News

Following last month’s launch of a Supreme clothing collection, the late Daniel Johnston’s artwork is once again being featured in a clothing line. No Comply and Vans have announced a line of shoes, shirts, hats, and tote bags that will benefit the Hi, How Are You Project—an organization that promotes mental health awareness. The collection

Lyrics containing the phrase “I can’t breathe” have changed overnight. After the senseless murder of George Floyd, a black man, while in custody under the Minneapolis police, on May 25, the symbolism of suffocation literally became literal in music. Darrell Kelley, a rapper well-versed in gritty songs forcing the listener to look at harsh realities,

Travis Scott is named in a copyright infringement lawsuit over his single “Highest in the Room,” TMZ reports and documents viewed by Pitchfork confirm. Danish producer Benjamin Lasnier claims in the lawsuit that a tweaked version of a guitar recording posted to his Instagram account appears throughout the song. Lasnier’s lawsuit claims that Jamie Lepr—an

The Dalai Lama has announced Inner World, an album of teachings and mantras set to music. The 11-track album is being released through Khandro Music and L.A. Reid’s HitCo Entertainment and arrives July 6, which is also the Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday. Inner World features sitar player Anoushka Shankar and is co-produced by Junelle Kunin

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?”