7 Hip-Hop Artists Who Have Experimented With AI
A Vice/Noisey feature spotlights seven hip‑hop artists—50 Cent, Timbaland, Wyclef Jean, RZA, Will.i.am, K Camp and Kanye West—who are actively experimenting with generative AI in music creation. The piece details how each artist uses AI, from 50 Cent’s AI‑reimagined classics to RZA’s cost‑saving AI orchestration, and captures their public defenses amid fan backlash. It also notes the broader debate over AI’s artistic legitimacy and environmental footprint. The article serves as a guide to both AI‑curious listeners and skeptics of the technology.
26 Years Ago, L7 Raffled a One-Night Stand With Drummer Dee Plakas: ‘Rock and Roll Is Prostitution’
In April 2000, grunge‑riot grrrl band L7 raffled a one‑night stand with drummer Dee Plakas during their UK tour, a stunt that sparked headlines in The Guardian and Vice. The giveaway was announced in Manchester and concluded in London, creating a...
Nas Explained Why He Thought Hip-Hop Was Dead 20 Years Ago: ‘Mostly Every Form of American Music Is Dead’
In 2006 Nas released the album *Hip Hop Is Dead*, declaring the genre dead because commercial interests had eclipsed artistic integrity. He argued that record‑company profit motives, not just rappers, were exploiting hip‑hop and all American music. Nas linked the...
Mary J. Blige Candidly Opens up About Battling Addiction Early in Her Music Career: ‘It Was Either Put up or...
Mary J. Blige revealed that early in her career she struggled with severe alcohol and drug addiction, nearly reaching a fatal breaking point by 2001. She described the moment as a stark choice between life and death, ultimately choosing recovery...
Swae Lee Seemingly Cut Off From Performing ‘Black Beatles’ During Coachella Performance
During his April 10 Coachella set, Swae Lee was forced to end his performance early, cutting out the Rae Sremmurd hit “Black Beatles” and another new track. Production shut the lights and switched to a Ferris‑wheel visual, prompting Lee to plead on‑stage...
Sabrina Carpenter Sparks Controversy After Seemingly Mocking Fan’s Cultural Celebration at Coachella
Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella debut sparked controversy after she mocked a fan’s ululation—a traditional Arab and North African celebratory vocalisation—calling it "yodeling" and "weird." The incident ignited a heated debate on social media about cultural sensitivity and the responsibilities of high‑profile...
Will Ferrell Makes Random Cameo in Star-Studded Sabrina Carpenter Coachella Performance
Sabrina Carpenter headlined Coachella with a theatrically staged set that featured surprise cameos from Will Ferrell, Sam Elliott and Susan Sarandon. The celebrity interludes turned a music performance into a viral, cross‑industry moment that generated massive social buzz. Carpenter highlighted...
4 Rappers You Have to See Perform at Coachella in 2026
VICE’s Noisey spotlights four hip‑hop acts worth catching at Coachella 2026, amid a lineup dominated by pop stars Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G. Young Thug opens the main stage with a 50‑minute set that will blend tracks from his new...
56 Years Ago Today, an Indecent Proposal Led to Jim Morrison Being Yanked Offstage by Doors Bandmate
On April 10, 1970, The Doors’ Boston concert descended into chaos when a power cut left Jim Morrison’s microphone on while he was heavily intoxicated. Morrison launched a profanity‑filled tirade, threatened to expose his genitals, and had to be physically...
The Weeknd Reveals How His First Crush Helped Him Make His Groundbreaking Debut Mixtape
The Weeknd disclosed that his early love of anime, from Sailor Moon to Samurai Champloo, directly shaped his debut mixtape House of Balloons. He explained that the series’ blend of hip‑hop beats by Nujabes and visual storytelling inspired tracks like “The Morning”...
3 Groovy Indie Rock Bands With Under 500 Monthly Listeners
VICE spotlights three emerging indie rock acts—Cherry Sucker (302 monthly listeners), Post Sex High (104 listeners) and The Backroom Rumors (360 listeners)—all falling below the 500‑listener threshold on Spotify. Austin‑based Cherry Sucker debuted in 2024 with The Circles EP, delivering...
Hardcore Music Has Great Healing Benefits for Overall Health, According to Upcoming Documentary
Producers Howie Abrams, Seth Abrams, and Jammi York have turned a planned book on hardcore music’s therapeutic power into the documentary *Heavy Healing*. The film interviews seminal hardcore acts—including Agnostic Front, Sick of It All, and K2—while spotlighting personal stories...
