Sam Fender on How Olivia Dean Jumped on 'Rein Me In' #samfender #oliviadean #interview
Sam Fender discusses how Olivia Dean became the perfect partner for the duet "Rain Me In," a track that emerged from an unexpected collaboration. Fender initially considered a label‑pushed single, but he sent Dean his entire album, allowing her to select the song she felt resonated most. Dean chose "Rain Me In" and immediately reshaped the second verse, infusing a dual‑narrative that introduced a female perspective. Fender removed the original verse, giving her creative freedom to make the track her own, which broadened its emotional appeal and relatability. The partnership proved decisive: the song climbed to number one in Ireland, prompting Fender to text Dean with gratitude. He notes that the milestone arrived while he was casually playing PlayStation and eating pizza, underscoring the surreal contrast between everyday routine and sudden chart‑topping success. The story highlights how artist autonomy and cross‑gender storytelling can amplify a song’s reach, turning a modest collaboration into a career‑defining hit for both musicians.
Kashus Culpepper - "Out Of My Mind" (Live at The Bitter End)
Kashus Culpepper took the modest stage of The Bitter End to deliver a live rendition of his original track “Out Of My Mind.” Stripped down to acoustic guitar and his voice, the performance felt like a private confession, amplified...
Kashus Culpepper - "Man Of His Word" (Live at The Bitter End)
Kashus Culpepper took the stage at New York’s iconic Bitter End to premiere his self‑written track “Man Of His Word,” a raw folk‑rock ballad that blends personal narrative with broader social commentary. The song’s lyrics probe a woman’s search for reliability...
Durand Bernarr Won His First Grammy. Now, He’s Going to Make Sure You Can’t Look Away
Durand Bernarr celebrated his first Grammy win, a milestone after a two‑decade journey, and used the moment to discuss how the award has amplified his profile. He noted a 500% jump in streaming numbers and likened the surge to adding gasoline...
The Bruce Hornsby Interview
The conversation with Bruce Hornsby centers on his latest release, Indigo Park, his 26th studio album, and the 40‑year milestone since his debut in 1986. Hornsby reflects on a career that has spanned from the analog era of tape‑based recording to...
Bruno Mars Named 'New King of Las Vegas'
Bruno Mars has been crowned the “new king of Las Vegas” after the city honored him with a street bearing his name, cementing his residency as a cultural milestone. Despite early industry warnings to postpone a Vegas stint, Mars embraced the...
Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón
The video traces the cultural trajectory from Jamaica’s dancehall halls to the rise of reggaetón, highlighting how both genres function as grassroots newsrooms, identity workshops, and protest platforms. It explains that dancehall began as a communal space where marginalized voices...
BTS' RM Talks About the Band's Identity, 'Fighting Demons', And the Meaning of Life | Cover Story
RM sits down with Rolling Stone to discuss BTS's evolving identity, his post‑military psychological state, and the philosophical questions driving his solo work. He emphasizes that without continual challenge, the group loses purpose, and he frames his upcoming album as...
Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett Talk 'Beaches' On Broadway
The segment spotlights the Broadway debut of "Beaches," a musical adaptation of the beloved novel and 1988 film. Hosted on Good Morning America, the promotion features lead performers Jessica Vosk as CeCe Bloom and Kelli Barrett as Roberta, underscoring the...
Jeremy Messersmith on His Album Fox/Coyote #jeremymessersmith
Jeremy Messersmith explains the genesis of his new album, Fox/Coyote, noting that many of the songs originated during the 2020 pandemic and represent a long‑term creative journey. He describes a period of “unhinged” writing as he searched for his voice, ultimately...
Justin Bieber’s Vocals Didn't Disappoint, but Was Bieberchella Worth the Hype? #complexnews
Jordan Rose of Complex recapped Justin Bieber’s surprise Coachella appearance, dubbed “Bieber‑chella,” noting the pop star arrived in a hoodie and shades, then let his voice carry the show. With only ambient lighting and a simple mic, Bieber performed...
