Music News
Music News
Tyler, The Creator felt like a "criminal" and a "terrorist" when he was banned from entering the United Kingdom.
The 'Yonkers' rapper was denied entry into Britain last week after being told the home secretary had banned him for the next three to five years because lyrics from his past albums express "behaviours unacceptable in the UK".
Speaking about how he had to cancel a number of appearances, including those scheduled for Reading and Leeds festivals, Tyler said: "Monday was one of the s**ttiest days I've ever had. I was in a detention room; I felt like a criminal. And then [a Border Force officer] showed me lyrics from songs ... Literally, a paper with five lines of lyrics, and four were from 'Bastard' songs and one was from 'Tron Cat'. I never perform those songs. Thirty minutes later, the guy comes in, he gives me a paper, and he says, 'OK, they're not letting you in the country.' The paper said I couldn't come at all, saying that I support homophobia and acts of terrorism, and [it said] some other stuff. I'm just like, one, none of that is true, and two, I was here seven weeks ago. I rented out a movie theatre for a show. I did something really awesome, and it was no problem."
The 24-year-old star also explained that he wrote the songs from the mindset of an alter-ego, something the documents he was presented with recognised.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "The thing that irks me about it is that the paper saying I am denied entry to the UK clearly states that these songs were written from [the perspective of] an alter ego - which means they obviously did some research on these songs that they're detaining me for. So the argument is right there! This song is written from an alter ego - I'm not like this! You could watch any interview and see my personality, see the guy I am. I wouldn't hurt a fly."
And Tyler has admitted he's worried this is just the start of over the top attempts to censor artists.
He added: "This is only gonna open a door for other people to get banned. And then they're gonna go after video games, and then they're gonna go after movies, and we're gonna live in such a sensitive world."
Tyler, The Creator felt like a ‘criminal’ and ‘terrorist’
Tyler, The Creator felt like a "criminal" and a "terrorist" when he was banned from entering the United Kingdom.
The 'Yonkers' rapper was denied entry into Britain last week after being told the home secretary had banned him for the next three to five years because lyrics from his past albums express "behaviours unacceptable in the UK".
Speaking about how he had to cancel a number of appearances, including those scheduled for Reading and Leeds festivals, Tyler said: "Monday was one of the s**ttiest days I've ever had. I was in a detention room; I felt like a criminal. And then [a Border Force officer] showed me lyrics from songs ... Literally, a paper with five lines of lyrics, and four were from 'Bastard' songs and one was from 'Tron Cat'. I never perform those songs. Thirty minutes later, the guy comes in, he gives me a paper, and he says, 'OK, they're not letting you in the country.' The paper said I couldn't come at all, saying that I support homophobia and acts of terrorism, and [it said] some other stuff. I'm just like, one, none of that is true, and two, I was here seven weeks ago. I rented out a movie theatre for a show. I did something really awesome, and it was no problem."
The 24-year-old star also explained that he wrote the songs from the mindset of an alter-ego, something the documents he was presented with recognised.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "The thing that irks me about it is that the paper saying I am denied entry to the UK clearly states that these songs were written from [the perspective of] an alter ego - which means they obviously did some research on these songs that they're detaining me for. So the argument is right there! This song is written from an alter ego - I'm not like this! You could watch any interview and see my personality, see the guy I am. I wouldn't hurt a fly."
And Tyler has admitted he's worried this is just the start of over the top attempts to censor artists.
He added: "This is only gonna open a door for other people to get banned. And then they're gonna go after video games, and then they're gonna go after movies, and we're gonna live in such a sensitive world."
Music News
Miley Cyrus' new album is a "gift".
The 22-year-old singer has surprise released a new LP, 'Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz' on streaming service Soundcloud and though the record - which won't count towards her commitment to record label RCA records - is very different to her previous efforts, she insists it isn't a deliberate rebellion.
She said: "This music was not meant to be a rebellion. It was meant to be a gift."
However, the 'Wrecking Ball' hitmaker admitted her label didn't get chance to hear the 22-track record until it was finished.
She told the New York Times newspaper: "They had never heard the record until it was done."
The former Disney star doesn't think she'll ever again comply with the mainstream as it would be a step "backwards" and she relishes the freedom she has.
She said: "I don't think I'll grow that way. It seems like it would be backwards.
"[My team] said they'd never seen someone at my level, especially a woman, have this much freedom. I literally can do whatever I want. It's insane.
"I can just do what I want to do, and make the music I want to make."
Miley Cyrus’ album ‘gift’
Miley Cyrus' new album is a "gift".
