Day in Pop Report for 07/29/2014
"I'm the best rapper, definitely top five," Gambino rapped. "I cut their head off, that's every rapper living. That's Kendrick, that's Drake, that's ScHoolboy, that's everyone. I don't give a f-. I'll f-- kill you n--." But rappers weren't the only object of the man born Donald Glover's attack. Also getting shout outs, but not of the friendly variety, were 5 Seconds of Summer (an Australian boy band) and Coldplay. Watch the freestyle here.
According to Billboard, Coldplay have donated �10,000 or $17,000 to a fund-raiser organized by a terminally ill British fan named Jody Duff who is suffering from a motor neurone disease - a progressive neurological condition - that has confined him to a wheelchair. Duff has been raising money MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association UK), looking for a total of �25,000 (over $42,000). But it wasn't until the fundraiser caught the attention of Coldplay that the long-time fan's fundraiser got a big boost. Since the donation, the band has also encouraged others to give, tweeting a message to fans asking for their help. More.
But rather than getting a hero's welcome or even getting a quick bite to eat without any attention, Franklin was reportedly scorned by an employee who simply didn't like where she was sitting. The New York Daily News reports that Franklin, after performing in Lewiston, N.Y., on July 22, stopped by the restaurant and ordered takeout. She sat at one of the booths to wait for her order to be completed but was approached by an employee who told her she couldn't sit there. "I said, 'Excuse me, what do you mean I can't sit here?" Franklin told the Daily News, the worker responding that she was seated in a booth at which only dine-in patrons could eat. But when she decided she'd just eat there instead to avoid issue, the employee shot her down again, because her bill was processed as takeout. According to Franklin, she was ordered to stand outside the perimeter of the restaurant to wait, at which point the legendary singer gave up and told the worker that she "should eat it yourself and you pay for it." See what happened next and the response from the chain here.
McGraw revealed on Monday (July 28) the track list and additional details about Sundown Heaven Town, which will be released on Sept. 16. "This album is very encompassing of everything that I've done in my career," McGraw said in a press release. "I think it's a good microcosm of what my 20 or so years in music have been, in a lot of ways. You can certainly hear parts of my career throughout all of these songs, as well as the future and where my music is headed. To me, the title of the album is all about that time where you stop doing what you have to do, and start doing what you want to do. " He added: "I feel like I've got a lot of music in me and that's part of the reason why this album is so soon after the last one and why I wanted to start sharing it with everyone as soon as I could. I'm excited about where music is gonna take me and where I'm gonna take my music." The 13-track album features two duets: one with Catherine Dunn and another featuring Faith Hill. The deluxe version, which adds five additional songs to the fray, includes Kid Rock on one song. Check out the cover and track info here.
"I'm going rogue. The label doesn't know I'm doing this. Seriously. But I made a Moonshine Preview teaser. Don't tell," he tweeted. While he uploaded several teasers, some which were later taken down, fans can listen to the surviving one. The always comical Paisley went on to post supposed email exchanges with his label, though there's, of course, the possibility of the ordeal being nothing more than a quick publicity stunt. Later, he also tweeted out a YouTube link which showcased the chorus to another song on the album called "Crushin' It," but it was promptly taken down. Read the tweets and listen to the sample here.
It was no heated battle, however: the judgment was issued in default, as the defendants never responded to the filed complaints by West. West quickly filed suit to shut Coinye down after it launched in January of 2014. After his initial filing against them, the name of the currency was changed from Coinye West to Coinye and the currency's logo was switched from a profile view of West's head to one depicting him as a cartoon fish. West amended his claim in March to name the founders of the currency, including their email addresses. More details.
The pair has announced they will be suing the Russian government for �120,000 each in compensation, as well as �10,000 in court fees, reports NME. They spent 21 months locked up, and since exiting have actually had their ability to use the Pussy Riot name called into question. Regardless the two are not just looking to benefit at the expense of the Russian government - they are incredibly active in a multitude of causes, the biggest being reform of their homeland. more on this story
The latest to join the FX series' final season is Glee's Lea Michele, notes the Hollywood Reporter. Michele called the show her "favorite" when breaking the news on Twitter. We now know she will be playing "Gertie, an empathetic truck-stop waitress and single mother who connects with Gemma (Katey Sagal) during a difficult time." The episode will air on Oct. 14, and there is no word on whether it will be one-and-done or if there might be further visits from Gertie during the season. more on this story
"Chasing the Sun," Duff's new song, features delicately plucked acoustic guitar and keyboards as the singer laments the daily rat race: "Why am I in such a hurry?" she asks. "Always getting up too early / So fast, everything is blurry." By the time the chorus hits, she's decided that she's going to lay low and relax for a bit, opting to "get it while our hearts are young" and live in the moment. "Chasing the Sun" marks Duff's first song since her signing to RCA Records. She's since been working on a new album, her fifth and first since 2007's Dignity. Check out the song here.
Shaq appears in a new promo clip for the upcoming NBA 2K15 video game, busting a beat in hopes to get Pharrell's attention. The "Happy" singer is the soundtrack's executive producer. Shaq starts things off okay, freestyling, "Yo, Pharrell, this is Shaq / Put me on the 2K15 track" before he's making promises he might not be able to keep. "I won't let you down�sign me up Pharrell." But the Kazaam star has a good sense of humor, ending the clip by picking on the beatboxer who is hoping to help him make his intentions clear. But this video, well, this was no joke. As Shaq said, "the proof is in the pudding." Watch it here.
