Music

Earlier this month, an art exhibit inspired by the iconic artwork used by music acts such as U2 was announced for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Now you’ll be able to buy your own version of those artworks — for a hefty price.

The exhibit, Artists Inspired by Music: Interscope Reimagined, marks the 30th anniversary of Interscope Records and features over 50 original works by visual artists relating to a particular album or song from the Interscope catalog. Other musicians featured include Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Gwen Stefani and Selena Gomez.

The exhibit also includes artists Juice WRLD, Machine Gun Kelly, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar.

Starting January 27, you’ll be able to buy limited-edition vinyl albums featuring the artwork from the exhibit. There will be 100 copies of each album available, and each will come with a numbered archival quality print of the artwork on the cover. On top of that, each album will be delivered in a custom Gucci box. The price? $2500 each.

The albums will be released in groups, with the first group being available to purchase from January 27 through January 31, exclusively via the app for the livestream shopping platform NTWRK. All profits will go to a charity foundation which is building a school in L.A.

The first group up for grabs includes Billie’s debut EP don’t smile at me, as well as iconic albums from Eminem, Dr. Dre and Kendrick. The release dates for the other albums haven’t yet been announced.

Meanwhile, the actual art exhibit will be on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from January 30 to February 13. For more info, visit LACMA.org.

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Lil Nas X made headlines by faking a pregnancy to announce the arrival of his debut studio album, Montero, which he later gave “birth” to when it dropped in September.  One artist is reportedly claiming he ripped her off to create his “Lil Nas X gives birth” video and is taking him to court.

The Blast reports that Dana Dentata, an artist who blends rap and metal music, says the video heavily borrowed imagery from her Pantychrist album and the music video for the title track.  According to the legal docs, she states Lil Nas X stole “copyrighted material” to use in his video, which she says is “essentially identical to the ‘Pantychrist’ music video and clearly used the work as its basis.”

Dentata furthered in the cease-and-desist, “I demand that you immediately cease the use and distribution of all infringing works derived from the works… or destroy such copies immediately and that you desist from this or any other infringement of her rights in the future.”

Lil Nas X, nor his legal team, have reacted to the pending lawsuit.  It is unknown if or when Dentata plans to elevate her complaint. 

This isn’t the first time the “Panini” singer was accused of copying elements to use in his work.  Upon releasing the “Montero (Call Me By You Name)” music video, he was accused of ripping off FKA Twigs‘ “Cellophane” music video, which had come out a year earlier.  The Grammy winner apologized for the similarities and the matter was marked resolved.

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Damon Albarn must have a social media death wish: In a new interview, he claimed that Taylor Swift “doesn’t write her own songs” — and Taylor came for him immediately.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the Blur and Gorillaz front man insinuated that “modern music” is relying solely on “the sound and the attitude.” He then challenged the interviewer, “Name me someone who’s not.”

“Taylor Swift is an excellent songwriter,” responded the interviewer. “She doesn’t write her own songs,” Albarn shot back. “Of course she does. Co-writes some of them,” the interviewer said.

In fact, Swift has written or co-written every one of her songs; she wrote her third album, the Grammy-nominated Speak Now, entirely by herself.

But Albarn then went on to insist, “That doesn’t count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing. I’m not hating on anybody, I’m just saying there’s a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes. Doesn’t mean that the outcome can’t be really great.”

He continued, “I suppose I’m a traditionalist in that sense. A really interesting songwriter is Billie Eilish and her brother. I’m more attracted to that than to Taylor Swift. It’s just darker — less endlessly upbeat. Way more minor and odd. I think she’s exceptional.”

But Swift, of course, wasn’t going to let Albarn’s comments stand. On Twitter, she wrote, “@DamonAlbarn I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging. You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really f**ked up to try and discredit my writing. WOW.”

She then snarked, “PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering.”

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Rolling Stone is out with a list naming the 25 most stylish artists, as chosen by a select group of journalists, designers and fashion industry insiders.  Making this year’s cut are Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Harry Styles, Doja Cat, BTS and several others.

Topping the roundup is Lil Nas X, with the outlet praising his cutting-edge style and fearless self-expression.  Among the several looks the outlet highlighted were the leather outfit he rocked on Saturday Night Live, wearing rococo-style gowns on the red carpet and, of course, his infamous Satan shoes.

In second place is Lady Gaga, with Rolling Stone praising her interest in reviving styles that are reminiscent of “Old Hollywood glamour.”

Cardi B is third on the list with the publication saluting the dramatic styles she wears in her music videos.  In fourth is the Korean K-pop sensation BTS, who scored an ambassadorship with luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton and have “moved menswear so far forward” with their fashion choices.

Harry rounds out the top five and is praised for his appreciation of gender-fluidity, which icons Prince and David Bowie previously flaunted. Also making the cut this year is Rihanna in seventh place for her Savage X Fenty brand and Dua Lipa, who is in ninth, for her collaborations with Puma and Versace.

Beyoncé landed in 12th place thanks to her new campaign with Tiffany and jaw-dropping red carpet looks, while Lizzo claims 14th place for promoting high-end fashion for plus-sized women.

