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11 Aug 2023

Hawaiian Wildfires: Mick Fleetwood ‘Heartbroken’ Over Loss of Maui Restaurant; Bette Midler, Barack Obama, Pearl Jam Send Message of Support

The Hurricane Dora-fueled wildfires that have killed at least 55 people and destroyed the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui have transfixed the nation as the out-of-control flames have burned 2,000 acres and forced the evacuation of more than 11,000 people.

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Gov. Josh Green said in a news conference on Thursday that the the second-deadliest wildfire in the U.S. this century was the “largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history,” estimating that nearly 1,700 buildings had been destroyed.

One of those structures was longtime resident Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood‘s Maui restaurant Fleetwood’s. “MAUl and The Lahaina community have been my home for several decades,” the band co-founder wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “This is a devastating moment for MAUl and many are suffering unimaginable loss.
Fleetwoods on front Street has been lost and while we are heartbroken our main priority is the safety of our dear staff and team members. On behalf of myself and my family I share my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of MAUI. We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days month and years to come.”

Fleetwood — who opened the restaurant in 2012 — was just one of the many stars with ties to the island who’ve spoken out about the devastation and issued pleas for support for the island’s shellshocked residents. Among those expressing their grief over the loss of life and historic damage were fellow island residents Bette Midler, former President Barack Obama and Aquaman actor Jason Momoa (both born in Honolulu), Oahu native Jack Johnson and the members of Pearl Jam, who are offering a limited-edition signed tour poster as a fundraiser for the fire’s victims.

See their statements and find out how to help below.

Bette Midler via X: “The beautiful island of #Maui in the most beautiful state in the union, is suffering. My family and I send our deepest and most profound sympathies to everyone who has lost anything or everything in the #MauiFires.”

Pearl Jam via X: “We are devastated to see the impacts of the wildfires in Hawaii. In an effort to raise support for organizations helping those affected, we are offering a chance to win a limited-edition 2018 2XL print reissue of Pearl Jam’s 1998 tour poster from Hawaii, signed by all five current members of Pearl Jam plus touring keyboardist and lifelong Hawaii resident Boom Gaspar.”

Jack Johnson via Instagram (with support links): “Our friends and family on Maui have been devastated by fires. There are several ways you can kōkua.”

Barack Obama via X: “It’s tough to see some of the images coming out of Hawai’i — a place that’s so special to so many of us. Michelle and I are thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, or whose life has been turned upside down. If you’d like to help, you can do so here. http://hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.”

Jason Momoa via Instagram: “We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana on Maui who been impacted by the recent wildfires. ❗️Link in our bio to organizations that are helping❗️”

President Joe Biden via X: “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui. Our prayers are with those whose homes, businesses, and communities are destroyed. We are grateful to the first responders putting themselves in harm’s way to save lives.”
You can help with disaster relief efforts by donating to the following organizations:

11 Aug 2023

Straightenin: Offset Drops His Lawsuit Against Quality Control Music

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It seems like Offset is no longer at odds with his recording home. He has dismissed his lawsuit against Quality Control Music.

As spotted on Variety Magazine the Lawrenceville, Georgia native is moving on from his legal woes concerning his solo work. Back in April it was revealed that the Migos member was trying to regain the ownership to his master recordings. TMZ reported that in 2013 he signed a contract with QC to produce solo albums. But in 2015 the record label signed a new distribution deal with Capitol Records that in turn reverted ownership of his solo works back to Quality Control. Naturally, Offset felt that the move violated the original 2013 terms thus he took the record company to court.

On Friday, August 4 Offset’s legal team requested the lawsuit be dismissed with prejudice. Neither Quality Control or representatives for the “Slipper” rapper have yet to publicly comment on the recent news. Back in May Offset spoke to Variety Magazine for their cover story and he discussed the situation. “This is me going full-fledged into my solo career,” he explained. “The objective is to do it fully and smash sh*t and f*** the game up as a solo artist. I’m coming through, bustin’ through the door. It’s all set, my next chapter. It’s my time.”

Most recently Offset released his new single “Jealousy” with his wife Cardi B. You can watch the video below.



Photo: Danielle James

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11 Aug 2023

Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton & More Set for ‘A Tribute to The Judds’ Album

More than two dozen artists will pay homage to Country Music Hall of Famers The Judds (mother-daughter duo Wynonna and Naomi Judd) on A Tribute to The Judds, out Oct. 27 on BMG.

