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Janet Jackson to sell over 1,000 personal items in celebrity auction

Janet Jackson is selling a collection of personal items in a celebrity auction set to take place next month.

  • READ MORE: Janet Jackson at Glastonbury: a pop megamix, a stadium production and the making of a new ‘legends slot’

The auction will honour the legendary pop star and “her ground breaking four decade career that changed music forever and opened the door for an entire generation of music icons who followed her extraordinary path”.

The three day auction put on by Julien’s takes place on May 14, 15 and 16, and will also mark Jackson’s 55th birthday (May 16).

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Over 1,000 items are set to go under the hammer, among them will be Jackson’s wedding dress for her secret marriage to dancer René Elizondo Jr. in 1991. Other items include her ‘Rhythm Nation’ military jacket, arguably one of her most memorable outfits, and her famous, single silver-tone hoop earring with a hanging key.

One of the auction’s biggest draws will probably be her futuristic outfits from the ‘Scream’ video, which saw her duet with brother Michael Jackson. At the time it was the world’s most expensive music video costing $7million to make.

A rare exhibition of the ‘Control’ singer’s costumes and memorabilia will go on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in London on April 19 for five days, before the collection gets transferred to New York and then Los Angeles ahead of the auction.

“Janet has never done anything like this before,” said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions. “We’ve approached her so many times, and it has always been very hard to find anything at auction from her because she kept and archived everything.”

Speaking to The Observer, Nolan said that “putting together the auction was an incredibly cathartic project” for Jackson.

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Expected to fetch millions of dollars, a portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Compassion International, a global child-advocacy ministry that partners with churches around the world to release children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty.

You can find out more about the auction on Julien’s Auctions official website here.

Meanwhile, a new two-part documentary exploring the life of Janet Jackson is set to be released next year.

The film, titled JANET, is set to arrive to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the singer’s self-titled debut album from 1982.

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New Alan Vega single ‘Filthy’ shared from Suicide singer’s long-lost solo album

A new song has been shared from Alan Vega‘s forthcoming posthumous solo album – listen to ‘Filthy’ below.

‘Filthy’ appears on ‘Mutator’, the late Suicide singer’s long-lost album that arrives via Sacred Bones later this month (April 23).

The forthcoming album was first previewed back in February with the single ‘Nike Soldier’, before another track called ‘Fist’ followed last month.

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Vega’s widow Liz Lamere, who also mixed and produced the album, said: “‘Filthy”s anthemic zombie atmosphere challenges the listener to find the underlying message of hope that is always within Vega’s words and sound.”

Jared Artaud, a close friend of Vega’s who also helped mix and produce ‘Mutator’, added: “‘Filthy’ was the first song Liz and I started to mix on Mutator. It set into motion how to work on and produce the rest of the album. Sonically speaking, Alan never lost his edge with age. He kept his intensity and incessant drive for endless experimentation.

“Alan’s process was more like a visual artist working in sound rather than a traditional musician going into the studio to make records. At the heart of it all, Alan was a poet. His lyrics always hit hard and he was always pushing forward, trailblazing onto the next idea of his vision.”

Alan Vega died at the age of 78 in 2016, and left behind a strong legacy as an influential artist. The likes of Jesus And Mary Chain, Bruce Springsteen, Thurston Moore, Nick Cave, New Order, Steve Albini, Savages, Klaxons, LCD Soundsystem, MIA and more have all cited Suicide and Vega as an influence on their own music.

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Fans concerned as Black Rob pays tribute to DMX from hospital bed

Bad Boy Records rapper Black Rob has been sharing messages from hospital, leaving fans worried about his condition.

The first video shows the artist lying down in a hospital bed, saying he is suffering from “crazy pain”. Asked about how he felt about rap legend DMX, who died on Friday (April 9), Rob said he had “big love” for the Ruff Ryders rapper.

  • READ MORE: DMX, 1970 – 2021: hip-hop giant who shone brightest in the darkness

“Let keep our prayers up Black Rob!!!” DJ Self, who shared the video on Instagram, wrote in the caption. “Get well man Please people out there take care of yourself BR was one of the greats Had NY on his back like Whaooo.”

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Another video appeared later on Saturday (April 10) via Baller Alert, in which the 52-year-old – born Robert Ross – was sat upright but visibly distressed and in pain. He also stated that he had no house to go back to.

Although no official explanation has been provided for his hospitalisation yet, Rob spoke briefly in the video about his health history. “I’ve been dealing with this for five years,” he explained. “Four strokes. Damn, I don’t know what to tell you man.”

