5 Album Releases That Defined 1988
In 1988 a handful of albums reshaped the musical landscape, from Sonic Youth’s noise‑laden *Daydream Nation* to Public Enemy’s politically charged *It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back*. Pixies introduced a surreal edge with *Surfer Rosa*, while Metallica’s *…And Justice For All* pushed heavy metal toward technical precision. R.E.M.’s *Green* capitalized on a presidential election to broaden its audience, setting the stage for their breakout hit “Losing My Religion.” Together, these releases defined the era’s artistic direction and continue to influence new generations.
John Summit Just Announced the CTRL ESCAPE Arena Tour for 2026
Electronic dance music (EDM) star John Summit announced his 2026 CTRL ESCAPE arena tour, a 20‑stop North American run supporting his sophomore album of the same name. The itinerary kicks off on Oct 1 in Champaign, Illinois and wraps in Oakland,...
This 2000s Metal Band Canceled Their Tour Over ‘Logistics’, but Organizers Claim It Was Actually ‘Low Ticket Sales’
Hard rock/metal outfit Drowning Pool called off its South American tour scheduled for May 20, citing logistical hurdles and missed deadlines. Local promoters, however, released a statement attributing the cancellation to uniformly low ticket sales across all cities. Fans are...
Bruno Mars 2026 Tour: Dates, Prices, and How to Get Tickets to Sold-Out Shows
Bruno Mars launches the Romantic Tour in 2026, his first global headline run since the 2017 24K Magic tour. The itinerary spans major stadiums across North America and Europe, including stops in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris and Toronto. Most shows are...
Drake Accused of Ripping Off a Beat From Another Rapper for His New Album: ‘You Got Me F***ed Up’
Rapper 1900Rugrat alleges Drake lifted the beat from his 2025 album intro for the track “Little Birdie” on the new triple‑album release ‘Iceman’. Rugrat posted an Instagram video and DM screenshots showing Drake’s interest in the loop and a promised...
Niall Horan’s Dinner Party Live On Tour 2026-27: How to Get Tickets
Niall Horan announced the Dinner Party Live On Tour 2026‑27, supporting his new album Dinner Party, which releases on June 5, 2026. The North American leg runs from March 17 to May 29, 2027, covering major U.S. and Canadian markets....
This Pioneering Punk Band Had Some Surprisingly Kind Words About the World Leader They Were Protesting in a Very Political...
The Ramones released the protest single “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg” in 1985, condemning President Ronald Reagan’s controversial visit to a German cemetery that included Waffen‑SS graves. The track, initially a U.K. release, gained traction on U.S. college radio after appearing...
Chance the Rapper Just Announced the Coloring Book 10th Anniversary Tour for 2026
Chance the Rapper announced a 37‑date North American tour to mark the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking 2016 mixtape Coloring Book. The itinerary launches on August 11 in Cleveland and wraps on October 11 in Pittsburgh, covering major U.S. and...
49 Years Ago, a Groundbreaking Punk Band Signed to Their Third Label in 9 Months, but One Finally Stuck
In May 1977 the Sex Pistols finally secured a lasting record deal with Virgin Records, which released their sole studio album *Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols*. Prior to Virgin, the band was dropped by EMI and A&M...
Pharrell Williams Name-Dropped a Rapper He Thinks Is ‘This Era’s Bob Dylan’ and We Have To Agree
In 2012 Pharrell Williams tweeted that Kendrick Lamar was "this era’s Bob Dylan," praising the rapper’s masterful storytelling. Lamar’s interviews reveal his intent to expose the complex realities of Compton, turning personal experience into broader social commentary. The endorsement was...
This Is Lorelei Just Announced a 2026 Fall Tour
Indie band This Is Lorelei announced its "Singer in My Band" fall 2026 tour, launching on September 22 in Columbus, Ohio. The itinerary blends headlining dates with opening slots for Bleachers across the Midwest, followed by solo shows supported by Colin...
‘Everything Is Dead’: Why Tyler, the Creator Is Fine With Gatekeeping (And Why the Gate Doesn’t Even Faze Him)
Tyler, the Creator says gatekeeping isn’t a flaw but a choice, arguing that not everything needs to be universally accessible. He applauds fans who accept missing out and stay within their own cultural bubbles. While he’s lax about music, he...
