NNAMDÏ has released a new EP titled Black Plight. The Chicago-based artist and multi-instrumentalist recorded the three-song release over the past week. All of the proceeds from the EP will be split between eatChicago, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting post-incarcerated and marginalized people in the city, and the grassroots political activist organization Assata’s Daughters. NNAMDÏ’s […]
With so much good music being released all the time, it can be hard to determine what to listen to first. Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. This week’s batch includes new albums, projects, and EPs from Run the Jewels, Armand Hammer, Drakeo the Ruler and JoogSZN, […]
Shabazz Palaces has released “MEGA CHURCH,” a new single featuring former THEESatisfaction member Stas THEE Boss. The track has been released as a pay-what-you-want single via Sub Pop. You can check it out on Bandcamp below. (Today, June 5, Bandcamp will waive its revenue share. Sub Pop is passing through 100% of its digital sales […]
Lil Wayne spoke about several different encounters he’s had with law enforcement on the latest episode of Apple Music‘s Young Money Radio, explaining his feelings about the police in light of George Floyd’s death and the nationwide protests against racism and police brutality that have followed. “My life was saved when I was young,” he reminded listeners […]
Justin Bieber acknowledged that his music career has been shaped by black culture in a new post on Instagram. In the note, the pop star also pledged to use his privilege as a white celebrity to engage in work against racism. “I am inspired by black culture. I have benefited off of black culture,” Bieber wrote on […]
BTS and their record label, Big Hit Entertainment, have donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter. The donation was first reported on Saturday (June 6) by Variety, who said the money was transferred to the organization earlier this week. On Wednesday, the boy band issued a statement on Twitter in support of the Black Lives […]
In response to George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, Tompkins Square Records today released “Out of the Ashes,” a 16-track compilation album of area artists that will benefit two charitable organizations in the city. The full lineup appears below. The two organizations the compilation benefits are MIGIZI, which aims to “nurture the […]
When author Michelle McNamara was investigating the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker (soon to be know as the Golden State Killer) cases, she needed to rely on a network of other individuals including members of law enforcement and the survivors themselves to piece together enough of the story to write her 2018 book […]
Faith — the old-fashioned kind, call it spiritual or religious — is a feeling of earthly but ethereal belief. Yet most of the movies that get lumped into the category known as “faith-based” have a ploddingly literal, you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it quality. They’re about having faith in something beyond the here and now, yet they tend to hinge […]
South African rapper Nasty C and T.I. have shared a new song called “They Don’t.” Proceeds from the single go to Until Freedom and Solidarity Fund. On the track, the rappers address racism and injustice, with T.I. referencing the death of George Floyd: “How you supposed to serve and protect/With your knee on my neck?” […]
In November 2019, rapper Kodak Black was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Miami, Florida. Now, those charges have been dismissed, the Blast reports and Pitchfork can confirm via Kodak Black’s attorney Bradford Cohen. According to the Blast, Kodak’s attorney and Fernandez worked out a deal that […]
Robert “Rocky” Ford Jr. has died. The hip-hop journalist and producer, who served as a mentor to a young Russell Simmons at the beginning of the music mogul’s career, passed away on May 19, according to an Instagram post from Simmons and The New York Times. “In a world where ripping off artists or overreaching […]
Beyoncé has joined the growing list of celebrities honoring Louisville native Breonna Taylor on what would have been her 27th birthday Friday (June 5). “Justice for Breonna. Click the link in my bio to take action,” Bey wrote alongside an animated image of Taylor, with a link to the petition fans can sign to demand justice. […]
Electrocumbia pioneer Raymix (real name: Edmundo Gómez Moreno) took to social media to come out as a gay to his fans opening up for the first time about his sexuality. In a five-minute video posted on his YouTube channel today (June 5), the “Oye Mujer” singer begins his heartfelt message acknowledging the vulnerable moment we’re […]
YouTube Originals’ “Dear Class of 2020” commencement ceremony, featuring Barack and Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, BTS, Lady Gaga, Maluma and more, will officially commence Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The four-hour virtual graduation, which was pushed back a day to honor George Floyd’s memorial service, will open with Lizzo and the New York Philharmonic […]
