NEWS
Life After AMG: How CEO Tobias Moers Is Re-Energizing Aston Martin
Having worked for Daimler AG for 26 years, seven of them as the successful CEO of the company’s in-house hot-rod shop, Mercedes-AMG, it’s fair to say that running storied British sports car brand Aston Martin was not a career move Tobias Moers had ever considered. But when billionaire Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll—who was assembling a consortium to buy the 16.7 percent stake in the troubled automaker that would make him executive chairman—called Moers in January 2020 to discuss the idea, the German was intrigued. “How many brands are there that are still independent, where you can create something more sustainable, build something better?” says Moers of Aston Martin, which despite struggling in the aftermath of an unsuccessful IPO in 2017, was still producing...
Sylvan Esso Announce Fall 2021 US Tour Dates
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-11T16:47:50+00:00“>May 11, 2021 | 12:47pm ET Sylvan Esso are returning to the road in support of last year’s Free Love. The synthpop duo has announced a string of 2021 US tour dates for this fall. After Sylvan Esso performs at Bonnaroo’s Saturday night Superjam with the 10-piece band which played on their December With Love EP, the “Shaking Out the Numb” tour will launch on September 6th at the Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon, and continue through mid-November. Additional cities on the docket include Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Boston, and a pair of shows at New York’s Terminal 5 to close out the trek. The group also has a slot lined up for Firefly Music Festival in Septemb...
Dave Chappelle, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli Unveil The Midnight Miracle Podcast
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-11T17:52:40+00:00“>May 11, 2021 | 1:52pm ET Dave Chappelle, Talib Kweli, and Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def have launched their new podcast The Midnight Miracle. The first two episodes are streaming now through the Luminary Podcast Network. The three longtime friends recorded this material during Chappelle’s 2020 Summer Camp series of socially-distanced comedy shows in Ohio. They spent hundreds of hours in front of microphones at the converted mechanic’s garage The Shack, which resulted in enough material to release new episodes through the end of the year, with a summer hiatus. Episode 1 is titled “How to Inspire”, and it opens with a prayer in Arabic that Chappelle then ...
Newport Folk Festival Announces 2021 Tickets On-Sale Date, Details Two-Part Event
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-11T18:24:28+00:00“>May 11, 2021 | 2:24pm ET After taking last year off like every other major event in the country, Newport Folk Festival is ready to return in 2021. The long-running cultural cornerstone is set to take place over two consecutive three-day weekends, scheduled for July 23rd-25th and July 26th-28th, each of which will feature a unique lineup. Tickets for Newport Folk historically sell out well before a single artist is even announced, and even split across two separate festivals, that’s likely to happen again. Each three-day event will be held at a 50% capacity reduction — essentially meaning the same number of tickets will be sold overall, only Fort Adams State Par...
Former Styx Singer Dennis DeYoung Teams Up with Tom Morello for New Song “The Last Guitar Hero”: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-11T21:00:01+00:00“>May 11, 2021 | 5:00pm ET Former Styx singer Dennis DeYoung has joined forces with Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello for a new song called “The Last Guitar Hero”. The track will appear on DeYoung’s final studio album, 26 East, Vol. 2, which arrives June 11th. While Styx certainly made their mark as a hard-rocking band, DeYoung is also known for his ballads like “Babe” and “Lady”, making his collaboration with Morello a bit of an unlikely partnership. “The Last Guitar Hero” has a throwback Styx sound with a blistering solo from Morello at the 2:30 mark. The song is the second single from DeYoung’s forthcoming album, following last month’s release of ...
Roberta Flack, Klymaxx & More Among Women Songwriters Hall of Fame’s First Class
Since its founding in 1970, the Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored only 31 women out of its 439 inductees. (In 2002, Simpson was inducted alongside her late husband Nick Ashford). In June 2022, this number will increase to 32 women when Mariah Carey and 13 men are inducted at the 51st annual awards gala, which has been postponed twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an email to Billboard, Linda Moran, president and CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, said that she and her colleagues are unfamiliar with the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame and declined to comment on the organization. While DeLoatch aims to celebrate the contributions of women songwriters whose recognition is overdue, she stresses that the event is inclusive of all women regardless of race or genre. “It is not me...
