“Bone Thugs-N-Harmony” open up a pet store called Dog Bones-N-Melodies in a sketch on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live. “Tha Crossroads” rap group — or, in this case, SNL’s Kenan Thompson, Ego Nwodim and Chris Redd alongside host Jonathan Majors — tout the “next phase of their career”: …
Read More »Polo G Pays Homage to Michael Jackson in 'Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)' Video
Polo G has dropped the video for new song “Bad Man (Smooth Criminal).” The track interpolates the 1988 Michael Jackson classic both musically and with the lyrics, while giving his own spin on the bloodstained gangster-themed anthem. In the Arrad-directed clip, Polo G appears in a swanky white suit with …
Read More »Van Morrison Sued by Northern Ireland Health Minister Over Covid-19 Criticism
After a year of sharing anti-lockdown and Covid-19 conspiracy bait under the guise of protest music, Van Morrison is being sued by Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann for defamation. The singer has regarded the health official’s handling of public restrictions as “very dangerous.” Swann’s lawyer, Paul Tweed, told the …
Read More »Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak's Lovers Have Them 'Smokin Out the Window' in Silk Sonic Video
Silk Sonic — comprising Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak — have dropped another smooth track, “Smokin Out the Window.” The song is expected to appear on their upcoming debut album, An Evening With Silk Sonic, which arrives Nov. 12. In the track’s accompanying video, the duo perform on a stage …
Read More »Lucy Dacus Takes Audience to Church With 'VBS' Performance on 'Fallon'
Lucy Dacus stopped by The Tonight Show to showcase her single “VBS.” Appearing with her band, Dacus performed the song, which is short for “Vacation Bible School,” in a church-like set, complete with stained glass windows and pews. “VBS” comes off Dacus’ album Home Video, which arrived earlier this year. …
Read More »Dr. Dre Tells Rock Hall of Fame How LL Cool J, the Original G.O.A.T., Inspired Him
Dr. Dre was 19 years old and hadn’t yet joined the World Class Wreckin’ Cru, much less N.W.A, when LL Cool J, at age 16, put out his first single, the underground smash “I Need a Beat.” Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, was a rap phenomenon …
Read More »King Louie, Polo G, and Saba on What Makes Chicago Great
Chicago has been home to some of the biggest names in American music for more than a century, and its hip-hop scene has thrived since Common and Do or Die were making hits in the Nineties. But everything changed for the Windy City in the spring of 2012, when Kanye …
Read More »How a Sucker Punch Fueled the Rise of My Chemical Romance
In his new book, Sellout: The Major Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007), author Dan Ozzi examines the fraught decision that’s plagued some of the world’s greatest punk bands for decades: Whether or not to sign that record contract? Sellout specifically examines the post-Nirvana goldrush as …
Read More »Olivia Rodrigo Takes a Swim, Thinks You're Still a 'Traitor' in New Video
Olivia Rodrigo has finally dropped the video for “Traitor,” the second track and highlight of her breakout album Sour. The clip threads ethereal shots of Rodrigo floating among the stars and skies with home video-esque footage of her hanging with her friends, walking through an arcade, and taking a late-night …
Read More »Years Ago, Damon Albarn Fell in Love With Iceland. Now He's Paying Musical Tribute
When Damon Albarn was little, he had a recurring dream where he levitated over a giant landmass of black sand. He always woke up feeling energized by the mental voyage, but he had no idea where it took place until he stumbled on a National Geographic television special about Iceland …
Read More »