Dylan Schneider plays “How Does It Sound” for an Indianapolis radio station
Monthly Archives: October 2018
Pumpkin Spice… Country stars?
Just in case you wanted everything in your life pumpkin spiced, this is 100% for you.
American Idol teamed up with Jack O’Lantern Spectacular in Louisville to get their judges’ faces carved into pumpkins, as well as the AI logo, of course. While you might not want to watch the entire hour and a half of pumpkin carving, she starts with Luke Bryan and you can see the finished product about the 34 minute mark. Seriously, just skip to that part unless you’re trying to figure out how to make your own Luke Bryan Pumpkin… Brumpkin? I think after seeing this, Luke needs to add a verse in “What Makes You Country” to include being carved into a pumpkin.
Not to be outdone, Luke’s bestie Blake Shelton got his face pumpkinized, too, with some product placement for his own Smithworks Vodka. You can see it on Instagram here.
Now, let’s say, hypothetically, that pumpkin spice isn’t your thing, so instead maybe we could get a little… corny. (Yep, I went there). Mowing (plowing?) people into corn mazes has become a thing, and there’s not shortage of country stars in the works.
Dean Dillon’s a legendary songwriter in Nashville, having written hit songs for George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and a ton of others. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002, but I bet that wasn’t half the honor of having his face become a corn maze in Nashville.
Aaron Watson is the pride of Texas (ok, one of them; don’t @ me about George Strait, I know, I KNOW!), so it’s not surprising this maze in Midland features his mug.
And Alan Jackson turns 60 this year, so this farm in Springfield, TN turned their corn maze into a tribute to him.
I don’t know about you, but these works of art kind of inspire me… to go pin some stuff on Pinterest that I’ll never follow through on. BRB.
Maroon 5: DNA
Dive into their music, their collaborators, and the artists who've inspired them.
Normani, Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Tom Morello And Lauryn Hill Underscore Criminal Justice Reform Theme At Tidal X
Stars participating in the charity concert Tidal X 2018 gave very a clear message about the need to reform while also keeping the party lasting all night. Lil Wayne headlined a roster that included fellow legends such as Lauryn Hill, The Lox, Black Thought and Lil Kim, while rising superstars such as Normani and Teyana Taylor also joined the fray.
Normani performed both of her new songs produced by Calvin Harris, “Check List” and “Slow Down,” while Lil Tunechi kept his foot on the pedal with a furious set that changed lanes in and out of Tha Carter V territory and his catalog classics.
Weezy lit his starter pistol with “Goin’ In,” then trekked to Swizz Beatz’s “Pistol On My Side” which the former Birdman Jr. steers with words. After “John,” it was a heavy focus on C5 with “Let It Fly,” “Open Safe,” “Dedicate” and “Mona Lisa.”
The iconic MC then encouraged the fans to celebrate life and not take their existence for granted. He stood still, holding his mic in the stand during “Don’t Cry,” which features fallen hip-hop soldier XXXtentacion.
“Staring into the clouds./ Am I rising or they comin’ down?” he rapped.
“I see death around the corner./ And the U-turn sign's lookin' like a smile./
What do I do now? Who gon' find me, how?/ Nowhere to turn but around and round./ Just another n*** that done lost his head./ No, a f***ing king that forgot his crown.”
Sobering tone turned to intoxicated bliss with “The Motto” and one of Weezy’s blockbusters “A Milli.” Before “Uproar,” Wayne told everyone that the song was “liked everywhere, loved everywhere but no more than it is here.”
When you think about all the horror stories of mass incarceration and police brutality and judicial bias that were told during the night, one important thing to factor is that the victims and the oppressed, no matter how difficult their circumstances, never lost their humanity. Never become the monster. Now whether or not you pray for the oppressors or not, is a discussion for another time, but Lauryn Hill was very clear about the purpose of the night.
