Aretha Franklin was 22 and already a proven hit maker by 1964. But it was still a few years before “Respect” and “Think” would position her as the Queen of Soul, and she was unafraid to explore jazzier and bluesier territory. That year, she put out two records: Unforgettable, A …
Read More »Why More Pop Songwriters Are Stepping Into the Spotlight
Last month, Halsey and Khalid released a new song, “Eastside,” with a silent partner: producer and songwriter Benny Blanco, who’s credited as a third lead artist on the single (and co-stars in its video) even though he doesn’t audibly sing on it. For Blanco, who’s been crafting pop smashes at …
Read More »Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks Lead Country's Biggest Earners in 2018
Garth Brooks has been raking in the cash since coming out of retirement and hitting the road in 2014, landing at the top of highest paid country stars lists for three consecutive years. He couldn’t maintain the streak in 2018, however, as Luke Bryan sailed past him to claim his …
Read More »'Who Is America?': Watch Pro-Gun Advocate Bite Sacha Baron Cohen's Dildo
The latest episode ofWho Is America?, takes aim at Dan Roberts, the president of Youth Shooters of America, an organization that promotes youth shooting sports. Disguised as an Israeli terrorism expert named Erran Morad, Sasha Baron Cohen told Roberts the best way to “survive a beheading” was to attack an …
Read More »See Muscadine Bloodline's Triumphant 'Movin' On' Video
Not all breakups are created equal, and sometimes getting dumped is actually for the best. That’s the premise behind Muscadine Bloodline’s video for their propulsive single, “Movin’ On.” The duo’s Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton play a pair of aspiring stars — not unlike their real lives — who get …
Read More »Why Does Travis Scott Love Jamba Juice So Much?
There are a lot of reasons to love “Sicko Mode,” the early highlight of Travis Scott‘s excellent new Astroworld, but I’d like to talk about one in particular. That reason is Jamba Juice. Scott, who recently took over Six Flags Magic Mountain for an Astroworld listening party, mentions the thirst-quenching …
Read More »Watch J. Cole Spit Triumphant New Freestyle 'Album of the Year'
J. Cole unveiled a triumphant new freestyle, “Album of the Year,” which finds him spitting over the beat to Nas and the Bravehearts’ 2001 track, “Oochie Wally.” Simon David directed the video for “Album of the Year,” which captures J. Cole spitting the cut in various locations, like inside a …
Read More »Watch Taylor Swift Perform 'Summer of '69' With Bryan Adams in Toronto
Taylor Swift performed “one of my favorite songs ever written,” Bryan Adams‘ “Summer of ’69,” with help from the Canadian rocker during Swift’s Reputation Tour stop Saturday in Toronto. After proclaiming her love for the 1984 hit, Swift delivered a solo rendition of the song’s first verse before the Ontario-born …
Read More »YG, the Architect of 'Fuck Donald Trump,' is Getting Back to the Basics
YG, the Los Angeles rapper who’s released two acclaimed albums of political invective, street narratives and lowrider-sproinging DJ Mustard beats returns this week with his third album, Stay Dangerous. Though he caused a sensation in 2016 with the Molotov-tossing “FDT (“Fuck Donald Trump”),” YG is thinking more locally than globally …
Read More »Vince Gill Announces Remaining 2018 Tour Dates
Touring with the Eagles would likely more than enough activity in one year for most people, but not in Vince Gill’s case. The singer, songwriter, and guitarist extraordinaire is squeezing in solo shows anywhere he can, with 28 newly announced gigs on the horizon from now through the end of …
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