The Weeknd, Lizzo, and John Legend have signed an open letter to defund the police, Variety and Rolling Stone report. The letter was launched by activist Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter and a founding member of the Movement 4 Black Lives (M4BL), and is part of a week of action led by
Music
Bob Mould has announced a new album. It’s called Blue Hearts and it’s out September 25 via Merge. In a press release, Mould refers to the 14-track album as “the catchiest batch of protest songs I’ve ever written in one sitting.” He has also shared the first single, “American Crisis.” Check out the lyric video
Detroit rapper Teejayx6 has released a protest song titled “BLACK LIVES MATTER.” The track is produced by TM88 and pays tribute to George Floyd, whose death by Minneapolis police last week has given rise to protests against police brutality nationwide. Listen to “BLACK LIVES MATTER” below. Teejayx6 joins many artists who have released protest songs
Oh Sees mastermind John Dwyer has announced a new supergroup, Bent Arcana. The new band is “very much on the ECM / ’70s hard fusion / prog-kraut tip,” according to a statement from Dwyer. Joining Dwyer in Bent Arcana are: modular synthesist Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio), drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Ryan Sawyer,
Terrace Martin has shared a new song with Denzel Curry, Kamasi Washington, G Perico, and Watts battle rapper Daylyt. The track, called “PIG FEET,” arrives amid nationwide protests against racism and police violence, following the death of George Floyd after former police officer Derek Chauvin, who’s been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, knelt
YG has shared a new song called “FTP,” which stands for “Fuck the Police.” The track is released amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd. Listen to “FTP” below. YG has released politically charged songs in the past. In 2016, he and Nipsey Hussle released the anthem “FDT,” which featured the repeated chorus
Tomorrow, June 2, many members of the music industry will engage in a “blackout” in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and other Black citizens by the police. A post about the action, which began circulating at the end of last week with the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused, calls for “gatekeepers of
Yesterday (May 31), rapper Chika posted a lengthy Instagram video detailing her experience at a Los Angeles protest over the weekend. In the clip, Chika discusses her and her manager’s calm behavior at an event protesting the killing of George Floyd. She then recounts being handcuffed (with zip ties) and detained for seven hours without
Stand with Bandcamp to Support Racial Justice, Equality and Change The recent killings of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the ongoing state-sanctioned violence against black people in the US and around the world are horrific tragedies. We stand with those rightfully demanding justice, equality, and change, and people of
CupcakKe has released another new song, her second this year. It’s called “Lemon Pepper,” and half the proceeds benefit the Minnesota Freedom Fund. Check it out below. In March, CupcakKe returned from a hiatus with the single “Lawd Jesus,” which she followed with a new video. She had said in September that she was quitting
In a press conference today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he received a call last night from JAY-Z regarding George Floyd to amplify protesters’ demand that all officers involved in his murder face justice. JAY-Z later issued a statement about the call via Roc Nation’s official twitter account. In his statement, JAY-Z thanked Governor Walz
Faith Evans was arrested this week for felony domestic violence, TMZ reports. Law enforcement sources reportedly told TMZ that police were called to the home of Evans and producer Stevie J. Police claimed that when they arrived to the scene, Stevie J had “visible marks and scratches” on his face after a verbal confrontation turned
Lil Wayne has shared eight new songs in the deluxe edition of his Funeral LP. The extended album features appearances from Lil Uzi Vert (“Multiple Flows”), Doja Cat (“Shimmy”), Jessie Reyez (“Love You F*ck You”), and more. The new tracks have been added to the beginning of the record, with “Shimmy” opening disk one of
Back in February, Faith No More announced a joint tour with Korn. The trek would have marked Faith No More’s first American tour in five years. Now, the band has canceled the tour due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “It is with heavy hearts that we came to this decision out of an abundance of
On August 21, Eminem’s publishing company Eight Mile Style filed a lawsuit against Spotify, alleging that the streaming company had streamed his songs billions of songs without acquiring the proper licenses. The lawsuit also challenged the constitutionality of the Music Modernization Act passed by Congress in 2018, which makes it more difficult for artists to