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A post shared by Baller Alert (@balleralert)

Karlie Hustle, former music director of hip hop radio station HOT 97, elaborated on Twitter: “Sending healing energy to Black Rob. He has historically struggled with high blood pressure and has had a stroke in the past. He told Sway some years back that he was taking 10 pills a day to keep the condition under control.”

In response to some social media users who suggested that the videos shouldn’t have been shared, Hustle added in a further tweet: “If a physically ill person asks to be documented and shared online in a dire state and with a message to send, it’s ableist to suggest they are being taken advantage of. I assure you that very many sick people remain able to make choices and they should be respected.”

There has been no further update as yet on Black Rob’s condition.

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Black Veil Brides reveal details of new album ‘The Phantom Tomorrow’

Black Veil Brides have released details of their forthcoming studio album ‘The Phantom Tomorrow’, marking the announcement with a new single, ‘Fields Of Bone’.

Frontman Andy Biersack had said in an Instagram post back in February the new album was “almost complete”. His announcement followed an album preview, single ‘Scarlet Cross’, released in 2019.

On Friday (April 9), the Los Angeles rock outfit revealed their sixth studio album would be released on June 4 via Sumerian. Find the full tracklist below.

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The band also shared the official music video for ‘Fields Of Bone’, which is written and directed by Biersack, and lifted from the album.

In an interview with Kerrang! Biersack said the new video – which follows on from the concepts introduced in the clip for ‘Scarlett Cross’, also conceived and directed by Biersack – fits with the concept he’d built for the album, that of an endgame.

“In so many people’s lives, particularly those who are part of an Anglo-Christian society like America, the endgame is dying and going to heaven,” Biersack said.

“‘The Field Of Bone’ came from that conundrum – it’s like a blessed and cursed location, and in the world of ‘The Phantom Tomorrow’ it’s a concept, rather than an actual place.”

Watch the video for ‘Field Of Bone’ below:

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Following the release of their last album, 2018’s ‘Vale’, Black Veil Brides recruited bassist Lonny Eagleton, following the departure of Ashley Purdy, who had been with the band since 2009.

Black Veil Brides also shared details of an EP, ‘The Night’, which was their last musical offering and featured two tracks, known as duologies.

Black Veil Brides ‘The Phantom Tomorrow’ tracklist:

1. ‘The Phantom Tomorrow (Introduction)’
2. ‘Scarlet Cross’
3. ‘Born Again’
4. ‘Blackbird’
5. ‘Spectres (Interlude)’
6. ‘Torch’
7. ‘The Wicked One’
8. ‘Shadows Rise’
9. ‘Fields Of Bone’
10. ‘Crimson Skies’
11. ‘Kill The Hero’
12. ‘Fall Eternal’

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Ruff Ryders co-founder says DMX’s final album is one of his “best”

Ruff Ryders Entertainment co-founder Darrin “Dee” Dean has said that DMX‘s final album is probably one of his “best”.

  • READ MORE: DMX, 1970 – 2021: hip-hop giant who shone brightest in the darkness

The legendary rapper, whose real name was Earl Simmons, died yesterday (April 9) at the age of 50. He was first hospitalised following a heart attack as a result of a reported overdose on April 3, where he had remained in intensive care since.

Speaking to Fox 5 outside of White Plains Hospital in New York, Dee, alongside DMX’s tour manager Craig Brodhead, discussed the rapper’s legacy and shared details about the album he was working on before his death.

Brodhead explained that X recorded the album in Nashville. “Dee and I, back when COVID was announced, we jumped in an RV with X, and we drove to Nashville, Tennessee,” he said. “We drove down there in an RV because he was like, ‘We can’t get stuck in New York. Let’s go start the album.’”

“This album right here is special,” Dee added. “You probably never heard no music like you heard on this one that we did just now. This is probably one of his great albums – one of the best…it’s a classic, for sure.”

For the past couple of years DMX had been busy working on his much anticipated comeback album, the proper follow-up to 2012’s ‘Undisputed’.

Speaking in a number of interviews, he revealed that the album would include features from Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Usher, several members of the Griselda crew, and the late Pop Smoke.

In February, he also announced that he has a collaboration with U2’s Bono on the way called ‘Skyscrapers’.

Meanwhile, ‘X Moves’, a new DMX track featuring Bootsy Collins and Deep Purple‘s Ian Paice, has been released.

The song arrived yesterday (April 9) prior to the confirmation that the 50-year-old rapper had passed away after suffering a “catastrophic cardiac arrest” last week.