“We’re here for a very important reason,” she said. “Broken systems… We have the power to change them, we have the power to do something about it… Please support the initiatives connected to this event... Help the people who are out there supporting change.”
Aside from her political messages, Hill came to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her timeless and universally lauded LP The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. L Boogie mostly performed the songs with her and her band’s remix versions of the original beats.
“Lost Ones,” “Everything is Everything,” and “X Factor” all came in the set and she even made her own new freestyle song over “Drake’s “Nice For What Beat.” Drizzy as you know, sampled Hill’s “X Factor” for the record.
“I wear a short natural like Lola Felana,” she rapped. “This is ‘X Factor,’ he took the sample./ My shit is classic./Here’s an example./ See how we, nice it up on the riddim…”
Meek Mill enjoyed himself, even telling the audience him and Drake were back to being cool again. A year ago, Meek was in jail like so many of the people today to whom Tidal X is trying to bring awareness and resolution. Meek’s story of having to deal with the system all of his adult life, despite only getting criminal charges when he was a minor, has been a rallying point for not just the hip-hop community but a groundswell of people who have experienced unfair treatment in the criminal system personally, via loved ones or even just by people that they have heard about.
Meek started with his “Dreams and Nightmares” intro then went into “Like a Boss.”
“I wanna do this s**t tonight for all the ones we lost to the system,” The Philadelphia King told the spectators.
Meek ran through some his catalog with heartfelt words for his slain friend and Dream Chaser artist Lil Snupe, as well as stories about people want to see him “fall. “He then shifted towards the ladies with his new single “Dangerous” and platinum record “All Eyes on Me.”
“Litty Again” closed it out.
“Every artist came to New York to perform for free tonight,” he divulged to the crowd. “I need you to get out there and vote.”
Earlier in the night, legendary guitar player and political activist Tom Morello had poignant words for the Barclays faithful.
“Racial injustice isn’t an accident, nor is it ordained by God,” he testified. “Racial injustice is man-made. If it created by human beings, it can be destroyed by human beings. Police brutality stops when we stop it.”
The Lox, who unwrapped a gaggle of their street gems, had the harshest words of the night for this country’s Commander In Chief yelling “F**k Trump” and “F**k 45” right before and during “F**k You.”
“This is for Criminal Justice reform,” Styles P exclaimed. “We are all one.”
Lil Kim joined her long time collaborators for the classic “All About The Benjamins.”
Fat Joe and Black Thought also made for an inspired tandem with Thought rapping Big Pun’s rhymes on “Twinz” with Joe. The Roots’ frontman also rifled off a flurry of freetyles as well as his powerful and timely Rest In Power.”
“In America, one tradition that lasts./Is black blood woven into the fibers o' the flag,” he lamented in rhyme. “Not addressing the problems of the past
To nowhere fast, but following the path./So called ‘leaders’ on hire for the Klan…”I feel like in fatherhood we are connected./ Too long before the shooter was arrested./ So wrong, worldwide, we've been affected
To them it's real, sins of the father remembered still./ For every Trayvon Martin, there was an Emmett Till.”
Director and Producer Ava Duvernay brought out former Olympian Tommie Smith, who 50 years ago stood in solidarity with Black fists raised with fellow American Jean Carlos. Duvernay reflected on how their powerful and historic actions are appreciated today, but back then the two were treated as “Social pariahs” upon returning to America for their act of resistance.
“He is the best of us” she described. Smith came out wearing his Olympic number 307.
“Reform, reform. All of my people how you feeling tonight? I was there. This was me,” he said. “I love all of you. Reformation is what we have to do.”
He also called for “Togetherness” and “Equality.”
“We cannot do without it,” he said.
Normani performed both of her new songs produced by Calvin Harris, “Check List” and “Slow Down,” while Lil Tunechi kept his foot on the pedal with a furious set that changed lanes in and out of Tha Carter V territory and his catalog classics.
