Couldn't make it to Huntington Beach, CA this weekend for the ultimate punk-ska fest? Here's what you missed...
Monthly Archives: April 2019
Unraveling Pink’s Musical DNA
We’re celebrating new music from Pink, along with 20 years of her career with a brand new Pink: DNA station! Check out these 6 things you might not know about one of the biggest female artists on the planet!
1.) She Was In Two Girl Groups Before Going Solo
Pink’s been singing for most of her life – she already had gigs singing backup for a rap group and performing in Philadelphia nightclubs by the age of 14. Her first girl group was called Basic Instinct, but they never got things off the ground. She was also a member of R&B group Choice, who got signed to LaFace records and recorded over 30 songs, although they never released an album. Pink was pressured to drop out of the group and go solo by the label head, L.A. Reid.
She recalled: “I was put in a very uncomfortable position and I spent a week crying about it on the phone with my dad. He said, ‘Honey, when you were a little girl and you imagined yourself up on the stage was it you or a group and are you prepared to give it all up?’ I was like,’ It was me and no I’m not prepared to give it all up so I’m going to have to do something that’s really f—ng hard.’
2.) Where Her Stage Name Comes From
There are lots of NSFW rumors about how Alecia Moore became Pink, but on the record it’s a reference to Steve Buscemi's character in Reservoir Dogs, Mr. Pink. She met Steve before she became a star, and recalls their interaction: "I actually ran into Steve Buscemi on the street in New York before my first album came out. I had these big f***ing Elton John sunglasses on, pink hair and carried a Pink Panther toy.
"I went, 'Steve! Mr. Pink! I'm Pink! Because of you! I'm going to have an album and you're going to know who I am.' And he was like, 'What the f**k lady?' and just ran away from me.
"I've never met him since. He was scared s**tless of me. Sorry Steve!"
3.) She Turned Down A Song That Became A Huge Hit For Kelly Clarkson
“Since U Been Gone” was written by Max Martin with Pink in mind, but she passed it up, and it eventually became a hallmark song for Kelly Clarkson. When Andy Cohen asked Pink on Watch What Happens Live if she was upset about it, she responded “No, because listen to Kelly Clarkson sing it! Songs find their home."
4.) She Wanted To Be An Olympic Gymnast
Pink told CBS This Morning in 2017 that she practiced gymnastics for 8 years as a child, although she was “kicked out” at the age of 12. Later, she saw dancers at a Cher concert doing silks stunts, and says “I was like ‘Why isn’t a singer doing that? Why hasn’t a singer done this? Why do they get to have all the fun?’” She started studying aerial arts, and has incorporated them into her amazing live shows since 2009.
5.) She’s Not Putting Pics of Her Kids On Social Media Anymore
We’ve gotten used to seeing pictures of Pink’s adorable kids, Willow and Jamison, on her social media posts, but after multiple instances of mom-shaming, she’s done with it. "I'm prouder of my kids than anything I've ever done and I just won't share them anymore," she told Ellen. "I won't do it, I'm not posting pictures of them anymore.”
She doubled down on that decision in an interview on The Today Show, telling Carson Daly "After the latest criticisms, I'm so tired of it. People are just getting nastier and nastier. I think I'll probably take a break. I think I will stop sharing my children as much as I do."
6.) She’s Got More Collabs Than Ever On Her New Album
Pink’s latest album, Hurts 2B Human, features almost as many collaborations as the past 20 years of her career put together! In an appearance on Ellen, she said “I always ask people to collaborate and sometimes people say yes but most of the time people say no. And this time EVERYBODY gave me green lights! And so I have Chris Stapleton on the record… and Khalid… I wrote “Hustle” with Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons, and Ryan Tedder and I wrote “Can We Pretend”… Cash Cash is on there and Wrabel.” That’s a packed lineup!
Check out new music from Pink, plus a station featuring her biggest career hits, musical inspirations, her collaborations and artists who admire her – hear them all on Pink: DNA!
Florida Georgia Line
The duo sit down and make the tough decisions.
John Singleton Dies At 51
Tragedy befell Hollywood -- and the community as a whole – today, as it lost one of its greatest, most impactful creative voices. Producer, director, and writer John Singleton has passed away.
According to reports, the 51-year-old suffered a stroke on April 17. He was apparently returning home to LA from Costa Rica when he began having medical complications on the plane. Upon landing, he managed to check himself into Cedar Sinai Hospital where he was placed in ICU. At first, reports surfaced that his stroke was mild and a statement released by his family had an optimistic tone.
“We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends and colleagues,” the statement read.
