Music

Earlier today (June 8), a number of artists, managers, and music industry professionals signed an open letter urging New York state to repeal statute 50-A—a law that conceals police officers’ personnel and disciplinary records from public view, as Billboard reports. The letter was signed by the likes of Rihanna, Nas, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Migos,

Robert Northern, the jazz artist, French horn master, and bandleader known as Brother Ah, has died, The New York Times reports. According to the Times, Northern died on May 31 in Washington D.C. following a year-long battle with a respiratory illness. He was 86 years old. Throughout his six-decade recording career, Northern played in-studio with

Juicy J has released a new song titled “Hella Fuckin’ Trauma.” On the track, the rapper addresses systemic racism, reparations, the carceral system, COVID-19, and the ownership of his song masters. “Why they lock up all the real ones, man? Enough is enough/Labels wanna own my masters, enough is enough,” goes one part of the

Francina Armengol, the president of the Balearic Islands region in Spain, has issued a decree ordering discotheques and nightclubs to remain closed through the beginning of phase three of Spain’s reemergence from coronavirus-related lockdown, published in the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands (BOIB). The Balearic Islands contain the resort island of Ibiza, the international

Beyoncé was among the speakers for Barack and Michelle Obama’s YouTube “Dear Class of 2020” virtual graduation ceremony today. During her commencement address, she discussed the protests surrounding the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Watch her entire speech below. “Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the worlds know

Meek Mill has released a new song titled “Other Side of America.” On the track, Meek addresses inequality and racism in the United States. “Other Side of America” opens with comments that Donald Trump made about the Black community at an August 2016 rally in a predominantly white Michigan suburb. The song closes with an

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

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

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

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,

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

Steve Priest, the bassist who also sang in the London glam rock band the Sweet, has died. Priest’s bandmate Andy Scott confirmed the news in a Facebook post. He was 72. Priest joined the Sweet in 1968 and stayed with the group for all of their nine studio albums. They disbanded in 1982. The band

Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire has shared a new song. “Bootlicker (Burn Baby Burn)” is a tribute to everyone who has been impacted by police brutality. All proceeds from the record will go to The Bail Project. Check out the song below and buy it at Bandcamp. eXquire joins artists like Teejayx6, YG, Dua Saleh, LL Cool

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

Ahead of schedule, Run the Jewels have released their long-awaited new album RTJ4. You can listen to it below and get it for free at the RTJ website. Along with the previously released “ooh la la” and “yankee and the brave (ep. 4),” the album has contributions from Mavis Staples, 2 Chainz, Zach De La

Terrace Martin has shared a new song with Denzel Curry, Kamasi Washington, G Perico, and Watts battle rapper Daylyt. The track, called “PIG FEET,” arrives amid nationwide protests against racism and police violence, following the death of George Floyd after former police officer Derek Chauvin, who’s been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, knelt

YG has shared a new song called “FTP,” which stands for “Fuck the Police.” The track is released amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd. Listen to “FTP” below. YG has released politically charged songs in the past. In 2016, he and Nipsey Hussle released the anthem “FDT,” which featured the repeated chorus

Stand with Bandcamp to Support Racial Justice, Equality and Change The recent killings of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the ongoing state-sanctioned violence against black people in the US and around the world are horrific tragedies. We stand with those rightfully demanding justice, equality, and change, and people of

Yesterday (May 31), rapper Chika posted a lengthy Instagram video detailing her experience at a Los Angeles protest over the weekend. In the clip, Chika discusses her and her manager’s calm behavior at an event protesting the killing of George Floyd. She then recounts being handcuffed (with zip ties) and detained for seven hours without

Tomorrow, June 2, many members of the music industry will engage in a “blackout” in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and other Black citizens by the police. A post about the action, which began circulating at the end of last week with the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused, calls for “gatekeepers of

Oh Sees mastermind John Dwyer has announced a new supergroup, Bent Arcana. The new band is “very much on the ECM / ’70s hard fusion / prog-kraut tip,” according to a statement from Dwyer. Joining Dwyer in Bent Arcana are: modular synthesist Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio), drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Ryan Sawyer,

In a press conference today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he received a call last night from JAY-Z regarding George Floyd to amplify protesters’ demand that all officers involved in his murder face justice. JAY-Z later issued a statement about the call via Roc Nation’s official twitter account. In his statement, JAY-Z thanked Governor Walz

Faith Evans was arrested this week for felony domestic violence, TMZ reports. Law enforcement sources reportedly told TMZ that police were called to the home of Evans and producer Stevie J. Police claimed that when they arrived to the scene, Stevie J had “visible marks and scratches” on his face after a verbal confrontation turned

CupcakKe has released another new song, her second this year. It’s called “Lemon Pepper,” and half the proceeds benefit the Minnesota Freedom Fund. Check it out below. In March, CupcakKe returned from a hiatus with the single “Lawd Jesus,” which she followed with a new video. She had said in September that she was quitting

Jamie xx and Georgia Ellery (of Jockstrap) have shared a new live session that they recorded for BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction while quarantining together. Listen to it here. The project is Jamie xx’s latest in a string of recent collaborations, including a DJ set with the Avalanches and the song “Smoke” with Headie One

Back in February, Faith No More announced a joint tour with Korn. The trek would have marked Faith No More’s first American tour in five years. Now, the band has canceled the tour due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “It is with heavy hearts that we came to this decision out of an abundance of