4 90s Alt-Rock Bands Who Sound Just As Good Today As They Did In Their Prime
Four seminal 90s alt‑rock bands—Candlebox, Everclear, Foo Fighters and Radiohead—continue to release and perform material that measures up to their classic era. Candlebox’s 2023 record *The Long Goodbye* is hailed as a top‑three album, while Everclear’s 2022 single “Year of...
Kendrick Lamar Reflects on What He Believes To Be His Musical ‘Superpower’
Kendrick Lamar told SZA in a Harper's Bazaar interview that his greatest musical asset is the ability to tap into both masculine and feminine energies. He describes this balance as his "superpower," allowing him to communicate authentically with a wide...
How LL Cool J Stayed in the Game After He Felt Like Giving up Due to Multiple Label Rejections
LL Cool J recounts how a string of label rejections in the mid‑1980s nearly drove him to quit rap. His mother intervened, buying a $300 rhythm machine that enabled him to record a demo of “I Need A Beat.” The...
Chance The Rapper Candidly Opens up About Living in His Hometown of Chicago: ‘It’s More Than Just a City’
Chance The Rapper opened up about his hometown Chicago, describing it as a "situation" where gun violence is normalized. He highlighted the city’s rich musical lineage while condemning the daily reality of shootings, citing Chief Keef and Kanye West as...
Is Doechii an Industry Plant? Her Label Certainly Doesn’t Think So
Industry‑plant accusations have swirled around rising rapper Doechii, but Top Dawg Entertainment’s president Punch has publicly refuted the claims, citing her transparent career path. Punch highlighted Doechii’s early YouTube videos where she announced quitting her job to pursue music, showing...
Childish Gambino Explains How He Felt About Critics After Negative Reviews on His First Album
In 2013 Donald Glover, known as Childish Gambino, saw Pitchfork slam his debut album *Camp* with a 1.6/10 rating, turning the review into a viral talking point. Rather than seeking validation, he framed the criticism as free publicity, arguing that...
This Stoner Rock Band Helped a Legendary SNL Cast Member Revive an Iconic Character During Their Musical Guest Performance
In 2005 Queens of the Stone Age appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live’s 30th season, sharing the stage with host Will Ferrell. During their performance of “Little Sister,” Ferrell revived his Gene character from the classic Blue...
The Weeknd Confessed That He ‘Relates’ to a Famous Comic Book Villain, but Isn’t ‘Out To Destroy the World’
Canadian singer‑songwriter The Weeknd revealed in a 2015 interview that he identifies with the Joker, calling the comic‑book villain his favorite because of the character’s shifting back‑story. He likened his own mysterious public persona to the Joker’s tendency to reveal...
Baby Keem Makes a Big Promise to Fans About His Next Album: ‘We’re Going To Be Coming in Hot’
After a five‑year silence following 2021’s *The Melodic Blue*, Baby Keem returned in February 2026 with the introspective album *CA$INO*, named for his Las Vegas roots. The record delves into personal hardships and aims to empower listeners, marking a stark...
25 Years Ago, Sum 41 Achieved a Major Milestone That Left the Band’s Frontman Feeling ‘Immediate Embarrassment’
In a 2021 Billboard interview marking the 20th anniversary of *All Killer No Filler*, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley admitted he still feels “immediate embarrassment” about the album’s runaway success. The record, propelled by the chart‑topping singles “Fat Lip” and...
Rick Ross Just Took His Drake Beef Another Step Forward by Cutting up One of Their Classic Collabs
Rick Ross used his recent Verzuz showdown with French Montana to perform “Aston Martin Music” without Drake’s vocals, publicly confirming the ongoing 2024 feud between the two rappers. Ross announced before the set that he would “minus Drake’s vocals,” prompting...
4 Music Videos Inspired by Bob Dylan’s Groundbreaking ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ Visual Art, Filmed on This Day in 1965
On May 8, 1965 Bob Dylan and filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker filmed Dylan holding cue cards for “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” a scene that pre‑dated the modern music video. The iconic alley‑way clip has been repeatedly referenced, inspiring at least four distinct videos across genres....
Seth Rogen and Jon Stewart Trash Kanye West for ‘Comeback Tour’ After Antisemitic Remarks
Comedians Seth Rogen and Jon Stewart used the Netflix Is a Joke festival to publicly condemn Kanye West’s recent antisemitic comments and his subsequent apology letter in the Wall Street Journal. West claimed his apology was genuine, citing his 2025...
