Talking Heads just say no, Grammy surprises, and more from the week in music

There’s good Talking Heads news and there’s bad Talking Heads news

While it seemed for a second that we might actually be heading for a once-in-a-lifetime Talking Heads reunion, it’s increasingly apparent that the four Heads won’t be making new music or playing old music together any time soon. David Byrne previously admitted to People that he acted like “a little tyrant” before the band’s “ugly” breakup in 1991, and it seems no amount of time, acclaim, or money will ever be able to un-burn that house. Read More

20 terrific bands that got their start in 1974

It could be argued that 1974 is the pivotal year of the 1970s when it comes to music. Not only is it the year that brought a wealth of classic albums—here are 25 of those records celebrating their 50th anniversary this year—along with a bunch of singles that defined the Super Sounds of the 1970s (“The Way We Were,” “Seasons in the Sun,” “Dancing Machine,” “Jungle Boogie”), it’s also a year that launched a number of bands who defined the sound of the second half of the 1970s and far beyond. Read More

Nicki Minaj’s Megan Thee Stallion diss track is mean-spirited and not very good

Friends, the situation has devolved. Rap beef is meant to be nasty; feuding stars frequently hit below the belt. (See: “The Story Of Adidon.”) If the song is truly great, it can transcend diss track status. If the song is bad, it comes across as an utter embarrassment. Such is the case for Nicki Minaj’s response to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hiss.” Since the latter dropped a sly shout-out to “Megan’s Law” (a reference to Minaj’s husband, a registered sex offender), Minaj has posted a near-constant stream of vitriol on Twitter/X, culminating in her new song “Big Foot.” Read More

The 25 most surprising winners in Grammy history

Part of following the Grammys—and perhaps even loving them—is realizing that the National Academy of Recording Artists and Scientists often doesn’t award the right artist or album. NARAS is keenly aware of this problem. That’s the reason why they’ve established backroom blue-ribbon committees: they want to make sure the broader group of voters won’t cast ballots for acts that would embarrass the organization as a whole. Read More

TikTok is about to lose a ton of music from huge artists

What is TikTok if not a bunch of Taylor Swift song clips strung together? We’ll soon find out, because Swift’s music, along with music from fellow artists at Universal Music Group, is expected to be pulled from the app on February 1. In an open letter, UMG shared that its disagreements with TikTok are focused on “appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok’s users.” Acknowledging TikTok’s increasing influence in the music industry, UMG accused the app of “trying to build a music-based business, without paying fair value for the music.” Read More

The Vegas Sphere taps another legacy rock act for a residency

What is Dead may never die: Dead & Company officially retired from touring in 2023, “But there are other ways to make sure the music never stops,” the band teased on their social media on Wednesday. The “other ways” include doing a residency, which is technically different from a tour because you just stay in one place the entire time. This particular residency, “Dead Forever,” will take place at the Las Vegas Sphere, “And it’s gonna be a ball.” (Get it?) Read More

Kate Hudson launches her music career with new single

At the end of the year, romantic comedy queen Kate Hudson declared, “I vow to sing and play and love and sing and love some more!” Her New Year’s resolution is now coming true with “Talk About Love,” the first-ever single in her newly launched music career. “Talk About Love” is a fun, inoffensive, generic pop track co-written by 4 Non Blonde’s Linda Perry and Hudson’s partner Danny Fujikawa. Read More