Music News
Music News
Mark Ronson was "starstruck" when he first met Jay Z.
The 38-year-old DJ, who first spoke with the 'Holy Grail' hitmaker properly at an album launch, was stunned when the rapper asked to feature on one of his tracks after he discovered him DJing in New York clubs.
Mark told Breaks magazine: "I started to get quite a lot of work and then in the late 90s, like 97, 98, that's when Puffy and Jay Z and Biggie and Big Pun are coming down to the clubs that I was DJing at.
"I was [later] DJing for Jay Z at the 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia' album launch in 2001 and I was playing it and he came right up to me and said 'is this your song, is this the girl you produced?', and he'd only talked to me maybe once in my life up to then so even with that I was still pretty star-struck."
Mark was shocked when Jay Z said to him: "Promise me you'll let me by the dude that rhymes over the remix", even though the track was never made.
He continued: "Needless to say Jay Z never returned the phone calls at the time to do it but it was still a big deal after eight years of DJing these clubs for these people to have a record that they knew and liked.
"And thats how I got my record deal with Elektra, the guy who signed me loved that Nikka Costa record and he signed me and let me make my own album."
For the full interview with Mark, visit breaksmag.com/issue-6/interview-mark-ronson.
Mark Ronson: I was starstruck by Jay Z
Mark Ronson was "starstruck" when he first met Jay Z.
The 38-year-old DJ, who first spoke with the 'Holy Grail' hitmaker properly at an album launch, was stunned when the rapper asked to feature on one of his tracks after he discovered him DJing in New York clubs.
Mark told Breaks magazine: "I started to get quite a lot of work and then in the late 90s, like 97, 98, that's when Puffy and Jay Z and Biggie and Big Pun are coming down to the clubs that I was DJing at.
"I was [later] DJing for Jay Z at the 'The Dynasty: Roc La Familia' album launch in 2001 and I was playing it and he came right up to me and said 'is this your song, is this the girl you produced?', and he'd only talked to me maybe once in my life up to then so even with that I was still pretty star-struck."
Mark was shocked when Jay Z said to him: "Promise me you'll let me by the dude that rhymes over the remix", even though the track was never made.
He continued: "Needless to say Jay Z never returned the phone calls at the time to do it but it was still a big deal after eight years of DJing these clubs for these people to have a record that they knew and liked.
"And thats how I got my record deal with Elektra, the guy who signed me loved that Nikka Costa record and he signed me and let me make my own album."
For the full interview with Mark, visit breaksmag.com/issue-6/interview-mark-ronson.
Music News
Jack Savoretti was given career advice by Sir Paul McCartney.
The 30-year-old singer, who appeared alongside Johnny Depp and Kate Moss in Paul's recent video for his track 'Queenie Eye', was given some tips from The Beatles legend and has kept in touch with him.
Jack told BANG Showbiz: "I was very lucky to be able to hang out with Paul McCartney for two hours and he's just an absolute legend.
"I was surprised by his enthusiasm to talk about the stuff he's probably been asked [about] a thousand times. It's was as if I was the first person ever to ask him, 'What was it like to be a Beatle?'
"He asked me how things are going and he said, 'Don't worry about things too much, just make sure you come up with good songs'.
"He played me Lady Madonna on the piano and none of my friends believed me. It was a great experience and he has kept in touch since. He sent me a card on my birthday and a Christmas card. I wasn't expecting that.
Jack, who will release her new EP 'Sweet Hurt' on March 24 on Lanza Records, also previously recorded a duet with pal Sienna Miller called 'Love and Hate', which featured on The Vampire Diaries.
He said: "She's an incredible singer. I saw her at the Groucho Club [in London] one night stand up on a table and sing Nancy Sinatra acapella. I remember being completely shocked like, 'I didn't know you could do that'.
"She was going through something, I was going through something [at the time] and I wanted to write a song about the fine line between hate and love."
Jack, who has released three albums, is also about to step out on a headline tour of the UK, after supporting the likes of Jake Bugg and Bruce Springsteen.
He added: "I think the crowds in the UK are actually the most knowledgeable about music, you have to pick up your game. You have to give them something they haven't heard before or haven't seen."
Jack Savoretti’s career tips from Paul McCartney
Jack Savoretti was given career advice by Sir Paul McCartney.
The 30-year-old singer, who appeared alongside Johnny Depp and Kate Moss in Paul's recent video for his track 'Queenie Eye', was given some tips from The Beatles legend and has kept in touch with him.
