“Hello” again: Adele returns to that same empty house for her new “Easy on Me” video

“Hello” again: Adele returns to that same empty house for her new “Easy on Me” video
“Hello” again: Adele returns to that same empty house for her new “Easy on Me” video
Simon Emmett

Adele is officially back. She released the music video for “Easy on Me,” her first new song in six years, as the clock struck midnight in the U.K., meaning the U.S. was able to enjoy it at 7 p.m. ET. 

She first teased “Easy on Me” last week and announced earlier this week that she’ll release her fourth album, titled 30, on November 19.

The video was directed by Xavier Dolan, who also filmed Adele’s clip “Hello.” Like that video, it starts with Adele in an empty house — the same house from the “Hello” video, in fact — talking to someone on the phone.

This time, she describes how she’s all packed up and ready to hit the road.  As she drives away, pages of sheet music fly out the back window as she sings of her regrets.  

“You can’t deny how hard I tried/I changed who I was to put you both first/but now I give up,” Adele sings, possibly referring to her ex-husband and her son.

She then asks the listener to cut her some slack, explaining, “Go easy on me baby/I was still a child/didn’t get the chance to feel the world around me/had no time to choose/what I chose to do.”

“For me, there’s nothing stronger than artists reconnecting after years apart,” Dolan says in a statement. “I’ve changed. Adele’s changed. And this is an opportunity to celebrate how we’ve both evolved, and how we’ve also both remained faithful to our dearest themes. It’s all the same, but different.”

Adele’s album 30 is now available for pre-order.  There will be a Target deluxe CD featuring three bonus tracks, a Walmart clear exclusive double vinyl, and an Amazon white exclusive double vinyl, as well as a cassette and on all digital platforms.

 

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Rick Wakeman launches Caped Crusader Collector Club offering fans rare recordings and other goodies

Rick Wakeman launches Caped Crusader Collector Club offering fans rare recordings and other goodies
Rick Wakeman launches Caped Crusader Collector Club offering fans rare recordings and other goodies
Courtesy of Gonzo Multimedia

Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman has just launched a new club for his fans called the Caped Crusader Collector Club that will offer members the chance to receive and purchase a variety of rare recordings and memorabilia.

Those who sign up for the CCCC, as Wakeman calls the club, will receive a membership pack that includes an individually numbered membership card; a welcome letter signed by Rick; a sticker; four 8″ by 10″ photos; and an exclusive yearbook boasting rare photos, articles and memorabilia from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s archive.

Members also will receive the first of a series of exclusive CCCC CD releases, this one featuring a previously unreleased soundtrack Wakeman recorded for the 1984 sci-fi film She.

Each year, club members will receive four exclusive CDs featuring rare studio recordings and live performances from Wakeman’s archives.

CCCC members also will get a 10% discount off all purchases made from the Wakeman Music Emporium online store, and will receive invitations to special events, access to exclusive merchandise and more.

Fans who join the club this month will receive a 15-month membership for the price of a one-year membership.

“As a musician, I think it is important that serious fans get to hear music that would otherwise be left in drawers and on shelves and in some cases, discarded,” Wakeman says in a statement. “With the formation of the CCCC, I feel that this is an innovative way for core fans to get to hear music which I have discovered in various of my archives.”

In other news, Wakeman just launched the U.S. leg of his Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour on Wednesday, but he also announced some changes to his itinerary and the postponement of several dates. Check out updated details at RWCC.com.

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Foo Fighters showcased in upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee exhibit

Foo Fighters showcased in upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee exhibit
Foo Fighters showcased in upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee exhibit
Courtesy of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced a new exhibit showcasing its 2021 inductees, including Foo Fighters.

The display, which will open at the Cleveland museum on October 24, will feature Dave Grohl‘s beloved Dan Armstrong Ampeg guitar. The uniquely transparent axe was famously used in the Foos video for “All My Life,” and Grohl also played it during the recording of 2002’s One by One and during the tour behind 2011’s Wasting Light.

Items from the other Rock Hall Performer inductees, which include Todd Rundgren, The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Carole King and JAY-Z, will also be featured in the exhibit. Additionally, it will honor late Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads, who’s being inducted this year with the Musical Excellence award, by displaying the iconic white V-shaped Jackson Concorde guitar that he designed.

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held October 30 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. An HBO special focusing on the event will premiere at a later date.

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Jay-Z sends his “Tree of Life” portrait to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jay-Z sends his “Tree of Life” portrait to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Jay-Z sends his “Tree of Life” portrait to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In advance of his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on October 30, Jay-Z has sent a very special portrait to represent him at the Rock Hall’s Inductee Exhibit.