The 22-year-old singer has surprise released a new LP, 'Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz' on streaming service Soundcloud and though the record - which won't count towards her commitment to record label RCA records - is very different to her previous efforts, she insists it isn't a deliberate rebellion.
She said: "This music was not meant to be a rebellion. It was meant to be a gift."
However, the 'Wrecking Ball' hitmaker admitted her label didn't get chance to hear the 22-track record until it was finished.
She told the New York Times newspaper: "They had never heard the record until it was done."
The former Disney star doesn't think she'll ever again comply with the mainstream as it would be a step "backwards" and she relishes the freedom she has.
She said: "I don't think I'll grow that way. It seems like it would be backwards.
"[My team] said they'd never seen someone at my level, especially a woman, have this much freedom. I literally can do whatever I want. It's insane.
"I can just do what I want to do, and make the music I want to make."
Music News
Sam Smith wants his albums to feel like a series of "romantic novels".
The Grammy Award-winning singer is currently working on his sophomore record, following the success of his debut 'In The Lonely Hour' in 2014, and has revealed his ultimate "aim" is to create a body of work that resembles a "romantic film".
The 23-year-old star wrote on Twitter: "I want my albums to be like a series of books. Romantic novels haha.
"Then all together, one day, it will make a romantic film. Hopefully with a happy ending. That's the aim haha. (sic)"
Sam revealed in July that he's already started writing material for the new album and has a clear idea of its "concept".
The 'Lay Me Down' hitmaker shared: "I'm already writing. I feel like I've already got the title to the album; I've got the concept to the album."
Sam explained he finds it easier to make music once he's decided upon a central theme.
He said: "I work in terms of concepts. When I find the thing I want to write about, I actually go out and physically do it.
"It sounds really weird, but when I knew that the album was going to be called 'In the Lonely Hour', I think I subconsciously started being lonelier. I feel like once I've got that concept of what I want to do, I start physically doing it so I can write music about it."
Sam Smith: I want my albums to sound like romantic novels
Sam Smith wants his albums to feel like a series of "romantic novels".
The Grammy Award-winning singer is currently working on his sophomore record, following the success of his debut 'In The Lonely Hour' in 2014, and has revealed his ultimate "aim" is to create a body of work that resembles a "romantic film".
The 23-year-old star wrote on Twitter: "I want my albums to be like a series of books. Romantic novels haha.
"Then all together, one day, it will make a romantic film. Hopefully with a happy ending. That's the aim haha. (sic)"
Sam revealed in July that he's already started writing material for the new album and has a clear idea of its "concept".
The 'Lay Me Down' hitmaker shared: "I'm already writing. I feel like I've already got the title to the album; I've got the concept to the album."
Sam explained he finds it easier to make music once he's decided upon a central theme.
He said: "I work in terms of concepts. When I find the thing I want to write about, I actually go out and physically do it.
"It sounds really weird, but when I knew that the album was going to be called 'In the Lonely Hour', I think I subconsciously started being lonelier. I feel like once I've got that concept of what I want to do, I start physically doing it so I can write music about it."
Music News
Prince thinks it is a "bad time for music".
The 57-year-old musician - who is preparing to release his new album 'HitnRun' this month - has admitted he is not impressed with the current crop of pop stars as their music is not exciting enough.
He told the New York Post: "It's a bad time for music in general. There's not a lot of pop music in the mainstream that makes you feel scared, that makes you wonder what's happening.
"I'm not interested in what happened yesterday. There might be music that sounds like me, but what good is that? You're essentially in the feedback loop."
However, there are some younger artists who have impressed him, including his 'HitnRun' producer Joshua Welton.
He said: "I'm not the kind of person who's down on young people in music. Joshua is one of the new generation who can do multiple things.
"Janelle Monáe is making her own music industry with her music and her label. She's not afraid of anybody. One day, she's gonna be president and no one's gonna even know what happened!"
Prince: ‘It’s a bad time for music’
Prince thinks it is a "bad time for music".
The 57-year-old musician - who is preparing to release his new album 'HitnRun' this month - has admitted he is not impressed with the current crop of pop stars as their music is not exciting enough.
He told the New York Post: "It's a bad time for music in general. There's not a lot of pop music in the mainstream that makes you feel scared, that makes you wonder what's happening.
"I'm not interested in what happened yesterday. There might be music that sounds like me, but what good is that? You're essentially in the feedback loop."
However, there are some younger artists who have impressed him, including his 'HitnRun' producer Joshua Welton.
He said: "I'm not the kind of person who's down on young people in music. Joshua is one of the new generation who can do multiple things.