Jack told BANG Showbiz: "I was very lucky to be able to hang out with Paul McCartney for two hours and he's just an absolute legend.
"I was surprised by his enthusiasm to talk about the stuff he's probably been asked [about] a thousand times. It's was as if I was the first person ever to ask him, 'What was it like to be a Beatle?'
"He asked me how things are going and he said, 'Don't worry about things too much, just make sure you come up with good songs'.
"He played me Lady Madonna on the piano and none of my friends believed me. It was a great experience and he has kept in touch since. He sent me a card on my birthday and a Christmas card. I wasn't expecting that.
Jack, who will release her new EP 'Sweet Hurt' on March 24 on Lanza Records, also previously recorded a duet with pal Sienna Miller called 'Love and Hate', which featured on The Vampire Diaries.
He said: "She's an incredible singer. I saw her at the Groucho Club [in London] one night stand up on a table and sing Nancy Sinatra acapella. I remember being completely shocked like, 'I didn't know you could do that'.
"She was going through something, I was going through something [at the time] and I wanted to write a song about the fine line between hate and love."
Jack, who has released three albums, is also about to step out on a headline tour of the UK, after supporting the likes of Jake Bugg and Bruce Springsteen.
He added: "I think the crowds in the UK are actually the most knowledgeable about music, you have to pick up your game. You have to give them something they haven't heard before or haven't seen."
Music News
Kurt Cobain's childhood home could be turned into a museum.
Fans of the late Nirvana singer have joined a campaign to raise money to turn the property in Aberdeen, Washington into a tourist attraction.
The 'Numb' singer's mother, Wendy O'Connor, put the bungalow on the market last year for $500,000, even though it was only valued for about $67,000 and now fan
journalist Jaime Dunkle has now set up a page on website GoFundMe to try and pull in $700,000 to "[make] sure this house is memorialised by us fans so it doesn't end up in the clutches of capitalist greed".
She said she sent information about herself to Kurt's mother to prove that she wasn't a "crazed fan" and was serious about trying to raise the money.
Jaime told the Broward-Palm Beach New Times: "I used to be in the American Criminal Justice Association, so I made a long list of everything I've ever done and emailed it to the real estate agent, and she said she was forwarding it to Mrs O'Connor.
"After that, they started taking me more seriously, I think. It took weeks of phone calls and emails, but I successfully set up an appointment to see the house. I deliberately arranged it to be on what would have been Kurt Cobain's 47th birthday."
She described her first visit to the property on as a "total head spin" and was only given 15 minutes to take photographs and film inside the bungalow.
Jaime added: "The walk up the stairs into his bedroom made the hairs on my neck stand up. All I could think was that I was seeing through his eyes and walking in his footsteps, literally."
Wendy and Kurt's father, Donald, bought the house in 1969, when the singer was two years old.
The 27-year-old star, who shot himself and was found dead in April 1994., moved out when his parents separated when he was nine but returned for short period during his teenage years.
Kurt Cobain’s home could become museum
Kurt Cobain's childhood home could be turned into a museum.
Fans of the late Nirvana singer have joined a campaign to raise money to turn the property in Aberdeen, Washington into a tourist attraction.
The 'Numb' singer's mother, Wendy O'Connor, put the bungalow on the market last year for $500,000, even though it was only valued for about $67,000 and now fan
journalist Jaime Dunkle has now set up a page on website GoFundMe to try and pull in $700,000 to "[make] sure this house is memorialised by us fans so it doesn't end up in the clutches of capitalist greed".
She said she sent information about herself to Kurt's mother to prove that she wasn't a "crazed fan" and was serious about trying to raise the money.
Jaime told the Broward-Palm Beach New Times: "I used to be in the American Criminal Justice Association, so I made a long list of everything I've ever done and emailed it to the real estate agent, and she said she was forwarding it to Mrs O'Connor.
"After that, they started taking me more seriously, I think. It took weeks of phone calls and emails, but I successfully set up an appointment to see the house. I deliberately arranged it to be on what would have been Kurt Cobain's 47th birthday."
She described her first visit to the property on as a "total head spin" and was only given 15 minutes to take photographs and film inside the bungalow.
Jaime added: "The walk up the stairs into his bedroom made the hairs on my neck stand up. All I could think was that I was seeing through his eyes and walking in his footsteps, literally."
Wendy and Kurt's father, Donald, bought the house in 1969, when the singer was two years old.
The 27-year-old star, who shot himself and was found dead in April 1994., moved out when his parents separated when he was nine but returned for short period during his teenage years.
