Music

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

On August 21, Eminem’s publishing company Eight Mile Style filed a lawsuit against Spotify, alleging that the streaming company had streamed his songs billions of songs without acquiring the proper licenses. The lawsuit also challenged the constitutionality of the Music Modernization Act passed by Congress in 2018, which makes it more difficult for artists to

Last night (May 29), rapper and activist Killer Mike gave a speech at the Atlanta Mayor’s Press Conference. Mike’s speech was in response to protests stemming from the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, who’s been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, used his knee to pin

Lil Wayne will interview Dr. Anthony Fauci on tonight’s episode of Weezy’s new Young Money Radio program. Dr. Dre is also slated as a a guest on the show. Tune in at 7 p.m. Eastern via Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio. Wayne recently released his latest album Funeral. He’s used his radio show as a

Apple TV+ has revealed some of the guest songwriters who have contributed to the first season of its new animated musical comedy series Central Park. Among them are Fiona Apple, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, Aimee Mann, Meghan Trainor, and Anthony Hamilton. Created by Loren Bouchard (Bob’s Burgers), Josh Gad, and Nora Smith, Central Park debuts

Kelsey Lu has shared a new song called “Morning Dew.” The track features Isaiah Barr from Onyx Collective on saxophone. It’s out now via Hydroharmonia/No Tricks. Give it a listen below. Of the new single, Kelsey Lu said in a press release: “Love can cure us, Love can destroy us and like Nature, we’re constantly in

The intelligence burning in the heart of Tom Tikka and the Missing Hubcaps’ “Working Class Voodoo” is in its lyrics and Tikka’s vocal delivery. There’s other equivalent moments in the track, like the development of the song’s melodies, but the track gets over with listeners largely on the back of its lyrical acumen, never overwrought

Each August, MTV hosts its Video Music Awards at a venue packed with artists and music industry personnel. As the 2020 VMAs approach, there has been some speculation as to whether or not the awards ceremony would take place as usual, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now, an MTV Spokesperson has confirmed (in a

Third Man Records has announced a new reissue of Albert Ayler’s New Grass. It’s the first new vinyl pressing of New Grass in nearly 40 years. The reissue arrives June 26. Albert Ayler played his tenor saxophone and sang on the R&B-influenced New Grass. The album was seen as divisive received upon its release. New

Rosalía and Travis Scott have teamed up for a new song. It’s called “TKN,” and it’s out tomorrow. Tonight, Rosalía has shared a preview of the new song’s video. Watch it below. Rosalía teased the track in a tweet earlier this month. The singer’s last solo single “Dolerme” arrived in March, following January’s “Juro Que.”

Chromeo’s Dave 1 and his brother A-Trak have formed a new group called the Brothers Macklovitch, and shared a new song called “Give Love To Get Some.” The track features R&B singer Leven Kali and is out now via A-Trak’s Fool’s Gold label. Check it out below. The Brothers Macklovitch plans to release a second