Machine Gun Kelly comes in at number 16 after launching a gender-neutral nail polish and coordinating outfits with fiancée Megan Fox and, right after him is Doja Cat at number 18, who was highlighted for her “otherworldly fashion sense.”

Italian rock-band Måneskin came in at number 22, with Rolling Stone praising their edgy rock-vibe, which boasts tons of leather and even more skin.

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As Fashion Week approaches in February in New York City, Rolling Stone has made a list of “The 25 Most Stylish Musicians Now,” and Lil Nas X leads the list, whose top 10 also includes Cardi B and fashionable couple Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.

Writing about the “Industry Baby” rapper, Rolling Stone notes, “He’s managed to turn his every look into a conversation starter.” Cardi, who is number three on the list behind Lady Gaga, has a fashion sense “as effortlessly bold as her raps,” says the magazine.

“Not everyone can seamlessly blend the coveted threads of Chanel and tawdry pieces from Fashion Nova, but she does it with ease,” the publication adds.

Rihanna is number seven and Rolling Stone writes of the richest woman in entertainment, “In 2021, she delivered another noteworthy show with her size-inclusive lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, and turned the streets of New York into her runway in vintage Dior.”

Rih’s significant other Rocky is number eight, thanks to his “fiercely individualistic aversion to flashy trends,” says Rolling Stone.

Both Knowles sisters are on the list: Solange at number ten, and Beyoncé at twelve.

“When it comes to understanding the sense of wonder that comes with getting dressed, Solange is in a league of her own,” the publication writes about the “Sandcastle Disco” singer, while Queen Bey is praised for her “constantly evolving, ever-adaptable, and enduringly influential” fashion sense.

Kanye West is number eleven, between Solange and Beyoncé.  “As polarizing as his creations as a designer have been, Kanye West has set his own standard in combining music and fashion,” Rolling Stone writes of Ye.

Other artists on the list include Lizzo at #14, Doja Cat at #18, and Tyler, the Creator at #23.

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Taylor Swift‘s fans are back with the wild theories and believe she’s about to release a secret album.

According to Buzzfeed, it’s believed Taylor recorded an album in 2016 called Karma, but her feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian derailed its release.  Taylor emerged a year later with 2017’s Reputation.  Fans believe the timing between Tay’s last album, 1989, and Reputation did not mesh with the meticulous release schedule she had going — releasing albums every two years. 

The standing theory is Karma was meant to go out in 2016, exactly two years after 1989.  Fans also note the singer is known to embrace a look that matches her music era and feel her “bleachella” phase in 2016 — when she suddenly rocked the grunge look — was promoting Karma. 

Theorists also look to the 2017 track “Look What You Made Me Do,” which contains the lyric, “All I think about is karma.”  The music video may also have a clue when 14 Taylors appear at the end, with one standing on a plane that had TS6 on it and sawing off its wings.  

In addition, in the music video for “The Man,” Taylor’s character is seen urinating on a subway wall with all her album’s names on it — with Karma written between 1989 and Reputation.

Also raising eyebrows is an answer Taylor gave to Vogue for their 73 Questions bit, which she said, “Karma is real” with the ‘K’ capitalized in the captions.  Also, fans believe Taylor further hinted to the album at the 2019 American Music Awards by dancing with eight girls, instead of 7, who supposedly represented the seven albums sold along with her master recordings.

So, is Karma real?  Only time will tell. Keep your eyes peeled in case Taylor starts leaving out more Easter eggs!

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Rolling Stone has announced that it’s increasing its fashion coverage going forward and it’s kicking off the new initiative with a list of “The 25 Most Fashionable Musicians Right Now” — a list that includes Machine Gun Kelly, WILLOW and Måneskin.

The list was voted on by a group of journalists, designers and fashion industry insiders like stylists and image consultants. Out of the 25 artists listed, MGK was the highest-ranked rocker at #16, thanks to what the magazine calls his “goth-glam looks.” Examples include the hot-pink suit he wore to the VMAs in 2020, or his unbuttoned black suit and matching dyed-black tongue from the 2021 Billboard Awards. 

WILLOW is in at #20, since she’s been what the mag calls “a fashion renegade” since she was nine years old. Since then, she’s gone pop-punk, pairing a hot-pink dress with tall black combat boots and shaving her head on camera last year while performing “Whip My Hair.”

Måneskin is #22 on the list by virtue of their “vintage Bowie-Queen swagger,” which includes “BDSM harnesses, heavy black eyeliner” and “tailored suits.” Grimes is #25 on the list thanks to her futuristic looks.

Speaking of Måneskin, the band has postponed their European tour dates because the ongoing pandemic has restricted venue capacity. 

“We are extremely sorry,” they write on Instagram.  “We worked a lot for this tour and everything was set and ready to go but unfortunately in the last few days we had some bad news about the capacity of the venues.”

The band adds that they’ll announce rescheduled dates no later than March 1, and all their outdoor shows are still confirmed.

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