Category: News (11-20 of 1832)

May 2 2013 12:26 PM ET

Did Kanye West just announce that his new album is coming out next month? Signs point to yes

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Image Credit: Pieter-Jan Vanstockstraeten/Getty Images

Only Kanye West could tweet two words capable of shaking up everything we thought we knew about music, 2013, and life in general: “June Eighteen.”

That short missive is all that remains of ‘Ye’s once-boisterous Twitter feed. All of his prior tweets have been deleted, giving his cryptic message an extra-mysterious aura.

So what does it mean? Well, the obvious answer is that it could be the release date for his next album. West has been conspicuously absent from the spotlight while holing himself up in his studio in Paris all spring, fueling rumors that his follow-up to 2010′s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy might be imminent.

Just this week, Hot 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg claimed that Island Def Jam recently had a listening session for the album at their New York offices. “Everyone at the label that listened to the album loved it,” said Rosenberg. “I’ve heard it’s dark, but it’s really good.”

Also fanning the flames is Daft Punk’s recent Rolling Stone interview, where the French robots confirmed that they’d reteamed with West in the studio. “It was very raw,” Thomas Bangalter said. “He was rapping — kind of screaming primally, actually.”

READ FULL STORY »

May 2 2013 09:00 AM ET

Lady Antebellum's 'Golden': Watch an acoustic performance here -- EXCLUSIVE

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On May 7, Lady Antebellum will release its fourth studio album, Golden – and the title track, a honey-soaked love letter, was the last song Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood wrote for the record.

They invited Eric Pasley, a fellow Nashville artist and songwriter (Eli Young Band’s “Even if it Breaks Your Heart,” Love and Theft’s “Angel Eyes”) to write with them at Kelley’s home. After a couple false starts on other ideas, Kelley suggested they begin again from scratch: “I said, ‘Just start playing, and I’m gonna start mumbling some words over these melodies, and the song just started pouring out,” he says. “We probably wrote it in a couple of hours over a bottle of wine and delivery pizza. I think the good ones usually come fast like that. ‘Need You Now’ we wrote really quick. Once you find the inspiration” — in this case, their spouses and Scott’s new baby — “everybody’s just throwing out ideas.”

Watch an exclusive acoustic performance of the song below: READ FULL STORY »

May 1 2013 10:37 PM ET

Chris Kelly of Kris Kross dead at 34

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Image Credit: Everett Collection

Rapper Chris Kelly, best known as one half of the rap duo Kris Kross, has died, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms to EW. He was 34.

Kelly (pictured, right) was reportedly found unresponsive at his Atlanta home Wednesday afternoon. No further details are currently available.

In the 1990s, Kris Kross — which comprised of Kelly and Chris Smith — was best known for their hit song “Jump” and wearing their clothes backward. In 1992, when both singers were just 13 years old, their debut album, Totally Krossed Out, was released and went on to sell four million copies in the U.S.

May 1 2013 03:24 PM ET

Tyler, the Creator's Mountain Dew ad pulled after being called sexist and racist

Tags: News
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Image Credit: Andy Sheppard/Redferns

PepsiCo is once again learning the risks of celebrity partnerships after an ad for Mountain Dew was criticized for portraying racial stereotypes and making light of violence toward women.

The soda and snack food company said it immediately pulled the 60-second spot after learning that people found it was offensive. The ad was part of a series developed by African-American rapper Tyler, The Creator, and depicted a battered white woman on crutches being urged to identify a suspect out of a lineup of black men.

A goat character known as Felicia is included in the lineup and makes threatening comments to the woman, such as “Ya better not snitch on a playa” and “Keep ya mouth shut.” READ FULL STORY »

May 1 2013 01:21 PM ET

The Civil Wars announce new album, possibly still aren't getting along

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Image Credit: Allister Ann

One year ago, folk duo the Civil Wars (a.k.a. John Paul White and Joy Williams) seemed like they had everything going for them.

Their debut album, Barton Hollow, had earned Gold certification and won a pair of Grammys; their collaboration with Taylor Swift, “Safe and Sound,” became the breakout track of The Hunger Games; their music was regularly getting played on ABC’s Nashville; and they were performing to sold-out crowds across the country.

But all their momentum came to a screeching halt last November, when they canceled upcoming tour dates due to “internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition.” (Despite the divorce language used in the statement, Williams and White are both married to other people.) The singers didn’t explain their hiatus any further, though they did end their sad statement on an encouraging note: “Our sincere hope is to have new music for you in 2013.”