Music News
Lil Wayne thinks Kanye West is a "genius".
The 'Lollipop' hitmaker has defended the controversial rapper and insists he's willing to back up anything Kanye does after being left dazzled by his recent 'Yeezus Tour'.
Speaking to Elliott Wilson for his CRWN series, Lil Wayne said: "I rock with anything he does. That man's a genius. He did a whole show with a mask on.
"When he came out with the mask, I was like, 'This n***a crazy,' so then two songs go by, 'This n***a crazy, he still got that mask on.' That's crazy as hell ' y'all know I couldn't do no s**t like that.
"I found myself out of breath in that b***h. Now you know that's a show."
Lil Wayne - who is the founder of record label Young Money Entertainment - also explained why he stopped referring to himself as, "The best rapper in the world", after signing Drake and Nicki Minaj.
He said: "I have awesome artists, simple and plain. At that time I didn't have that, I [didn't] care who on the mic. But now I have artists [and I say], 'I want you to be better than me.' Yes. I want everybody to feel like they're the best at what they do. It ain't about that now, it's about us."
Lil Wayne praises Kanye West as a ‘genius’
Lil Wayne thinks Kanye West is a "genius".
The 'Lollipop' hitmaker has defended the controversial rapper and insists he's willing to back up anything Kanye does after being left dazzled by his recent 'Yeezus Tour'.
Speaking to Elliott Wilson for his CRWN series, Lil Wayne said: "I rock with anything he does. That man's a genius. He did a whole show with a mask on.
"When he came out with the mask, I was like, 'This n***a crazy,' so then two songs go by, 'This n***a crazy, he still got that mask on.' That's crazy as hell ' y'all know I couldn't do no s**t like that.
"I found myself out of breath in that b***h. Now you know that's a show."
Lil Wayne - who is the founder of record label Young Money Entertainment - also explained why he stopped referring to himself as, "The best rapper in the world", after signing Drake and Nicki Minaj.
He said: "I have awesome artists, simple and plain. At that time I didn't have that, I [didn't] care who on the mic. But now I have artists [and I say], 'I want you to be better than me.' Yes. I want everybody to feel like they're the best at what they do. It ain't about that now, it's about us."
Music News
Pop band R5 were stunned when Selena Gomez gave them her phone number.
The American act - featuring Ross Lynch from Disney Channel's 'Austin & Ally', 'Glee' star Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Rydel Lynch and Ellington Lee Ratliff, met the former Disney star at an event and she took the time to give them some advice about making it in the music industry.
Rocky gushed about the star and told BANG Showbiz: "She gave me her number! You know how I never answered the question about whether or not I'm single? ... Well there's an exclusive, front page! 'Rolena' is real."
The band think the 'Come And Get' singer is "really sweet" and revealed she played them an exclusive preview of her latest single during their time together.
Brother and bandmate Riker insists the band are taking each day as it comes but have dreams of performing with big names.
He said: "We're just riding a wave so we'll see what happens. But I mean if they [record bosses] were like, 'You guys want to do a duet with Robin Thicke? I'd be like, 'Hell yeah, is he going to be in a referee costume? Is there going to be a bunch of teddy bears jumping around? Double check!"
R5 are currently in the middle of their 'Louder' world tour to promote their debut album and are planning a return to Europe this summer.
R5: Selena Gomez gave us her number
Pop band R5 were stunned when Selena Gomez gave them her phone number.
The American act - featuring Ross Lynch from Disney Channel's 'Austin & Ally', 'Glee' star Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Rydel Lynch and Ellington Lee Ratliff, met the former Disney star at an event and she took the time to give them some advice about making it in the music industry.
Rocky gushed about the star and told BANG Showbiz: "She gave me her number! You know how I never answered the question about whether or not I'm single? ... Well there's an exclusive, front page! 'Rolena' is real."
The band think the 'Come And Get' singer is "really sweet" and revealed she played them an exclusive preview of her latest single during their time together.
Brother and bandmate Riker insists the band are taking each day as it comes but have dreams of performing with big names.
He said: "We're just riding a wave so we'll see what happens. But I mean if they [record bosses] were like, 'You guys want to do a duet with Robin Thicke? I'd be like, 'Hell yeah, is he going to be in a referee costume? Is there going to be a bunch of teddy bears jumping around? Double check!"
R5 are currently in the middle of their 'Louder' world tour to promote their debut album and are planning a return to Europe this summer.
Music News
Little Mix are enlisting Jason Derulo and Macklemore to help establish themselves in America.