In spite of the positivity, Singleton’s condition grew progressively worse and by Friday night, April 27, he lay unresponsive in a coma.
Stars of Singleton’s hood classic “Baby Boy,” Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese, came to see him in the hospital on Saturday, posting about the experience on social media.
“Visited you today. Me and @tyrese prayed so hard over you[,]” Henson wrote. “You heard my voice and jumped up. I HAVE HOPE AND FAITH BECAUSE I KNOW THAT #GODIS. Keep praying EVERYBODY for our beloved @johnsingleton.”
Earlier today, it was reported that Singleton was going to be taken off life sport. Hours later, his death was reported, bringing a sad, early ending to a Singleton’s life.
Singleton has one of the most respected catalogs in all of Tinseltown. His story has served as a beacon of light for all aspiring filmmakers, especially young, Black filmmakers.
Singleton was a native of South Central, LA. In 1990, while fresh out of USC film school, he managed to get his film “Boyz N The Hood” greenlit by Columbia Pictures. At a budget just shy of seven million dollars, the movie went into production later that year and was released on July 2, 1991. “Boyz” turned out to be an authentic, heart stopping, on-screen depiction of the crisis young Black men were -- and still are -- going through. The cast, led by Cuba Gooding Jr., became Hollywood heavyweights. Amongst others, the film featured Angela Bassett, Lawrence Fishburne, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut and, of course, a scene-stealing acting debut from Ice Cube. The film went on to make close to $60 million during its theatrical run, as it was not just cherished in the “Hood,” but crossed over to the mainstream thanks to masterful storytelling and acting. Audiences fell in love with the characters, and experienced pure heartbreak when Chestnut’s character Ricky was brutally murdered in an alleyway. “Boyz” wasn’t just a west coast story, and it wasn’t just a Black story; it was a human story that resonated universally.
Thanks to “Boyz,” Singleton, at 24, became the youngest director and first Black director to be nominated for an Academy Award. He was also nominated for Best Screenplay.
Over the next decade plus, Singleton put together a run of critical and financially lauded box office gems. He also made it his business to introduce new Black actors to the world, and gave roles to hip-hop community wordsmiths such as Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Andre 3000, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
Shakur was particularly electrifying, starring opposite Janet Jackson in 1993’s “Poetic Justice.” That movie and 1995’s “Higher Learning” solidified Singleton as a bonafide Hollywood star and one of films most unabashed, unapologetic voices. He followed with “Rosewood,” “Shaft,” “Baby Boy,” “2 Fast 2 Furious,” “Four Brothers,” and producing “Hustle & Flow.”
A decade later, Singleton turned his attention to television, directing “Empire.” In 2016, he directed an episode of the acclaimed “American Crime Story: The People V O.J. Simpson.” In 2016, Singleton released perhaps his greatest television accomplishment in FX’s “Snowfall,” a period piece that dives in deep to the outbreak of the crack epidemic in 1980s California. The series, which is set to enter its third season this year, has garnered adulation from critics and fans alike. And in what might prove to be his last living accomplishment, in 2017, Singleton was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for “LA Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later.”
Singleton leaves behind five children legion of fans and a generation of filmmakers he’s influenced.
Ready For The 2019 BBMAs?
If the Grammys are music’s BIGGEST night, the Billboard Music Awards might be the most fun night in music, and this year’s awards are shaping up to be bigger than ever!
Cardi B leads the pack with a whopping 21 nominations, but Drake and Post Malone aren’t far behind with 17 each. In a groundbreaking moment, not only are BTS nominated for Top Social Artist in 2019 (they won the award in both 2017 and 2018), they’re also up for Top Duo/Group – the first time a K-pop group has scored a nod in a major category.
But anybody who watches awards shows knows… it’s not really about the awards. It’s about the performances. Taylor Swift and Brendon Urie were just announced as the show openers – they’ll perform their brand new duet, “Me!”. The Jonas brothers are reuniting onstage for their first awards show back together. Madonna is debuting her new song with Maluma, “Medellin”, and Halsey will take the stage both with BTS and solo. Plus we’ll see live performances from Ciara, Dan + Shay, Panic! At The Disco, Khalid, and Icon Award honoree Mariah Carey. Not to mention Kelly Clarkson, who’s performing and hosting again this year.
The 2019 Billboard Music awards air live from Las Vegas Wednesday, May 1st at 8pm on NBC. Check out nominees in the biggest categories in the video above, and listen to a special station in honor of the awards – The Twenty: BBMAs is live now!
Portugal. The Man
A rare 2010 performance exclusive from our friends at JBTV
DNA: Kacey Musgraves
Learn everything you need to know about the coolest lady in country.