Well, that hope will become a reality this summer. The Civil Wars announced today that they will release a self-titled sophomore album in late summer 2013, but they didn’t dispel any of the chatter about the turmoil within the group. Each member posted vague personal statements on their official site this afternoon: READ FULL STORY »

May 1 2013 01:06 PM ET

Performers and speakers announced for George Jones' funeral, plus how to watch it

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Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Plans have been announced for George Jones’ public funeral, taking place Thursday at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The service will include music from Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless, Charlie Daniels, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kid Rock, Ronnie Milsap, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynonna. Kenny Chesney will speak, as will Former First Lady Laura Bush, Grand Ole Opry VP&GM Pete Fisher, Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Barbara Mandrell, and CBS News’ Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer.

The service, which will begin at 11 a.m. ET, will be broadcast live on CMT, GAC, RFD, and FamilyNet, as well as local Nashville stations. Those not near a TV can watch online at opry.com., or listen in at wsmonline.com or by tuning their radio dials to WSM 650AM and SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 56).

Read more:
George Jones tributes: Brad Paisley, Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, and more play covers — VIDEO
George Jones: The Essential Playlist — LISTEN
Goodbye, Possum: The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall remembers George Jones
Legendary country star George Jones is dead at 81

May 1 2013 10:00 AM ET

MTV's 'Awkward': Tegan and Sara will serve as music supervisors on next episode -- EXCLUSIVE

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Image Credit: Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic

Partly because it’s on MTV but mostly because it’s just a cool show, teen dramedy Awkward always showcases really great music.Last night’s episode, for instance, featured songs from Saskwatch (“Your Love”), Madi Diaz (“Heavy Heart”), and Wild Nothing (“Nocturne”), among many others.

And now, you can expect the show’s music to get even better; EW has exclusively learned that songs on the May 7 episode of Awkward will be curated by twin-sister pop star duo Tegan and Sara.

Don’t worry, we won’ t leave you hanging like that — we also know exactly which songs T&S have chosen for the episode. Here’s the list of what they’ve got on tap for next Tuesday’s half hour of Awkward-ness:

READ FULL STORY »

Apr 29 2013 12:18 PM ET

George Jones tributes: Brad Paisley, Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, and more play covers -- VIDEO

Since the April 26 passing of George Jones, country music artists and fans have been in mourning. But as we all know, music heals, which is why set-lists included tributes to the Possum over the weekend. Here are some that have made their way to YouTube. Jones’ funeral will take place May 2, at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, and be open to the public.

Brad Paisley, “Bartender’s Blues,” “The Race Is On,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “This is Country Music” (his song, with new Jones-centric lyrics)

READ FULL STORY »

Apr 29 2013 10:35 AM ET

'Glee': Listen to three songs from this week's Stevie Wonder tribute -- EXCLUSIVE

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Image Credit: Adam Rose/Fox

This week, Glee pays homage to music legend Stevie Wonder in an episode appropriately titled “Wonder-ful.”

EW is exclusively premiering three(!) tracks from this week’s episode, including a cover by returning guest star Kate Hudson of Wonder’s “Uptight (Everything Alright).”Listen below, Gleeks:

READ FULL STORY »

Apr 26 2013 03:38 PM ET

Goodbye, Possum: The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall remembers George Jones

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Image Credit: The Tennessean/AP

To honor George Jones, EW asked the Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall to recall his fondest memories of the country legend, who died today at the age of 81. They include the time Jones told Bonsall he should’ve just kicked his ass — and hearing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” before its release.

By: Joe Bonsall

As fate might have it, last night at a show in Missouri someone yelled from the audience, “How is George Jones doing?”

Well, we had no answer. We were well aware that George was in the hospital again and had been there since the middle of the month, but for some reason we thought he was doing all right but we did not know for sure. We all looked at each other on stage after the question in wonder… Each man’s face registered concern at NOT knowing the answer.

Then we arrived home this morning and heard the sad news that the Possum has gone home. How very sad. What an incredible and devastating loss for all who knew him, respected him, admired him, and loved him.

So many memories come to mind. A young Joey Bonsall once driving from Philadelphia to Youngstown, Ohio in a ’59 Ford all alone… to see George Jones and Tammy Wynette. He was a bit on the edge that night (being kind), and I remember being mad at him. As a young man who was in total love with Tammy, I perceived him to be a bit disrespectful of her onstage and I considered waiting for him at the stage door to tell him so… but I just drove all night back home.

I told him that story years later, and he told me I should have just kicked his ass and we both laughed.  READ FULL STORY »

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