Among the participating acts are Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Megan Moroney, Blake Shelton, Trisha Yearwood, Ashley McBryde, Gabby Barrett and LeAnn Rimes.

“To have all of these artists, most of which are my friends, come together and lend their voices and artistry to reimagine these songs, is so special,” Wynonna Judd, who also appears on the project, said in a statement. “These songs are so timeless and I am so excited for them to live on for generations to come.”

On Aug. 18, music lovers will get a first glimpse into the project with a song still to be chosen.

Among the collaborations on the set are Shelton and wife Gwen Stefani pairing for “Love Is Alive”; Wynonna and Yearwood performing “Cry Myself to Sleep”; Parton and Wilson teaming for “Mama He’s Crazy”; Jelly Roll, K. Michelle and The Fisk Jubilee Singers on “Love Can Build a Bridge”; and Wendy Moten playing “Had a Dream (For the Heart)” with O.N.E The Duo.

Nearly all of the upcoming album’s 14 tracks were produced by Brent Maher, The Judds’ original producer and a six-time Grammy winner. CMA Award-winning producer/songwriter/musician and Wynonna Judd’s husband, Cactus Moser, produced “Cry Myself to Sleep.”

“To all of you who listen to this music, I wish you could have been with us in the studio when we recorded these songs,” Maher said in a statement. “There was a joy and passion along with some poignant moments in re-recording these Judds songs that are impossible to describe.  I hope you enjoy this record as much as we enjoyed making it.”

A Tribute to The Judds

Allan Geiger

The album pays homage to The Judds’ 40th anniversary of being signed by music executive Joe Galante to RCA Records in 1983 and reunites much of the team that helped develop their success: Galante serves as an executive producer on A Tribute to The Judds, as does Renee Bell, an A&R exec at MCA Nashville when Wynonna issued her solo work for the label. Galante’s previous work with The Judds brought about numerous accolades, including six multi-platinum studio albums, five Grammy wins, nine CMA Awards and eight ACM Awards.

“Renee Bell and I were thrilled to be part of A Tribute to The Judds as executive producers,” Galante said in a statement. “After my signing of The Judds in 1983 and Wynonna going to MCA when Renee was director of A&R, it was a special reunion for all of us. With Brent Maher at the helm of producing all of the timeless Judds music we are honoring, it was the perfect combination. We couldn’t be more excited about the incredible artists that have brought their own styles to these great songs.”

A Tribute to The Judds will partner with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) in honor of Naomi Judd, who died by suicide at age 76 on April 30, 2022, one day prior to The Judds’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Six months after Naomi died, Wynonna continued on with The Judds’ tour, which had been planned and announced prior to her mom’s death. Many of country music’s female artists, including Yearwood and McBryde, joined Wynonna on various dates on the tour, helping her to honor Naomi’s life, as well as the illustrious career Naomi and Wynonna built together as The Judds.

Full track list for A Tribute to The Judds below:

Girls Night Out – Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles, Gabby Barrett
Mama He’s Crazy – Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton
Why Not Me – Megan Moroney
Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) [feat. Sonya Isaacs] – Cody Johnson
Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain – Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild
Young Love (Strong Love) – Ella Langley and Jamey Johnson
Have Mercy – LeAnn Rimes
Love Is Alive – Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
Had A Dream (For The Heart) – Wendy Moten and O.N.E The Duo
I Know Where I’m Going – Barnett, Lynne & West
Let Me Tell You About Love – Carl Perkins and Raul Malo
John Deere Tractor – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle
Cry Myself To Sleep – Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood
Love Can Build a Bridge – Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers

11 Aug 2023

Malaysian Organizer Seeks $2.7 Million From The 1975 Over Same-Sex Kiss That Shut Down Festival

The organizer of a Malaysian music festival is seeking 12.3 million ringgit ($2.7 million) in losses from British band The 1975, after its lead singer’s on-stage protest of the country’s anti-gay laws prompted authorities to shut down the festival, the company’s lawyer said Friday (Aug. 11).

Future Sound Asia sent a letter to the band on Monday demanding compensation over a breach of contract, said FSA lawyer David Dinesh Mathew.

During the July 21 performance, Matty Healy used profanities in his speech criticizing the Malaysian government’s stance against homosexuality, before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald during the opening show at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. Footage of the performance was posted on social media and sparked backlash in the predominantly Muslim country.

In Malaysia, homosexuality is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison and caning.

