music blog
Kendrick Lamar Could Set These 5 Records at the 2023 Grammys
With his new album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers receiving rave reviews, Kendrick Lamar could be in for a big night when the 65th annual Grammy Awards are presented early next year (most likely in January at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles). Lamar has amassed 14 Grammys, but the top prize, album of the year, has eluded him. That may well change next year. Also, Lamar’s buzzy video for “The Heart Part 5,” in which his face morphs into the faces of such Black celebrities as O.J. Simpson, Kanye West and Will Smith, could take best music video. The visual has the “stop what you’re doing and watch this now” quality of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America,” which won in that category in 2019. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Mr. Morale &...
Pete Townshend Hopes The Who’s Emotional Return to Cincinnati 43 Years After Tragedy ‘Will Bring Us All Together’
As far as Pete Townshend is concerned, The Who should never have left Cincinnati after that awful night in December 1979 when 11 fans died after concertgoers rushed the doors of Riverfront Coliseum. Like singer Roger Daltrey, the guitarist has never been able to shake the awful feeling of finding out about the tragedy that unfolded outside the venue — now named Heritage Bank Arena — on that freezing Dec. 3 night. And though it’s taken more than four decades, he is looking forward to enveloping the Queen City in a big, emotional hug when the band take the stage at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium on Sunday night (May 15) for the rock icons’ first show in town in the city in over 40 years as part of their “Who Hits Back!” tour. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and...
Every Song Ranked on Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ Album: Critic’s Picks
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, released Friday (May 13), is Compton wordsmith Kendrick Lamar’s momentous 18-track return to the rap spotlight after a five-year layoff. Outside of a few guest appearances on cousin Baby Keem’s 2021 effort The Melodic Blue, fans have not heard much from the Pulitzer Prize winner since 2017’s DAMN. Precursor single “The Heart Pt. 5,” in which Lamar raps over a sample loop of Marvin Gaye’s 1976 single “I Want You,” came earlier this week (May 8) and gave fans a taste of the new record’s overarching concepts, themes and ideas. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Sporting guest appearances from Ghostface Killah, Kodak Black, Blxst, Sampha, Summer Walker and plenty more, the double-disc record clocks in at 73 minutes a...
Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, My Chemical Romance & More: Which Music Release Is Your Favorite? Vote!
New Music Friday on May 13 saw two rap powerhouses make their return to music — one with a highly anticipated album, and the other with a collaboration featuring another rap star. One of pop punk’s greatest also returned with a new track. But which release was your favorite? Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Kendrick Lamar dropped his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers — and an expansive world tour not too long after. The album — which features production from Pharrell, Duval Timothy, the Alchemist, Beach Noise, Boi-1da, Sounwave, Dahi, FNZ, J.LBS, Bekon and more — sees the gifted rapper musing on socially conscious topics, everything from wealth struggles and cancel culture to hip-hop’s relationship with transphobia in lyrics ...
Drake Performs at Dave’s Toronto Show, Announces OVO Fest Return
Streatham-born rapper Dave just brought Drake out on stage as a special guest during the Toronto leg of his cross-Atlantic tour. During Drizzy’s appearance at REBEL, Drake gave high praise to the UK rapper, before announcing the return of OVO Fest in 2022. Speaking on stage, Drake said: “Toronto, please, like I said, this guy right here is one generational talent. Whether he is rapping, pouring out his heart, whether he’s turning all the way up, whether he’s playing the piano, whether he’s acting in our show, Top Boy, I promise you this guy right here is one of one – make some noise for Dave.” He continued to say, “I love you with all my heart. They let the city back open so I will see you at OVO Fest soon.” Drake and Dave’s relationship goes back to 2016 when Drake featured on the re...
Talking Heads in 10 Songs
This article originally ran in 2017; we’re resharing it as David Byrne celebrates his birthday on May 14th. Ever felt overwhelmed by an artist’s extensive back catalog? Been meaning to check out a band, but you just don’t know where to begin? In 10 Songs is here to help, offering a crash course and entry point into the daunting discographies of iconic artists of all genres. This is your first step toward fandom. Take it. In any other band’s history, the 40th anniversary of the release of their debut album would inspire all manner of promotional hullabaloo and creaky onstage reunions. When that band is Talking Heads — the art pop group that released its debut, Talking Heads: 77, in September 1977 — this kind of milestone is going to slide by with zero fanfare and even less attempts at recon...
