i got a video of them shooting into the crowd and people running away. hope no one got hurt #DuaLipa #Toronto #FutureNostalgiaTour pic.twitter.com/YgfTvAvozr — aj?edtwt! (@calsandbones) July 28, 2022 Caught this last night thinking these fireworks were part of the show until we quickly realized they weren’t…!!!… Read More →

28JULNews

Lady Gaga praises Doja Cat’s tongue-in-cheek ‘Shallow’ cover: “THAT’S A SERVE”

Doja Cat has covered Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s ‘Shallow’ from A Star Is Born – check out the footage below. The ‘Planet Her’ artist delivered a playful, high-pitched rendition of the 2018 Oscar-winning single during a broadcast on Instagram Live yesterday (July 27). READ MORE: Doja Cat – ‘Planet Her’ review: controversial pop-rapper enters her imperial phase In the one-minute clip, we see the star screeching out the lines as she lies of her bed wearing a rainbow-coloured top. Doja also sports pink devil horns and dark eye makeup – all thanks to a cartoonish Insta filter. Advertisement Later, she upped the ante with an even more intense spin on ‘Shallow’. A recording of the cover was subsequently shared across social media. As Pop Crave points out, Gaga has since expressed her praise for Doja’s unique take on the power ballad. “LADY THATS A SERVE [sic],” she commented beneath a fan’s post on TikTok. You can see both tweets below. Pra encerrar a noite, Doja Cat surpreende os internautas ao cantar Shallow da Lady Gaga igualzinho a cantora, gostaram? pic.twitter.com/szzC4Hxj3A — My Idol ?? (@myidolbrasil) July 27, 2022 Lady Gaga comments on a TikTok of Doja Cat playfully singing “Shallow”:… Read More →

28JULNews

Watch the trailer for Post Malone’s upcoming tour documentary ‘Runaway’

The first trailer has been released for Post Malone‘s forthcoming tour documentary, Runaway. READ MORE: Post Malone – ‘Twelve Carat Toothache’ review: his sobering comedown The film, which is set to premiere via Amazon streaming platform Freevee on August 12, follows Post on his 2019 North American tour, and will feature backstage footage, live performances, and interviews with both the rapper himself and others. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not a real person. I’m a goofy kid, I like to have fun, but it’s awesome that people still want to hear what’s next, the evolution,” Post says during an interview featured in the trailer. “I make this music for everybody else, but everybody gives the same feeling back.” Advertisement Watch the trailer below: Post Malone: Runaway is directed by Hector Dockrill, and written and produced by Sam Bridger and Casey Engelhardt. It’s being produced by the Vice-owned Pulse Films. “I already knew Post Malone was a force before going on tour. But then, after spending time with him, unfiltered, close, and personal, I very quickly realized he’s unlike anything the world has seen before,” said Dockrill in a statement. ‘He’s a polymath, loyal to his art, a true ‘rock star’. “Being on… Read More →

28JULNews

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros box set to be released, new unreleased track out now

A new box set featuring music by the late Joe Strummer and his post-The Clash band The Mescaleros has been announced. Set to be release by Dark Horse Records, ‘Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’ will be released on September 16 and marks the first time a comprehensive anthology of the outfit’s work has been issued. The collection will feature remastered versions of the band’s three studio albums – ‘Rock Art And The X-Ray Style (1999), ‘Global A Go-Go’ (2001) and ‘Streetcore’ (2003), the latter released posthumously. Advertisement As well as this, some of the first demos Strummer wrote for the group will appear in the box set’s 15 rare and unreleased tracks, remastered by Paul Hicks. Per Pitchfork, the collection also includes the song ‘Ocean Of Dreams’, which featured Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. To mark the box set announcement, the label has put out the previously unreleased song ‘The Road To Rock ‘N’ Roll’. Listen below. Strummer’s widow, Lucinda Tait, served as executive producer for ‘Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’. In a press release, she spoke of how work on the upcoming release had in fact begun with 2018 box set ‘Joe Strummer 001’, a 32-song collection… Read More →

