Since Billboard magazine started keeping track of such things in 1944, there have been dozens of Number One country songs with geographical locations in their titles. In 1945 alone, Oklahoma, Sioux City and Iwo Jima were all name-checked. But in 1962 the “Singing Ranger,” Canadian-born Opry star Hank Snow, notched …
Read More »Flashback: Paul Simon Plays 'The Boxer' at His 1991 Central Park Show
Paul Simon announced plans earlier this week to wrap up his farewell concerton September 22nd with a massive outdoor show at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York. Simon grew up in the borough and has lived in the city for much of his adult life. “It seems more …
Read More »Can an EP Recorded by Prisoners Spark Criminal Justice Reform Talk?
UPDATE (6/19):The label has released the new album by Philadelphia singer-songwriter BL Shirelle, who uses the project Assata Troi to examines issues such as police violence and addiction. **** In May 2015, B.L. Shirelle was finishing up a prison term at Muncy State Correctional Institution in Pennslvania. She felt apprehensive …
Read More »'Nasir' Is the One Thing the Rapper Has Never Been Before – Dull
Every Nas album since the turn of the century has closely orbited a major theme. At his most overt (he called an album Hip Hop Is Dead in 2006and tried to call anotherNigger two years later), the iconic Queens rapper will trace one idea from a dozen different angles, writing …
Read More »See Country Duo Everette Cut Loose in Memphis for 'Slow Roll' Video
There’s an entire philosophy contained in one line of country duo Everette’s debut single “Slow Roll” that name-checks Matthew McConaughey and his immortal, “Alright, alright, alright” from Dazed and Confused. It speaks to an easygoing mentality that meshes with their relaxed, blues-influenced groove, and the song’s new video has lead …
Read More »Cody Jinks Details New Album 'Lifers'
Brash country outlaw Cody Jinks shared the details of his much-anticipated eighth album Lifers on Instagram,selecting July 27th for the release of his first LP after signing with Rounder Records. A Texas native and former thrash metal singer, Jinks captured the attention of country fans in 2016 with the release …
Read More »Drake Addresses Blackface Photo From Pusha-T's 'Story of Adidon'
Drake has issued a statement regarding the photo Pusha-T used as the cover art for his diss track “The Story of Adidon.” The picture, taken by photographer David Leyes, depicts Drake in blackface. In an Instagram story that was shared via Drake fansite Word On Road, the rapper said he …
Read More »The Tao of Stevie Nicks: 20 Great Quotes From the Bewitching Rock Star
The sheer power of Stevie Nicks‘ voice, one of the biggest, best and most distinctive in all of rock, can sometimes overshadow the brilliance of her lyrics. Whether she’s singing about her tempestuous relationships, Welsh witches or her well-documented history of drug abuse, her songs reflect an affinity for fantastical …
Read More »Kanye West Addresses Recent Controversies on New Pusha-T Song
Kanye West has responded to recent criticism over his provocative Twitter opinions with a new verse on “What Would Meek Do,” the sixth track from Pusha T’s just-released album Daytona. On the closing verse, West begins with a “whoop! Scoop!” continuing a penchant for nonsense words that began with last …
Read More »See Thomas Rhett's Hypnotic 'Leave Right Now' Video
In its original form on Life Changes, Thomas Rhett‘s “Leave Right Now” veered into electronic pop territory with its noticeable Chainsmokers influence, alternating between weightless vocal sections and propulsive, beat-heavy passages that mixed fizzy synth lines and ghostly pedal steel. DJ Martin Jensen’s remix of the song, from Rhett’s Leave …
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