A lot has changed for the British singer since her last album, released when she was 21, including becoming a mother. She explains in her letter that those changes are reflected in the theme of her new album.
She writes, "My last record was a break-up record and if I had to label this one, I would call it a make-up record. I'm making up with myself. Making up for lost time. Making up for everything I ever did and never did. But I haven't got time to hold on to the crumbs of my past like I used to. What's done is done."
That last album earned her six Grammy awards and she continues the tradition of naming her albums after her age when they were released, beginning with her debut "19". She has not yet revealed a release date for the new effort. Read her full letter here.
The Chicago artist, born Cheland Smith, teamed up with Kanye West when the two were 16-year-old up-and-coming rappers in Chicago. In the interview, Rhymefest says he "stumbled" upon the sample used in West's Grammy-winning track "Jesus Walks."
He says he gave West the sample and his lyrics. "Kanye had access. He was already signed to Def Jam and had an album slated, so this is the point where you could become selfish or practical. He rapped the song better than I probably would've at that time. He knew more about the industry, and he made that song a success. So he should get the credit for that. But he wouldn't have all that without my words."
The MC continues: "I've written for all of Kanye's albums with the exception of 808s & Heartbreak. There are a lot of songs that my name isn't even on." He even hints that Kanye West and many other MCs don't write their own rhymes: "I think sometimes people get to a point where they're so busy� 'I'm doing fashion, I'm doing this, I'm doing that,' that you lose focus with the foundation of what it is," he says. "I think sometimes we� we have so many things, that we're just trying to keep our things, so we lose track of the fact that it wasn't about the things. You shouldn't be trying to keep the things, you should be trying to make new things."
One rapper that Rhymefest isn't calling out is Common, who along with John Legend, co-wrote the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning song "Glory" from the film Selma. Rhymefest recalled the writing session that spawned the hit song. "Common called me up and said he needed a song for an independent movie, and it had to be a rap song," he said. "We prayed to the ancestors, and an hour and a half later, the words were there. I was sitting there in my underwear, and we just did it right over the phone."
He points out that he was not invited on stage to accept any of his awards and that Common and John Legend "didn't mention me when they talked about it," but he quickly adds, "I want Common to be successful forever, because he has a good heart."
He concludes that he is fed up and is ready for some real recognition. "I'm tired of writing songs for other people. So now, I got to put my own music out there." Read more here.
"I'm so sorry to everybody I disappointed last night," the pop star tweeted. "I'm feeling better now. I really hope everyone can make the rescheduled date on Friday."
"Thank you so much for all the trends and lovely messages you guys did for me it really shows how amazing u guys actually are." He adds, "As I said I'm feeling much better now and I really can't wait to perform and make it up to everyone later."
See all of Liam's tweets here.
Wale told Rap Radar's Elliott Wilson and Brian "B.Dot" Miller that he remains friendly with Drake: "Meek literally hangs with people that don't like me at all. I don't expect him to get along with everybody I rock with and vice versa."
He went further, declaring Drake the winner of the beef: "You can't f- with Drake on certain levels, no matter what. That has nothing to do with talent or songs. His relationships are a certain level. He's a 'made man' in rap."
Clearly, Meek Mill wasn't happy with this and posted an expletive filled message to Instagram to respond. He said that Wale was "doing all this to drop a new record gossiping about� hoe a-feelings and [his] personal life because [he is] miserable and nobody don't rock wit [him]! Really stay away from me Fam!"
He went on to say that Wale is no longer part of the Maybach Music Group: "U not MMG NOMORE!� I don't speak on Mmg in interviews unless it's good! U a clown � We don't wanna hear you nomore Fam! Go jump off a roof like u been tryna do chump! He not MMG IM MAKING THAT CALL �" Read more here.
A judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against Jay and producer Timbaland by an Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi's nephew. The nephew alleged Jay Z's track illegally sampled his uncle's 1957 song "Khosara Khosara."
The Associated Press reports U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder's ruling is a result of hearing testimony about Egyptian law. During the week-long trial, Timbaland took the stand and testified that he created the beat with the understanding he had proper rights to use "Khosara Khosara." Also, Judge Snyder said Hamdi's nephew, the heir to Hamdi's estate, didn't have the authority to sue Jay Z for copyright infringement. Read more here.