Weezy lit his starter pistol with “Goin’ In,” then trekked to Swizz Beatz’s “Pistol On My Side” which the former Birdman Jr. steers with words. After “John,” it was a heavy focus on C5 with “Let It Fly,” “Open Safe,” “Dedicate” and “Mona Lisa.”
The iconic MC then encouraged the fans to celebrate life and not take their existence for granted. He stood still, holding his mic in the stand during “Don’t Cry,” which features fallen hip-hop soldier XXXtentacion.
“Staring into the clouds./ Am I rising or they comin’ down?” he rapped.
“I see death around the corner./ And the U-turn sign's lookin' like a smile./
What do I do now? Who gon' find me, how?/ Nowhere to turn but around and round./ Just another n*** that done lost his head./ No, a f***ing king that forgot his crown.”
Sobering tone turned to intoxicated bliss with “The Motto” and one of Weezy’s blockbusters “A Milli.” Before “Uproar,” Wayne told everyone that the song was “liked everywhere, loved everywhere but no more than it is here.”
When you think about all the horror stories of mass incarceration and police brutality and judicial bias that were told during the night, one important thing to factor is that the victims and the oppressed, no matter how difficult their circumstances, never lost their humanity. Never become the monster. Now whether or not you pray for the oppressors or not, is a discussion for another time, but Lauryn Hill was very clear about the purpose of the night.
“We’re here for a very important reason,” she said. “Broken systems… We have the power to change them, we have the power to do something about it… Please support the initiatives connected to this event... Help the people who are out there supporting change.”
Aside from her political messages, Hill came to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her timeless and universally lauded LP The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. L Boogie mostly performed the songs with her and her band’s remix versions of the original beats.
“Lost Ones,” “Everything is Everything,” and “X Factor” all came in the set and she even made her own new freestyle song over “Drake’s “Nice For What Beat.” Drizzy as you know, sampled Hill’s “X Factor” for the record.
“I wear a short natural like Lola Felana,” she rapped. “This is ‘X Factor,’ he took the sample./ My shit is classic./Here’s an example./ See how we, nice it up on the riddim…”
Meek Mill enjoyed himself, even telling the audience him and Drake were back to being cool again. A year ago, Meek was in jail like so many of the people today to whom Tidal X is trying to bring awareness and resolution. Meek’s story of having to deal with the system all of his adult life, despite only getting criminal charges when he was a minor, has been a rallying point for not just the hip-hop community but a groundswell of people who have experienced unfair treatment in the criminal system personally, via loved ones or even just by people that they have heard about.
Meek started with his “Dreams and Nightmares” intro then went into “Like a Boss.”
“I wanna do this s**t tonight for all the ones we lost to the system,” The Philadelphia King told the spectators.
Meek ran through some his catalog with heartfelt words for his slain friend and Dream Chaser artist Lil Snupe, as well as stories about people want to see him “fall. “He then shifted towards the ladies with his new single “Dangerous” and platinum record “All Eyes on Me.”
“Litty Again” closed it out.
“Every artist came to New York to perform for free tonight,” he divulged to the crowd. “I need you to get out there and vote.”
Earlier in the night, legendary guitar player and political activist Tom Morello had poignant words for the Barclays faithful.
“Racial injustice isn’t an accident, nor is it ordained by God,” he testified. “Racial injustice is man-made. If it created by human beings, it can be destroyed by human beings. Police brutality stops when we stop it.”
The Lox, who unwrapped a gaggle of their street gems, had the harshest words of the night for this country’s Commander In Chief yelling “F**k Trump” and “F**k 45” right before and during “F**k You.”
“This is for Criminal Justice reform,” Styles P exclaimed. “We are all one.”
Lil Kim joined her long time collaborators for the classic “All About The Benjamins.”
Fat Joe and Black Thought also made for an inspired tandem with Thought rapping Big Pun’s rhymes on “Twinz” with Joe. The Roots’ frontman also rifled off a flurry of freetyles as well as his powerful and timely Rest In Power.”
