• A-Trak Looks Back on Hip-Hop in 2014 with New Op-Ed

    A-Trak has become associated with the dance music scene over the past few years, but his roots in hip-hop are deep. He started out as a hip-hop DJ, winning the DMC DJ Championships at age 15. He was Kanye West's touring disc jockey in 2004 and has been a frequent collaborator with other DJs and rappers like DJ Craze, Wale and Cam'ron. He recently penned a new editorial on Medium on the state of hip-hop and how he thinks the genre has shifted so rapidly over the past year in new and fascinating ways.The main shift has been the fact that the status quo in hip-hop has been challenged and it is being broken down. He uses "Yeezus" as his primary example, as "it broke formats of song structure and challenged the industry. One year later, the left field seeped out of the margins and into the mainstream."One of the primary ways the genre has shifted directions is a move online and how new types of sounds and artists are able to get a voice."More than ever, rap and tech go hand in hand. 2014 was the year of SoundCloud rap — why hasn't anybody pointed that out?" he said.His best example is Drake, who has found OVO rappers on SoundCloud and releases the bulk of his music through the platform.

  • Madonna & Miley Cyrus Sharing Weird Love on Instagram: 'Rebel Heart' Singer and 'Bangerz' Star Swapping Photo Manips on Social Media

    In a recent Instagram post, Madonna claimed that she has love for all female artists and that there is room for everybody in the vast world of entertainment. But, lately, it seems as thought the Rebel Heart singer has been showing one modern pop megastar a little more love than some others. Yes, Madonna has joined Miley Cyrus in the world of weird Instagram, with the two chanteuses slinging love and weird photo manipulations back and forth at each other.

  • 10 Best Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks-Fleetwood Mac Songs

    On Dec. 31, 1974 — 40 years ago today — guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and singer Stevie Nicks, who performed together at the time under the name Buckingham Nicks, joined British blues rock band Fleetwood Mac. Though the band had found great success in the British blues scene of the late 1960s and early '70s, the inclusion of Buckingham and Nicks to the line-up transformed Fleetwood Mac into the biggest pop band in the world. To celebrate this anniversary, here are the 10 best Fleetwood Mac songs written by Buckingham or Nicks, in alphabetical order.

  • Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Collaboration "Shine" from 'Paddington' Leaks Online Ahead of U.S. Premiere [LISTEN]

    Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams have teamed up again. After penning hits together in the past like "Hollaback Girl," coaching together on this past season of The Voice and teaming up for 2014's insane Stefani single "Spark the Fire," another new track from the dynamic duo has arrived on U.S. shores today (Dec. 31). From the soundtrack to the forthcoming animated movie Paddington, the single "Shine" has now arrived online.

  • Aphex Twin Answers 25 Questions from Skrillex, Richie Hawtin, Nicolas Jaar and Others

    The enigmatic and at times odd Richard David James, better known as Apex Twin, shocked the world when he released an album this year after being silent for the previous 13. Using some rather ingenious marketing techniques, including an Aphex Twin Blimp over the London skies and Aphex Twin logos graffitied onto the streets of New York. The release of "Syro" has impressed his fans and music critics alike, earning plaudits and landing in the top spots of most end-of-year rankings. In honor of his 2014 and the 25th anniversary of "Groove" magazine, he fielded 25 questions from other highly touted DJs, including Skrillex, Caribou, Ben Klock and Richie Hawtin and answered them in kind. Below are some of the highlights, via "FACT."

  • Ghost B.C. Announces New Album for 2015 in Year Already Primed for Metalheads

    Metal fans have another album to look forward to during 2015. Along with much anticipated released from Lamb of God and Tool (both theoretically coming out during the next 12 months), the band Ghost B.C. (simply known as "Ghost" when lawyers for bands of other groups with a similar title aren't looking) have announced on Facebook that a new album will drop during 2015.

  • 10 Best Late-Night Performances of 2014: Ryan Adams, Bobby Shmurda and Kendrick Lamar Make the List [WATCH]

    The late-night performance has become a rite of passage in recent years for up-and-coming bands. For more established acts, it is a chance to play some songs from a new record. There is no denying that the moves made in 2014 in the late-night realm affected the quality of the performances. David Letterman is retiring in May, so he has just been enjoying it all — he really dug Ryan Adams. Jimmy Fallon took over "The Tonight Show," which meant The Roots adding their Philly funk to acts like Bobby Shmurda. And Stephen Colbert ended his tenure on "The Colbert Report" recently, wisely booking Kendrick Lamar for his final week.The last year was filled with great performances that may have been on past your bedtime. Here are a few of our favorites.

  • Music Times 10 Best Albums of 2014; St. Vincent, The War on Drugs, Jack White & More...Who Takes No. 1?

    Glares were exchanged. Words were said that can't be taken back. Punches weren't quite thrown, although two Music Times editors (that won't be named) did engage in a karate chop battle reminiscent of the Clark Griswold vs. Plastic Lawn Reindeer battle of '91. When all was said and done however, the staff had managed to narrow a list of 943 albums down to a mere 10. Old standards like Jack White and Beck proved that their status within the music community was intact, and newer, much buzzed about acts including Sturgill Simpson proved themselves worthy of consideration during the previous 12 months.
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