Peter Lai Bei-dak, renowned Hong Kong lyricist, dies at 76; tributes from Sam Hui Koon-kit and others highlight his contributions to Hong Kong music.
In Nairobi's Kibera, Rastafarians from the House of Nyabinghi gathered after a Kenyan court dismissed their petition to decriminalise marijuana for spiritual use. Leaders like Ras Ndeto, spokesperson for the Rastafari Society of Kenya, expressed marginalisation and vowed to appeal the decision to a higher court.
Rastafarians in Kenya, following a court's dismissal of a petition to decriminalize marijuana for spiritual use, have vowed to appeal the decision. The ruling, which they say marginalizes their community, highlights their ongoing struggle for religious freedom and recognition in the country.
Meta's new AI ad, set to David Bowie's apocalyptic 1972 track "Five Years," aims to counter fears about technology but draws criticism for its song choice. Critics highlight the song's dystopian themes, contrasting with Meta's optimistic message, while other tech companies also struggle with public perception in their advertising.
Qobuz has updated its music player, introducing real-time lyrics with translations, a redesigned interface inspired by album artwork, an always-on miniplayer, and enhanced play queue controls. The update also adds a new 'Explore' section for content discovery and Siri integration for voice control.
Taylor Swift's "You're Losing Me" is gaining new attention following her wedding to Travis Kelce. Written 18 months before her breakup with Joe Alwyn, fans see its emotional lyrics as reflecting their past relationship's decline.
Madonna releases "Confessions II," a follow-up to her 2005 album, inspired by her "Celebration" tour. The album revisits various eras of her career, from "Bedtime Stories" to "Ray of Light," and features a duet with her daughter Lourdes. While some see it as an attempt to win back fans, the album leans into Madonna's established sound rather than chasing trends.
Interpol's upcoming album, "This Mirror Weighs a Ton," is hailed as a masterpiece, showcasing a renewed emotional depth and sonic experimentation. Frontman Paul Banks discusses the band's evolution, the influence of fatherhood, and his reflections on language, politics, and AI.
Phoebe Bridgers returns with "Lost Boys," her first single in years. The song, co-produced by Jack Antonoff, showcases an "ornate" sound, a departure from her previous work. Bridgers navigates intense fan scrutiny and parasocial behavior, implementing phone bans at shows to protect new material.
An artist recounts a joyful experience at a Split Enz concert, contrasting it with their strong disdain for AI-generated "art," which they view as boring, theft, soulless, and environmentally damaging, advocating for human creativity.
Northampton secured their Prem title with a 26-17 win over Exeter, despite a challenging season. Key players like Henry Pollock and Fin Smith are now set to join the England squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa, facing injury concerns among the selected players.
Des paroles choquantes chantées par des drag queens près d'une basilique dans l'Aisne ont provoqué une vive émotion et conduit un député à saisir le procureur de la République. Un sénateur dénonce le corporatisme de la magistrature.
Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' tour stop in Los Angeles explored the theme of memory erasure, with Grande ultimately choosing to embrace her painful experiences rather than forget them. The show featured hits from her new album and past work, highlighting her resilience.
Manoj Bajpayee's financial thriller 'Governor', inspired by S. Venkitaramanan and the 1990 Indian economic crisis, earned Rs. 2.55 crore net in its opening weekend. The film, released June 12, 2026, saw a 27.8% growth on Saturday and is expected to build on word-of-mouth.
Jessie J, Jessica Cornish, is finding success in China's music market, performing on the show "Singer" and adapting lyrics to local cities. The Chinese market, strengthened by copyright laws and post-Covid industry growth, is lucrative for Western artists like Westlife and Charli XCX, who adapt to local preferences for melody and vocal technique, despite challenges like censorship and tattoo visibility rules.
A stage production fusing Shakespeare's Hamlet with Radiohead's 2003 album 'Hail to the Thief' will open at London's Barbican theatre on October 31. Co-created by Thom Yorke, the show features a live performance of the album.
Turkish authorities expressed anger towards Kanye West after his concert in Turkey, where he performed his song "I Am A God." Presidential advisor Oktar Saral called it an affront to faith and values, potentially leading to a concert ban.
UK police are investigating a song by rapper 021kid (Tony Mohraz) that incites violence against the MEK and other groups. This highlights a growing conflict within the Iranian diaspora in London between monarchist supporters and the MEK, leading to scuffles and intimidation.
A new wave of female pop stars, including Slayyyter, Kesha, and Tove Lo, are embracing a "trash-pop" aesthetic characterized by hedonistic lyrics, anarchic sexuality, and a "white trash" sensibility. This trend, influenced by early 00s electroclash and reality TV culture, represents a rejection of feminine respectability and a cathartic expression of anger and frustration.
Canadian songwriter Mario Lapointe, known as Vintage, bought Scottish lower league club Dumbarton a year ago, saving it from liquidation. He plans to implement a revenue-sharing model for the women's team and foster a more professional environment.
Streamer Adin Ross and music critic Anthony Fantano engaged in a public feud after Drake mentioned Ross in his song "Make Them Pay." Fantano criticized the lyric on stream, prompting a heated response from Ross.
Jota and his brother died in car accident last JulyMemorial will be position on 97 Avenue at AnfieldLiverpool have released images of a permanent memorial that is to be unveiled at Anfield in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. Titled “Forever 20”, the memorial features a flowing heart sculpture inspired by Jota’s goal celebration. The numbers 20 and 30, Jota’s and Silva’s shirt numbers respectively, can also be seen from different angles.It will include the lyrics of the song Liverpool fans continue to sing in honour of Jota and is regarded as a celebration of the bond between the brothers, who died in a car accident last July. Continue reading...
James Broadnax, 37, was executed in Texas Thursday evening for the 2008 murder of Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler during a robbery outside a Garland recording studio. Broadnax maintained he was not the shooter, and his cousin Demarius Cummings recently confessed to being the actual killer. Broadnax's attorneys challenged his conviction citing racial discrimination in jury selection and misuse of rap lyrics at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court and Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied appeals. The victims' mother supported proceeding with execution.
James Broadnax was executed in Texas for the 2008 murder of Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler outside a Garland recording studio. Broadnax, 37, maintained he was not the shooter, and his cousin Demarius Cummings (also convicted) recently confessed to being the actual killer. Broadnax's attorneys argued his constitutional rights were violated through use of his rap lyrics at trial and through racial discrimination in jury selection, with all seven Black potential jurors allegedly dismissed. The U.S. Supreme Court and Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected his final appeals.