Another Famous Grunge Singer Once Tried to Join Alice In Chains
Former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland once reached out to Alice in Chains about becoming their vocalist, a fact revealed by guitarist Jerry Cantrell during a 2014 interview on Mohr Stories. Although Weiland never joined the band officially, he performed...
2 Years Ago, the World Lost the Man Responsible for Shaping the Sound of 1990s Rock as We Know It
Steve Albini, the legendary recording engineer who defined the raw, analog sound of 1990s rock, died on May 7, 2024. He engineered seminal albums such as Nirvana’s *In Utero*, Pixies’ *Surfer Rosa*, and The Breeders’ *Pod*, championing natural room acoustics...
How a Passing Comment on the ‘SNL’ Set Convinced the Smashing Pumpkins This 1993 Single Was a Hit
In a 2025 interview, Billy Corgan recalled a fleeting compliment from SNL music director G.E. Smith that convinced him "Cherub Rock" was a hit. The 1993 single, the lead track from Siamese Dream, soon topped charts worldwide, becoming the Smashing Pumpkins'...
4 80s Rock Bands That Were Ahead of Their Time
The article highlights four 1980s rock acts—Fugazi, Pixies, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and the Melvins—that pushed musical boundaries well beyond their era. It outlines each band’s key releases, such as Fugazi’s *13 Songs* (1989) and the Pixies’ *Doolittle* (1989),...
‘This Is the Worst Day of My Life’: Bright Eyes Postpones Red Rocks Show—And Fans Have Big Feelings
Bright Eyes canceled their May 6 concert at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater after city officials deemed incoming weather unsafe, rescheduling the show for May 12. The performance was meant to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the band’s twin 2005 albums *I’m Wide Awake,...
Legendary Director Argues Why AI Was Necessary (And Funny) for His Film About This Divisive Rocker: ‘Do I Look Like...
Steven Soderbergh disclosed that his upcoming John Lennon documentary relies on Meta’s generative video tools to create deliberately absurd, AI‑generated sequences, such as babies in 1960s outfits and cavemen reenactments. He distinguishes between deceptive AI that aims to fool viewers...
Despite Drumming Their First No. 1 Hit 31 Years Ago, This OG Britpop Drummer Was Fired After Bandmates Felt He...
Tony McCarroll, co‑founder and original drummer of Oasis, was dismissed just 11 days after the band scored its first UK No. 1 with “Some Might Say” in May 1995. Noel Gallagher and producer Owen Morris cited McCarroll’s basic drumming as insufficient...
This 90s Rock Singer Once Forced a Newspaper To Donate to Charity as Apology for Scandalous Headline About Her
In 1996 Irish rock singer Dolores O’Riordan successfully sued the UK tabloid Daily Sport after it printed a false headline claiming she performed "commando" on stage. The High Court ordered the paper to apologize, cover her legal fees and donate...
Jay-Z Says He Had To Have a ‘Naïve’ Mindset While Making His Debut Album
Jay-Z told The New York Times that his debut album Reasonable Doubt was created with a deliberately naïve mindset, free from industry conventions. He focused on spilling his street‑level experiences onto wax, even crafting a 68‑bar verse on “Streets Is Watching”...
Ziggy Marley Sang a Beloved 90s Cartoon Theme Song That You Forgot About and Now It’s Going To Be Stuck...
Ziggy Marley, famed reggae artist and son of Bob Marley, provided the vocals for the beloved *Arthur* cartoon theme in 1996. The song, co‑written by Judy Henderson and arranged by Jerry DeVilliers, accompanied the PBS Kids series for 25 seasons...
This 1993 Alt-Rock Album Inspired Kurt Cobain When Making ‘In Utero’ Even Though Its ‘Harsh’ Production Divided Critics
PJ Harvey’s 1993 album *Rid of Me*, produced by Steve Albini, earned critical acclaim for its daring lyrics but sparked controversy over its stark, “harsh” production. While some reviewers dismissed the raw sound as crude, later retrospectives praised Albini’s analog...
5 of the Best Dave Grohl Songs That Aren’t by the Foo Fighters or Nirvana
Dave Grohl’s musical résumé extends far beyond Nirvana and Foo Fighters, spanning metal, hardcore punk, and even comedy rock. The article spotlights five standout tracks from his side projects: Dream Widow’s thrash‑laden “March of the Insane,” Them Crooked Vultures’ funk‑driven...