27JULNews

Shawn Mendes cancels remainder of his world tour due to mental health struggles

Shawn Mendes has cancelled the remaining dates of his ‘Wonder’ world tour in order to recover from his mental health difficulties. In a statement posted on Instagram today (July 27), Mendes said he “wasn’t prepared for the toll that being back on the road would take” on him. “After speaking with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger,” the singer wrote. Advertisement He ended the statement: “It breaks my heart to tell you this but but I promise I will be back as soon as I’ve taken the right time to heal.” Mendes had performed seven of 87 scheduled shows across the US, UK and Europe, some of which were not due to take place until June 2023. See the full statement below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shawn Mendes (@shawnmendes) Earlier this month (July 9), Mendes postponed 12 dates on the North American leg of his ‘Wonder’ tour on similar grounds. In a personal statement shared at the time on social media, Mendes wrote: “I’ve been touring since… Read More →

27JULNews

Mozart Estate’s Lawrence says he “couldn’t believe it” when Gorillaz formed

Lawrence – the musician behind Mozart Estate, Felt and Denim – has said he “couldn’t believe it” when Gorillaz formed, saying that he had hoped to launch his own “cartoon band”. The reclusive singer-songwriter was the only constant member of Felt, who released 10 studio albums between 1982 and 1989. However, he doesn’t appear on the group’s penultimate LP ‘Train Above The City’ (1988). READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Gorillaz: “I could feel in my bones that we were due this current trouble” Lawrence went on to launch glam-rock-inspired outfit Denim (they dropped two albums in the 1990s) before forming Mozart Estate (fka Go-Kart Mozart) in ’99. Advertisement Despite having never achieved commercial success, Lawrence counts Jarvis Cocker and Charlie Brooker as some of his famous fans (Demin bagged a support slot with Pulp in the mid-’90s). During a new interview with The Guardian, Lawrence spoke about Denim’s initial decision to not play gigs as he believed “live music was over” at that time. He also thought it’d add to the mystery if fans couldn’t identify the band’s members. “I wanted to be a cartoon band,” Lawrence said. “But it turned out to be the beginning of the… Read More →

27JULNews

The 1975’s Matty Healy joins Phoebe Bridgers on stage in London to scream on ‘I Know The End’

Phoebe Bridgers‘ recent London show featured a surprise cameo from The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, who joined the singer-songwriter during her closer ‘I Know The End’. READ MORE: New song ‘Part Of The Band’ finds The 1975 ripping up their own rule book Bridgers performed at the O2 Academy Brixton last night (July 26), as part of her UK and European ‘Reunion Tour’. As is customary for Bridgers’ shows, her main set closer was the final song on her 2020 album ‘Punisher’, ‘I Know The End’. During the section of the song with prolonged screaming, support act Sloppy Jane returned to the stage to join in – accompanied by Healy, who was watching the show from side-stage. Watch fan-shot footage of the moment via Twitter below: Matty Healy came out tonight for I Know The End! #ReunionTourLondon1via @/TPWKatrina pic.twitter.com/5Ppn9C2XiX — phoebe on tour (@bridgersontour) July 26, 2022 Advertisement This marks the second time on Bridgers’ current tour that an artist has joined her on-stage for ‘I Know The End’. The singer-songwriter recently had Clairo and her band join her for the song during a performance in Milan – itself a returned favour for Bridgers guesting on Clairo’s song ‘Bags’ earlier… Read More →

26JULNews

Will.i.am on 2Pac and Biggie: “That kind of music doesn’t speak to my spirit”

Will.i.am has opened up about 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. in a new interview saying their their “kind of music doesn’t speak to my spirit.” READ MORE: The Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Ready To Die’ at 25: 9 surprising things about the era-defining album In a clip of the interview shared to Instagram by The Art of Dialogue, Will.i.am explained that he didn’t prefer the music of either artist when he was asked who he preferred as an artist. “Like when people say 2Pac and Biggie, I’m such a Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul head that I don’t like 2Pac and Biggie,” he said. “That kind of music doesn’t speak to my spirit. I like Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One, I like – if it’s like 2Pac or Biggie? It’s KRS-One. Why those two? Advertisement “If it’s 2Pac and Biggie, I don’t hold them up like that. I hold Eric B. and Rakim like that. 2Pac’s dope – don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I don’t think he’s dope. It spoke to the projects. My escape is De La [and] Tribe out the projects. It took me out the projects while I was still in the projects.” You can see the clip… Read More →

