Music

“He had been in hospital for last three months. Pritam, his sister and mother were there with him at the hospital.  “He had been ill for almost 2 years and had been admitted in the hospital for three months. On Sunday, he ended the chapter of his life due to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease,” a source close to Pritam told PTI. … [Read more...] about Music composer Pritam Chakraborty’s father dies after prolonged illness

While Def Jam Africa may be best positioned to sign talent on the continent, it will also work with its international counterparts to set up artists for global success. With Nasty C, for example, Dlamini told Billboard that Def Jam’s team in New York set up writing camps in the U.S., including a weeklong one in Atlanta. "Nasty C is as much a Def Jam artist in New York," Dlamini says, "as he is an artist from South Africa."  … [Read more...] about Universal Music Launches Def Jam Africa as Its Latest Big Bet on the Continent

The increased attention on police-related killings of blacks and the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement mirrors the rise in social activist songs in mainstream black music — D’Angelo’s 2014 “Black Messiah” was an early example. It’s also reflected in J. Cole’s searing “Be Free,” Keys’ “We Gotta Pray” and Jay Z’s “Spiritual” (“I am not poison/Just a boy from the hood that got my hands in the air”). Even Kanye West jumped in with “Feedback,” rapping “Hands up, hands up, then the cops shot us.” … [Read more...] about Black musicians reflecting turmoil of the times in music

Meetings of poetry and music are often a mismatch, with verse bullied by rhythm or music reduced to ornament. This encounter between Anglo-Trinidadian poet Joseph and New York bassist Meshell Ndegeocello comes off without compromise. Joseph reads in bold everyday cadences while Ndegeocello's arrangements shape shift around him, overlaying harsh synth chords on Hustle to Live, content with an intricate Carib rhythm for Michael X (Narcissus). The playing is terrific, a torrent of rhythms and pulses to match the "time" theme, while Joseph's punchy cameos and narratives, drawn globally, come with the lovely, lyrical Joy amid them. Classy work. … [Read more...] about Time review – poetry and music mesh well on Anthony Joseph’s collaboration with Meshell Ndegeocello

A host of West End stars have thanked NHS heroes and key workers with an amazing musical tribute. Created by Alpha Club and posted to their YouTube channel, the talented ensemble sing their version of From Now On, a track from The Greatest Showman - all while at home. The beautiful rendition features well-known West End stars including Jonny Purchase, Sorsha Talbot-Hunt and Lisa Bridge. The Alpha Club has also launched The Alpha Auction, a celebrity auction to raise funds for The Carers Trust, a charity that supports unpaid carers in the UK and which Princess Anne is president of. The exclusive auction prizes range from money-can't-buy experiences to celebrity meet-and-greets, including VIP Glastonbury 2021 tickets and use of cricket legend Kevin Pietersen's South African safari lodge. The auction will run until midnight on Wednesday May 20, and all donations go directly to The Carers Trust. … [Read more...] about VIDEO: West End stars thank NHS heroes with emotional musical tribute