How an Unknown Rapper BLEW UP WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA (Copy This)
The video chronicles how independent rapper Alumni achieved massive Spotify success—over 10 million streams and half‑a‑million monthly listeners—while maintaining a near‑invisible social‑media footprint. Spotify label‑partnership exec Jesse and veteran producer KO discuss the unconventional path that led to the breakout, highlighting...
What Jaafar Jackson Rlearned From Reading Michael Jackson's Personal Journals #complexnews
In a recent interview, Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson, described how he delved into his uncle’s personal journals and sketchbooks to gain insight into the legendary artist’s creative process. He noted that Michael kept daily affirmations on bathroom mirrors...
"I Started Making Movies for the Audience..." #RyanGosling #Movie #AliPlumb #Radio1
The video centers on an actor’s epiphany that filmmaking should serve the audience, not just personal expression. A mentor’s comment sparked the shift, and the arrival of his children reinforced the need to prioritize viewers’ emotional experience. He argues that a...
Adéla Is Leading Pop Music's Exciting New Era | The Now Issue | Harper's BAZAAR
In a candid Harper’s Bazaar interview, emerging pop singer‑songwriter Adéla discusses the creation of her debut album and frames it as a marker of a “new era” in pop music. She describes her studio as a sanctuary where she curates an...
Mannequin Pussy: Tiny Desk Concert
Mannequin Pussy, the New York‑based noise‑rock quartet, took the stage at NPR’s Tiny Desk, marking their first official appearance after two earlier invitation attempts were rebuffed. The band introduced themselves—Missy, Bear, Maxine, Kaen—and welcomed guest musicians Kong, Ashley, Sean, and...
Robbie Williams on AI: "A Hit Came Out in My Voice...It's Over"
Robbie Williams uses a recent AI demo to illustrate how synthetic voice technology can produce a chart‑ready track in seconds, prompting him to declare, “it’s over.” The pop star recounts a friend’s prototype that, after a few prompts, generated a...
Sam Fender on 'Rein Me In' With Olivia Dean, Meeting Elton John and Star Wars | Interview
The interview captures Sam Fender’s whirlwind Los Angeles visit, where a last‑minute label‑arranged ticket landed him at a Paul McCartney show, followed by chance encounters with Elton John, Al Pacino and a Star Wars experience at Disneyland. Fender celebrates the meteoric rise of his single...
Snail Mail - "My Maker" (Live at WFUV)
The video captures Snail Mail’s live performance of “My Maker” recorded for WFUV, offering a stripped‑down version of the track that differs from the studio cut. Lead singer Lindsey Jordan’s hushed vocals and minimalist guitar create an intimate atmosphere, emphasizing...
Snail Mail - "Tractor Beam" (Live at WFUV)
On April 2024, indie rock singer‑songwriter Snail Mail performed “Tractor Beam” live on New York’s college station WFUV. The set, recorded in the station’s intimate studio, offered fans a rare, unfiltered version of the track from her recent album. The arrangement...
Beliebers From Around the World Are Already Camped Out for His Coachella Set
Day two of Coachella saw hundreds of Justin Bieber devotees staking out the main‑stage area hours before his 11:25 p.m. performance. The early‑morning crowd, ranging from teenagers to parents, set up makeshift camps with blankets, fans and portable mist devices,...
We Sent Our Reporters to See Coachella From the Goodyear Blimp
The video follows a team of reporters who boarded the Goodyear blimp to capture aerial footage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Their mission was to provide a bird’s‑eye view of the sprawling fairgrounds, showcasing both the scale...
Kit Wilson on the Future of Pretty Deadly #ComplexGraps
In a recent interview, Kit Wilson addressed the future of Pretty Deadly following teammate Elton Prince’s injury, discussing whether the duo will resume tag‑team action or continue as singles competitors. Wilson highlighted their long‑standing friendship, noting that “it was us against...
The Curious Case of Kanye West
The video examines why Kanye West remains a box‑office draw even as he faces bans and widespread condemnation. Despite being barred from venues in the UK and having a festival canceled, West’s recent Los Angeles shows grossed near‑record numbers, placing the...
First Look at Coachella's Radiohead Bunker Looking Back at 'Kid A' And 'Amnesiac'
Coachella’s 2024 lineup includes a brand‑new underground installation dubbed the Radiohead bunker, a 30‑ to 40‑foot deep space nestled between the Sahara Tent and the Dool Lab. The bunker houses a curated visual experience that stitches together imagery from the band’s...