The government slammed Healy’s conduct, blacklist the band from the country and cut short the three-day festival. Some in the LGBTQ+ community also took to social media to criticize the band, saying Healy had disrupted the work of activists pushing for change and also endangered the community.

In the letter, Mathew said the band had given a written pledge before the show that it would adhere to all local guidelines and regulations. Instead, Healy’s “use of abusive language, equipment damage, and indecent stage behaviour” caused financial losses to FSA.

“Unfortunately, the assurance was ignored,” Mathew said Friday in a written statement to The Associated Press. “Their actions have had repercussions on local artists and small businesses, who relied on the festival for creative opportunities and their livelihoods.”

As such, he said FSA demanded that The 1975 acknowledge their liability and pay 12.3 million ringgit in compensation for damages incurred. On its website, FSA said it is in the midst of accommodating all refund requests.

The lawyer said FSA will take legal action in the courts of England if the band fails to respond by Monday, a week after the legal letter of claim was sent.

The band canceled its shows in Taiwan and Jakarta, Indonesia, after the fiasco in the Malaysian capital. It wasn’t the first such provocative on-stage display by Healy in the name of LGBTQ+ rights: In 2019, he kissed a male fan during a concert in the United Arab Emirates, which outlaws same-sex sexual activity.

11 Aug 2023

Dorothy Drops Innovative JVC RC-M90 Boombox Print In Honor Of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

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Hip-Hop @ 50 Dorothy Boombox Print

Hip-Hop turns 50 today (August 11) and the culture that was birthed in the Bronx back in 1973 has transformed into an entity with massive global influence. Dorothy, a United Kingdom-based art and print studio that focuses on honoring all forms of music and culture, released a new print in honor of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary and styled in the form of the iconic JVC RC-M90 boombox.

True B-Boys and B-Girls know that the boombox was the quintessential method in rocking one’s Hip-Hop tunes and none other more notable than the JVC RC-M90. Dorothy cleverly adds imagery into the shape of the boombox with several images for this “inside info” print with over 350 Hip-Hop artists featured. Much like their Hip-Hop Love blueprint and the Hip-Hop Stamps album print, Dorothy’s loving attention to detail is on display once more.

Hip-Hop @ 50 Dorothy Boombox Print

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The print celebrates some of the greatest moments in hip-hop history, all hidden inside this iconic boombox. Scenes include DJ Kool Herc at his Back to School Jam, Grand Wizzard Theodore inventing the scratching technique, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five performing, Sylvia Robinson assembling The Sugarhill Gang, and The Bridge Wars rivalry between Boogie Down Productions and the Juice Crew and the iconic rap battle between Kool Moe Dee vs Busy Bee at Harlem World in 1981

The print features cameos from over 350 hip-hop artists, grouping together musicians who worked together, and geographic scenes including West Coast artists N.W.A, Ice-T, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 2Pac and Kendrick Lamar. East Coast artists Run-D.M.C. Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, Nas and Notorious B.I.G. Mobb Deep and Jay-Z. The Southern scene OutKast, Lil Wayne, T.I. and British hip-hop and grime artists Stormzy, Dizzee Rascal, Ms Dynamite and Little Simz. There’s also a sneaky little appearance from the dinosaur from the Wu-Tang Clan Gravel Pit video.

How dope is that?

Hip-Hop @ 50 Dorothy Boombox Print

To grab your own, please follow this link and peruse the site for more amazing prints which honor jazz, rock, and other art forms.

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Photo: Dorothy

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11 Aug 2023

Mashd N Kutcher Founder Matt James Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

Mashd N Kutcher founder Matt James has been diagnosed with cancer, an “unexpected” blow that will require extensive treatment in the months ahead.

The APRA Music Award-winning Australian dance music artist revealed his condition on Friday, Aug. 11, and has vowed to fight.

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“I have been diagnosed with cancer – specifically Multiple Myeloma, which forms in blood cells inside the bone marrow,” he writes in a social post, accompanying a picture of the artist horizontal on a hospital bed.

“This was unexpected as I was otherwise healthy, however it has spread throughout my body causing multiple breaks in my arms ribs and more. Over the immediate months we will hit this from every angle with chemotherapy and extensive treatment ahead.”

Based in Brisbane, James created the MNK project back in 2012 with “the goal of making exciting music and showcasing talented bandmates through the live shows,” he explains, “thankfully this can continue.”

For the time being, he’ll step aside from social media and touring, but will continue to reserve “energy and focus” for writing and producing recordings, and curating and programming the music and visuals for MNK live shows, which its members will “perform as they always have.”