How Harrowing Stories of Genital Mutilation (And a Bit of Reggae) Helped Inspire This 1994 Hit Song
Tori Amos’s 1994 single “Cornflake Girl” was born from a conversation about female genital mutilation and a love of reggae music. In a recent interview, Amos explains that the term “cornflake girl” refers to women who betray trust, mirroring the...
A Human Performed This Cringey, AI-Generated ‘Love Song,’ and Somehow It’s Even Weirder This Way
AI music generator Do Re Mi released a novelty love song titled “Give Me Your Hand.” Singer Natalie Janz, known as Madame Madame, posted a video performing the AI‑crafted track, adding a human voice to the bizarre lyrics. The performance...
7 No-Skip Hip-Hop and R&B Albums That Are Turning 20 Years Old This Year
2006 marked a watershed moment for hip‑hop and R&B, and seven albums from that year are turning 20. The list includes T.I.’s *King*, Ne‑Yo’s debut *In My Own Words*, Clipse’s *Hell Hath No Fury*, Lupe Fiasco’s *Food & Liquor*, Pharrell’s...
MF Doom Explains How the Movie ‘Gladiator’ Helped Him With His Signature Mask in Throwback Interview
MF DOOM’s iconic metal mask traces back to a replica of the helmet from the 2000 film *Gladiator*. A friend acquired the prop, altered it for wearability, and added chrome and a ruby, creating the distinctive look that would define the...
The Strokes Just Announced a New Album, ‘Reality Awaits’
The Strokes have announced their seventh studio album, “Reality Awaits,” slated for a summer 2026 release. It marks the band’s first full‑length record in six years since the Grammy‑winning “The New Abnormal.” The announcement arrived with a retro‑styled 1980s car‑ad...
4 of Coachella’s Biggest Band Reunions Through the Years
Coachella has become a launchpad for some of the most memorable band reunions in modern music history. Starting with the Pixies in 2004 and Rage Against the Machine in 2007, the festival has repeatedly delivered surprise comebacks that drew massive...
How This Mega Pop Star Got Her ‘Big Break,’ Despite Not Even Wanting to Be a Singer
Madonna’s rise to global pop stardom began with countless Broadway auditions, not a deliberate singing career. After being repeatedly rejected for her stature, a French production team offered her studio time and a lavish lifestyle, propelling her into the music...
Why Trent Reznor Felt Like Nine Inch Nails Was ‘Some P**** Pop Band’ Compared to an Industrial Metal Legend
Trent Reznor recalls a pivotal early‑90s studio encounter with industrial metal icon Al Jourgensen at Chicago Tracks, where he was invited to hang out and later contributed vocals to 1000 Homo DJs’ Black Sabbath cover. Reznor admits the experience left him feeling...
4 Rock Bands Who I Can’t Believe Have Fewer Than 100 Monthly Listeners
Vice highlights four underground rock acts—Declaw, fencing, UDDER and Assisted Living—each with fewer than 100 monthly Spotify listeners. The Boston trio Declaw (46 listeners) blends ’80s alt‑rock fuzz with modern indie flair, while Halifax’s fencing (93 listeners) channels early‑2000s Midwest...
Goo Goo Dolls Have Canceled Their Third Show in a Row, Due to Singer John Rzeznik’s Health
American rock band Goo Goo Dolls have canceled their third consecutive concert in Ontario after frontman John Rzeznik was diagnosed with pneumonia. The latest cancellation affects the April 3 show at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum, following previous cancellations in Sault Ste. Marie and Oshawa....
3 No Skip Alt-Rock Albums Turning 30 in 2026
In 2026 three seminal alt‑rock albums from 1996 turn 30: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ Murder Ballads, R.E.M.’s New Adventures in Hi‑Fi, and Butter’s Butter. Each record is celebrated as a “no‑skip” masterpiece, with Murder Ballads featuring high‑profile duets, New Adventures...
Are the Strokes Planning To Release New Music, or Is This an Elaborate April Fool’s Joke?
The Strokes posted a cryptic Instagram Story on March 31 featuring pixelated cassette imagery and a link to a Laylo‑hosted text‑message sign‑up, hinting at new music ahead of their 2026 festival slate, including Coachella. The sign‑up asks fans for phone...
