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Danny Brown surprised us, or at least those familiar with his foul mouth, by revealing that he was in the process of writing a Dr. Seuss-style children's book aiming to encourage black girls to appreciate themselves while promoting self-esteem. The emcee is hardly the first established musician to try his hand at children's literature, although usually those handling the pen could also live off their royalties forever so they have time to experiment with new things. Here are seven of the biggest musicians in recent memory that have taken time from their career of performing for adults to wrote for kids. -
St. Vincent Talks About David Bowie and Artistic Authenticity at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art [WATCH]
David Bowie's influence on popular music has had a lasting effect on numerous artists over the years. There is no other act from 2014 that carries on Bowie's chameleon spirit like St. Vincent's Annie Clark, though. The artist's fourth, self-titled album was a big hit, and Clark stopped by Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art to discuss Bowie's influence.As "Consequence of Sound" points out, the MCA has hosted a special exhibit titled "David Bowie Is" since September. It features more than 300 items from the artist's personal collection, and the museum has also hosted live events in addition to the exhibit. Clark talked about some of her own career experiences before launching into Bowie."I am curious to unpack this idea of authenticity," Clark says in the video below, "and when did it become more authentic to just stand onstage with no lights or costume or theatricality and just stand up there with a beard and your feelings? Bowie's heroes were people like Little Richard who did '50s queerness with a wink and a smile because that was all that was palatable for the time." -
Music Times 25 Best Songs of 2014: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Hozier, St. Vincent & More
2014 was the year of a thousand controversies: Taylor Swift pulled all of her music from Spotify, Sun Kil Moon started a feud with The War On Drugs, Jack White accused The Black Keys of ripping him off (again), and almost nobody went platinum. When you put all of that aside, however, what you're left with is a bunch of incredible songs, which is really what it's all about. Here are the 25 best songs from 2014, as determined by Music Times writers Ryan Book, Caitlin Carter, Joey DeGroot, Kyle Dowling, and Carolyn Menyes. -
Lady Gaga Working with Nile Rodgers and Songwriter Diane Warren? Power Trio Photographed in the Studio
Lady Gaga's next album might be a little funky. A photo of the "Born This Way" singer surfaced recently and she was in the studio with Chic's Nile Rodgers. Acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren was also pictured, meaning that there's a super trio of talent working on something big. Gaga's people did not confirm the collaboration, but a picture is worth a thousand rumors (or something like that). -
Grimes Explains the Story Behind Her Stage Name: Claire Boucher Used MySpace to Help
Grimes, aka Claire Boucher, took to Twitter recently to give fans the lowdown on how she got her name. Previously, the singer told journalists that the name was inspired by artist Ken Grimes and cartoon character Frank Grimes from "The Simpsons." Turns out the name actually originated as a misunderstanding on MySpace, "Consequence of Sound" notes.Here is how Grimes explains Grimes:"On myspace ur genre could be grime and u could have 3 genres so i was plural grime, b4 knowing what grime was," she tweeted. "I was originally too embarased of this story so i told journalists i was named after frank grimes, who is also very cool. Or wait, no i said i was named after someone else named grimes argh, -- see this is why you shouldnt lie to journalists."i was originally too embarased of this story so i told journalists i was named after frank grimes, who is also very cool — Clear Butcher (@Grimezsz) December 20, 2014i was very please to discover that i actually loved grime music — Clear Butcher (@Grimezsz) December 20, 2014 -
Chris Martin: David Bowie Turned Down Coldplay Offer
David Bowie apparently enjoys some Coldplay, but not all Coldplay. Chris Martin revealed as much at the BBC Music Awards Saturday night, Dec. 13, where several artists paid homage to the Thin White Duke.Martin began with some polite remarks."When [Bowie's 2013 album] 'Where Are We Now?' came out, I was staggered, and also annoyed," he said, via NME. "Like, 'Come on, it's not fair.' He's already got all these amazing songs and then this instant classic."Then he discussed the time he tried to get Bowie on a Coldplay track."One time I sent him a song to ask him to sing on it," Martin said. "He called me and said, 'It's not one of your best.' He's got very high standards and I appreciate that. It inspires the rest of us to keep our standards high."Ouch. -
David Bowie, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Fallon, The Pogues: 8 Best Holiday Duets [LISTEN]
Duets are special. They tend to carve out little moments in time when two artists link up and compliment their talents to the delight of listeners. There are tons of holiday duets out there, but we decided to put a list together of some classic, some silly and some forgotten team efforts. Bing Crosby, David Bowie, Jimmy Fallon and The Pogues all made the cut. -
David Bowie Shares Music Video for New Song 'Sue (or in a Season of Crime)' [WATCH]
David Bowie’s career-spanning, greatest-hits album "Nothing Has Changed" is set for release this coming Tuesday, Nov. 18, but today the legendary singer has shared the music video for the album’s opening track “Sue (or in a Season of Crime),” a new song recorded specifically for the compilation.According to "Stereogum," Tom Hingston and Jimmy King directed the film-noir-inspired video, which takes place in a shadowy alley while the song’s lyrics and footage of Bowie in a recording studio are projected across the wall.You can check out Bowie’s music video for “Sue (or in a Season of Crime)” here: -
11 Great Albums With 11 Songs: Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, And More
If you're obsessed with albums like I am, the number of songs in a tracklist has an inexplicable significance. While having 10, 12, or 15 tracks seems very neat and tidy, and having nine or less seems vaguely progressive, 11 tracks bursts with confidence, as if the artist had too many good songs for 10, but didn't want to pad it with 12. In honor of Nov. 11 (11/11!), here are the 11 best albums with 11 tracks. -
Peter Gabriel Sings David Bowie's 'Heroes' in Germany to Mark the 25th Anniversary of the Collapse of the Berlin Wall [WATCH]
Peter Gabriel gave an impassioned performance yesterday (Nov. 9) in Germany, performing David Bowie's "Heroes" to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. The "In Your Eyes" singer went with an arrangement for the song similar to the one he used on 2010's Scratch My Back. -
David Bowie Shares "Sue" B-Side "Tis a Pity She Was a Whore" Ahead Of 'Nothing Has Changed' Release [LISTEN]
David Bowie is set to drop his career-spanning compilation titled Nothing Has Changed later this month. As part of the project, he will also release a new two-song single, which includes the previously unveiled "Sue (Or In A Season of Crime)" as well as the B-side "Tis a Pity She Was A Whore," which premiered this morning on BBC Radio 6 from DJ Shaun Keaveny. -
8 Albums The Flaming Lips Should Cover Next: The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin and More
This Wednesday, Oct. 28, The Flaming Lips will be releasing their full-length tribute to The Beatles's legendary "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," which will be their fourth reinterpretation of a classic album, following Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon," King Crimson's "In the Court of the Crimson King" and The Stone Roses's self-titled debut. If they ever plan on making anymore of these tribute albums, here are eight suggestions, including The Beach Boys and Led Zeppelin.
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