Weaving styles and generations of dance music with its collective of DJs and multi-instrumentalists, MNK has notched over 1,500 performances around the globe, and collected three ARIA gold-certifications in Australia.

The act signed with Universal Music Group in 2017, and landed a global publishing deal with BMG in the same year.

James last year penned Get on the Beers: A Christmas Story, a book that continued the theme of the lockdown anthem “Get on the Beers,” a goodtime number filled with positivity and hope.

“Get On The Beers,” which featured vocals from Victorian premier Dan Andrews, won the 2022 APRA Award for most performed dance/electronic work and landed at No. 12 on triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown.

“In summary,” James continues in his latest post, “the road ahead is challenging but I’m very fortunate to have an amazing support network of family, close friends and colleagues, right now I’m physically weak but mentally strong, and I’ll be giving this everything I’ve got. Love you all”.

In James’ absence, MNK will perform headline shows in Asia in the weeks ahead, before returning to Australia for dates in September. “Music wise I’m returning to the roots of of the project,” he continues. “If you enjoyed ‘Sunshine’ or ‘On My Mind’ you’ll love the next releases.”

11 Aug 2023

Doja Cat Pounces to Top 10 Debut In Australia With ‘Paint The Town Red’

Doja Cat nabs another top 10 spot on Australia’s singles chart, while Billie Eilish enters a second week at No. 1 with “What Was I Made For?” (via Interscope/Universal), one of several major hits from the Barbie soundtrack.

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Eilish, the Californian pop phenomenon, has chalked up 15 ARIA top 10 singles across her young career, including a leader with 2019’s “Bad Guy.” Like her Barbie number, “Bad Guy” also reigned over the chart for two weeks.

A slew of tracks from the soundtrack, Barbie: The Album, make an impact on the latest ARIA Singles Chart, published Aug. 11. Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” lifts 4-3, its peak position; “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua switches positions, dipping 3-4; and Charli XCX’s “Speed Drive” motors 24-22 (all via Atlantic/Warner).

Doja Cat is on the prowl. The U.S. rapper, singer and songwriter bows at No. 10 with “Paint The Town Red” (RCA/Sony), for the week’s highest debut and only new release in the top 40.

It’s her sixth top 10 hit in the land Down Under, a list that’s led by “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, which hit No. 2 back in 2021.

Troye Sivan’s “Rush” is on the move, lifting 38-32 in its second week on the ARIA Chart. The Perth, Australia-raised pop artist is just one of two homegrown artists impacting this week’s tally. The other, Vance Joy, with his 16-times platinum certified hit from 2013 “Riptide,” up 43-30.

Over on the ARIA Albums Chart, Travis Scott’s Utopia (Epic/Sony) locks up top spot for a second successive week, ahead of the Barbie soundtrack (up 3-2 via Atlantic/Warner) and a trio of Taylor Swift titles, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Midnights and 1989 (all via Universal), respectively.

The top debut belongs to Fanny Lumsden, with Hey Dawn (Cooking Vinyl Australia/Orchard), her fourth studio album. The ARIA and AIR Award-winning Australian country artist, a performer at Glastonbury Festival in late June, drops in at No. 10 on the national tally. Hey Dawn is the followup to 2020’s Fallow, which also peaked at No. 10 on the ARIA Chart, and won the ARIA Award that year for best country album.

11 Aug 2023

Olivia Rodrigo Uses New Instagram Music Feature to Celebrate ‘Bad Idea Right?’ Debut

Olivia Rodrigo officially dropped her second Guts single, “Bad Idea Right?,” first thing Friday (Aug. 11), and the 20-year-old star had some fun launching Instagram’s new music feature to celebrate the release.

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She launched the “music in carousels” feature by sharing her own photo carousel using the new song. Starting now, all Instagram users can add music to their own photo carousels.

Additionally, Instagram users can now invite up to three friends to co-author a post or reel together, allowing all collaborators to share likes, views and comments. With the new “Add Yours” feature on reels, creators can pin up to 10 of their fans’ reel submissions using their prompts.

Earlier this week, Rodrigo sent out an email to fans, writing that she’s “so stoked” to share “Bad Idea Right?” with them. “The song is pretty different from vampire & shows another side of GUTS that’s a little more fun & playful,” she added. “Cannot wait to share it with you alllllll. Love to ya always!”