"Janelle Monáe is making her own music industry with her music and her label. She's not afraid of anybody. One day, she's gonna be president and no one's gonna even know what happened!"
Music News
Rudimental could make a "reggae offshoot album".
The English drum and bass group - which consists of Piers Agget, Amir Amor, Kesi Dryden and DJ Locksmith - have enjoyed incredible success since their single 'Feel the Love' topped the UK charts in 2012, but have admitted they could soon take their sound in a different direction.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz, Amir shared: "We could easily do a reggae offshoot album or a hip hop offshoot album.
"We've done so many weeks in the studio where we've come out with bunches of songs that don't really fit the whole body of work."
Kesi said that although the group could continue with their drum and bass material, they're keen to branch out.
He explained: "We could easily release a reggae album. We spent a week in Jamaica in the studio out there, which was meant to be finishing off our album but we ended up just starting making reggae.
"We was in there with the likes of Max Romeo, Chronixx and Barrington Levy, some real legends in there, as well as some current artists, so it was amazing. And I think it's just a testament to how eclectic we are.
"We're so versatile, we don't just stick to making drum and bass or house tracks, we can hit the boundary."
To catch up on all the highlights from Fusion Festival 2015, tune into 4Music (Freeview 18, Sky 360 and Virgin 330) on Saturday 5th September from 3pm to watch 'Fusion Festival 2015: The Best Bits'.
Rudimental ‘could make a reggae album’
Rudimental could make a "reggae offshoot album".
The English drum and bass group - which consists of Piers Agget, Amir Amor, Kesi Dryden and DJ Locksmith - have enjoyed incredible success since their single 'Feel the Love' topped the UK charts in 2012, but have admitted they could soon take their sound in a different direction.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz, Amir shared: "We could easily do a reggae offshoot album or a hip hop offshoot album.
"We've done so many weeks in the studio where we've come out with bunches of songs that don't really fit the whole body of work."
Kesi said that although the group could continue with their drum and bass material, they're keen to branch out.
He explained: "We could easily release a reggae album. We spent a week in Jamaica in the studio out there, which was meant to be finishing off our album but we ended up just starting making reggae.
"We was in there with the likes of Max Romeo, Chronixx and Barrington Levy, some real legends in there, as well as some current artists, so it was amazing. And I think it's just a testament to how eclectic we are.
"We're so versatile, we don't just stick to making drum and bass or house tracks, we can hit the boundary."
To catch up on all the highlights from Fusion Festival 2015, tune into 4Music (Freeview 18, Sky 360 and Virgin 330) on Saturday 5th September from 3pm to watch 'Fusion Festival 2015: The Best Bits'.
Music News
The Rolling Stones plan to record a new album next year.
Guitarist Keith Richards is keen for the 'Brown Sugar' hitmakers to get back to work on new music, but he admits it is hard to persuade the rest of the group to get into the studio.
He told Entertainment Weekly magazine: "I'm trying to get the Stones into the studio. But I don't quite honestly see it happening this year.
"After we do South America in February and March [2016], I'd love to get in the studio in April. But I know what those guys are like. When they finish a tour, they don't want to do nothing!"
Keith is set to release his first solo album in 23 years, 'Crosseyed Heart' and admits the record was badly timed as the Rolling Stones came out of hiatus while he was working on it.
He said "I only do it when the Stones go into hibernation. Unfortunately, as I was recording this and had just finished it, the Stones came out of hibernation.
"I had it sort of sitting back there for a couple of years, waiting for the right time. Why should I clash with myself, you know? It was looking for the right spot and the right time. Because, when the Stones work, you know, hey, that's my numero uno!"
Rolling Stones to record next year?
The Rolling Stones plan to record a new album next year.
Guitarist Keith Richards is keen for the 'Brown Sugar' hitmakers to get back to work on new music, but he admits it is hard to persuade the rest of the group to get into the studio.
He told Entertainment Weekly magazine: "I'm trying to get the Stones into the studio. But I don't quite honestly see it happening this year.
"After we do South America in February and March [2016], I'd love to get in the studio in April. But I know what those guys are like. When they finish a tour, they don't want to do nothing!"
Keith is set to release his first solo album in 23 years, 'Crosseyed Heart' and admits the record was badly timed as the Rolling Stones came out of hiatus while he was working on it.
He said "I only do it when the Stones go into hibernation. Unfortunately, as I was recording this and had just finished it, the Stones came out of hibernation.
"I had it sort of sitting back there for a couple of years, waiting for the right time. Why should I clash with myself, you know? It was looking for the right spot and the right time. Because, when the Stones work, you know, hey, that's my numero uno!"
