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Music News: Olympic skaters perform to Beatles, Elvis, and...Kansas?

Patrick Chan of Canada skates to 'Dust in the Wind' during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at on February 9, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.
Patrick Chan of Canada skates to 'Dust in the Wind' during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at on February 9, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.Harry How/Getty Images

by Jay Gabler

February 12, 2018

A recent rule change makes this year's games the first Winter Olympics at which skaters are allowed to select songs with lyrics to soundtrack their performances. Skaters have embraced the new freedom, with routines set to music by the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Adele, Coldplay, Luis Fonsi, Beyoncé, U2, Jeff Buckley, and even a Paul Anka cover of "Wonderwall." Credit for the most epic selection, though, might have to go to Patrick Chan of Canada, who took the ice to the Kansas ballad "Dust in the Wind." (Billboard)

Half of a Prince song up for sale

Chris Moon, the musician and producer who recorded Prince’s demo take and co-wrote three of the four songs on that tape, is selling his share of the song "Soft & Wet."

"I feel it is time to pass the torch to a Prince fan who will continue to cherish and enjoy owning it as much as I have," writes Moon in the eBay listing for his share of the song. Of course, Moon might also need a little cash: the asking price is $490,000.

As Moon notes, if you buy the song you get not only a share of a Prince song but also a share of the M.C. Hammer song that samples it.

Remembering two music greats

Film composer Johann Johannsson has died of undisclosed causes at the age of just 48. One of the most acclaimed and innovative Hollywood composers of his generation, Johannsson scored films including Arrival, Sicario, and Foxhunter. His music for The Theory of Everything earned an Oscar nomination. (Hollywood Reporter)

DJ and rapper Lovebug Starski has died of an undisclosed cause at age 57. He was a key figure in the birth of hip-hop, helping to coin that very word in the 1970s. He was one of the first artists to rap while spinning records, and he also rapped with DJs including Grandmaster Flash. While he recorded relatively little, he was a popular DJ and key influencer at a time when hip-hop was just starting to emerge. (New York Times)

Kendrick Lamar accused of using visual art without permission in Black Panther video

British-Liberian painter Lina Iris Viktor has accused Kendrick Lamar of using her art without permission in the video for "All the Stars," a SZA collaboration from the Black Panther soundtrack. Viktor says the video's creators twice asked for her permission, and she declined both times — but her distinctive imagery was used regardless. Viktor is requesting "a minimum of a public apology for the unauthorized use and a license fee." (New York Times)

L7 are back

Riot grrrl greats L7 have released a new single called "I Came Back to Bitch," their first new music since last year's "Dispatch From Mar-a-Lago" became their first release in 18 years. They've also announced a short U.S. tour that hits First Avenue on April 19. (Spin)