Kendrick Lamar Song Reviews (that Aren't About the Battle) COMPILATION
The video is a tongue‑in‑cheek review by “Rap Critic” of Kendrick Lamar’s latest single from his surprise GNX album, positioning the track against the backdrop of Drake’s chart‑dominant pop rap. The critic praises the song’s lush Luther Vandross sample, soaring violins...
Tomorrowland Winter - Steve Angello and Agents of Time Full Sets
Tomorrowland Winter staged a two‑hour live broadcast from the Alpe d’Huez ski resort, featuring Swedish House Mafia member Steve Angello and Italian melodic duo Agents of Time. The show was produced by BBC Radio 1 and streamed on its YouTube channel...
Kevin Cole on the Power of Music #DJKevinCole
Kevin Cole uses a new documentary as a platform to argue that music functions as a universal therapeutic and mobilizing force. He outlines how rhythm can provide comfort in crisis, lift spirits, and physically move bodies, thereby reshaping personal energy...
Young Miko Talks Breakthrough Year, "Do Not Disturb", & Beauty Secrets | The Rolling Stone Studio
Young Miko, the Puerto Rican rapper‑singer highlighted in Rolling Stone’s Future of Music list, reflects on a career‑defining 2023 that saw her rise to mainstream attention. Her sophomore album Do Not Disturb topped charts, driving a 45% surge in global...
Zayn Shares 'My Life in 10 Songs,' Talks Lil Wayne, Amy Winehouse, 50 Cent, and More
Zayn Malik uses his "My Life in 10 Songs" series to map the soundtrack of his personal and artistic evolution, highlighting tracks that defined his childhood, cultural roots, and creative aspirations. The video opens with a tribute to Donell Jones’s...
In Downtown LA, Dancer Lil Buck and Music Artist Ode Reflect on Choosing Change in a Shifting World
The video pairs renowned dancer Lil Buck with music artist Ode to explore the urgency of personal transformation in today’s fluid cultural landscape. Set against a rhythmic backdrop, the duo uses lyrical affirmations—“Going to change my life tomorrow” and “be the...
XBrooklyn Rocking Iowa | Iowa Life
The video follows Tobi Parks, a musician who left New York for Iowa and founded the nonprofit venue xBrooklyn (xBk). He leveraged his background in music and law to create Station One Records and a 250‑seat space that prioritizes community...
The Mystery Chord That Made Toto’s “Africa” A Mega-Hit
The video dissects the “mystery chord” that gives Toto’s 1982 hit “Africa” its unforgettable verse hook, focusing on a specific voicing that most listeners never notice. Rick Bato identifies the chord as an E major 7 sus 2 over G♯ (functionally B major over G♯) with...
Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf 2026: Episode 3 with Madison McFerrin
Episode three of the Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf brings back alum Madison McFerrin as host, revisiting her own Tiny Desk performance and setting the stage for a deep dive into this year’s standout entries. The series highlights the contest’s...
Lecrae: Tiny Desk Concert
Lecrae’s Tiny Desk concert showcases the Grammy‑winning Christian rapper using NPR’s intimate stage to fuse gospel themes with gritty hip‑hop beats, positioning faith as the centerpiece of a mainstream music format. Throughout the set he weaves personal anecdotes of loss, prison,...
Rolling Stone Editor Reacts to Exclusive Stevie Nicks Relics | Sotheby's
Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony J. Curtis previewed items slated for Sotheby’s upcoming Rock & Pop auction, focusing on legendary Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks. The preview showcased a stage‑used, signed tambourine, one of Nicks’ signature flowing outfits, and the original artwork for...
Is Paul Cauthen Country’s Reformed Rebel? | Rolling Stone Nashville Now
Texas‑born singer‑songwriter Paul Cauthen drops his latest record, The Book of Paul, on which he embraces a defiant, autobiographical tone. In Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, Cauthen explains the album’s “trials and tribulations,” reveals the origin of his “Big Velvet”...