Music News
David Bowie is to write songs for the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' musical.
The 'Space Oddity' singer - who previously voiced a character on the cartoon in 2007 - will be joined by a host of stars including Cyndi Lauper, TI, The Flaming Lips, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, John Legend, Lady Antebellum and They Might Be Giants in contributing music to the Broadway show.
Nickelodeon's president of content development and production, Russell Hicks, told the Chicago Tribune newspaper: "All of those amazing composers are fans of SpongeBob."
"Music has always been an important part of the show and everyone saw this as a real creative challenge ... We have a story and a subplot, but it's all spiced with the particular flavourings of the SpongeBob universe."
The show will have an initial run in Chicago from June 7 to July 13, 2016, before heading to Broadway for 2016-17.
The show will be co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau, with a book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt.
No cast members have been announced yet, but the director confirmed the actors will not be dressed in prosthetics.
Instead, they will take part in circus-style workshops to explore "how the human body can transform itself into cartoon-like characters".
David Bowie to write on Spongebob musical
David Bowie is to write songs for the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' musical.
The 'Space Oddity' singer - who previously voiced a character on the cartoon in 2007 - will be joined by a host of stars including Cyndi Lauper, TI, The Flaming Lips, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, John Legend, Lady Antebellum and They Might Be Giants in contributing music to the Broadway show.
Nickelodeon's president of content development and production, Russell Hicks, told the Chicago Tribune newspaper: "All of those amazing composers are fans of SpongeBob."
"Music has always been an important part of the show and everyone saw this as a real creative challenge ... We have a story and a subplot, but it's all spiced with the particular flavourings of the SpongeBob universe."
The show will have an initial run in Chicago from June 7 to July 13, 2016, before heading to Broadway for 2016-17.
The show will be co-conceived and directed by Tina Landau, with a book by Kyle Jarrow and music supervision by Tom Kitt.
No cast members have been announced yet, but the director confirmed the actors will not be dressed in prosthetics.
Instead, they will take part in circus-style workshops to explore "how the human body can transform itself into cartoon-like characters".
Music News
James Hetfield thanked the "Metallica family" at the Reading and Leeds Festival.
The 'Whiskey In The Jar' hitmakers returned to the two location event after a seven-year-break over the weekend and during their 18-song setlist, which including massive hits 'One', 'The Unforgiven' and 'Nothing Else Matters', the frontman admitted the metal legends were "truly blessed" to have such loyal fans.
Speaking during their closing set at Leeds on Sunday night (31.08.15), Hetfield told the crowd: "We are truly blessed. Thank you Metallica family."
Hetfield addressed the crowd asking who their favourite act of the weekend had been and answered his own question with "Metallica".
He said: "Has it been a good weekend? What are some of your favourites? Metallica? Me too. But they're a bit heavy. Do you like it heavy? Do you want Metallica heavy?"
The band then brought 50 fans on to the stage and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett helped one play along to songs 'Fade To Black' and Seek To Destroy'.
They brought the festival to a close ending on an encore of 'Whiskey In The Jar' dedicated to "fallen soldier" Cliff Burton, their late bassist who died in a bus crash in 1986.
James declared: "This is going to make you bounce."
And ended with an explosive 'Enter Sandman' followed by a fireworks display.
Metallica's Leeds setlist:
Fuel
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Blackened
King Nothing
Ride the Lightning
The Day That Never Comes
The Memory Remains
The Unforgiven
Sad But True
Turn the Page
The Frayed Ends of Sanity
One
Master of Puppets
Fade to Black
Seek & Destroy
Encore:
Whiskey in the Jar
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
James Hetfield thanks loyal ‘Metallica family’ after Leeds set
James Hetfield thanked the "Metallica family" at the Reading and Leeds Festival.
The 'Whiskey In The Jar' hitmakers returned to the two location event after a seven-year-break over the weekend and during their 18-song setlist, which including massive hits 'One', 'The Unforgiven' and 'Nothing Else Matters', the frontman admitted the metal legends were "truly blessed" to have such loyal fans.
Speaking during their closing set at Leeds on Sunday night (31.08.15), Hetfield told the crowd: "We are truly blessed. Thank you Metallica family."
Hetfield addressed the crowd asking who their favourite act of the weekend had been and answered his own question with "Metallica".
He said: "Has it been a good weekend? What are some of your favourites? Metallica? Me too. But they're a bit heavy. Do you like it heavy? Do you want Metallica heavy?"
The band then brought 50 fans on to the stage and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett helped one play along to songs 'Fade To Black' and Seek To Destroy'.