4 Big Name Artists Who’ve Integrated AI Into Their Music in Transformative Ways
Major artists are turning to artificial‑intelligence tools to reshape how music is created and distributed. Lauv partnered with Hooky to generate a Korean‑language version of his hit, while Jacob Collier teamed with Google’s MusicFX DJ to explore continuously evolving soundscapes....
Melissa Auf Der Maur on How Hole Influenced This Young Artist: ‘There Are Direct Correlations’
Melissa Auf der Maur, former Hole bassist and 90s alt‑rock icon, discussed her new memoir *Even the Good Girls Will Cry* and highlighted a direct link between Hole and pop star Olivia Rodrigo. After Rodrigo thanked Auf der Maur’s daughter...
‘Bob’s Burgers’ Covered the Joy Division Classic ‘Transmission’ in a Way That No One Will Ever Top
Bob’s Burgers released a surprise sketch where characters Bob and Gene cover Joy Division’s 1979 single “Transmission.” The animation features bedroom‑stage visuals and toy‑instrument sounds, turning a post‑punk anthem into a whimsical, family‑friendly performance. The original track, Joy Division’s first...
J. Cole Says Streaming Undervalues Music, Creates Surface-Level Critique: ‘There’s No Barrier of Entry’
Hip‑hop icon J. Cole told the Lost in Vegas YouTube channel that music streaming’s flat‑rate model devalues songs by removing the financial commitment that once drove deeper listener engagement. He contrasted today’s unlimited catalog with the era of buying CDs or...
How a Failed Netflix Movie Inspired a Gorillaz Album About ‘Hanging Around for an Eternity’
Gorillaz’s long‑awaited Netflix movie fell apart after the studio’s key contact quit, leaving Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in a creative limbo. While waiting for the film to restart, the duo channeled frustration into their eighth album, Cracker Island, released...
Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler Once Revealed How They Got ‘Ripped Off’ (But Ozzy Had This Extra Advantage)
In a 2013 Howard Stern interview, Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler disclosed how early Black Sabbath management siphoned off earnings and left the band burdened by massive tax bills. Their lack of business savvy meant they were paid far...
4 of the Hairiest Hair Metal Bands That Make Me Instantly Smell Aquanet
The Vice piece spotlights four quintessential hair‑metal acts—Ratt, Twisted Sister, Poison and Mötley Crüe—detailing their 1980s rise, signature looks, and lasting influence. Ratt’s 1984 debut *Out of the Cellar* cemented their stadium‑rock reputation, while Twisted Sister’s anthems like “I Wanna Rock”...
Donald Glover Is Maybe Not Retiring Childish Gambino After All: ‘I Still Really Love Making Music’
Donald Glover, who sparked speculation about ending his Childish Gambino project after a New York Times interview, told reporters at the Super Mario Bros. Galaxy premiere in Japan that he still loves making music and isn’t planning to retire the persona. He...
WATCH: Garbage Covered ‘Lovesong’ by The Cure at Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit Show
British alternative rock band Garbage performed a cover of The Cure’s “Lovesong” during the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert at Royal Albert Hall. The set, curated by Cure frontman Robert Smith, also featured Placebo, who opened with a Sinéad O’Connor...
LL Cool J Once Explained Why He Still Makes Music Decades Into His Career: ‘I Didn’t Get Into Hip-Hop for...
LL Cool J returned in 2024 with *THE FORCE*, his first album in 11 years, after a long hiatus from recording. In a 2008 DJ Booth interview, he stressed that his motivation has always been artistic love, not financial reward....
Mos Def Explains How He Met Talib Kweli for the First Time and Formed Black Star
In a 2009 Spin interview, Mos Def (now Yasiin Bey) explained that buying a jazz album inspired him to propose a one‑off collaboration with Talib Kweli, leading to the formation of Black Star. At the time Kweli was juggling open‑mic...
The Reason Why J Dilla Actually Hated That Q-Tip Gave Him and Slum Village His ‘Stamp of Approval’
J Dilla’s early career was boosted when Q‑Tip of A Tribe Called Quest publicly endorsed him and his Detroit collective Slum Village. While the cosign opened doors, Dilla later revealed that the group resented being pigeonholed as an offshoot of...
Kanye West Features Fake Michael Jackson in New ‘Father’ Music Video With Travis Scott
Kanye West’s latest video for the track “Father,” from his album *Bully*, features Michael Jackson impersonator Fabio Jackson alongside Travis Scott. The visual depicts West in a church before an alien‑themed reveal, sparking online jokes about the MJ look‑alike. The release follows West’s...