Rose Paradise - "Tangerine" (Live at WFUV)
The video captures Rose Paradise’s live performance of “Tangerine” on New York’s WFUV, a college‑radio station known for spotlighting emerging indie talent. Front‑woman delivers the song in a stripped‑down setting, allowing the poetic lyrics and delicate guitar work to take...
NY Slice Sessions: Rose Paradise
Rose Paradise, a Bay‑Area‑raised singer‑songwriter, discusses her DIY path from childhood piano lessons on YouTube to releasing her first album at ten and preparing a new EP this month. She credits a mix of folk‑rock legends—Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Neil Young...
Rose Paradise - "Sweet Devotion" (Live at WFUV)
The video captures Rose Paradise’s live rendition of “Sweet Devotion” recorded at WFUV, spotlighting the band’s frontwoman delivering the song’s plaintive verses with a stripped‑down arrangement. The performance leans into the rawness of a radio‑studio setting, allowing the vocalist’s emotive...
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie — Private Lives (Live at The Current)
Adam Weiner, frontman of Low Cut Connie, performed “Private Lives” live at The Current, delivering a gritty, autobiographical anthem that explores the tension between public performance and personal survival. The song’s verses weave images of side‑hustles, hidden vices, and the...
Pusha T Plays On That/Off That: Caffeine, Bam Adebayo, Rap Podcasts
In a short Rolling Stone segment, rapper Pusha T runs through a rapid-fire list of cultural likes and dislikes, repeatedly opening with “I’m on caffeine.” He endorses sweatsuits—saying denim and tuxedos should feel like them—and praises the film Sinners and...
Are AI Artists the Future of Music? A Look Into the Upside and Risks. | AI: Promise or Peril
The video explores whether AI‑generated artists will dominate music, noting a projected market surge from $440 million in 2023 to $2.79 billion by 2030. It examines the mechanics of creating an AI hit, from character building with ChatGPT to full‑song generation on...
Who's Flyer: Ye or Kanye? #complexnews
Complex News host Isel frames the conversation around Kanye West’s recent name change to ‘Ye’—sometimes stylized as ‘Yay’—and asks viewers to decide which persona is currently ‘flying’ in the fashion world. The segment contrasts the ‘old Kanye’ era, marked by high‑profile...
Arlo Parks - Stateside (PinkPantheress Cover) in the Live Lounge
In a recent Live Lounge session, British singer‑songwriter Arlo Parks tackled PinkPantheress’s breakout track “Stateside,” delivering a stripped‑back rendition that diverged from the original’s hyper‑pop production. Parks re‑imagined the song with a minimalist piano and subtle synth backdrop, allowing her hushed,...
Arlo Parks - 2SIDED in the Live Lounge
Arlo Parks took the stage at the BBC’s Live Lounge to perform a stripped‑down version of her single “2SIDED,” offering fans a raw, unfiltered take on the track. The setting, known for its minimalist production, allowed her delicate vocals and...
Aterciopelados: Tiny Desk Concert
The video captures Colombian alternative rock duo Aterciopelados performing a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music, blending Spanish‑language lyrics with a spontaneous, spoken‑word interlude. The set is framed by sponsor Capital One and serves as a platform to showcase the...
The BTS Homecoming: Does Korea's Soft Power Work? | The Impossible State
The Impossible State episode shifts from North‑Korea security to South‑Korea’s cultural clout, using BTS’s highly publicized homecoming concert as a case study. Host Victor Cha invites Wall Street Journal bureau chief Tim Martin, who attended the live event in Seoul’s central...
From the Archives: Musician and Gambler Chip Taylor
The archival interview revisits the eclectic life of Chip Taylor, the 1960s‑70s songwriter behind "Angel of the Morning" and "Wild Thing," who later became a professional gambler at New York’s Belmont Park. Taylor recounts how he learned to read a...
Dermot Kennedy - "Funeral" (Live at WFUV)
Dermot Kennedy’s performance of “Funeral” on WFUV captured a stripped‑down, acoustic interpretation that foregrounded his raw vocal delivery and the song’s stark lyrical themes. The college‑radio broadcast reached a predominantly young, engaged audience, providing a platform beyond his typical streaming...