Lionsgate has set a June 24 re-opening of its Chinese theme park, which has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lionsgate Entertainment World, touted as the world’s first “vertical” theme park, is located in Novotown on China’s Henqin Island near Hong Kong and Macau. The park features immersive attractions based on Lionsgate movie […]
A video posted by Donald Trump’s 2020 election campaign — decrying civil unrest in the wake of the killing of George Floyd — was removed Thursday by Twitter, citing a copyright-infringement claim. A June 3 tweet by the @TeamTrump account with the video now displays the message: “This media has been disabled in response to […]
Whoopi Goldberg has teamed up with Extinction Rebellion and “Searching for Sugar Man” producer Passion Pictures for an environmental short entitled “The Gigantic Change.” The three-minute animated short film is set in 2050 and looks back on how people united to save the world from the climate crisis. The date is significant as 2050 is […]
Flatbush Zombies have released a new EP called now, more than ever. It’s the Brooklyn rap trio’s first official release since 2018’s Vacation in Hell. The EP also features the group’s first new songs since last December’s Tech N9ne collaboration “Monica.” Listen to now, more than ever below. In 2019, Flatbush Zombies linked up with […]
As protests continue across the country following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley has shared a new track that addresses police brutality and the death of George Floyd. It’s called “Mr. Officer,” and it features guest spots from Queen Naija and members of the Detroit Youth […]
Elvis Costello has shared a new song. It’s called “No Flag.” Give it a listen below. Costello recorded “No Flag” earlier this year in Helsinki’s Suomenlinnan Studio. When asked about the choice of recording location, Costello, explained: “I wanted to go somewhere nobody knew me. So, this is ‘The Helsinki Sound.’” Last year, Costello and […]
Kanye West is donating a multi-million dollar sum for college savings funds for George Floyd’s daughter, plus legal costs for the Arbery and Taylor families, Billboard can confirm. As the hip-hop star joins street protests in his hometown Chicago, Kanye has made a $2 million donation to assist the families of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and […]
Brian Wilson hasn’t gone surfing for a stretch. He’s in lockdown, like the rest of us. But the Beach Boys legend did Zoom in to A Tonight Show on Thursday night (June 4) for a performance of two songs. Sitting at a grand piano, he told the camera: “Hi, this is Brian Wilson everyone. I […]
A teenager was injured Wednesday night (June 3) after gunfire rang out during the filming of a music video in Atlanta, the city’s police said. Rapper YFN Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, was filming the music video in an apartment complex in the southeastern part of the city, Atlanta police told WGCL-TV. Police […]
HBO and Sky’s nuclear drama “Chernobyl” has emerged as the frontrunner at this year’s Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards with 14 nominations. “Chernobyl’s” impressive haul matches “Killing Eve’s” record 14 BAFTA nods last year, making it the most nominated show in the history of the awards. “Chernobyl’s” nominations […]
Prosecutors in Seoul have requested the arrest of Lee Jae-yong, the heir and presumptive head of the Samsung Group. He is accused of stock price manipulation and audit violations within the massively complicated web of Samsung-related companies. Lee is closely related to Miky Lee, producer of Cannes- and Oscar-winning film “Parasite.” Lee Jae-yong (aka Jay […]
Meghan Markle has spoken out about the death of George Floyd, in a virtual address to graduating pupils at her former high school, Immaculate Heart High in Los Angeles. Addressing the students, she said “George Floyd’s life mattered.” “As we’ve all seen over the last week what is happening in our country and in our […]
The Weeknd, Lizzo, and John Legend have signed an open letter to defund the police, Variety and Rolling Stone report. The letter was launched by activist Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter and a founding member of the Movement 4 Black Lives (M4BL), and is part of a week of action led by […]
Bob Mould has announced a new album. It’s called Blue Hearts and it’s out September 25 via Merge. In a press release, Mould refers to the 14-track album as “the catchiest batch of protest songs I’ve ever written in one sitting.” He has also shared the first single, “American Crisis.” Check out the lyric video […]
Detroit rapper Teejayx6 has released a protest song titled “BLACK LIVES MATTER.” The track is produced by TM88 and pays tribute to George Floyd, whose death by Minneapolis police last week has given rise to protests against police brutality nationwide. Listen to “BLACK LIVES MATTER” below. Teejayx6 joins many artists who have released protest songs […]