Eminem is giving the album art for his storied discography a makeover. The rapper has tapped British artist Damien Hirst to redesign 12 of his album covers in honor of Interscope Records’ 30th anniversary. The lineup includes the 8 Mile soundtrack, the eponymous The Marshall Mathers LP and his most recent full-length release, 2020’s Music To Be Murdered By. Each of the 12 covers is redone in Hirst’s distinct contemporary style and features colorful iconography inspired by the albums’ themes and lyricism. Slim Shady isn’t the only artist receiving the Hirst treatment. Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish are among those whose albums will be commissioned new covers on behalf of Interscope as part of the ongoing celebration. The covers will be displayed at an upcoming exhibiti...
Sir Lucian Grainge is at the top of 2022 Billboard Power List, two years after he was named Billboard’s executive of the last decade. But this year, there’s a very different reason for his No. 1 ranking: his leadership of Universal Music Group’s historic debut as a public company. It wasn’t just the largest direct listing in the history of the music industry, but one that has helped lift the boats of many music companies — including those of Grainge’s fiercest rivals. The UMG chairman/CEO is one of nine honorees from the company this year, with the other eight also listed below. Sir Lucian GraingeChairman/CEO, Universal Music GroupBoyd MuirExecutive vp/CFO/president of operations, Universal Music GroupMichele AnthonyExecutive vp, Universal Music GroupJeff HarlestonGeneral counsel/executive...
Foo Fighters rewrite a longstanding record on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart dated Jan. 29 as “Love Dies Young” lifts from No. 11 to No. 9. “Young” becomes the band’s 29th top 10, granting the Dave Grohl-fronted band sole possession of the most top 10s in the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart’s 40-plus-year history. Previously, Foo Fighters were tied with Tom Petty, solo and with the Heartbreakers, with 28 top 10s apiece. Most Top 10s, Mainstream Rock Airplay29, Foo Fighters28, Tom Petty (solo and with the Heartbreakers)27, Shinedown26, Five Finger Death Punch26, Godsmack26, Van Halen24, Aerosmith24, Metallica24, Seether Foo Fighters first hit the Mainstream Rock Airplay top 10 in their first chart appearance, when “This Is a Call” reached No. 6 in August 1995. Of the Foos’ 29 top 1...
Money changes everything. Over the past year new types of investors poured record sums into music, reshaping the power dynamics of the business. So Billboard decided to take a closer look at how the industry’s most powerful executives stack up now. On the list that follows, we rank the top 25 and present the rest in alphabetical order by sector. The sands have certainly shifted since we made our last power list. Sure, Sir Lucian Grainge is still at the top of the heap, two years after we named him our executive of the last decade. But this year, there’s a very different reason for his No. 1 ranking: his leadership of Universal Music Group’s historic debut as a public company. It wasn’t just the largest direct listing in the history of the music industry, but one that has helped l...
LONDON – Tributes have been paid to British music executive Andy Ross, a key figure in the 1990s U.K. music scene, who has died at the age of 66. Ross co-ran London-based independent label Food Records with founder David Balfe and famously gave rock band Blur its first record deal, signing the group to the label in 1990 after seeing them perform at the Islington Powerhaus venue months before. Blur’s commercial breakthrough came with its third studio album, Parklife, released on Food Records/EMI in 1994. The album debuted at number one in the U.K., spawning several hit singles, including “Girls And Boys” and its title track, and establishing Blur as leading figures in the ‘Britpop’ era of British guitar bands alongside Oasis and Pulp. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest vi...
Chaz Bear has announced his seventh studio album as Toro y Moi: Mahal is due out April 29 via Dead Oceans. The news arrives with videos for its first two singles, “Postman” and “Magazine.” Check out the full tracklist and the videos for the songs below. Toro y Moi signed to Dead Oceans last October, announcing the follow-up to 2019’s Outer Peace would be due out this year. In Februrary, he shared the instrumentals for the 2011 album Underneath the Pine. After performing on the first day of the 2021 Astroworld Festival, Bear announced he would be donating all profits from his performance to the families of the victims of the “mass casualty incident.” Read “Toro Y Moi on Channeling Pink Floyd and Trying to Be Timeless” on the Pitch. Content This content can also be viewed on the site it orig...
Kim Gordon is heading out on tour this year. She’s got a U.S. tour that kicks off in March, and then, in May, her itinerary takes her to the United Kingdom and Europe. “I can’t believe the tour is finally happening!” Gordon exclaimed in a statement. “Looking forward to playing with my band who are amazing and bringing the music to you. You are the ones gonna make it sizzle.” Find her schedule below. Gordon’s debut solo album No Home Record was released in 2019. Last year, she shared new songs with J Mascis, plus the single “Grass Jeans.” The latter single’s proceeds benefited Fund Texas Choice. All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Kim Gordon: US 2022 ...
Japanese Breakfast has shared a cover of Yoko Ono’s “Nobody Sees Me Like You Do.” It’s the second single from Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono a tribute album compiled by Death Cab for Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard featuring covers Ono’s work. Check it out below. In a trailer for a podcast associated with the project, Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner said of Ono: “She was the most—sort of—hated woman in music for a while—so unfairly—that I think, obviously, as an Asian woman, I sided with her, and saw her as a very deep and complex artist that was being unfairly judged by the world and how difficult that must have been. And it became very symbolic for me.” Earlier this month, David Byrne and Yo La Tengo shared the compilation‘s first single: A cover of Ono’s “Who Has Seen the Wind.” Last Octo...
Pierre Kwenders—the Congolese-born and Montreal-based musician and songwriter—has announced a new album. José Louis and the Paradox of Love is out April 29 via Arts & Crafts. It follows 2017’s Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time and it features contributions from Win Butler of Arcade Fire, Anaiis, King Britt, Ngabo, Sônge, and others. Watch the Daniel Amoakoah–directed video for the new song “Papa Wemba” below. “He’s been called the king of Congolese Rumba, Papa Wemba has also been one of my idols and biggest inspirations,” Kwenders said in a statement. “He has paved the way for so many artists and has brought Congolese Rumba to another extent. His passing in 2016 was devastating for all rumba lovers. I knew from that day that I wanted to pay homage to him.” Content Thi...