The 'Word Up!' singers recently celebrated the success of their second studio album 'Salute' in the US, but they are now hoping to top the record's success by working with more American artists and producers for their next effort.
Jade Thirlwall said: "We want to write with more American producers and are hoping to work with Jason Derulo's people. 'Talk Dirty' is our favourite song so more stuff like that.
"And we would love to collaborate with Macklemore too.
"It's about making more hits, really. We start working on it as soon as we get back from America before our UK tour, so it will be a bit of a rush."
The girl group - also consisting of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock - recently recorded the official song for this year's Sport Relief charity appeal and were stunned when former girl band icon, Melanie C of Spice Girls fame, agreed to make a cameo in the video.
Jade told the Daily Star newspaper: "Mel C is lovely. We didn't even know she was going to be there and it was a total surprise.
"I was like, 'Oh my God, that's Mel C, pretend to act normal, girls.'
"She said, 'Whenever you're free you need to come to my house for lunch.' "
Little Mix enlist Jason Derulo to break America
Little Mix are enlisting Jason Derulo and Macklemore to help establish themselves in America.
The 'Word Up!' singers recently celebrated the success of their second studio album 'Salute' in the US, but they are now hoping to top the record's success by working with more American artists and producers for their next effort.
Jade Thirlwall said: "We want to write with more American producers and are hoping to work with Jason Derulo's people. 'Talk Dirty' is our favourite song so more stuff like that.
"And we would love to collaborate with Macklemore too.
"It's about making more hits, really. We start working on it as soon as we get back from America before our UK tour, so it will be a bit of a rush."
The girl group - also consisting of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock - recently recorded the official song for this year's Sport Relief charity appeal and were stunned when former girl band icon, Melanie C of Spice Girls fame, agreed to make a cameo in the video.
Jade told the Daily Star newspaper: "Mel C is lovely. We didn't even know she was going to be there and it was a total surprise.
"I was like, 'Oh my God, that's Mel C, pretend to act normal, girls.'
"She said, 'Whenever you're free you need to come to my house for lunch.' "
Music News
Justin Bieber's new love ballad is about Selena Gomez.
The 20-year-old singer posted a teaser for the track 'Life Is Worth Living Again' on his Instagram account on March 15 and it is reportedly one of many new songs the 'Boyfriend' hitmaker has written about his 21-year-old on/off girlfriend.
A source told HollywoodLife.com: "Yes, 'Live Is Worth Living Again' was all for Selena and that's not the only song he's written for her. He's written a bunch of stuff for her, she's his biggest inspiration."
Justin, who has been dating Selena on/off since 2010, also dedicated a song to the brunette beauty during a surprise performance in Texas earlier this month.
He turned up at the Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden in Austin for the South by Southwest festival and sang his hit 'As Long As You Love Me' for his "baby", who was standing in the wings.
After his romantic gesture, the pair reportedly hung out together for an hour after everyone left the venue.
Meanwhile, the star has posted a number of photographs on his Instagram account this week showing him the studio recording new material and claims it's the "best music" he's ever made.
Next to one of the snaps, he wrote: "I'm in the studio all day everyday for the ones who believe in me and support me 🙂 you fall but you rise back up stronger. Be great (sic)"
Justin Bieber’s new song for Selena Gomez
Justin Bieber's new love ballad is about Selena Gomez.
The 20-year-old singer posted a teaser for the track 'Life Is Worth Living Again' on his Instagram account on March 15 and it is reportedly one of many new songs the 'Boyfriend' hitmaker has written about his 21-year-old on/off girlfriend.
A source told HollywoodLife.com: "Yes, 'Live Is Worth Living Again' was all for Selena and that's not the only song he's written for her. He's written a bunch of stuff for her, she's his biggest inspiration."
Justin, who has been dating Selena on/off since 2010, also dedicated a song to the brunette beauty during a surprise performance in Texas earlier this month.
He turned up at the Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden in Austin for the South by Southwest festival and sang his hit 'As Long As You Love Me' for his "baby", who was standing in the wings.
After his romantic gesture, the pair reportedly hung out together for an hour after everyone left the venue.
Meanwhile, the star has posted a number of photographs on his Instagram account this week showing him the studio recording new material and claims it's the "best music" he's ever made.
Next to one of the snaps, he wrote: "I'm in the studio all day everyday for the ones who believe in me and support me 🙂 you fall but you rise back up stronger. Be great (sic)"
Music News
The Rolling Stones will tour Australia and New Zealand in October.