“In America, one tradition that lasts./Is black blood woven into the fibers o' the flag,” he lamented in rhyme. “Not addressing the problems of the past
To nowhere fast, but following the path./So called ‘leaders’ on hire for the Klan…”I feel like in fatherhood we are connected./ Too long before the shooter was arrested./ So wrong, worldwide, we've been affected
To them it's real, sins of the father remembered still./ For every Trayvon Martin, there was an Emmett Till.”
Director and Producer Ava Duvernay brought out former Olympian Tommie Smith, who 50 years ago stood in solidarity with Black fists raised with fellow American Jean Carlos. Duvernay reflected on how their powerful and historic actions are appreciated today, but back then the two were treated as “Social pariahs” upon returning to America for their act of resistance.
“He is the best of us” she described. Smith came out wearing his Olympic number 307.
“Reform, reform. All of my people how you feeling tonight? I was there. This was me,” he said. “I love all of you. Reformation is what we have to do.”
He also called for “Togetherness” and “Equality.”
“We cannot do without it,” he said.
Nick Jonas, Anderson .Paak Turn Barclays Into A Party Last Night
“We live in a nation with a criminal justice system that is like a cancer on the souls of our country” said Senator Cory Booker speaking to the crowd at the Barclays Center last night for the fourth annual Tidal X show. Booker noted that America’s motto is “land of the free,” but one out every for incarcerated people in the world are here in the United States. He also pointed out that the U.S. has shockingly high rates of women in prison as well as “the vulnerable,” poor and drug addicted. Booker declared that you are treated better in the judicial system if you are rich and guilty than poor and innocent, admonishing the U.S. legal system for “the perpetuation of racial divide, overwhelmingly locking up Black and Brown people.” A sobering statistic was provided, stating that African Americans are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested than someone who is white. The politician told the crowd that there are more Black people in the United States under criminal supervision today than there were slaves in 1850.
CNN Van Jones followed shortly after with equally potent and eye opening words.
Jones told the Brooklyn spectators he was proud to be in the building but was also very “tired.”
“Too much violence, too many prisons,” he lamented. “I’m tired of going to funerals with young people in the caskets and gray haired people in the pews.” Jones added he was also tired of going to prisons and seeing geniuses and artists locked up “for stuff that rich folks do every day…” Jones later admonished the U.S. judicial system for having “women trying to give birth, shackled and beaten like animals.”
He then promised change.
“We are going to bring the horror of mass incarceration to an end,” the journalist declared. “We are done with it. Thank you Roc Nation and Tidal for standing up to these people.”
Jones divulged that Roc Nation and Tidal have raised over ten million dollars for criminal justice reform prior to tonight and all of the proceeds from the charity concert are going towards four organizations; Jones’ own Cut 50, Equal justice, The Innocent Project and Reform.
The heavy mood changed back to festive when Anderson .Paak, backed by the musical ensemble Free Nationals, came out for his single “Bubblin’.” After reaching back for his monster hit “Come Down,” the acclaimed Grammys winner brought out Too $hort for “Blow The Whistle.”
Nick Jonas kept the party going with “Right Now” and then preached reaching the “Levels” of his girl’s love. “I know we can get higher, there’s levels to your love” he belted out. Jonas then slowed the tempo, standing center stage on the mic in a stand on “Close.”
“Cause if I want you, then I want you babe,” he explained. “Ain’t going backwards, won’t ask for space. Cause space was just a word made up by someone who’s afraid to get to.”
Jonas’ ended on a high note with his finale “Jealous.”
Tidal X: A Night for Criminal Justice Reform, Teyana Taylor, Patrick Droney, S.I.R. And More
The time for just looking and not acting is long gone. At a time where our country is reevaluating itself and processing before the upcoming midterm elections, music streamer Tidal unveiled their fourth annual Tidal X show at the Barclays last night, with a heavy emphasis on social justice. Lil Wayne and Lauryn Hill headlined the benefit concert with hip-hop’s poster child for social justice, Meek Mill also appearing on the marquee. Tidal is working in conjunction with different organizations to fight social injustice, such as Cut 50, which is dedicated to cutting crime in in all 50 states, and the Equal Justice Initiative, who fight mass incarceration of minorities.