26JULNews

Listen to Dry Cleaning’s new single, ‘Anna Calls From The Arctic’

Dry Cleaning have today unveiled a new single, ‘Anna Calls From The Arctic’ – check it out below. READ MORE: Dry Cleaning at Meltdown Festival: Grace Jones-approved post-punks beef up their sound Dry Cleaning recently headlined the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of Meltdown, airing new single ‘Don’t Press Me’ as part of their set. The song was the first taster of their upcoming second album ‘Stumpwork’, which will arrive on October 21 and follow their 2021 debut album ‘New Long Leg’. That latter record entered the UK charts at Number Four and landed on many album of the year lists. Advertisement Now, the next single from the upcoming project has been shared and you can listen to it here. Speaking about the new track, the band said: “The lyrics were partly inspired by phone calls with a friend who was living and working in the Arctic. “The song developed from a keyboard, bass and clarinet jam. This then took shape during our pre-recording sessions with John Parish and Joe Jones in Bristol and finalised at Rockfield studios a month later, with some musical inspiration coming from the dramatic scores of John Barry. The song is observational and sensual.”… Read More →

26JULHit Singles

Curated By Pavement

Presenting our latest online exclusive: Curated By Pavement, one of the world’s most unpredictable and best-loved indie-rock bands. Major reads! This special edition showcases a unique insight into the world of Pavement in their own words – their reunion in 2022, the best gigs they ever saw, not to mention 92 of Pavement’s favourite albums. Also: the music which was most influential on them, featuring classic interviews with Kraftwerk, Sonic Youth and more from our archives, all in this latest issue. Buy a copy here!

26JULNews

Lil Wayne mourns police officer who saved his life after suicide attempt as a child

Content warning: This article discusses attempted suicide. Lil Wayne has paid tribute to Robert Hoobler, a former New Orleans police officer who saved the rapper’s life following a suicide attempt when he was a child. As the New Orleans Advocate reports, Hoobler – who Lil Wayne affectionately referred to as Uncle Bob – was found dead in his home in Louisiana last Friday (July 22). He was 65 years old, and had been dealing with health issues following a car accident and a struggle with diabetes. Advertisement “Everything happens for a reason. I was dying when I met u at this very spot. U refused to let me die,” Lil Wayne – real name Dwayne Carter – captioned an Instagram post that included a photo of Hoobler yesterday (July 25). “Everything that doesn’t happen, doesn’t happen for a reason. That reason being you and faith. RIP uncle Bob. Aunt Kathie been waiting for u. I’ll love & miss u both and live for us all,” he concluded. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lil Wayne (@liltunechi) Last year, during an interview with former NFL star Emmanuel Acho, Lil Wayne talked about his struggles with mental health as… Read More →

24JULNews

Ed Sheeran makes surprise appearance with Snow Patrol at Latitude 2022

Ed Sheeran made a surprise guest appearance during Snow Patrol‘s headline set at Latitude 2022 tonight (July 24) – check out the footage below. READ MORE: Ed Sheeran – ‘=’ review: the millennial Lionel Richie indulges his saccharine streak The Northern Irish–Scottish band – which features Sheeran’s longtime co-writer Johnny McDaid – closed the Suffolk festival with a 14-track performance on the main stage, per Setlist.FM. Towards the end of their main set, Snow Patrol surprised the crowd by bringing out Sheeran to play a joint rendition of his hit ‘=’ single ‘Bad Habits’. The singer-songwriter then returned to assist on the final track ‘Just Say Yes’. Advertisement You can see fan-shot footage and official images below, and find more videos via Latitude’s Instagram Stories. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate Trethewey (@kate_trethewey_) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Latitude Festival (@latitudefest) Sheeran has joined forces with Snow Patrol on stage several times in the past, including at his secret show at Latitude 2015. The star grew up in Framlingham, Suffolk, which is approximately 30 minutes away from the festival’s Henham Park site. He now lives in the town with his wife Cherry… Read More →

