Busta Rhymes might want to “Break Ya Neck” if you tell him he has to wear a mask.
The iconic rapper makes it clear he’s an anti-masker in a resurfaced concert clip from June, which went viral on Twitter Tuesday.
Busta was performing at the Seoul Taco 10th anniversary block party in St. Louis when he began his tirade.
“This is my second show in front of human life in the last 15 f***ing months,” he said, expressing his frustration over lack of work during the pandemic.
“It’s called the God-given right of freedom, right?” Busta continued onstage. “No human being is supposed to tell you that you can’t even breathe freely. … Some of y’all might feel differently, but f*** your mask.”
Busta also told the crowd that the government is trying to “take our civil liberties away.”
“We can’t eat food with a f***ing mask on,” the 49-year-old added. “We can’t even see each other’s smiles with a mask on.”
The 12-time Grammy nominee closed out his set by apologizing for getting “a little political.”
With the arrival of his new baby book, Love You Little Lady,Brett Young has a special offer for fans.
Coinciding with the book’s release on Tuesday, the country crooner has teamed up with Vera Bradley and Tommy Nelson Books to offer the “Love, You Little Lady Baby Shower Bundle” contest where fans can enter to win a baby bundle that includes a robe, slippers and travel bag for mom, a monogrammed bag, a “Little Lady” bib and other items for baby.
The bundle also includes some of Brett and his wife Taylor‘s favorite items, including a baby monitor, sound machine, pajama set and other goodies. The contest runs through September 1.
Brett wrote the book based on the lyrics to his #1 song, “Lady,” which was inspired by his wife and their nearly two-year-old daughter, Presley. “I hope you all love it as much as we loved writing it,” Brett shares about Love You, Little Lady on Twitter.
The couple welcomed second daughter Rowan Marie in July.
Brett will release Weekends Look a Little Acoustic These Days on September 3, days before launching his The Weekends Tour on September 11 in Texas.
Philly native Lil Uzi Vert is reportedly going home for Jay-Z‘s Made in America festival in Philadelphia during Labor Day weekend.
He’s being added to the star-studded list of performers for the 10th annual event, along with Australian rapper The Kid Laroi, according to Billboard. They will join headliners Justin Bieber and Lil Baby, plus Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Bobby Shmurda, Lil Durk, Young Thug, A$AP Ferg, Kehlani, Tinashe and more September 4 and 5 on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philly.
Vert and Laroi are among the guest stars on Bieber’s latest album, Justice, and they may join him on stage. Uzi raps on “There She Go,” and The Kid rhymes on “Unstable.” Justin is also featured on Laroi’s number-one hit, “Stay.”
Made in America returns this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Tickets are now available on Ticketmaster.com.
Elton John, Sheryl Crow and Duran Duran were among the many stars paying tribute to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away Tuesday at age 80.
“A very sad day,” Elton tweeted. “Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to [family members] Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones.”
Sheryl wrote, “A hero is gone. No words. A huge gaping hole in the universe,” while Duran Duran tweeted, “So saddened to hear about the passing of Charlie Watts. An absolute inspiration to a legion of drummers since the 1960’s. A man of grace, style, dignity and composure.”
Other music stars sharing their condolences included Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Oates of Hall & Oates, Lenny Kravitz, Nile Rodgers, Bryan Adams and more.
Todd Williamson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Though Garth Brooks has pulled the plug on his Stadium Tour for 2021, he’s still open to the idea of playing smaller venues.
During the Monday-night edition of Inside Studio G, Garth revealed that he plans to resume the Dive Bar Tour in the fall, which fans can only attend by winning tickets through their local country radio stations. With COVID-19 cases surging across the country, Garth said that fans will have to be fully vaccinated in order to attend.
“What we’re going to do this fall? Dive bars, because you can fully vaccinate dive bars! People [have] got to have their card to even get in,” he explained.
Garth’s latest dive bar set was in July at The Westerner, the night before his show at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. He launched the tour in 2019 while also headlining stadiums around the country.
Garth announced last week that he was canceling the remaining five shows of his Stadium Tour this year, a decision he notes was “tough” to make, remarking, “It was the right decision to make, even though it’s not my favorite.”
The Stadium Tour is scheduled to end in August or September of next year.
Incubus has announced COVID-19 health requirements for the band’s upcoming headlining tour.
All attendees must either be fully vaccinated, or obtain a negative test within 72 hours of entering the venue, except, the band notes, where such mandates are “prohibited by law.” Additionally, the shows in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wichita, Kansas, and Des Moines, Iowa, have all been moved to outdoor venues.
“We are grateful to be out on the road again playing live music and want to make sure the fans, venue and touring staff are safe!” Incubus says. “It is encouraged that all fans wear a mask, especially when social distancing is not possible, and most importantly everyone should have a great time!”
Incubus’ tour is set to kick off August 31 in St. Augustine, Florida. For the full list of dates, visit IncubusHq.com.
A Los Angeles judge on Monday increased Tory Lanez‘ bail for violating a Megan Thee Stallion protection order.
The Canadian rapper was ordered to pay $250,000 bail, up from $190K, for violating the order that requires him to stay at least 100 yards away from Megan, Billboardreports. The alleged violation happened July 25, when Lanez made a surprise appearance at the Rolling Loud Miami festival and joined DaBaby onstage, right after the “Hot Girl Summer” hitmaker performed.
“You’re facing years in prison, over 22 years in prison,” Judge Keith H. Borjon told Lanez, according to Billboard. “They could have filed an additional charge based on violating the protective order because that’s a violation of law as well. You do not want to be doing things like this sir. You have the means and the where with all and a lot of smart people around you to advise you as to how you should be conducting your life so we don’t have to have hearings like this.”
In October 2020, Lanez was charged with one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, personal use of a firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, for allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot following an argument on July 16, 2020 in LA.
