Music News
Dave Smith, Synth Pioneer and ‘Father of MIDI,’ Dies at 72
Dave Smith, a key figure in the development of synth technology in the ’70s and ’80s, has died. The official Instagram account for Sequential, the synthesizer company that he founded in 1974, announced “with heavy hearts” the news of his passing, in a post shared on Wednesday (June 1). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “We’re heartbroken, but take some small solace in knowing he was on the road doing what he loved best in the company of family, friends, and artists,” the post reads. Smith was 72. With Sequential (originally known as Sequential Circuits), Smith released various sequencers and programmers to be used with the Moog and ARP synthesizers prevalent at the time, before designing his own release: the Prophet-5, first polyphonic sy...
Movement 2022 Reminded Us That Techno Is Detroit: The Festival’s 13 Best Sets
It had been three years since the last Movement, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the crowd in Detroit was thus ready to reunite and get down and the 2022 iteration of the event, which took place this past weekend (May 28-30) in downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news It was truly joyful to be back in the city for the many of us who fell in love with Detroit through Movement and its music. The event also marked a triumphant family reunion for the techno all-stars and superfans who call Detroit home. Altogether, it was a stellar three days of techno, house, hip-hop, love, connection, positive vibes and dancing, and a much-needed respite from the pain of current events. These are the 13 best sets ...
Stevie Nicks Calls for Gun Control & ‘Empathy’ Following Uvalde Elementary School Shooting
Stevie Nicks joined the countless Democratic politicians, gun control advocates and fellow musicians in the fight to end gun violence and strengthen gun laws in the United States on Wednesday (June 1), sharing a statement in response to the devastating mass shooting at an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school that killed 19 children and 2 adults. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “My hope for this country is that the lawmakers just find a way to make buying an assault rifle ~ more difficult,” the Fleetwood Mac singer wrote in a lengthy message posted to Twitter. “There is just no reason to have a gun that would disintegrate a deer~ or a small animal, if you are, indeed, an honorable hunter. When those guns go into the hands of obviously d...
Wolfgang Van Halen Slams Upcoming Documentary About Father Eddie Van Halen’s Death: ‘Pathetic & Heartless’
Eddie Van Halen‘s son Wolfgang took to Twitter on Wednesday (June 1) to express his disgust over an upcoming Reelz Channel documentary titled Autopsy: The Last Hours of Eddie Van Halen. “F— @ReelzChannel, f— everyone that works on this show, and f— you if you watch it,” the 31-year-old musician tweeted in response to the news of the documentary. “F—ing disgusting trying to glamorize someone’s death from cancer. Pathetic and heartless.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news According to Blabbermouth, the Autopsy: The Last Hours Of… series delves into the deaths of global celebrities and “people whose untimely deaths were surrounded by scandal and intense media attention.” The docuseries uses autopsies and medical evidence to explain the d...
President Biden Praises ‘Great Talent’ BTS for Raising Awareness of Anti-Asian Hate: ‘It Matters’
BTS just made history. During their Tuesday (May 31) visit to the White House, the K-Pop boy band sat down with President Joe Biden on the last day of AANHPI Heritage Month to discuss each other’s roles in raising awareness around the recent surge in anti-Asian hate crimes. The visit made them the first Korean artists to talk about the topic with a U.S. president in the Oval Office. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Strolling up the White House lawn with his bandmates — all looking dapper in matching black suits — RM was the first in the video to address Biden, who was waiting for them by the residence’s entrance. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. President,” the 27-year-old said, with Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook smiling on ei...
Sam Asghari Opens Up About His & Britney Spears’ Pregnancy Loss: ‘When the Baby’s Ready, It’ll Come’
Sam Asghari is GQ‘s newest cover star and used his interview — which was published on Wednesday (June 1) — to discuss his and Britney Spears‘ recent miscarriage, how the pair have been coping in light of the loss, and what he’s doing in the meantime to prepare for being a dad someday. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Spears had first revealed her pregnancy loss May 14 in a joint shared on Instagram. While their statement noted that they will continue their attempt to expand their family, Asghari told the magazine that miscarrying is “just part of life.” He added, “I do want to be a young father. … That’s just the joy of life, I think, is procreation. And that’s just a next step.” In fact, the 28-year-old is already taking actionable steps toward...