24JULNews

Watch the moment Jamie T joined The Libertines on stage in London

Jamie T joined The Libertines on stage at London’s Wembley Arena last night – check out the moment below. READ MORE: Pete Doherty on his first Glastonbury: Kate Moss, an undercover agent, and a £16,000 cardigan Jamie came on for the last song of the set, The Libertines’ ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’ after the band had delivered a career-spanning set earlier in the evening. Libertines frontman Pete Doherty introduced Jamie T as the encore began, before taking Jamie’s hat and throwing it into the audience. The gig was part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of their debut album ‘Up The Bracket’, which will also see them release a ‘Super Deluxe Edition’ of the record in October. Advertisement Elsewhere in the set, on ‘Radio America’, the band also played a snippet of The Beatles‘ ‘She Loves You’. Check out fan-shot footage of the moment below, together with the set-list for the gig in full: The Libertines bring out Jamie T at #WembleyArena #TheLibertines #JamieT pic.twitter.com/jnG2DPoEwB — Teddy Coward (@cow_ted) July 23, 2022 Jamie T on stage with The Libertines, what a gig pic.twitter.com/1xRj1scl2m — Michael (@MD1908__) July 23, 2022 The Libertines just brought out @jamietmusic !!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Wm0DHt3gyR — Amy Nic (@amynicz)… Read More →

23JULNews

Lewis Capaldi is yet to finish his second album: “I’m horribly lazy”

Lewis Capaldi has said he is yet to finish work on his second album because he is “horribly lazy”. The Scottish singer-songwriter made his live return this summer, headlining festivals such as Parklife, TRNSMT and Isle Of Wight Festival. However, Capaldi hasn’t yet debuted any new material at the shows. READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Lewis Capaldi: “I make jokes because I’m comfortable with who I am” Speaking to the crowd early into his bill-topping set at Latitude 2022 last night (July 22), the star explained (via BBC News): “I just want to say now, I have no new music to play you. Advertisement “I rescheduled a lot of shows last year because I was like, ‘Guys, I need to finish my new album’. And I was supposed to do it, but I am horribly lazy.” Capaldi went on to say that he would instead be focussing on the “old stuff”, drawing largely from his 2019 debut record ‘Divinely Uninspired To A Heavenly Extent’. “I’m glad you enjoy it, because it’s all we’ve got,” he responded to the audience’s cheers. The 13-song set also included a cover of ‘A Thousand Miles’ by Vanessa Carlton. Capaldi was originally booked the… Read More →

22JULNews

Watch Peter Buck and Kim Thayil join The Black Crowes on stage

R.E.M guitarist Peter Buck and Soundgraden‘s Kim Tahyil surprised fans when they joined The Black Crowes on stage at the latter band’s Seattle show earlier this week – watch the performances below. Both revered musicians appeared during the encore at The Black Crowes’ Chateau Ste. show at the Michelle Winery Amphitheatre in Woodinville, Washington, on Wednesday (July 20). Buck came out as a guest for a cover performance of his band’s ‘The One I Love’, sticking around as Thayil came out for the collective to perform a rendition of Velvet Underground‘s ‘Rock And Roll’. Advertisement The Black Crowes posted a 12-minute video of the collaborative performances on their Instagram, which can be seen below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @theblackcrowes The Black Crowes had announced their reformation in 2019 for a ‘Shake Your Money Maker’ 30th anniversary tour, of which Wednesday’s Seattle-area show was a part of. They had shared news of their disbandment in 2015, with guitarist Rich Robinson saying the split was due to a disagreement with his brother, frontman Chris. A statement at the time saw Rich Robinson say he couldn’t abide by his brother’s demand that he “give up my equal share… Read More →