News
Grammy Chief Responds To Backlash From The Weeknd, Justin Bieber
In spite of every curveball 2020 has thrown — one particularly tumultuous presidential election season, a disastrous pandemic of near-biblical proportions — the year has yielded some truly spectacular music. From Taylor Swift’s new indie-folk sound on her surprise album, Folklore, to the first English-language drop from the global sensation BTS, musicians continued to do what they do best: filter the universal joy and pain, and the need for connection through it all, into sublime works of sound. Perhaps that’s why, when the Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 2021 Grammys on Tuesday (November 24), the list sent fans and artists...
Universal launches new UK label 0207 Def Jam
Universal Music has announced the launch of 0207 Def Jam, the new UK home of legendary record label Def Jam Recordings. Headed up by brothers and industry executives Alex and Alec Boateng, the new label marks a significant partnership with Def Jam, which has played a huge role in shaping the popularity of hip-hop across the globe for 35 years. The first part of the label name is a reference to a London telephone code, in a knowing nod to the music, culture and art that the UK is known for. Advertisement Alex joins the label after 10 years...
Taylor Swift confirms the identity of ‘Folklore’ song co-writer William Bowery
Taylor Swift has revealed the true identity of songwriter William Bowery. Read More: Taylor Swift – ‘Folklore’ review: pop superstar undergoes an extraordinary indie-folk makeover Bowery, who is credited as a songwriter on two songs on Folklore (‘Betty’ and ‘Exile’), is in fact Swift’s boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The news, which has long-been suspected by fans, was confirmed by Swift in her new concert film Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, which was released on Disney+ today (November 25) which was billed as “an intimate concert of the record-breaking ‘Folklore’”. Advertisement Speaking about the true identity of Bowery, Swift said:“There’s been a...
Autism rights activists ask Sia to cancel ‘Music’ film with new petition
Autumn rights activists have asked Sia to cancel the release of her upcoming film Music. Many have taken to social media in response to the first trailer of the film, released on November 19, which shows Maddie Ziegler playing the role of a nonverbal autistic teenager. An online petition was launched last week, campaigning to cancel the premiere in light of visual effects and stereotypes deemed offensive, as well as the fact that Ziegler is not on the autism spectrum. Advertisement “As an autistic individual, I am asking that this film is canceled,” wrote Hannah Marshall, who launched the petition,...
Soulwax to re-release new digital edition of ‘Nite Versions’ for its 15th anniversary
Soulwax are set to re-release a new digital version of ‘Nite Versions’ for the album’s 15th anniversary. Originally released in 2005, ‘Nite Versions’ is a collection of remixes of songs from 2004’s ‘Any Minute Now.’ The 15-year anniversary re-release will be available digitally from November 27 via PIAS. A special re-pressing on pink and white vinyl is also set to “follow shortly” according to a press release. The re-release will include a new digital re-working of ‘NY Lips’ which will feature a spoken word performance by LCD Soundsystem’s Nancy Wang. Advertisement The rework was originally made for a fashion show – Drier...
Jay-Z has become Chief Visionary Officer of a new marijuana company
Jay-Z has continued his foray into the marijuana industry, becoming the Chief Visionary Officer of a new cannabis company. Last month, the rapper revealed his new new cannabis brand called Monogram, and was named Chief Brand Strategist for California-based cannabis company Caliva last year. READ MORE: The 20 best songs about smoking weed The deal comes as the SPAC have acquired Caliva and another company called Left Coast Ventures, a cannabis and hemp producer. They will all come under the umbrella of the TPCO Holding Corp, of which Jay-Z will be Chief Visionary Officer. Advertisement Billboard describe the new deal,...
Coldplay donate signed Fender guitar to raise funds for Gloucestershire primary school
Coldplay have donated a signed Fender guitar to help raise funds for a Gloucestershire primary school. The coveted prize is being raffled off by Swell Co of E Primary School in the North Cotwolds, which has launched a new fundraising drive in a bid to finance a new extension. The new campaign, billed as “A Swell Christmas Raffle”, will also see ticket-holders getting the chance to win a state-of-the-art Peloton bike, a Magnum of champagne and vouchers from a selection of Cotswold businesses. Advertisement Despite being hosted by the school, Coldplay fans from across the globe are invited to...
Nicki Minaj takes aim at the Grammys as she remembers her 2012 loss
Nicki Minaj has taken aim at the Grammy awards in a post on Twitter. Following the announcement of the Grammy nominations yesterday (November 25), Minaj recalled her loss to Bon Iver in the ‘Best New Artist’ category in 2012. Minaj took aim at the awards saying people should “never forget” the Grammys didn’t recognise her despite going on to “inspire a generation.” Advertisement Minaj said: “Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade- went...
All-star lineup of Australian female artists perform Helen Reddy tribute at 2020 ARIA Awards
The Australian ARIAs have paid tribute to the late Helen Reddy at this year’s awards ceremony, with an ensemble of female Australian artists covering Reddy’s iconic feminist anthem ‘I Am Woman’. Tones and I, Amy Shark, Marcia Hines, Christine Anu, Montaigne, the McClymonts and host Delta Goodrem were among those who sung live from the ceremony at The Star in Sydney. Over a dozen others appeared remotely as part of a virtual chorus, including Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, Odette and more. Advertisement Watch the powerful tribute to Reddy below: Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard introduced the performance, honouring...Recent Posts
Travis Barker and Tom DeLonge Recall ‘Longest’ Show While High
Travis Barker Advised Son Landon Against Appearing on ‘The Voice’
Lollapalooza 2026: The Style and Scents of Music’s Biggest Stage
‘High On Life 2’ Soundtrack Gets 4LP Vinyl Release
Bill Maher’s Joke About Ariana Grande’s Weight Sparks Audience Backlash