Entertainment News
Kevin Gates Sings John Mayer’s Eponymous Hook on New Song “Wonderland”: Stream
Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates built a name for himself with his confessional anthems and transparent tracks, but lately he’s been exploring his talent as a singer, too. His latest effort, a new single called “Wonderland”, sees him continue that trend in an unexpected way: by covering John Mayer. Technically speaking, “Wonderland” is an original number by Gates about the highs and lows of being a hopeless romantic. To doll up the chorus, he sings the hook of Mayer’s Grammy-winning hit “Your Body Is a Wonderland”, off his 2001 breakout album Room for Squares, rather faithfully. But make no mistake: Gates doesn’t go full-blown lovey-dovey here. Whereas Mayer’s song is a cheesy attempt to woo a woman over, Gates’ number gets straight to the point about sexual attraction. (Hence a lyric like, “W...
YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Nicki Minaj Link Up on New Song “What That Speed Bout?!”: Stream
In 2018, YoungBoy Never Broke Again released “Nicki Minaj”, a song that paid homage to the Queens-bred rapper of the same name. Today, it appears YoungBoy’s teenage dreams have come true, as he’s now collaborated with idol Minaj on a new single called “What That Speed Bout?!”. The track comes courtesy of veteran producer Mike WiLL Made-It, whose winding synths and stabbing percussion make for a listen that alternates between hypnotizing and urgent. And what is that speed bout, you might wonder? I’m still not quite sure, but I did learn YoungBoy has “got seven figures bouncin’ in the car” and watches Blues Clues, while Minaj loves to rock “diamonds on the chain, blingin’ off my tits.” Big moods all around. All three acts appear in the song’s shiny sci-fi video from Edgar Esteves and Austin ...
Chicago Rapper King Von Shot and Killed: Report
Chicago rapper King Von was reportedly shot and killed outside of an Atlanta nightclub early Friday morning. According to Atlanta police deputy chief Timothy Peek (via the Atlanta Journal Constitution), a confrontation between two groups erupted outside of Atlanta’s Monaco Hookah Lounge shortly after 3:00 a.m. local time. Tragically, “that physical altercation escalated into an exchange of gunfire with those groups.” Two off-duty Atlanta police officers who were working security at the club intervened and exchanged gunfire. Peek said police are investigating the incident, but have yet to determine a motive or identify the gunman(s) responsible for the fatal shots. DJ Akademiks has confirmed that King Von was one of the victims killed in the shooting. “I spoke with his manager who...
Kali Uchis Details New Album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)
Kali Uchis has announced a new Spanish-language album called Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), which will be released on November 18th. Uchis is one of the most exciting songwriters of the last half-decade, and at 26 years-old she’s just entering her prime. Her omnivorous approach to R&B led to two lovely and varied projects: 2015’s Por Vida and 2018’s Isolation. But until now, this Colombian-American artist has almost exclusively composed in English. Fans have the privilege of following a young, exciting talent as she tackles a new kind of challenge. Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) translates to Without Fear (of Love and Other Demons). Uchis revealed the album on social media alongside details about the tracklist. As expected, her Jha...
ANOHNI Covers Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”: Stream
In the lead-up to the 2020 Election, ANOHNI has already released not one, but two anti-Trump protest songs, “R.N.C.” and a collaboration with CocoRosie and Big Freedia titled “End of the Freak Show”. With mere hours to go before the big day, the art pop musician has shared a cover of the Gloria Gaynor classic “I Will Survive”, which she uses to rail against the current administration and all the hate and injustices it has perpetuated the last four years. Slowed down to achieve an almost dramatic ballad status, ANOHNI’s rendition comes with a video featuring footage of her performing in the ’90s. Towards the end of the clip, ANOHNI dedicates the song to “all endangered Black trans lives”; “all those awaiting execution in US death chambers”; “those in the US who die from medical neglect”; “t...
The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special Trailer Has Baby Yoda, Shirtless Kylo Ren, and Everyone Else: Watch
Four decades after the wonderful disaster that was the Star Wars Holiday Special, Lucasfilm is taking another crack at bringing the seasonal spirit to a galaxy far, far away — this time with LEGO. On November 17th, the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special will premiere on Disney+, and as the new trailer reveals, just about everyone is coming to the party. The animated event is centered around Rey, who on her way to a Life Day celebration with the other sequel trilogy characters, ends up finding a key to time itself. As she and BB-8 spiral back through the galaxy’s past, she runs into the New Hope version of her master, Luke Skywalker himself. When her grandfather, Emperor Palpatine, and his apprentice, Darth Vader, catch wind of the time-travel key, they set their sights on altering the fut...