Rather than donate artifacts from his iconic career, the Roc Nation CEO loaned a 72-inch by 96-inch oil portrait he purchased from New Orleans artist Jerin “Jerk” Beasley, titled “Tree of Life,” according to Cleveland.com.
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“We sent photos of what we’ve done in the past and Jay-Z’s team shared what his interpretation was of his success and what it means to him,” says Nwaka Onwusa, vice president and chief curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “It’s so in line with who he is now, and his fans will appreciate and understand that. Music is art and art is music in a way. You don’t get to Jean-Michel Basquiat without talking about Charlie Parker, for instance.”

Beasley posted an Instagram photo of the portrait, with the comment from Jay-Z, “Don’t bark up that tree, that tree will fall on you, I don’t know why your advisors didn’t forewarn you.” The artist also posted a video of him creating “Tree of Life.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Celebration Day exhibit opens October 24 and features memorabilia from each honoree. Hova will be inducted with artists including Tina Turner, and specialty award recipients LL Cool J, Gil Scott-Heron, and Billy Preston.  Tickets to Celebration Day and the Induction Ceremony on October 30, featuring the Inductee Exhibit, are now available on the museum website.

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Shudder spotlighting Black filmmakers and writers for Halloween with ‘Horror Noire’

Shudder spotlighting Black filmmakers and writers for Halloween with ‘Horror Noire’
Shudder spotlighting Black filmmakers and writers for Halloween with ‘Horror Noire’
Shudder

For the second time, the thriller streaming service Shudder is highlighting Black writers and directors with a new horror anthology, Horror Noire

A follow-up to 2019’s documentary Black Noire: A History of Black Horror, Black Noire will feature six stories together in one two-hour presentation, each written and directed by Black filmmakers.

Included in the anthology will be the installments DaddyBride Before YouBrand of EvilThe LakeSundown, and Fugue State.

The films include Luke James from The ChiA Black Lady Sketch Show’s Erica AshLucifer’Lesley-Ann BrandtYou’re the Worst‘s Brandon Mychal SmithJohn Wick: Chapter 2‘s Peter StormareGenius: Aretha Franklin’s Malcolm BarrettRachel True from The Craft, and horror icon and Candyman star Tony Todd.

Horror Noire debuts on Thursday, October 28 on Shudder and at a later date through Shudder as part of the AMC+ bundle.

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Sara Barielles to perform at fashion show featuring models with Down syndrome

Sara Barielles to perform at fashion show featuring models with Down syndrome
Sara Barielles to perform at fashion show featuring models with Down syndrome
Bruce Glikas/Getty Images

Sara Bareilles will perform at a very special fashion show this November.

The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show on November 13 will feature 26 models walking a virtual runway — all of whom have Down syndrome.  The event is being organized by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and will be hosted by ABC’s Kyra Phillips and John Roberts of Fox News.

During her performance, Sara will “share her personal connection” to the “Down syndrome community,” according to the Foundation. 

Other stars who’ll be participating include Quincy Jones, Jeff Probst, Grey’s Anatomy stars Caterina Scorsone and Eric Dane, football stars Brandon McManus, Justin Timmons and Harrison Phillips, and supermodel Beverly Johnson.

You can watch the event and support the Foundation by buying a $25 ticket.

Sara will end her current stint starring in her hit musical Waitress on October 17; the lead role of Jenna will then be taken over by country star Jennifer Nettles of the group Sugarland.

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Fat Joe defends himself after backlash of comparing DaBaby to Tupac

Fat Joe defends himself after backlash of comparing DaBaby to Tupac
Fat Joe defends himself after backlash of comparing DaBaby to Tupac
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL

Twitter erupted with rage when Fat Joe recently compared DaBaby to the late Tupac Shakur. Now the Terror Squad leader is explaining the comment he made on BET’s new Rap City 21.

Wednesday on Instagram Live, Joe recalled he was put on the spot and wished that the host Big Tigger had never asked him to name a current rapper who was the new Tupac. The “Lean Back” rapper did not want to respond. Finally, he says, out of respect to BET and the return of Rap City, he reluctantly decided to offer an answer.

Joe said during his Instagram Live session, “I’m thinking DaBaby is a real one, certified real one. Whether you like him or you don’t like him, I believe he lives what he raps. And that’s very much like Tupac. But is he Tupac Shakur? No! No one will ever be Tupac Shakur.”