DMX on Whether or Not Rappers Should Be Role Models: ‘It’s Getting a Little Scary Now’
In a 2000 Spin interview, DMX explained his view of being a role model, emphasizing authentic, gritty storytelling over polished advice. He argued that his lyrics should reflect harsh realities and provide listeners with fundamental life lessons, not sugar‑coated messages....
4 Songs That Made Almost Every Single Mix CD I Burned in 2005
In 2005, four tracks—Fall Out Boy’s “Dance, Dance,” Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.,” Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Follow You into the Dark,” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger”—appeared on nearly every mix CD burned by millennials. The article highlights how...
J. Cole Explains Why He’s Actually Not The Best Rapper Alive
During a Wave Original podcast, J. Cole was asked if he considers himself the best rapper alive. He answered that while he may claim the title in songs, in real life he acknowledges numerous peers—Black Thought, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Kendrick...
New Music Friday: 5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week (3/27)
Vice’s latest New Music Friday spotlights five fresh releases spanning black metal, hip‑hop, metalcore, lyrical rap and retro‑punk. Norwegian symphonic black metal veterans Dimmu Borgir break an eight‑year silence with the single “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel” from their upcoming album Grand...
The Strange and Violent Way Liam Gallagher Became a Singer: ‘I Started Hearing Music’
Liam Gallagher, the former Oasis frontman, revealed that a violent encounter at age 14 – being struck on the head with a small hammer – fundamentally altered his relationship with music. Before the incident he favored football and dismissed music...
Fetty Wap Drops Unexpected Interpolation of Cranberries Classic on Post-Prison Album
Fetty Wap’s new album *Zavier* drops this week, opening with “Fool For You,” an R&B‑leaning interpolation of The Cranberries’ 1994 hit “Linger.” The record marks his first full‑length release since a six‑year drug‑trafficking sentence, with several tracks written while he...
NBA YoungBoy Shocks Country Singer by Sending a Mysterious Animal to Her House
In September 2025 NBA YoungBoy collaborated with country singer Jas Von on the track “Gettin’ Older.” Days later he surprised her by delivering a mysterious animal to her property, sparking online speculation because it was neither a horse, cow nor...
Fatboy Slim Added to Coachella 2026 Lineup
Fatboy Slim has been added to the Coachella 2026 lineup, headlining the Quasar Stage on Sunday, April 12 with a DJ set. The UK dance legend also released the official studio version of his long‑bootlegged "Satisfaction Skank" mashup, now cleared...
Taylor Swift Reflects on What She’d Do if Stardom Didn’t Work Out in Touching 2004 Interview
In a 2004 Good Morning America interview, a 14‑year‑old Taylor Swift said she would gladly become a songwriter if stardom never materialized. She described music as her true love and emphasized an un‑relenting drive to write songs for herself or...
5 of the Coolest Rock Bands with Under 1,000 Spotify Listeners You Should Definitely Know About
The Vice article spotlights five underground rock acts—Therapy Horse, Lunch, Hate Knife, Sick Fizz, and Mercedes & Marxx—each with fewer than 1,000 monthly Spotify listeners. Despite modest streaming numbers, the groups span shoegaze, garage, punk, and Latin‑American‑infused post‑punk, delivering fresh...
Original Pantera Vocalist Challenges Fans to Go Back and Listen to the Band’s ‘Amazing’ Work on Their ‘80s Glam Metal...
Original Pantera vocalist Terry Glaze appeared on the Pod Scum podcast urging listeners to revisit the band’s early 1980s glam‑metal releases. He highlighted the first three albums—Metal Magic (1983), Projects in the Jungle (1984) and I Am the Night (1985)—as...
Netflix’s Red Hot Chili Peppers Documentary Features AI-Constructed Voiceover of Late Guitarist Hillel Slovak
Netflix released *The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel* on March 20, featuring an AI‑generated voiceover of late guitarist Hillel Slovak reading his own journals. The studio obtained permission from Slovak’s family, but the band publicly...
These 3 Releases Were Credited to Bands, But Are Just Glorified Solo Albums
Three notable releases—Foo Fighters' 1995 debut, Vampire Weekend's 2019 "Father of the Bride," and Prefab Sprout's 2009 "Let’s Change the World with Music"—were issued under band names but were essentially solo projects. Dave Grohl recorded the Foo Fighters album alone...