Teyana Taylor started the night, backed by a squadron of dancers who all wore red, as did she. With a navy blue Yankee fitted hat, the multitalented performer served “Gonna Love Me,” a highlight from her K.T.S.E. (short for Keep That Same Energy).
Following with short but soulful sets were Patrick Droney, on guitar, and Cautious Clay. Newcomer Arin Ray sped up the tempo with and lightened the mood with his sing-songy raps on “We Ain’t Homies.”
“Y’all ready for a fu--in’ show tonight?” Ray asked the crowd who responded with a hearty “yeah.”
Ray, as many remember, was eliminated from the “X Factor” when he was just 15 years in 2011. Since then, the singer has written songs for Chris Brown and most recently toured with H.E.R.
Ray made way for S.I.R., T.D.E. Record’s latest superstar-in-the-making. The crooner started with a stirring serving of “Something New,” then went into “War.”
“I'm not backing down,” he sang. “I made it too far to say that the war is over now. Somehow I was neglecting the fact. That your heart is what you're protecting. And that makes it special. Which is why I'm here. Standing on this ledge, trying to make it clear.”
Sir’s affection went from a woman to Mary Jane on “D’Evils.” The Inglewood, CA native told the New York crowd that he smokes on that Cali OG and harmonized as the sampled chorus on his song rang throughout Barclays, “One spliff a day, keeps the evil away.”
Teyana Taylor started the night, backed by a squadron of dancers who all wore red, as did she. With a navy blue Yankee fitted hat, the multitalented performer served “Gonna Love Me,” a highlight from her K.T.S.E. (short for Keep That Same Energy).
Following with short but soulful sets were Patrick Droney, on guitar, and Cautious Clay. Newcomer Arin Ray sped up the tempo with and lightened the mood with his sing-songy raps on “We Ain’t Homies.”
“Y’all ready for a fu--in’ show tonight?” Ray asked the crowd who responded with a hearty “yeah.”
Ray, as many remember, was eliminated from the “X Factor” when he was just 15 years in 2011. Since then, the singer has written songs for Chris Brown and most recently toured with H.E.R.
Ray made way for S.I.R., T.D.E. Record’s latest superstar-in-the-making. The crooner started with a stirring serving of “Something New,” then went into “War.”
“I'm not backing down,” he sang. “I made it too far to say that the war is over now. Somehow I was neglecting the fact. That your heart is what you're protecting. And that makes it special. Which is why I'm here. Standing on this ledge, trying to make it clear.”
Sir’s affection went from a woman to Mary Jane on “D’Evils.” The Inglewood, CA native told the New York crowd that he smokes on that Cali OG and harmonized as the sampled chorus on his song rang throughout Barclays, “One spliff a day, keeps the evil away.”
For more coverage on Tidal X, stay tuned to LiveXLive.
YUIMETAL Has Left BABYMETAL
This weekend it was officially announced that Yui Mizuno (aka Yuimetal) of BABYMETAL has officially parted ways with the famous metal band. For many fans, the news did not come as a shock due to her absence of band performances during the summer despite management’s attempt to turn Yui’s whereabouts into part of the band’s storyline. Sadly, fans were finally given closure this week via the band's statement that Yuimetal had left the group to rest and recover from an undisclosed illness.
Below is BABYMETAL’s official announcement on Yui's departure:
“Yuimetal had expressed her desire to return performing with the group in the following months after last December’s performance due health concerns. During her absence, both Su-metal and Moametal as well as the entire staff team had been preparing for her awaited return. However, Yuimetal came to a decision that she will not be performing at BABYMETAL World Tour 2018 in Japan and that she will no longer be a part of BABYMETAL. We thank her for all of her contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
Don’t think this will be the last you will see of her though. In her own statement, she expressed that when she recovers from her health problems, she would want to return to the stage as a solo artist.