All Things Go 2026 D.C. Lineup Announced: Hayley Williams, Mitski, Ethel Cain and More
All Things Go announced its 2026 D.C. edition, set for September 25‑27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Headliners include Hayley Williams, Mitski and Ethel Cain, supported by Brandi Carlile, Zara Larsson and a robust undercard. The festival will also roll out...
32 Years Ago Today: One of the Biggest Rock Songs of the 90s Was Inspired by a News Anchor’s Passing...
In 1994 Soundgarden’s album *Superunknown* delivered the iconic track “Black Hole Sun,” born from producer Michael Beinhorn’s push for authentic songwriting and a misheard news‑anchor phrase. Chris Cornell quickly drafted demos, recorded the song after a long drive, and captured...
Iron Blossom 2026 Festival Lineup Announced: Jack White, LCD Soundsystem and More
The Iron Blossom Festival announced its 2026 lineup, featuring headliners Jack White and LCD Soundsystem alongside acts such as Portugal. The Man, Phantogram, and emerging artists like Dijon and Geese. The two‑day event will run September 19‑20 at Midtown Green...
Jay-Z Predicted Streaming and the State of the Music Industry Way Back in 2010
In a 2010 Interview Magazine conversation, Jay‑Z warned that the traditional record business was on the brink of collapse as digital sharing eroded physical sales. He cited Napster’s disruption and argued that while fans’ appetite for music would stay strong,...
Kendrick Lamar Once Broke Down Hip-Hop’s Evolution and How the Genre ‘Is a Little More Grown up Now’ Back in...
In a 2012 Guardian interview, Kendrick Lamar argued that hip‑hop has become more mature, noting its willingness to address topics like gay marriage. He said the genre’s evolution allows artists to be perceived as human beings rather than untouchable action...
Frank Ocean Explains Why He Wasn’t That Excited When He First Got Signed to a Major Label
Frank Ocean signed with Def Jam in the early 2010s but approached the deal with indifference, seeing himself primarily as a songwriter rather than a recording artist. The label failed to fund his planned releases, leaving him frustrated and prompting...
Drake Recalled Releasing This Album as One of the Lowest Points in His Career: ‘It Was a Weird Moment’
In a 2011 GQ interview, Drake confessed that his debut major‑label album, "Thank Me Later," remains a low point in his career. He explained the record was rushed—produced in just four months on a tour bus—leaving little time for refinement....
Tyler, the Creator Tried To Get Two Superstar Pop Singers for His Hit Song ‘Earfquake’ but They Declined
Tyler, the Creator revealed that he originally pitched his 2019 smash "EARFQUAKE" to pop megastars Justin Bieber and Rihanna, both of whom declined to participate. The track ultimately featured Playboi Carti and soul legend Charlie Wilson, becoming a chart‑topping hit...
Baby Keem Revealed His Dream Collab and I’m Dying to Hear It
Baby Keem told the Las Vegas Review‑Journal that his top dream collaboration is with R&B superstar The Weeknd. He highlighted his newfound freedom to work with artists he admires after the February 2026 release of his personal album CA$INO. Keem...
One Direction Singer Cancels US Tour Due to ‘Health’ Issues, Following Alleged Altercation With Former Bandmate
Zayn Malik announced the cancellation of the U.S. leg of his Konnakol Tour, citing undisclosed health issues after a recent hospitalization. The decision follows rumors that Malik punched former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson during filming of a Netflix road‑trip...
3 New Hip-Hop and R&B Songs You Must Hear This Week (5/1/26)
Vice’s Noisey outlet distilled the weekly flood of hip‑hop and R&B releases into three standout tracks: La Reezy’s “Melanate It,” Bby Kell’s “2019,” and the Isaiah Rashad‑SZA collaboration “Boy in Red.” The selections highlight a blend of classic rap sensibilities,...
Kanye West Is Reportedly Getting His Own Stadium in Albania, but There’s Obviously a Big Catch
Kanye West will headline a concert in Tirana on July 11, prompting Albanian officials to construct a temporary stadium capable of holding about 60,000 attendees, far beyond Eagle Stadium's 22,500 permanent capacity. The Ministry of Culture touts the event as...
Latest Kneecap Song ‘Irish Goodbye’ Addresses ‘Specific Kind of Grief’ That Comes With Losing Someone to Suicide
Irish‑language rap trio Kneecap released "Irish Goodbye" featuring Kae Tempest as the final single ahead of their May 1 album Fenian. The track confronts the "specific kind of grief" that follows a loved one’s suicide, drawing on frontman Naoise Ó Cairealláin’s...