Jamie xx and Georgia Ellery (of Jockstrap) have shared a new live session that they recorded for BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction while quarantining together. Listen to it here. The project is Jamie xx’s latest in a string of recent collaborations, including a DJ set with the Avalanches and the song “Smoke” with Headie One
Last night (May 29), rapper and activist Killer Mike gave a speech at the Atlanta Mayor’s Press Conference. Mike’s speech was in response to protests stemming from the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, who’s been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, used his knee to pin
Neil Finn has recruited his Fleetwood Mac bandmates Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie for a new song called “Find Your Way Back Home.” It was written by Finn about the Auckland homeless population, inspired by a chance encounter he had at the Auckland City Mission, and sales from the song will go towards the Mission’s
Kelsey Lu has shared a new song called “Morning Dew.” The track features Isaiah Barr from Onyx Collective on saxophone. It’s out now via Hydroharmonia/No Tricks. Give it a listen below. Of the new single, Kelsey Lu said in a press release: “Love can cure us, Love can destroy us and like Nature, we’re constantly in
Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist have shared a new project. It’s called Alfredo and it features guest spots from Tyler, the Creator and Rick Ross, as well as Griselda’s Benny the Butcher and Conway the Machine. Hear it below. Alfredo marks the latest collaboration between Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist. In 2018, they teamed with
The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing has released a list of “Safe Studio Considerations,” a list of recommendations aimed towards recording studio operators as they reopen in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The list was developed with input and assistance from “numerous recording studio owners, engineers, and others around the country.” In addition
Lady Gaga and BLACKPINK have joined forces for a new song ahead of Gaga’s Chromatica release at midnight. Listen to “Sour Candy” below. Chromatica follows 2016’s Joanne and the A Star Is Born soundtrack. Its other pre-release singles include “Stupid Love” and “Rain on Me,” a collaboration with Ariana Grande. The record also features contributions from
If there’s one knock I have against Heartour’s new album R U In, it’s vocalist and songwriting Jason Young’s insistence on adding light post-production effects to his singing. His voice is more than capable of carrying the album’s ten songs without the questionable benefits of studio trickery. I understand his reasoning behind it, but it comes
Rosalía and Travis Scott have teamed up for a new song. It’s called “TKN,” and it’s out tomorrow. Tonight, Rosalía has shared a preview of the new song’s video. Watch it below. Rosalía teased the track in a tweet earlier this month. The singer’s last solo single “Dolerme” arrived in March, following January’s “Juro Que.”
Sheryl Crow, David Crosby, Rufus Wainwright, Jimmy Buffett, and Joe Walsh are performing at a virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, as Variety notes. The event, called “Rock Out on a Night In,” takes place tomorrow night (May 28) at 8 p.m. Eastern. It’s hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and Senator
Bright Eyes have shared their latest new song. Following “Persona Non Grata” and “Forced Convalescence,” “One and Done” arrives today. Listen to it below. The song features Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea on bass. Nathaniel Walcott provided the song’s orchestral arrangement, and Miwi La Lupa sings backing vocals. The track is set to appear on
Black Dresses, the Toronto-based noise-pop duo of Devi McCallion and Ada Rook, have announced plans to break up. In a statement shared with Pitchfork, the duo explained that the decision stems from fans’ “extended harassment” of McCallion over the past two years. Read it in full below. The group’s statement doesn’t outline specific events that
Pitchfork is pleased to announce that Flying Lotus will play a stay-at-home concert that will broadcast live on Instagram tomorrow, May 27, at 8 p.m. Eastern. You can tune in at Pitchfork’s Instagram. The performance will be part of a series of concert sessions that take place on our Instagram on Wednesdays and Fridays. Upcoming
Queen’s Brian May has revealed that he suffered “a small heart attack” earlier this month, as the BBC notes. In an IGTV clip, the guitarist said that he also required three stents fitted to his heart due to artery blockages. May said that he “was actually very near death” due to his heart troubles. Find
Jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb has died from lung cancer, NPR reports. He was 91 years old. Jimmy Cobb was born in Washington, D.C. in 1929. He left home in 1950 for his first traveling gig, touring with Earl Bostic. By 1959, at just 30 years old, Cobb played his best known work, drumming for Miles