Yui provided a separate message to the fans:
“To all the fans,
I am truly sorry for the inconvenience I have caused so many people due to being absent for an extended period of time. I have mulled over this over and over again but, I have decided to leave BABYMETAL at this time.
I feel very sorry that my decision will disturb the other members and some many fans who have supported BABYMETAL. I am further terribly sorry to sadden the fans who have supported BABYMETAL. I had the strong desire to appear on stage again but my physical condition is not at its best even now, and further I feel that I would like to pursue my dream, one that I have had from a long time ago, of going on my own as Mizuno Yui. It is these factors that led to my decision.
I am thankful for the numerous and precious experiences I was able to have being a part of BABYMETAL. I always felt day to day that I was truly blessed. The live shows where we all smiled together and became as One were truly happy and enjoyable times. I will do my utmost best to be able to again one day meet all of you as Mizuno Yui.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the last 8 years.
Mizuno Yui”
Well when she does come back, I firmly believe Yui will be welcomed back with open arms from BABYMETAL’s diehard fan legion… including yours truly.
Below is BABYMETAL’s official announcement on Yui's departure:
“Yuimetal had expressed her desire to return performing with the group in the following months after last December’s performance due health concerns. During her absence, both Su-metal and Moametal as well as the entire staff team had been preparing for her awaited return. However, Yuimetal came to a decision that she will not be performing at BABYMETAL World Tour 2018 in Japan and that she will no longer be a part of BABYMETAL. We thank her for all of her contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
Don’t think this will be the last you will see of her though. In her own statement, she expressed that when she recovers from her health problems, she would want to return to the stage as a solo artist.
Yui provided a separate message to the fans:
“To all the fans,
I am truly sorry for the inconvenience I have caused so many people due to being absent for an extended period of time. I have mulled over this over and over again but, I have decided to leave BABYMETAL at this time.
I feel very sorry that my decision will disturb the other members and some many fans who have supported BABYMETAL. I am further terribly sorry to sadden the fans who have supported BABYMETAL. I had the strong desire to appear on stage again but my physical condition is not at its best even now, and further I feel that I would like to pursue my dream, one that I have had from a long time ago, of going on my own as Mizuno Yui. It is these factors that led to my decision.
I am thankful for the numerous and precious experiences I was able to have being a part of BABYMETAL. I always felt day to day that I was truly blessed. The live shows where we all smiled together and became as One were truly happy and enjoyable times. I will do my utmost best to be able to again one day meet all of you as Mizuno Yui.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the last 8 years.
Mizuno Yui”
Well when she does come back, I firmly believe Yui will be welcomed back with open arms from BABYMETAL’s diehard fan legion… including yours truly.
Allow me to join in with the rest of the metal world and say: get well soon Yui Mizuno!
Rami Malek Talks Playing Freddie Mercury
We’re less than 2 weeks away from the opening of a film fans have been waiting on for nearly a decade. Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen/Freddie Mercury biopic, opens nationally on November 2nd, and the Slacker fam could not be more excited. Since the project was announced in 2010, we’ve been through at least three possible Freddie Mercury incarnations & two different directors.
But it’s finally here! And we know it because Rami Malek is on a press tour. He sat down with Stephen Colbert recently to talk about the stress of having to perform AS Freddie in front of the actual remaining members of the band, and how the spirit of Freddie had a message for him.
See what Rami has to say about playing a Rock Legend and then gear up for the film with Slacker’s Queen: The Count Up station!
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha performs I'm A Mess on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Charli XCX
Charli XCX and Troye Sivan’s ‘90s nostalgia anthem “1999” has racked up more than 7 million Spotify streams in less than two weeks. Here is the meaning behind it.