On it, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Kidd Kidd trade verses over a sample of the Gap Band's 1983 hit single "Outstanding." 50 opens the track like he's still hustling on the block with the lines: "I'm that paper-chasing, money-making hustla n**** you know (I get down)/ Big dreams/ Big bags of bread/ Big money you're f****** with the kid." "Come Up" could be from G-Unit's upcoming mixtape or it could appear on the group's next album, which they're allegedly releasing in late November . Meanwhile, 50 Cent has new solo music on the way. The rapper, who already released the album Animal Ambition in June, plans to release another album on Sept. 16 dubbed Street King Immortal. Check out the song here.
With Kaskade being one of the artists prominently featured in the lawsuit, both Phan and Kaskade responded, with Phan claiming through lawyers that she had full permission to use the music, going on to add that Phan's popularity helped promote the label and "showcased [them] to an international audience." Kaskade showed his support of Phan in the lawsuit with a series of tweets, letting it be known that he was not part of the suit and that he's a fan of the makeup tutorial star. Now, Ultra Records and Ultra International Music Publishing have issued an official statement regarding the controversy through publicists. The statement reads in full: "When a music artist or songwriter signs to Ultra, it is our responsibility to protect what they have created. Enforcing copyrights is fundamental to the survival of artists, writers and producers, and to Ultra's ability to continue to invest in and support them, so that they can continue to bring great music to music fans around the world. Whatever Ultra collects enforcing these important rights is shared with its artists according to their agreements." more on this story
This summer, Minaj will appear as a TV cartoon debut as a character on an episode of Cartoon Network's Steven Universe dubbed "Coach Steven," according to TV Guide Magazine. Given Minaj's alpha-female personality and hard-hitting lyrical prowess, you could have guessed that her cartoon character wouldn't be a passive cameo. Sugilite, to whom Minaj is lending her voice, not only has super-human strength, but is also "a little unstable" as the product of a fusion between two characters Garnet and Amethyst - which could also be said of her in-real-life when she switches between playing her alter-egos Barbie and Roman Zalanski. more on this story
The rapper who's made more headlines recently for feuds rather than her own music has just returned with a new single, "Heavy Metal and Reflective." There's nothing particularly heavy metal or reflective about the track, but it is a solid comeback for Banks. It has the same menacing feel of her early singles "212" and "Yung Rapunxel," which isn't coincidental - the latter song's producer Lil Internet came up with the clapping, laser-streaked, bass-heavy beat for this track as well. Lyrically, Banks doesn't get too specific though she does shout out the iconic '90s digital toy Tamagotchi. Check out the track here.
Justin sharing the spotlight with Make-A-Wish recipient, 10 year old Grace Kesablak, who is battling cancer, telling "Extra's" Renee Bargh he doesn't do charity work for the recognition, "I honestly don't do it for any of the recognition I just do it because I love it but I'm grateful to be here." Justin focused on his music and his fans, "I just make music strictly for my fans� I'm not worried about what the media has to say I'm just worried about what my fans love and they just love my music and the genuineness of me."
Now, the power trio of rappers have come together for a new music video for the track, which was produced by Kill the Noise and Madsonik. "[Paramount] heard about how big of a fan I was of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their whole legacy. I actually have Donatello tattooed on my leg, so when they asked me to do it, just being a fan and being a musician, it made sense," Khalifa said of working on the song in a press release. "In my generation, I think everyone who listens to me loves the Turtles as much as I do, so it just made sense." "It's hella crazy being included in the music for the Ninja Turtles movie," added Ty Dolla $ign. "You know, being a fan and everything, this is super surreal. 'Shell Shocked' is so different from what people are used to hearing from Ty Dolla $ign. Plus, Wiz and Juicy killed it like they always do. It's a perfect song for this movie." Watch the video here.
Grande's quick Instagram post finds the singer crooning as the beat falls out, before resurfacing as quick hand claps while Grande claims she'll "show you how to graduate." Shortly thereafter, the 21-year-old harmonizes with herself (previous snippets noted a bit of a "Lady Marmalade" vibe, and this seems to seal the deal) as she beckons you to "show me what your mama gave ya." "Bang Bang" is a joint collab between the three artists; they all receive top billing. The song is set to appear on Grande's My Everything , out next month, as well as Jessie J's untitled new release. No word on if it'll show up on Minaj's The Pink Print. Check out the teaser clip here.
Beautiful Colors is a book examining Duran Duran's career as it has never been seen before - through the posters. From 1978 up to the present day, the band's evolution is chronicled with rare and vintage promotional posters from the largest Duran Duran archive in the world; tours, tribulations, and triumphs are charted as each album is released, viewed through an array of stunning art and photography. Highlights in the book include posters from Duran Duran's formative years, previously unseen posters that were never put into production, insights from artists and designers on their creations, and a foreword by Duran Duran's own Nick Rhodes. Andrew Golub has been a devoted fan of Duran Duran for over three decades. Known to Pacific Northwest radio stations as "Durandy," Andrew has always strived to take his passion to a higher plane. His archive of band memorabilia houses an assortment of rare artifacts and paper ephemera that numbers in the thousands, including carefully restored posters and prints from every chapter of Duran Duran's history. Selections from Andrew's archive have been showcased in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, on A & E's Biography television program, in two film documentaries, and in two public exhibitions. Andrew and his collection have been featured in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Sound, The Stranger, City Arts, Paste Magazine, and he has been spotlighted on Seattle's television program, Evening Magazine. More details.
"Rapt" comes from Karen O's forthcoming album, 'Crush Songs,' which is scheduled to be released in North America on September 9th by Cult Records. The new music video was directed by Karen's husband, director Barney Clay (TV On the Radio, Gnarls Barkley, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and features production design from K.K. Barrett, who worked with Karen on 'Stop the Virgens'. Check out the video here.
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