When DaBaby heard Joe’s comment he posted it on Instagram and wrote, “Agreed.”

Social media did not agree, at least not with Fat Joe. One person wrote on Twitter, “Fat Joe thinks DaBaby is 2021’s Tupac??? I want what he smoking right now.”

Another person tweeted, “Wait, Fat Joe said what? I don’t think so. Tupac is in a class all by himself. DaBaby don’t even come close to touching Tupac. Not in this lifetime. Nope.”

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Unreleased 1979 Prince demo of “Do Me, Baby” released in honor of ‘Controversy’ album’s 40th anniversary

Unreleased 1979 Prince demo of “Do Me, Baby” released in honor of ‘Controversy’ album’s 40th anniversary
Unreleased 1979 Prince demo of “Do Me, Baby” released in honor of ‘Controversy’ album’s 40th anniversary
© The Prince Estate

Prince‘s RIAA Platinum-selling fourth studio album, Controversy, was released 40 years ago today, and to commemorate the milestone, a previously unheard solo demo version of one of the record’s tracks, “Do Me, Baby,” has be issued as a digital single.

The “Do Me, Baby” demo is available now as a digital download and via streaming services, while two limited-edition physical versions of the track — on cassette and purple-colored seven-inch vinyl — are scheduled to be released in January 2022.

Prince is credited with co-writing “Do Me, Baby” with his early bassist, Andre Cymone, and recorded the demo in 1979 at two Los Angeles-area studios. A rough mix of the track on cassette was recently discovered in Prince’s vault, and the recording was newly mixed by the artist’s longtime engineer, Chris James, for the single’s release.

Prince eventually recorded a new version of “Do Me, Baby” in June 1981 for the Controversy album.

Controversy peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200, and featured two top-10 hits on the R&B singles chart — the title track and “Let’s Work,” which reached #3 and #9, respectively.

Meanwhile, a new podcast focusing on the 40th anniversary of Controversy, hosted by Estelle, is streaming now at Apple Music.

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Britney Spears jokes she looks like that girl in Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” video

Britney Spears jokes she looks like that girl in Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” video
Britney Spears jokes she looks like that girl in Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” video
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Justin Timberlake was taking a not-so-subtle jab at his ex Britney Spears when he cast a Britney lookalike in his 2002 “Cry Me a River” video. But it seems like Britney can have a good laugh about it now.

In a new Instagram post where she tries on a bunch of outfits and a familiar-looking hat, the singer makes a joke about her video twin.

“Thoughts while making this video … Hmmmm something looks familiar …. The hat …. wait I look like that girl in the Justin Timberlake video with that hat in Cry Me A River !!!” she writes in the caption.

“Oh sh** that’s ME !!! I’m Britney Spears ??? I guess I forget that sometimes,” she adds with the crying laughing emoji. 

Earlier this year, following the release of the Framing Britney Spears documentary, Justin issued a public apology to Britney for comments he made following their breakup. He also supported her after her bombshell conservatorship testimony in June.

“After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time,” he wrote. “Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right.”

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Kesha gets her own streaming show about supernatural phenomena

Kesha gets her own streaming show about supernatural phenomena
Kesha gets her own streaming show about supernatural phenomena
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In January, Kesha said that when Demi Lovato was on her podcast, Kesha and the Creepies in 2020, Demi talked about contacting extraterrestrials — leading Kesha to pick up the hobby herself. Then, Demi got their own show on Peacock, Unidentified, which is all about aliens and UFOs. Now, Kesha’s landed her own streaming show about similarly supernatural phenomena.

Conjuring Kesha will premiere on discovery+ in 2022, and is currently set for six one-hour episodes. The show, which expands on the Kesha and the Creepies podcast, will feature the singer “checking off her creepy bucket list” by examining “all things unexplainable,” with help from celebrity pals and experts in the supernatural.

“On this new show, I will bring along my friends to some of the most mysterious paranormal hotspots to explore with me,” Kesha says in a statement. “We will explore life’s great mysteries and aim to catch something never-before seen on camera.”

“My hope is to show that supernatural isn’t just the thing of myths and fables. We’re embarking on a spiritual and cosmic exploration,” she adds.

On Instagram, Kesha says of the new project, “me n some of my bffs are road-tripping around the country in search of PROOF of something more. I am a supernatural and spiritual explorer, i want to SEE things that i can’t explain, I’m looking at YOU, universe, to expand my brain and beliefs !!!”

Kesha and her brother Lagan Sebert are executive-producing the series.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kesha (@iiswhoiis)

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