‘The Voice’ Final 9 Is Revealed Following Brutal Elimination Round
In a tense battle, Pete Mroz (Team Blake), Jose Figueroa Jr. (Team Nick), Ryleigh Modig (Team Legend), and Corey Ward (Team Kelly) gave it their all for the Instant Save. In the end, there could be only one. And that was Corey Ward, who performed the Selena Gomez song “Lose You to Love Me.” With the final just two weeks ago, Coach Kelly Clarkson holds the edge with three remaining contestants, while Coaches Blake Shelton, John Legend and Nick Jonas each have two singers in the competition. Check out the Final 9 below. Team Blake America’s Vote: Cam AnthonyBlake’s Save: Jordan Matthew Young Team Nick: America’s Vote: Rachel MacNick’s Save: Dana Monique Team Legend: America’s Vote: Victor SolomonJohn’s Save: Pia Renee Team Kelly: America’...
J Balvin Talks Pablo Escobar, Mental Health and Making ‘Dreams Come True’ In Colombia
“We have to show the positive side,” he explains. “We’re not into this world anymore.” Balvin also reveals he hangs with Escobar’s son. “He’s like, ‘my dad taught the world how to not do things right,’” Balvin recounts. “He just messed up a whole generation. I want to show the world the new generation.” That generation is striding ahead, he continues, and people from Colombia right now are “making the dream come true.” The “Mi Gente” singer also opened up about the “lottery” that is anxiety, which has struck him before showtime. “Depression is not being sad. Depression is a chemical disbalance in the brain,” he explains. “It’s way more powerful than you.” He speaks with experience on the subject. Balvin has taken medication for his condition for 10 years. “I used to be like, going to the p...
Ciara, Russell Wilson Sign First-Look Amazon Deal
Wilson is heading into his 10th season as the quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks. He led the team to a Super Bowl win in 2013. Off the field, he launched a lifestyle brand, Good Man Brand, and has a number of endorsements. He formed the Why Not You Foundation, a nonprofit where Ciara is also a board member, to focus on motivating and empowering young kids. Ciara has sold more than 23 million records and 22 million singles worldwide. Her “Level Up” video has more than 300 million views and is certified platinum. She launched Beauty Marks Entertainment as a platform for music, media, film, fashion, philanthropy and more. “Russell and Ciara are a true powerhouse producing duo — both with extraordinary success in their respective careers on the field and the stage, their business ventures, ...
Swizz Beatz Confirms DMX’s Final Album Drops This Month
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty It seems like just yesterday news broke that the beloved rapper known as DMX had taken his last breath on this earth and though many fans are still processing his passing they will get to hear the Dawg one last time in a few weeks. Following his death word began to spread that X had in fact finished his last album with Snoop Dogg saying the album was done at his studio in L.A. following their fan favorite Verzuz battle earlier in the year. Though nothing about the potential album was uttered in the following weeks, Swizz Beatz took to IG to confirm DMX’s last studio album is indeed complete and will be hitting the streets at the end of the month. According to Variety, Swizz announced that X’s posthumous project, Exodus, will be r...
Dave Chapelle Calls Out ‘Saturday Night Live’ Cast For Low Woke Levels
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Supplied by WENN.com / WENN Whether you find him funny or not one thing that can be said about Dave Chapelle is that he speaks from the heart. In a new interview, the comedian expressed his disappointment in the Saturday Night Live cast. As spotted on Page Six the Washington, D.C. native joined Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast last week. As expected their conversation touched on a multitude of topics including his historic run on Comedy Central and reacquiring the rights to Chapelle Show. While discussing Elon Musk’s upcoming guest spot on the NBC live sketch comedy show (the podcast was recorded the day prior) the two made it clear the staff wouldn’t utilize the Tesla businessman the right way. “No one is woke enough,” Rogan t...
Chris Rock Reflects On His Learning Disorder Diagnosis: “It Was Always Something A Little Off”
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: 2020 New Yorker Festival / Getty Managing your mental health and wellness is a lifelong journey that at any age can help improve your life– just ask Chris Rock. In recent months, the comedian was diagnosed with a learning disorder as an adult, which has helped him realize many things about his past relationships. In an interview with Extra reported by MadameNoire, Rock discussed how he’s been managing during the pandemic and sharing his thoughts about places starting to reopen across the country. “I’m doing well… I lost a lot of people, man… The ones that are here are doing well… You gotta appreciate what you have.” He also opened up about his diagnosis of a nonverbal learning disorder and how it has impacted his personal relationships. “A friend of...