The band were forced to postpone their seven-date tour Down Under, which was scheduled to kick off last night (19.03.14), after the frontman Sir Mick Jagger's long-term girlfriend L'Wren Scott, 47, committed suicide at her New York apartment earlier this week.
However, the promoters, Frontier Touring, reassured fans that the 'Brown Sugar' hitmakers would return in October to perform their '14 ON FIRE' tour, but the exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
The company told fans: "If the new dates are not suitable, rest assured you will be able to secure a refund.
"While we encourage fans to hold on to their tickets, the option to secure a refund is now available to you via the official ticketing agency you purchased from."
The group were "shocked" by the death of the fashion designer and are focusing on helping Sir Mick - who has been in a relationship with the former model for 13 years - get through this "awful time".
Drummer Charlie Watts said yesterday: "Needless to say we are all completely shocked but our first thought is to support Mick at this awful time.
"We intend to come back to Australia and New Zealand as soon as it proves possible."
Guitarist Ronnie Wood added: "This is such terrible news and right now the important thing is that we are all pulling together to offer Mick our support."
Rolling Stones to return to Australia in October
The Rolling Stones will tour Australia and New Zealand in October.
The band were forced to postpone their seven-date tour Down Under, which was scheduled to kick off last night (19.03.14), after the frontman Sir Mick Jagger's long-term girlfriend L'Wren Scott, 47, committed suicide at her New York apartment earlier this week.
However, the promoters, Frontier Touring, reassured fans that the 'Brown Sugar' hitmakers would return in October to perform their '14 ON FIRE' tour, but the exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
The company told fans: "If the new dates are not suitable, rest assured you will be able to secure a refund.
"While we encourage fans to hold on to their tickets, the option to secure a refund is now available to you via the official ticketing agency you purchased from."
The group were "shocked" by the death of the fashion designer and are focusing on helping Sir Mick - who has been in a relationship with the former model for 13 years - get through this "awful time".
Drummer Charlie Watts said yesterday: "Needless to say we are all completely shocked but our first thought is to support Mick at this awful time.
"We intend to come back to Australia and New Zealand as soon as it proves possible."
Guitarist Ronnie Wood added: "This is such terrible news and right now the important thing is that we are all pulling together to offer Mick our support."
Music News
Jason Derulo's next single will feature Snoop Lion.
The 'Trumpets' star, who will release his new album 'Talk Dirty' later this year, has revealed he was the "most excited" he's ever been when recording a song during his time in the studio with the rapper.
He told MTV: "I probably shouldn't tell you but my next single is called 'Wiggle' and it features Snoop [Lion, formerly Snoop Dogg], and man it's one of the most fun records you've ever heard in your life.
"It's the most excited I've been about a song I wrote in my entire career.
"I've been performing it on the road, even though I'm not supposed to, but like I told you, you only live one time."
The singer and rapper also opened up about how new record and insists it will be different from his US EP 'Tattoos', which was released last year.
He said: "A lot of the album is fun, a lot of it is upbeat, feel-good music, but there is an emotional portion to the album too, it months in a lot of different ways.
"You heard the first portion of the album on songs like 'The Other Side' and 'Marry Me', but then it switches to the other side with 'Talk Dirty'."
He added: "It represents everything I've got, everything I was feeling in the moment."
Jason is yet to announce whether his new album will be released in the UK.
Jason Derulo collaborates with Snoop Lion
Jason Derulo's next single will feature Snoop Lion.
The 'Trumpets' star, who will release his new album 'Talk Dirty' later this year, has revealed he was the "most excited" he's ever been when recording a song during his time in the studio with the rapper.
He told MTV: "I probably shouldn't tell you but my next single is called 'Wiggle' and it features Snoop [Lion, formerly Snoop Dogg], and man it's one of the most fun records you've ever heard in your life.
"It's the most excited I've been about a song I wrote in my entire career.
"I've been performing it on the road, even though I'm not supposed to, but like I told you, you only live one time."
The singer and rapper also opened up about how new record and insists it will be different from his US EP 'Tattoos', which was released last year.
He said: "A lot of the album is fun, a lot of it is upbeat, feel-good music, but there is an emotional portion to the album too, it months in a lot of different ways.
"You heard the first portion of the album on songs like 'The Other Side' and 'Marry Me', but then it switches to the other side with 'Talk Dirty'."
He added: "It represents everything I've got, everything I was feeling in the moment."
Jason is yet to announce whether his new album will be released in the UK.