Music News: Grammy nominations make strides in representation December 7, 2018 After years of withering criticism over their lack of diversity, this year's Grammy nominations have gone some distance to close the gap. Kendrick Lamar leads nominees with eight nods, followed closely by Drake. Further, female nominees predominate in all four top categories. Also today, we pay tribute to the late Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks.
Music News: 'A Star Is Born,' 'Bohemian Rhapsody' score big in Golden Globes nominations December 6, 2018 'A Star Is Born' landed some of the biggest nominations at the Golden Globes, making Oscar chances look more likely for the movie about fictional music stars. Also, a roundup of some of this year's biggest holiday releases.
Music News: Country radio top 20 has zero female acts, for the first time since at least 1990 December 5, 2018 For the first time since at least 1990, when Billboard started tracking country radio airplay, there's not a single woman in the format's top 20 most-played songs. Also in the news today: guess which band are this year's most-tweeted artists, the Flaming Lips announce an album featuring a member of the Clash, Sunny Day Real Estate drummer says Dave Grohl has a lost album in his sock drawer, the Apollo Theater expands, and footage of the late George H.W. Bush rocking out surfaces.
Music News: Motley Crue biopic gets release date December 4, 2018 'The Dirt,' a forthcoming Motley Crue biopic, has a release date next spring. Plus, when Beyonce and Ed Sheeran showed up for a duet with VERY different outfits, it sparked a fan debate: do female artists need to meet higher onstage dress standards than their male peers? Also in the news today: Kanye apologizes for being on his phone during Cher musical, Travis Scott hits number one with a sprawling single, Princeton singers deem 'Kiss the Girl' inappropriate, and the 1975 pay tribute to Talking Heads.
Music News: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cher, Reba McEntire among Kennedy Center honorees December 3, 2018 On Sunday night, the annual Kennedy Center Honors recognized artists including Cher, Reba McEntire, and the creators of 'Hamilton.' Also in the news today: Grammy nominations delayed due to Bush death, Jon Bon Jovi's wine wins praise, Fugees' Pras faces conspiracy accusations, Ariana Grande breaks the internet, and a massive slate of tour/album announcements.
Music News: The Revolution play 'Raspberry Beret' in bed for charity November 30, 2018 Bedstock is a virtual music festival that has artists recording performances in bed to raise funds to fight cancer. This year's performers include "Weird Al" Yankovic, Ty Segall, Jeff Tweedy, and more. Speaking of Jeff Tweedy, his new album is one of a bumper crop of new releases this week. Jay and Jade talk about music from Earl Sweatshirt, Alessia Cara, Grimes, Chance the Rapper, and Mark Ronson with Miley Cyrus.
Music News: Reggae added to UNESCO list of protected cultural traditions November 29, 2018 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added reggae to a list of protected cultural traditions. In other news today: Jay-Z's in a battle for his Roc Nation brand, a Billy Strayhorn archive has been acquired by the Library of Congress, Tommy Lee accuses Travis Scott of stealing his upside-down drum kit trick, a challenge to Apple's pricing plan could help Spotify, and Donald Glover is spotted in a 2004 Beastie Boys concert clip.
Music News: Billie Eilish opens up about Tourette's diagnosis November 28, 2018 Rising star Billie Eilish has shared her diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, after observers noted a series of unusual tics in her performances. Also in the news today: Beck paid tribute to the late creator of 'SpongeBob SquarePants'; 'Silent Night' is celebrating its 200th anniversary; glam rock movie 'Vox Lux' has a new trailer (with music!); and there's legal drama involving LL Cool J and, separately, the Everly Brothers.
Music News: 'SpongeBob SquarePants' creator Stephen Hillenburg dies at 57 November 27, 2018 Stephen Hillenburg, whose show 'SpongeBob SquarePants' went from a Nickelodeon hit to a Tony-winning musical with rock-star composers, has died at 57. Also in the news today: the Go-Go's musical is closing on Broadway, a Green Day reference somehow ended up on Mars, an unheard Kurt Cobain interview surfaces, Sesame Street Records relaunch, and a metal band break up in truly epic fashion.
Music News: Bob Dylan goes to the circus November 26, 2018 Bob Dylan went to the circus, sort of, to promote his new whiskey line. Also in today's news: Prince's Paisley Park is partnering with Minneapolis Public Schools to launch an arts education program, Marvin Gaye's getting a stamp, Dr. John learns what his real birthday is, 'Man Who Fell to Earth' director Nicolas Roeg dies, and a recap of Thanksgiving parade music news.