Lanez also faces a gun allegation and a charge that he personally inflicted great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum state prison sentence of 22 years and eight months. He’s pleaded not guilty. Lanez is due back in court on September 2.
Tributes are pouring in from throughout the music world following the sad news that longtime Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died today at the age of 80.
Among the many stars paying homage to Watts are surviving Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and pop-rock legend Elton John.
McCartney has posted a video message on his social media sites in which he says, “So sad to hear about Charlie Watts…dying. He was a lovely guy, and I knew he was ill, but I didn’t know he was this ill. So, lots of love to his family, his wife and kids and his extended family, and condolences to The Stones. A huge blow to them, because Charlie was a rock and a fantastic drummer, steady as a rock. Anyway, so…Love you, Charlie, I always loved you, beautiful man. And great condolences and sympathies to his family.”
Ringo wrote on his Twitter feed, “God bless Charlie Watts we’re going to miss you man peace and love to the family,” and accompanied the note with a photo of him and Watts apparently exchanging a pair of drumsticks.
Meanwhile, Elton John tweeted, “A very sad day. Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to [family members] Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones.”
Here are only a few of the many other tributes that well-known artists have posted in honor of Watts:
Brian Wilson: “I’m just shocked to hear about Charlie Watts. I don’t know what to say, I feel terrible for Charlie’s family. Charlie was a great drummer and I loved the Stones music, they made great records. Love & Mercy.”
John Fogerty: “I first saw The [Rolling Stones] in 1966 in the Bay Area and have been a fan ever since. Charlie Watts was one of the great drummers and will be missed. Rest easy Charlie.”
Robbie Robertson: “Charlie’s drumming is powerful and unique. His approach is entirely his own and helped shape the sound of rock and roll. Blessings Charlie Watts.”
KISS‘ Paul Stanley: “AWFUL NEWS. One of the true timeless icons and the backbone of the Stones. Hard to fathom the loss. So very sad.”
Def Leppard‘s Joe Elliott: “Devastating news, those in the know know he was the heart & soul of the band…I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him a few times, a total gentleman…it goes without saying he will be sorely missed.”
Joan Jett: “Charlie Watts was the most elegant and dignified drummer in rock and roll. He played exactly what was needed – no more – no less. He is one of a kind.”
Duran Duran: “So saddened to hear about the passing of Charlie Watts. An absolute inspiration to a legion of drummers since the 1960’s. A man of grace, style, dignity and composure.”
Chic‘s Nile Rodgers: “Rest In Power #CharlieWatts RIP. You are a smooth brother. Thanks for all the great music.”
Sheryl Crow: “A hero is gone. No words. A huge gaping hole in the universe.”
Tom Morello: “Rock n roll would not be rock n roll without the rhythm, the style, the VIBE of this incredible musician. Rest In Peace #CharlieWatts, one of the greatest and most important architects of the music we love.”
Lenny Kravitz: “The beat of The Stones. There are no words, every groove has spoken for itself.”
Here’s some advice if you attend a show by Wolfgang Van Halen‘s group Mammoth WVH show: Don’t request “Panama.”
The son of late Van Halen icon Eddie Van Halen is currently on tour with his solo band while opening for Guns N’ Roses. His sets have consisted of songs from the group’s self-titled debut, but apparently people think he should be playing songs from his dad’s band.
In a tweet Monday evening, Wolfgang posted a screenshot from a recent exchange on his Facebook page, in which a fan wrote, “Wolfie. I like your stuff. I just think the time to honor your Dad is now. You’ve already shown you can stand on your own!”
The screenshot also shows Wolf’s response, which reads, “I honor my dad by existing and doing what I do every day.” He then wrote, “I’m not f***in’ playing ‘Panama’ for you guys.”
Wolf captioned the post, “Y’all are never gonna f***in stop are ya,” adding that he wants to perform the David Bowie and Mick Jagger version of the Motown classic “Dancing in the Street,” which Van Halen also memorably covered, “just to piss y’all off.”
Wolf also pointed out the hypocrisy in people accusing him of “riding his daddy’s coattails” when he played bass in Van Halen for the band’s last 14 years, but are now essentially telling him to do exactly that in wanting him to now play his dad’s music.
“Lol I should get a shirt that says ‘I’m not f***in’ playing ‘Panama’ for you guys,'” he concluded.
Mammoth WVH’s tour with Guns N’ Roses continues Wednesday in San Jose, California.
Prince‘s deadly opiate addiction was triggered by a painful stage accident in 1984, according to a new biography published Tuesday.
In Nothing Compares 2 U: An Oral History of Prince, author Touré writes that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer hurt his back while rehearsing for his iconic Purple Rain tour, the New York Postreports. Prince planned to sing a song while sitting in a bathtub 10 feet off the ground. While rehearsing the scene, the bathtub broke.
“It fell 10 or 12 feet with him in it. I never moved so fast in my life,” recalls Alan Leeds, Prince’s tour manager at the time. “After that, his back hurt day after day. Then in LA, he slipped and hurt his knee. He got some meds and finished the tour, but I don’t think his hip and his leg were ever completely normal after that.”
Prince died April 21, 2016, from an accidental overdose of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. According to the book, he depended on opiates for several years to relieve his pain.
“His use of pain pills was probably longer than maybe some of us might have thought because, when he started getting his aches and pains, I think he really relied on it,” says Wendy Melvoin, guitarist for The Revolution. “And he was little. I think it just got worse for him over time.”
Jill Jones, a former background vocalist who also dated Prince, says that when he died at Paisley Park, there were “thousands of pills all over the building.”
“I felt the whole fentanyl thing was just him escaping pain from the hip,” says Brown Mark, The Revolution’s bassist, “and it got out of hand.”