They brought the festival to a close ending on an encore of 'Whiskey In The Jar' dedicated to "fallen soldier" Cliff Burton, their late bassist who died in a bus crash in 1986.
James declared: "This is going to make you bounce."
And ended with an explosive 'Enter Sandman' followed by a fireworks display.
Metallica's Leeds setlist:
Fuel
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Blackened
King Nothing
Ride the Lightning
The Day That Never Comes
The Memory Remains
The Unforgiven
Sad But True
Turn the Page
The Frayed Ends of Sanity
One
Master of Puppets
Fade to Black
Seek & Destroy
Encore:
Whiskey in the Jar
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
Music News
Dappy has three new N-Dubz albums ready to release when the band reforms to make them bigger than the "Black Eyed Peas".
The hip-hop group went on indefinite hiatus from November 2011 just a few months after parting company with Def Jam Records but reunion rumours have persisted for the past two years.
Now Dappy has admitted he has a host of songs ready to record with his bandmates Tulisa and Fazer and is desperate to reunite N-Dubz so the band can "finish what we started" because he is unhappy about the circumstances surrounding their split.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at Fusion Festival, he said: "I'm going to bring back the dynamite trio that is N-Dubz and finish what we started. We'll be bigger than the Black Eyed Peas I reckon. I've got three massive records that I wrote for me and the group, so I'm just waiting for the right time."
While N-Dubz have been apart, Dappy has released one solo album 'Bad Intentions' and is due to bring out his second LP 'Miracles' later this year, but he only after he has topped the charts with a succession of singles.
The 28-year-old pop star is confident he will have several hits because he's recorded some amazing "raunchy club music".
Dappy explained: "I'm not releasing the album just yet. All I want is three or four consecutive hits for people to say, 'Wow, he's killing it at the moment.' Once I get that response, then the demand will be massive for my album and I'll do it ... I've got about eight massive, great records, and they're not just emotional, connecting records with the crowds, there's also a lot of sexual, raunchy type of club type music. They'll be thinking, 'He looks good, he's killing it right now!' I'm going to be huge this year. This year or the next year, I'm going to be massive."
Dappy was joined on the bill at Fusion Festival - which raises money for youth charity the Prince's Trust and is held in Birmingham's Cofton Park - by Rudimental, Labrinth, MNEK and Grammy Award winners Clean Bandit among others.
To catch up on all the highlights from Fusion Festival 2015, tune into 4Music (Freeview 18, Sky 360 and Virgin 330) on Saturday (05.09.15) from 3pm to watch 'Fusion Festival 2015: The Best Bits'.
Dappy has three N-Dubz albums ready
Dappy has three new N-Dubz albums ready to release when the band reforms to make them bigger than the "Black Eyed Peas".
The hip-hop group went on indefinite hiatus from November 2011 just a few months after parting company with Def Jam Records but reunion rumours have persisted for the past two years.
Now Dappy has admitted he has a host of songs ready to record with his bandmates Tulisa and Fazer and is desperate to reunite N-Dubz so the band can "finish what we started" because he is unhappy about the circumstances surrounding their split.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at Fusion Festival, he said: "I'm going to bring back the dynamite trio that is N-Dubz and finish what we started. We'll be bigger than the Black Eyed Peas I reckon. I've got three massive records that I wrote for me and the group, so I'm just waiting for the right time."
While N-Dubz have been apart, Dappy has released one solo album 'Bad Intentions' and is due to bring out his second LP 'Miracles' later this year, but he only after he has topped the charts with a succession of singles.
The 28-year-old pop star is confident he will have several hits because he's recorded some amazing "raunchy club music".
Dappy explained: "I'm not releasing the album just yet. All I want is three or four consecutive hits for people to say, 'Wow, he's killing it at the moment.' Once I get that response, then the demand will be massive for my album and I'll do it ... I've got about eight massive, great records, and they're not just emotional, connecting records with the crowds, there's also a lot of sexual, raunchy type of club type music. They'll be thinking, 'He looks good, he's killing it right now!' I'm going to be huge this year. This year or the next year, I'm going to be massive."
Dappy was joined on the bill at Fusion Festival - which raises money for youth charity the Prince's Trust and is held in Birmingham's Cofton Park - by Rudimental, Labrinth, MNEK and Grammy Award winners Clean Bandit among others.
To catch up on all the highlights from Fusion Festival 2015, tune into 4Music (Freeview 18, Sky 360 and Virgin 330) on Saturday (05.09.15) from 3pm to watch 'Fusion Festival 2015: The Best Bits'.