Music – Page 139 – 105.7 WDNY

Gene Simmons defends use of word ‘ghetto’ while arguing hip-hop shouldn’t be in Rock Hall

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Gene Simmons recently made headlines for sharing his opinion about hip-hop artists being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and caught some flack over using the word “ghetto.” He’s now defending himself against the backlash.

In the original interview with the Legends N Leaders podcast, the KISS rocker, who was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2015, said of hip-hop, “It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language.”

“And as I said in print many times, hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, nor does opera, symphony orchestras,” he added. “How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Because it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”

After folks online dubbed Simmons’ use of the word ghetto racist, he defended himself, telling People, “I stand by my words.”

“Let’s cut to the chase. The word ‘ghetto,’ it originated with Jews,” he continued. “It was borrowed by African Americans in particular and respectfully, not in a bad way.”

As for the suggestion that it’s a racist term, Simmons argued, “Ghetto is a Jewish term[.] … How could you be, when rock is Black music? It’s just a different Black music than hip-hop, which is also Black music.”

He added, “Rock ‘n’ roll owes everything to Black music, statement of fact, period. All the major forms of American music owe their roots to Black music.”

Case on Kurt Cobain’s death remains closed, Seattle authorities say

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Authorities in Seattle have confirmed that the case on the death of Kurt Cobain, which was ruled a suicide in 1994, remains closed.

“In the death examination for Kurt Cobain, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office worked with the local law enforcement agency, conducted a full autopsy, and followed all of its procedures in coming to the determination of the manner of death as a suicide,” the public health public information officer for Washington State’s King County says in a statement to ABC Audio. “We’re not able to provide specific details about what informed our conclusion, as the autopsy records are private under state law and can only be released by the next of kin.”

The statement comes after the U.K. tabloid The Daily Mail published a story on an independent, unofficial investigation claiming that the late Nirvana frontman was killed in a homicide.

“Our office is always open to revisiting its conclusions if new evidence comes to light, but we’ve seen nothing to date that would warrant re-opening of this case and our previous determination of death,” the statement reads.

A statement from the Seattle Police Department adds, “Kurt Cobain died by suicide in 1994. This case is closed.”

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

For Jason Aldean, ‘Songs About Us’ started with ‘Goodbye’

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

When Jason Aldean heard “How Far Does a Goodbye Go,” he knew it was the beginning of his 12th studio album.

“I knew this was the first one we had to put out there,” he wrote on Instagram, sharing more in a “Story Behind the Song” video with the song’s writers, Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison, John Edwards and John Morgan.

“It got me excited to go in the studio and cut it,” Jason recalled. “And no-brainer … as soon as I heard it, I’m like, ‘That’s our first single, that’s what’s gonna launch the album and we’ll figure out the rest of it after that, but that’s what’s gonna go.’ So far, so good.”

“How Far Does a Goodbye Go” came out in September, and currently sits at #2 on both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts.

The full Songs About Us album follows on April 24.

Harry Styles to hold listening parties for new album

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Wanna hear Harry Styles’ album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. weeks before it comes out? He’s making it possible for some fans to do just that.

Harry’s announced that listening parties, where fans will be able to hear the album in full, will take place in 40 cities starting Feb. 18. “We wanna dance with all our friends,” the caption on Instagram reads. The album officially arrives March 6.

Fans who signed up for Harry’s text subscription list or his tour presale received emails or texts with a link to an entry form to fill out in order to register for a chance to attend the sessions. Los Angeles and Madison, Wisconsin, are the two U.S. locations for the sessions. One of the questions on the form is, “What do you think listening to the album will feel like?”

Recently, Harry announced a one-night-only concert at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on March 6, release day, during which he’ll perform the album live in its entirety. Tickets were priced at just 20 pounds, or the equivalent of $27.23.

New York to co-name street after Jimi Hendrix

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

New York City is set to honor the legacy of rocker Jimi Hendrix. It was just announced that the city plans to co-name West 8th Street in Greenwich Village Jimi Hendrix Way.

The street is where Hendrix’s legendary Electric Lady Studios is located. Opened in August 1970, Electric Lady was the first commercial studio owned by an artist. Hendrix died just three weeks after its opening.

The naming is set to take place Feb. 24 at 11 a.m., and was the result of a campaign led by Experience Hendrix LLC President and CEO Janie Hendrix, NYC District 2 council member Harvey Epstein, and guitarist and writer Jeff Slate.

The naming ceremony will coincide with the launch of a new education partnership with E Street Band guitarist Stevie Van Zandt’s TeachRock, which uses music and pop culture to expand learning in schools. The partnership will result in the addition of a Hendrix curriculum for middle and high school students.

“Jimi Hendrix didn’t just play guitar—he reimagined what art could be,” says Van Zandt. “I want TeachRock to transport students into that same sense of possibility and discovery I felt the first time I saw Jimi perform. His story, lyrics, and sound remind young people that creativity has no limits.”

Janie Hendrix, Van Zandt and Epstein will attend the street naming ceremony, along with group of local TeachRock teachers and students. It will take place on the corner of 8th Street and 6th Avenue.