R.I.P. Ken Hensley, Original Uriah Heep Keyboardist and Songwriter Dies at 75
Ken Hensley, an original member of Uriah Heep, has passed away at the age of 75 following a short illness. The veteran musician played keyboards, rhythm guitar and sang in the legendary UK rock band during their ’70s heyday, and was their chief songwriter during that time. The news of Hensley’s death was reported by his brother Trevor, who wrote on Facebook, “I am writing this with a heavy heart to let you know that my brother Ken Hensley passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening. His beautiful wife Monica was at his side and comforted Ken in his last few minutes with us. He added, “We are all devastated by this tragic and incredibly unexpected loss and ask that you please give us some space and time to come to terms with it. Ken will be cremated in a private ceremony in Spain so please ...
Common Performs “Say Peace” on Fallon with Black Thought: Watch
Common linked up with Black Thought and PJ for a new performance of “Say Peace” on Wednesday’s episode of The Tonight Show. The song is off Common’s jazzy new album A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1, which came out last Friday, October 30th. Like so many pandemic performances, “Say Peace” was a combination late-night concert, livestream, and music video. Common and Black Thought rapped in a sound stage together, while a projection of PJ floated behind. The song also included imagery of peaceful protests and young people holding up a single fist representing Black power. Watch it below. Over the summer, Common and John Legend paid tribute to late congressman John Lewis with a DNC rendition of the Oscar-winner “Glory”. Last month, Black Thought released his own excellent solo album Strea...
24kGoldn Drops “Mood” Remix with Justin Bieber and J Balvin: Stream
J Balvin (photo by Heather Kaplan), 24kGoldn, and Justin Bieber (images via Instagram) No sooner had 24kGoldn’s “Mood” summited the Billboard Hot 100 then did Ariana Grande’s “Positions” knock it back down. But in the year of our Lord 1 ALN (that’s After Lil Nas X) we know there’s nothing like a starry remix to buoy flagging sales. In the spirit of the many incarnations of “Old Town Road”, 19-year-old 24kGoldn has shared “Mood (Remix)” featuring two of the biggest superstars in the Americas, Justin Bieber and J Balvin. In its original form, “Mood” featured Puerto Rican singer iann dior. His voice is a littler higher than 24kGoldn, but they have similar tones, and on a first listen only a fan familiar with their music would be able to tell them apart. That’s no longer a problem with Bieber ...
Miley Cyrus and Stevie Nicks Team Up on “Edge of Midnight”: Stream
Miley Cyrus’ new single “Midnight Sky” is built around a sample of Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen”. Now, Cyrus has dropped a remix of the song featuring none other than Nicks herself. Take a listen to the appropriately titled “Edge of Midnight” below. In an interview around the time of “Midnight Sky”‘s release, Cyrus recalled how she reached out to Nicks to get her blessing. “I sent her the song and I said, ‘I have an alternate melody, if you don’t want me to kind of like pay tribute to you and your greatness and how much you’ve inspired me.’ And she said, ‘You can borrow from me anytime.’” “Midnight Sky” marks the first single from Cyrus’ upcoming album, Plastic Hearts. Alongside 13 original tracks, the album contains covers of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” and The Cranberries’ “Zomb...
System of a Down Reunite for First New Songs in 15 Years: Stream
System of a Down have returned with their first new recordings in 15 years. Entitled “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”, the songs are being released as a way to to draw attention to the “serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of Artsakh and Armenia,” according to a statement from the band. “The time to do this is now, as together, the four of us have something extremely important to say as a unified voice,” the band explains. “These two songs, ‘Protect The Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz’ both speak of a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of Artsakh and Armenia. “We’re proud to share these songs with you and hope you enjoy listening to them. Further, we encourage you to read on to learn more about their origins and once you do, h...
The Kills Perform “Raise Me” on Corden: Watch
James Corden is well aware that not many people are tuning into The Late Late Show this week, what with everyone on pins and needles about the election results. He even said as much during his “Honest Headlines” segment last night. Yet ever the consummate host, Corden soldiered on with his late-night program, welcoming The Kills for a quick chat and performance. The rock duo were there to promote their Little Bastards rarities compilation by playing the lead single, “Raise Me”. Admittedly, it’s a bit odd seeing two such powerful performers as Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince locked into a small home studio space instead of tearing into a stage. That said, the sound was pretty impeccable, with Mosshart’s voice as sharp as ever and Hince simultaneously playing a keyboard and hammering on...