Billy Bragg Congratulates Australia’s New Leader Anthony Albanese: ‘He Has a Socialism of the Heart’
Billy Bragg has welcomed Australia’s new leader Anthony Albanese as “the right person for the job”. The legendary British singer, songwriter and activist, and Albo, as he’s affectionately known, have a lot in common. The pair met at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre in the late 1990s and immediate hit it off with a “shared love of music and a commitment to the politics of compassion,” Bragg writes in a social media post. Only now, Albanese is the prime minister-elect of Australia. The respect is mutual. During his first official press conference as PM, Albanese quoted Bragg’s “To Have and To Have Not,” noting “just because you’re going forwards, doesn’t mean I’m going backwards,” a nod to his Australian Labor Party’s progressive agenda. The ALP’s May 21 election win could yet have a ripple eff...
Noah Cyrus Recreates Throwback Paparazzi Video of Her & Miley Cyrus
Back before Noah Cyrus was an artist in her own right, she was the adorable baby sister of then-Disney Channel star Miley Cyrus, and would often appear walking alongside the “7 Things” singer in paparazzi videos. In a video uploaded to TikTok on Monday (May 30), Noah recreates one of those throwback paparazzi videos, in which she’s seen at the post office with Miley and their mom, Tish. In the clip, a young, blonde haired Noah watches as a fan takes a photo of her older sister on a flip phone — and proceeds to stare, cross armed, as the fan walks away. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Cyrus has been open about how living with a famous sister and father (Billy Ray Cyrus) affected her upbringing. Back in 2020, for in tmrw magazine’s The Misch...
Nicki Minaj Named ‘Maxim’ Creative Director & Global Ambassador of Sports Gambling Brand MaximBet
Nicki Minaj shared the news Tuesday (May 31) that she’s become the global ambassador for MaximBet, the sports betting lifestyle brand launched by Maxim last year. As part of the collaboration, the superstar rapper will become creative director for Maxim magazine and collaborate with MaximBet on merchandise, events, fan experiences, other partnerships, branding and more. She will also advise MaximBet’s current board of directors. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of a collaboration,” Minaj said in a statement. “Merging business savvy power moves with my natural, creative, sexy, fun, and fashion-forward expression is just so spot on as it relates to this partnership. I’m ready to fully step into my pote...
Charlie Puth Shares the Story Behind Losing His Virginity at 21
For his new interview with Bustle published on Tuesday (May 31), Charlie Puth was an open book, sharing his journey to finding his musical sound, the photos on his Raya dating profile and the story behind losing his virginity. Yes, the “Light Switch” singer revealed that he had sex for the first time when he was 21 years old, after playing a small gig in Boston. “This girl came up to me and was like, ‘Can you sign my chest?’ I was like, I feel like a rock star,” he told the publication. “I never saw her again. She was lovely, but it makes me sad sometimes because I wish the older version of me was like, ‘Hey, you might want to just make this like a little more memorable.’” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news That wasn’t the only NSFW s...
Rina Sawayama Reveals How Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’ Inspired Her Own Upcoming Album
Fresh off the conclusion of her 2022 tour earlier in May, Rina Sawayama announced her plans to release Hold the Girl, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed album, SAWAYAMA. In an interview with Rolling Stone UK published on Tuesday (May 31), the British-Japanese singer spoke at length about Hold the Girl, and how Taylor Swift provided inspiration on her songwriting approach for the new record. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Sawayama told the outlet that ahead of recording the new album, she started going to therapy for unresolved trauma and often was left wondering if she would be able to channel the pain into a record. But then she thought about Swift. “I remember when Taylor Swift released Folklore, I was like, ‘This b—h is writing ...
Halsey’s New Song Is Finally Coming After Claiming Label Was Holding Up Release
Halsey is getting her wish. A little more than a week after the 27-year-old singer-songwriter began venting frustrations online over having a new song allegedly held from release by their record label, Halsey announced Tuesday (May 31) that “So Good” is finally coming out on June 9, with a music video arriving the next day. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I didn’t expect so much conversation about this record,” the “Without Me” singer tweeted. “All I know is that I wanted you guys to hear it and now you can. So Good, song on June 9th and video the next day.” Halsey also shared a photo of the song’s cover art — which shows the pop star kissing someone who appears to be boyfriend Alev Aydin, who she previously said “So Good” was written ...