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Listen to J Balvin and Khalid’s new collaboration, ‘Otra Noche Sin Ti’

J Balvin has teamed up with Khalid on new song ‘Otra Noche Sin Ti’ – you can listen to it below.

The track is accompanied by a gothic-themed, Collin Tilley-directed video which sees the pair in a dark, foggy forest. You can watch the video below.

‘Used to shed tears in the ‘rari / There I was wishin’ you would stop me / Here I am wishin’ you would call me,’ Khalid sings towards the end of the track.

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The release follows other singles ‘Tu Veneno’ and ‘Ma’ G’ which are taken from the Columbian singer’s upcoming – and as yet untitled – new album.

Last month it was announced that Balvin would feature on a special anniversary album for the Pokémon franchise, titled ‘Pokémon 25: The Album’, alongside Post Malone and Katy Perry.

Revealing the news in an interview with Rolling Stone, Balvin said the song will be performed in Spanish and expected it to drop soon.

“We’re gonna come up with a crazy song. It’s going to catch everybody’s ear,” he said.

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Following the success of his collaborative album ‘OASIS’ with Bad Bunny in 2019, Balvin released a solo album, ‘Colores’, in March 2020.

That album won Best Urban Music album at the 2020 Latin Grammy Awards, where the rapper was nominated in a total of 13 categories.

Meanwhile, Khalid recently collaborated with Justin Bieber on his new album, ‘Justice.’

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Fans are remembering DMX through his Verzuz battle

Fans of the late rap icon DMX are remembering the star’s gift through his Verzuz session, which took place last year.

The rapper died earlier today (April 9) after suffering a heart attack reportedly caused by an overdose earlier this week. He was 50 years old.

  • READ MORE: RIP DMX: 10 of the rap legend’s best songs ever

In July 2020, the legend took part in the rap battle series, going up against Snoop Dogg for one of the most-viewed instalments in the series at the time.

During the battle, X ran through his hits including ‘X Gon’ Give It To Ya’, ‘Party Up’, ‘Slippin’’ and more. The session saw the two rappers dancing and singing along to each other’s songs and celebrating each other’s work.

The battle broke viewing records for Verzuz, with more than 525,000 concurrent viewers on Instagram and over 2million viewers overall. On Apple Music, it drew in more than 600,000 concurrent viewers and over 1.4million overall.

“A reminder DMX and Snoop Dogg put on one of the best Verzuz,” one Twitter user captioned a clip of the session. “DMX had so much energy and was in good spirits.”

 

“I’m appreciating the Verzuz with Snoop & DMX so much more now,” another added. “Eternally grateful they shared this with us before he passed.”

You can watch DMX perform ‘Slippin” and ‘What These Bitches Want’ on Apple Music, and see more fan reflections on the battle below.

The Verzuz team has also paid tribute to X following the news of his death. “The Verzuz family is deeply saddened by the loss of a cultural icon and a friend: Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

“DMX always showed his authentic self to the world, especially during the painful moments, and for that he was one of a kind. His music, his spirit, and who he was, will continue to live on in the millions of fans around the world.”

They concluded: “Verzuz exists to celebrate the creatives and give them their flowers. The DMX we all saw is the DMX we knew, and will continue to remember.”

Stars of the music world and beyond have also paid tribute to the late icon, with his label Def Jam calling him “a brilliant artist and an inspiration to millions around the world”.

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Legendary rapper DMX has died aged 50

DMX has died aged at the age of 50, his family have confirmed.

The rapper, whose real name was Earl Simmons, was hospitalised following a heart attack as a result of reported overdose on April 3, where he had remained in intensive care.

  • READ MORE: RIP DMX: 10 of the rap legend’s best songs ever

In a statement shared today (April 9), his family wrote: “We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50-years-old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days.

“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time.

“Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized.”

The hospital treating Simmons added: “White Plains Hospital extends its deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Simmons, as well as his friends and legions of fans who expressed their unwavering support during this difficult time. Earl Simmons passed away peacefully with family present after suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest.”

DMX
DMX performing at the 10th Annual ONE Musicfest at Centennial Olympic Park on September 8, 2019 in Atlanta. CREDIT: Prince Williams/Wireimage

Born in Mount Vernon, New York in 1970, Simmons began his rap career as DMX in the early 1990s, releasing his debut album ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’ in 1998, selling 251,000 copies within its first week of release. The following year he released his best-selling album, ‘… And Then There Was X’, including the hit single ‘Party Up (Up in Here)’.