The official full version of the new collaboration is set to be released tomorrow, Friday October 23rd. Bieber's new album Purpose will be released November 13th.
"Sorry" is not the first collaboration for the pop star and the EDM star, Bieber worked on "Where Are � Now" with Jack � (Skrillex and Diplo). Check out the preview clip here.
The experience-brought to fans by Apple Music, GoPro, United Realities and Nabil-allows fans to see a full 360 degrees with a special virtual reality goggles.
The video shows The Weeknd walking out of a building with Eminem behind. In the streets, it's a war scene with an upturned car, fire and missiles. Check out the clip here.
The song is a melancholy look at partying too hard. Tinashe sings how all of her friends are drunk and she's always squandering Friday nights drinking and partying. She winds up with an empty feeling afterwards and is looking for a substantial friendship. Chance the Rapper adds his depressed emotions into the mix with lyrics like, "Dying is for real n--, dying off a pill, n--."
You can check out the Snakehips song here.
The singer posted the proof positive on Instagram, captioning the side-by-side photos, "Had a new shoot come out today and was shocked when I found my 19 year old hips and torso quite manipulated. These are the things that make women self conscious, that create the unrealistic ideals of beauty that we have."
Zendaya thanked the magazine for taking down the photos and working to fix the retouch issue, but she also wanted to make it clear how such manipulation and unrealistic beauty standards warp the way girls and women see themselves. Read more here.
Le Bon recently spoke to Gigwise about Smith's recently released theme for the long running film franchise. "I caught a little bit of [Smith's song]," he said, "it's not my favourite-I prefer ours."
Duran Duran recorded the theme song for the 1985 Bond film, A View To A Kill. Le Bon was quick to add that just because he wasn't overly fond of Smith's theme doesn't mean he's not a fan of the artist. "But he's Sam Smith, he's got a beautiful voice and I'm a big fan of him. I support him and what he stands for," he said. Read more here.
Gaga gushing over her fianc�, "I'm so excited for him, his movie's coming out, I just can't wait to see it and I'm super happy to be here with him." The duo breaking out into laughter when AJ asks if they watch each other's shows! Gaga saying, "Ya." Taylor promptly saying, "No." Gaga saying, "I watch his show" then showing AJ how Taylor watches her in "American Horror Story" hotel, with his hands over his eyes."
Regardless Kinney extremely proud of his bride to be, "I couldn't be more proud or more support, she's doing something she loves doing, I don't know how else you support your partner and companion then support them, so do you're thing honey." Now that Gaga has made her acting debut could she make a cameo on "Chicago Fire," sounds like it may happen, Gaga, "We've talked about that�"
The two playing coy saying they don't want to spoil anything , Kinney, "Hey it's an open invitation�" Gaga and Taylor who got engaged on Valentine's day also not ready to divulge their wedding plans, Taylor playing coy joking that they wedding ins in 2029, then saying, "Honestly, I think we're gonna keep it a secret." Gaga agreeing, "For what it's worth, we're just really private in more ways than people probably think�We don't really know, but we're enjoying being engaged." Watch the video here.
Family of Strangers was the very first song Doll Skin ever wrote. It existed before we gave our band the name Doll Skin, actually! We were adamant about adding an original to our set for the battle of the bands we were participating in at drummer Meghan's high school. It would be our first gig ever, and we knew not a lot of bands would have originals, especially for a small high school battle. As soon as Alex perfected the main riff, and Nicole wrote a solid bass part, Meghan knew exactly what lyrics to pull for the song.
A year back, she wrote the lyrics about how connected a room full of fans can feel to each other during a concert. Complete strangers can become instant friends because they already have one thing in common; their love for music. For that one day, these people can all feel like family. Sydney phrased the melody to sound pretty punk heavy. We wanted the song to be huge in sound! We actually sped up the tempo at least 25 bpm's after five months of playing it slower live. It sounds way cooler at a faster tempo. It evolved even more when we recorded it at the Platinum Underground!
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself here and learn more about the band and the new EP right here!
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