This isn’t the first time the street has been named after Hendrix. In 2024, the same street in Greenwich Village was temporarily renamed after the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer in connection with the release of the documentary Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision.

Chris Janson & ERNEST say ‘cheers’ to a ‘memory’ of Merle Haggard

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Chris Janson and ERNEST stopped to pay tribute to Merle Haggard after getting together to do some writing.

“Post write Hag jam session with @ernest615,” Chris posted, along with a video of the two playing guitar and singing the Country Music Hall of Famer’s “My Favorite Memory.”

The lead single from his 1981 Big City album, the self-written track would go on to become his 25th #1.

Chris also took a moment to recognize his daughter for a recent win.

“Congrats to my sweet baby girl Georgia & her awesome cheer team who won the national championship in Orlando this past weekend!” he wrote, posting a photo of his daughter in her uniform. “They have won 2 years in a row. Proud dad.”

“She & a cheer can!” he added, in a nod to his current top-20 hit, “Me & a Beer.”

Bebe Rexha announces new album, ‘Dirty Blonde,’ with supercut of all 13 songs

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Bebe Rexha is back.

The “I’m Good (Blue)” singer has announced a new album, Dirty Blonde, which she’s releasing via the independent label EMPIRE. She’s introducing it with a 4-minute supercut of all 13 songs, paired with visual elements. Fans are invited to remix and reimagine the supercut while they wait for the full songs to arrive.

The supercut, in which Bebe plays a variety of characters — some of whom appear to be unhinged — teases different sounds, including dance, pop, ballads and country.

Billboard reports that the album will be out June 12. Speaking to the publication, Bebe says, “I worked so hard on this album. It’s been three years now, and every song is so important me. They’re like your babies, you know? I don’t want to be conformed by a certain sound or certain boundaries.”

Bebe says in a statement, “This next chapter is about creative freedom — trusting my instincts, trusting my voice, and finally doing things the way I’ve always wanted to. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve lived a lot, and I’m fully tuned into myself now.”

“Following my gut has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career,” she adds. “This era is fearless, loud, and unapologetic — no filters, no limits. Dirty Blonde is me owning exactly who I am.”

She announced the titles of all the songs in an Instagram post, along with a list of dates, which might be when she plans to release them. One song, “Çike Çike,” is sung partly in Albanian. Like Dua Lipa and Ava Max, Bebe’s parents are Albanian; her birth name, Bleta, means “bee” in Albanian.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Zara Larsson sells out North American leg of Midnight Sun tour

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

So far, it’s been a pretty exciting 2026 for Zara Larsson.

She rang in 2026 performing on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, then saw three of her songs hit the Billboard Hot 100 all at once: “Midnight Sun,” “Lush Life” and her collaboration with PinkPantheress, “Stateside.” She then performed at the Grammy Premiere Ceremony, where she was nominated for her first-ever Grammy.

Now, amid preparations for her Midnight Sun tour kickoff in Portland on Feb. 28, comes the news that the entire North American leg has officially sold out. She also recently announced that the tour will hit Australia in October, and all the presale tickets were gone in less than two hours.

Finally, “Lush Life,” which came out in 2015, is #1 on YouTube’s Shorts chart thanks to a new dance trend.

Reba McEntire marks 35 years of a ‘Fancy’ phenomenon

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Reba McEntire’s celebrating more than three decades of what is arguably her signature song.

“Here’s your one chance, Fancy!!” she posted on Wednesday. “Can’t believe it’s been 35 years since we released this single.”

The third single from Reba’s Rumor Has It album, “Fancy” went to radio on Feb. 11, 1991. Though it would only peak at #8, it’s gone on to be certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.

In her post, Reba encouraged fans to celebrate with her accompanying “Fancy” Funko, which comes with the pillbox hat, oversize glasses and black ensemble from the music video. It’s also holding the infamous “heart-shaped locket that said to thine own self be true” in its hand.

“Fancy” was originally written and recorded by “Ode to Billie Joe” hitmaker Bobbie Gentry in 1969.

Bee Gees announce new limited-edition box set

February 12, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The music of the Bee Gees will be celebrated in a new limited-edition box set.

You Should Be Dancing, a four-disc set limited to just 1,000 copies, will feature 12-inch versions of some of the group’s biggest hits disco hits, along with previously unreleased extended versions of tracks.

The set features ’70s-era classics like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “More Than a Woman,” as well as previously unreleased extended versions of “Jive Talkin,'” “Tragedy,” “Nights on Broadway” and “Love You Inside Out.”

There’s also their cover of Yvonne Elliman’s 1978 hit “If I Can’t Have You”; producer SG Lewis’ Paradise edit of “More Than a Woman,” getting its first-ever vinyl release; and “Decadance,” the Bee Gees’ own update of “You Should Be Dancing,” which was previously only available outside the U.S.

The Bee Gees’ You Should Be Dancing collection will be released Feb. 27 and is available for preorder now.

+ More