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Inside the Making of Prince’s Clairvoyant Welcome 2 America
Early in Barack Obama’s first presidential term, the U.S. showed the wear that would ultimately become a crisis a decade later — when sniping, arguing and a full-blown culture war engulfed the country in a seemingly inescapable spiral. In 2010, however, many Americans were optimistic that better days were on the way. But Prince was deeply concerned about where things were going: with people’s consumption of technology (especially with the iPhone and other modern tech staples in their nascent days) and with race relations in America, particularly issues affecting the Black community. “His forethought as to what’s going to happen now by who would be consumed by these things, like the iPad and technology was just fascinating,” Prince’s creative director Morris Hayes tells SPIN over Zoom. “Whe...
Los Lobos Share ‘Native Son’ From Upcoming Album Native Sons
If we’re not including their 2019 Christmas album, Llegó Navidad, then it’s been nearly six years since the East Los Angeles legends in Los Lobos released a new album, but that wait is about to come to an end. The iconic rockers are celebrating the 10th anniversary of receiving their Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by releasing Native Sons tomorrow, July 30 (via New West Records), and SPIN has obtained a first look at the video for the title track, “Native Son.” Filmed in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, the video for “Native Son” is an appropriate teaser for the new album, which serves as the veteran band’s love letter to the city they call home. “Native Sons the album and ‘Native Son’ the song and video are our notion of a love letter to the city of our birth...
Lady Gaga, Unrecognizable Jared Leto Revealed in First Look at House of Gucci
It’s time to meet the Guccis. MGM has unveiled the first look at filmmaker Ridley Scott’s upcoming House of Gucci, which will tell the true crime story of the assassination of the fashion house’s one-time head. The film stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), former head of the House of Gucci. The latter was infamous for putting up a massive legal battle to gain control of Gucci from his uncle, Aldo Gucci (Al Pacino), only to nearly drive the company into the ground with his extravagant spending habits. Maurizio eventually sold his share of Gucci in 1993, and was gunned down by a hit man two years later. Reggiani was tried and convicted of arranging the assassination, and it’s that sordid tale that gets explored in House of Gucci. Scott’s fil...
Rainbow in the Dark Admirably Chronicles Ronnie James Dio’s Iconic Career: Book Review
For years, Ronnie James Dio fans have been patiently waiting for an autobiography that he had begun work on prior to his passing in 2010 from stomach cancer. Now, we have finally received Rainbow in the Dark: The Autobiography. First off, readers should know that the idea behind the book was to recount the story of the legendary metal vocalist (real name: Ronald James Padavona) from birth up until his fulfillment of a lifelong career dream, when Dio headlined Madison Square Garden in 1986 (as the leader of his eponymous band). The book was not completed before Dio’s passing, but with the help of his wife/manager, Wendy Dio, and respected rock journalist Mick Wall, the missing bits have been filled in commendably. As a reader of many rock autobiographies over the years, I must admit that I ...
Angels & Airwaves Unveil New Single “Losing My Mind”: Stream
Angels & Airwaves have shared “Losing My Mind,” the latest preview from their upcoming album, Lifeforms. It arrives with a goofy music video in which frontman Tom DeLonge plays a sleazy character trying to make it big on “Tic Tac.” Appropriately, “Losing My Mind” is made for dancing with a heavy dose of synths combined with meme-worthy lyrics. “Now, what is this bullshit/ I said we’re not alone and the government knows it,” sings Delonge. “There’s idiots abound, and they’re all fucking racist/ I’ll put us back at ease because we need more complacent/ We’re all going to die.” Directed by DeLonge, the accompanying visual features him playing a character named Disco, the brother of his alter ego Boomer in Blink-182’s “First Date” video. It follows Disco’s night wandering in Las Vegas afte...
Billie Eilish’s 10 Best Songs
When Billie Eilish released her breakout hit “Ocean Eyes” at just 14, critics and fans were dumbfounded at the sheer possibility that a voice like that could come from a teenager — much less one with a persistently glazed stare, an aloof pout, and an affinity for clothing three sizes too large. Like the Taylor Swifts and Lordes before her, Eilish possessed a precocious talent that cemented her status in pop canon almost instantaneously. But what Eilish had from the start — that most of her fellow teen idols didn’t — was her arresting presence as both a performer and a personality. Often backed by eerie, industrial stage setups, she commanded rowdy live crowds with the ferocity of artists at least ten years her senior; meanwhile, her unfiltered social media persona only further solidified h...