2022 Father’s Day Gift Guide: Vinyl, Books and More
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th, and if you’re trying to come up with ideas for dad, we’ve compiled some of our favorite gifts to help you out. From records to tech, books to vodka and everything in between, we’ve got gift ideas dad will love for all budgets and interests. These items are sure to have him bragging to his friends at the next neighborhood BBQ. And if you’re after a one-click solution, simply check out all of our epic Consequence merch and grab some quality swag. A comfy new shirt and/or some CBD goodies are likely exactly what dad needs to relax into summer; it’s all available in our shop here. Advertisement Check out the full gift guide below. Vinyl & CDs Vinyl Me, Please ($43.00/month – $399.00/year): Why give dad only one day out of the year when you can give him 12...
Antonio Sánchez Enlists Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for “I Think We’re Past That Now”: Stream
Antonio Sánchez has released “I Think We’re Past That Now,” his new collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross which features lyrics penned by the Nine Inch Nails frontman. Stream it below. “I can hear the sound coming out of them/ But I don’t seem to be able to comprehend,” Reznor whisper-sings on the first verse over Sánchez’s scattershot percussion. “I can feel their bullets fly through me/ But I think I’ve decided they don’t work on me.” The song will appear on the Grammy-winning drummer’s upcoming album, SHIFT (Bad Hombre Vol. II), out August 26th via Arts Music/Warner Music. The long-gestating follow-up to 2017’s Bad Hombre will also feature collaborations with the likes of Dave Matthews (“Eh Hee 2.0” with Pat Metheny), Kimbra (“Suspended Animation”), Rodrigo y Gabriela (“M-Pow...
Alice Merton Shares Origins of New Song “Loveback”: Exclusive
Our recurring new music series Origins is where artists can reveal the stories behind their latest release. Today, Mom + Pop artist Alice Merton shares “Loveback.” Alice Merton is today sharing the latest preview of her forthcoming S.I.D.E.S. LP with the single “Loveback.” “Loveback” serves as the opening salvo on the singer-songwriter’s sophomore full-length. It sets the stage for a powerful indie pop sound, one that’s full of fun, scream-along chorus, but also underscores the album’s prevalent themes of self-reclamation. Advertisement Related Video “‘Loveback’ talks about waking up one day and realizing someone has stolen a part of you that you want back,” Merton explains. “It was the realization that I didn’t ‘need’ anyone to exist. I was never dependent on anyone or anything, even...
Kendrick Lamar Announces Global Dates for ‘The Big Steppers Tour’
Kendrick Lamar is back. His highly-anticipated fifth studio album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers has finally been delivered and hip hop lovers have already been singing their praises over the record’s endorphin-rushing beats, impressive production and plethora of features from the likes of Sampha, Blxst, Summer Walker, Kodak Black and more. Wasting little to no time to perform his newest body of work in front of his fans, the GRAMMY Award-winning rapper has just announced the dates for his forthcoming global The Big Steppers Tour. The concert run kicks off this Summer on July 19 in Oklahoma City, OK and concludes just ahead of Christmas on December 16 in Auckland, New Zealand. The tour poster reveals that Baby Keem will be on as a supporting act for all of the tour dates, while newly-sign...
Wild Up Announce New Recording of Julius Eastman’s Joy Boy
Last year, Los Angeles music collective Wild Up issued studio recordings of late composer Julius Eastman’s work Femenine. Now, the group is coming back with Julius Eastman, Vol. 2: Joy Boy, the second entry in its seven-volume anthology celebrating Eastman. The new album arrives June 17 via New Amsterdam. The collection includes never-before-recorded compositions such as “Joy Boy” and “Buddha.” Today, Wild Up have shared a recording of Eastman’s piece “Stay on It.” Find that below, and scroll down for the album art and tracklist. Eastman was a queer avant-garde composer who wasn’t fully appreciated for his work until after his death in Buffalo, New York in 1990. He was 49 years old when he died. Eastman worked and performed in the downtown New York music scene, between the worlds of disco,...
Charli XCX to Play Metaverse Concert on Roblox Platform
Charli XCX will play a metaverse concert on June 17, hosted on the Roblox platform. The concert, which starts at 7 p.m. Eastern, is the culmination of a five-week virtual event comprising mini-games and other digital challenges. Players can create pop star avatars and send them into the “Superstar Galaxy.” Completing tasks inches players up the leaderboard, with winners invited to join Charli XCX on the virtual stage. Along the way, her avatar provides tips and encouraging messages. Fans can also watch replays of the performance all weekend long. The project is sponsored by Samsung—Charli XCX is now a “Team Galaxy ambassador,” according to a press release—and players navigate the space using a virtual Galaxy Z Flip3. Charli XCX said the partnership “will give [her] community the access and...