“Bad Idea Right?” follows lead Guts single “Vampire,” which Rodrigo released in June, just a few days after announcing that the album arrives on Sept. 8. The single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the Grammy winner’s third song to reach the chart’s summit after Sour‘s “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U.”

See Rodrigo’s new “Bad Idea Right?” Instagram photo carousel and music video below.

10 Aug 2023

BTS’ V Turns on the Waterworks With ‘Rainy Days’: Watch

V brings a little sunshine to ARMY with his “Rainy Days.”

The BTS superstar turns on the waterworks with this latest single, a ballad, arriving at the stroke of midnight.

“Rainy Days” will splash on the K-pop singer’s debut solo album, Layover, a six-pack set to drop on Sept. 8, and includes the first release “Love Me Again,” which appeared Wednesday with an official music video.

It’s a stripped back number, framed around V’s vocals, a snapping snare and an eccentric piano refrain. Big Hit Entertainment describes the fresh cut as an “alternative pop R&B track,” a statement reads, a “perfect mix of vintage percussion and modern drum sounds gives off a unique vibe.”

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The music video for “Rainy Days” follows V as he gets about an ordinary day, waking up, prepping food, working, resting.

On it, he sings: “Rainy Days, I’m thinking ‘bout you/What to say/Wish I knew how to/Find the way/Right back to you.”

As previously reported, V worked with NewJeans creative director/ADOR president Hee Jin Min on the forthcoming LP, with BigHit revealing that Min oversaw the entire production of the collection, including music, choreography, design and promotion.

For “Rainy Days,” she says, “I wanted to focus on V’s inner self instead of his outwardly glamor. I had specific styles of music that I wanted to suggest to V, considering his vocal tone and style. As soon as he heard the tracklist I made for him, we instantly agreed on the direction.”

The new tune, she continues, “acts as an intro for the album, and V’s serene vocals and visuals stand out.” 

Big Hit announced Tuesday that Layover will include a total of six tracks: “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “Slow Dancing,” “For Us” and a bonus track piano version of “Slow Dancing.”

And the tracklist comes with a suggestion, that ARMY listen to the album’s tracks in order, from 1-5, noting that “Slow Dancing” is the focus track of the collection, describing it as a “1970s romantic soul style track [that] exudes a laid-back and free-spirited feeling.”

V’s solo efforts come after releases from his fellow BTS members: Jung Kook released “Seven” featuring Latto — which crowned the Billboard Hot 100 — last month, while Suga’s D-Day arrived in April and Jimin’s FACE (including the Hot 100 No. 1 “Like Crazy”) in March.

His earlier releases include “Stigma,” “Singularity,” “Winter Bear” and “Inner Child”; more recent original solo songs are 2021’s “Christmas Tree,” which was on the soundtrack of the Netflix K-drama Our Beloved Summer and last year’s version of the holiday classic “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

Watch “Rainy Days” below.



10 Aug 2023

Trippie Redd’s ‘A Love Letter to You 5’ Has Arrived: Stream It Now

Trippie Redd‘s newest album, A Love Letter To You 5, has finally arrived. The rapper released the latest project in his Love Letter series, which is now available to stream on all platforms.

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The album contained a total of 19 tracks, some of which included features from heavyweights in the rap industry: “Take Me Away” feat. Corbin, “Last Days” “Thy Motion” “How You Alive” “Thinking Bout you” “Praying 4 Love” “Reality” “A Feeling” feat Skye Morales” “Romantic Fantasy” “I’m Mad at Me” feat. Lil Wayne, “Closed Doors” feat. Roddy Ricch, “Action” “Left 4 Dead” “Wind” feat. The KiD Laroi, “Took my Breath Away” feat. Skye Morales, “Flowers” feat. Bryson Tiller, “The Hate” and “Trip McKnight.”

A Love Letter To You 5 marks Redd’s second release of 2023. In January, the rapper surprised fans with Mansion Musik, a 27-track mixtape. The project quickly became Redd’s seventh consecutive top five albuM, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Travis Scott, Rylo Rodriguez, Future, Lil Baby, Ski Mask the Slump God and more had guest spots on the album. The surprise release of the mixtape came in part to the track reportedly being “held for ransom” by unidentified hackers, Redd revealed.

Redd will embark on his Take Me Away tour to support the album starting on August 31. The trek will make stops in Boston, New York, Toronto, Philadelphia and more before concluding in Seattle on Oct. 9.

Stream A Love Letter to You 5 below.