DREAM THEATER Announces ‘A View From The Top Of The World’ Album, U.S. Tour
Two-time Grammy-nominated progressive music titans DREAM THEATER will release their 15th studio album, “A View From The Top Of The World”, on October 22. “A View From The Top OF The World” is DREAM THEATER at its musical finest expanding on the sound they helped create while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe. The seven-song album also marks the second studio album with InsideOut Music/Sony Music. The artwork was created by longtime cover collaborator Hugh Syme (RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, STONE SOUR). “A View From The Top Of The World” was produced by John Petrucci, engineered and additional production by James “Jimmy T” Meslin and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap. DREAM THEATER — comprised of James LaBrie, Joh...
More IRON MAIDEN Jigsaw Puzzles Coming In September
Three more IRON MAIDEN titles will get the jigsaw puzzle treatment later this summer. On September 17, Zee Productions will release MAIDEN‘s “Running Free”, “Sanctuary” and “Purgatory” singles as 500-piece jigsaws on its Rock Saws imprint. All 500-piece puzzles come in a vinyl-box-set-sized box, perfect to fit alongside a vinyl record collection. According to Toy News, Rock Saws was originally developed by Zee Productions‘ own self-proclaimed metalhead Steve Beatty. “I want to make jigsaws that are for the music fan,” Beatty said. “Vinyl came back and I loved the idea of making great record sleeve art into jigsaws, maybe stick the record on and do together.” Beatty launched Rock Saws in 2019, promising to “revolu...
DENNIS DEYOUNG On STYX Reunion: ‘Not To Give The Fans One Last Glimpse Of Us Together On Stage, It Makes No Sense To Me’
Ex-STYX vocalist and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung has once again said that he wants to reunite with his former bandmates for one final tour. DeYoung, the voice behind such STYX classics as “Come Sail Away”, “Best Of Times”, “Pieces Of Eight” and “Babe”, spoke about his previous group while chatting with U.K.’s Classic Rock magazine. Asked what the “real story” is behind his inability to get STYX‘s classic lineup back together, Dennis said: “I’ve tried, in vain, to be in that band from the moment they replaced me. In the beginning it was my band, my idea, but now it’s really Tommy Shaw‘s band. “I’ve said that we should do one last tour together, for those people who made us rich men. Th...
Rockers Pay Tribute To ZZ TOP Bassist DUSTY HILL
Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Stanley (KISS), Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES), David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE), Flea (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) and Billy Corgan (SMASHING PUMPKINS) are among the rockers who have reacted on social media to the passing of ZZ TOP bassist Dusty Hill. Hill died in his sleep at home in Houston, Texas, according to ZZ TOP‘s official web site. He was 72. The ZZ TOP concert scheduled to take place last night (Wednesday, July 28) in Simpsonville, South Carolina was canceled in the wake of Hill‘s sudden death. Funeral arrangements for Hill have not yet been publicly announced. ZZ TOP played without Hill last Friday night (July 23) at the Village Commons in New Lenox, Illinois after he was forced to return to Texas to address a hip issue. Filling in for him at the gig was lon...
Legit President Barack Obama Joins NBA Africa As Strategic Partner
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: ImageCatcher News Service / Getty President Barack Obama continues to live his best life after his run leading the free world. The famed basketball fan has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner with plans to engage Africa’s youth. On Tuesday, July 27, after several years of planning, the NBA announced that Obama was brought on board to “help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent.” This will be done via “programs and partnerships” that will be focused on creating more support for “gender equality and economic inclusion.” Sounds like a win to us. Also, Obama has secured the bag since he will also be receiving a small equity stake in the new venture. But before the conservatives get their panties in a bunch, President 44 ...
Feds Sell Martin Shkreli’s Legendary ‘Once Upon A Time In Shaolin’ Wu-Tang Clan Album
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Bloomberg / Getty Finally! After years of the legendary one-of-a-kind album Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon In Shaolin is finally out the grasp’s of the scourge of the earth, Martin Shkreli and into the hands of, well, we don’t know. According to The Gothamist, the feds actually sold the single copy of the legendary album for an undisclosed amount of money to a buyer who has yet to be named. Will said buyer actually release the album and give Wu-Tang fans a chance to hear what we’ve been waiting for all these years? Hopefully! As you may or may not know, Martin “Pharma Bro” Shkreli was pinched for security fraud back in 2017 and hit with a $7.4 million bill for his transgressions. With the sale of the album, Shkreli’s remaining balance on his $7.4 balance h...