As well as releasing some of the most influential albums of his era – which saw him become the first rap artist to have his first two albums reach US number one within a year – DMX had an acting career that covered several films, including Romeo Must Die, Cradle 2 The Grave, and Exit Wounds.

The Ruff Ryders rapper had a long history of battling substance abuse that he said began when he accidentally ingested cocaine at the age of 14. His lifelong struggle with addiction saw him enter rehab facilities on multiple occasions.

T.I. was among the first of many artists paying tribute to DMX on social media, writing: “Rest In Peace to a cultural icon. There are no words that can mend the loss the hip-hop community felt today.”

A statement from Def Jam read: “Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of our brother Earl “DMX” Simmons. DMX was a brilliant artist and an inspiration to millions around the world. His message of triumph over struggle, his search for the light out of darkness, his pursuit of truth and grace brought us closer to our own humanity.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him and were touched by him. DMX was nothing less than a giant. His legend will live on forever.”

DMX
DMX. CREDIT: Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella

The rapper had been busy working on his much anticipated comeback album, the proper follow-up to 2012’s ‘Undisputed’.

Speaking in a number of recent interviews, DMX revealed that the album would include features from Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Usher, several members of the Griselda crew, and the late Pop Smoke.

In February, he also announced that he had a collaboration with U2’s Bono on the way called ‘Skyscrapers’.

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Listen to Gwen Stefani and Saweetie team up on ‘Slow Clap’

Gwen Stefani and Saweetie have teamed up for a new version of the former’s single ‘Slow Clap’ – you can hear their collaboration below.

The original version of ‘Slow Clap’ was released last month and was co-written with songwriter/producer Ross Golan and songwriter Luke Niccoli.

  • READ MORE: 20 years of Popworld: the anarchic chat show that revolutionised music telly

Stefani has shared the updated version of ‘Slow Clap’ featuring Saweetie today (April 9), with the pair starring together in a Sophie Muller-directed video for the track, which you can see below.

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Speaking recently about the process behind the writing of ‘Slow Clap’ in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Stefani recalled how she was inspired to write the song after meeting with her label Interscope.

“I just had a meeting with Interscope, and when you have this hustle meeting with your label you kind of feel like the underdog,” she explained. “They were so loving and so kind to me in that meeting, and I left – I was in Oklahoma at the ranch – and walked into a little cabin that we live in there and opened my computer and wanted to write this sad love song.

“[My collaborators] were like: ‘No, you don’t need to go back and talk about that any more. Nobody wants to hear about that any more.’”

Saweetie, who is currently preparing the release of her debut album ‘Pretty B*tch Music’, collaborated with Doja Cat back in January on the track ‘Best Friend’. The song is expected to feature on Saweetie’s upcoming album.

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Doja Cat and Sza Are Out Of This World In ‘Kiss Me More’ Video

Welcome to Planet Her. It's a mysterious, flourishing world filled with glittering oases, calming zen gardens, pastel sunset skies, and blossoming cherry trees that is ruled by two larger-than-life queens: Doja Cat and Sza. This is the backdrop for the team's newest music video for "Kiss Me More," out Friday (April 9), and the first glimpse of Doja's forthcoming album, Planet Her.

The Warren Fu-directed visual kicks off when a wayward astronaut, played by Alex Landi, crash-lands during a mission to explore the uncharted planet. As he voyages through sand and sea, alien versions of Doja and Sza provide soulful ambiance to his journey as they croon along to the sensuous, slow-grooving disco track. Doja is no stranger to serving out-of-this-world looks — last year, she became a pink creature for her performances of "Say So" and "Like That" at the 2020 Video Music Awards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVVKs6DQLo

But it’s not all smooth sailing. After meeting Doja and Sza, the astronaut wakes up in a glass tube only to discover that he's become the girls’ latest treasure among a collection of other men who have tried to scope out their home before him. The two enjoy a hilarious ending scene where they play a video game version of the astronaut’s adventure and poke fun at the pronunciation of Earth.

Chatting with Sza for V magazine last month, Doja Cat described how her musicality is slowly crystalizing into the singular sound heard on “Kiss Me More.” She said, “For me, I want to try all these things, but I’m starting to learn what I’m falling into is a lot of the house, disco, vintage-y essences—that’s where my heart kind of lies. But I still am doing shit that I don’t understand. It’s still really fun!”

Last September, she revealed on Instagram Live with the rapper Fat Joe that her forthcoming album was already finished. “It’s all ready. I hate that I’m holding onto it right now,” she said. “They are going to get an album that I 100 percent am ready to drop and I am overly excited to put that out.”