When Jack “Wildchild” Brown kicked off the creative process for his latest project, one that’d been two years in the making, he had no idea of the album’s concept. All that was certain is he wanted to “start with the music,” having sifted through many instrumentals, choosing those that spoke to his intrinsic musicality.
Wildchild recorded the album, his first solo body of work in six years, as a personal diary, not sure if it’d ever see the light of day. Now, the Lootpack rapper told ABC Audio, he’s “blessed” that it did.
With the unnecessary help of Omowale’s greatest influence — all of the Black men and women dead at the hands of the police — Wildchild went to work, creating the album as a tribute to being Black in America.
It wasn’t only the unlawful traffic stops as referenced in “Manifestin,” or the racial profiling mentioned in “Reflections,” that inspired the 15-track project. What served as Omowale’s most prominent influence was Wildchild’s own story– a near-fatal run-in with the law. He said he’s “fortunate” to have had an encounter where he only “almost” lost his life.
“I spent my life being thankful it didn’t happen, thankful I didn’t react wrong,” he said.
After “subconsciously suppressing” the scary moment for nearly 20 years, he finally shared the memory with his Black son and daughter, with whom he’d often have private conversations about their identity.
“I’m going to have to put this into the music, it’s no longer something that’s just in the household,” Wildchild said, recalling family talks about social injustices, one of which is represented in the new video “Breathe,” out April 14.
The inspiration behind “Breathe,” the single named after George Floyd‘s infamous cry for help, “I can’t breathe,” was obvious, Wildchild said: “We, people of color, are just tired of explaining that we’re tired.”
Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun‘s film Good Mourning will premiere in theaters and on-demand May 20, Varietyreports.
The movie, previously titled Good Mourning with a U, is a “stoner comedy” co-directed, co-written and co-starring Kelly and Mod, who previously worked together on MGK’s Downfalls High film.
The cast also includes Megan Fox, Pete Davidson, Becky G, Whitney Cummings and Dove Cameron, among others.
Meanwhile, Kelly has shared the Good Mourning poster — tagline: “When life hits a new low, reach for a new high” — and revealed that the trailer will premiere next week on April 20, which is surely not a coincidence.
The Good Mourning news follows an eventful few weeks for both MGK and Mod Sun. Kelly debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with his new album, Mainstream Sellout, while Mod just got engaged to Avril Lavigne.
John Fogerty is featured on a new album called Americana Railroad made up of train-themed songs recorded by a variety of artists.
The 19-track collection, which will be released on CD and digital formats on June 17, was the brainchild of veteran roots rocker Carla Olson and her husband and longtime manager, Saul Davis. Olson is known for her series of collaborations with late Byrds member Gene Clark, while an early version of her band The Textones featured future Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine.
Americana Railroad features a mix of traditional and contemporary songs involving trains.
Fogerty contributes a version of the classic Steve Goodman folk song “City of New Orleans” that features Mickey Raphael on harmonica.
Other artists who appear on the album include Rocky Burnette, founding Electric Flag keyboardist Barry Goldberg, former Blasters guitarist Dave Alvin, longtime Paul McCartney touring guitarist Brian Ray, and Gene Clark’s son, Kai.
Olson is featured on three songs, including the album’s lead track, “Here Comes That Train Again,” a duet with Long Ryders member Stephen McCarthy, who also wrote the track. You can check out the tune at PopMatters.com and on YouTube.
Among the other noteworthy songs on the album are renditions of “Mystery Train,” “Train Kept A-Rollin’,” Woody Guthrie‘s “This Train,” Graham Nash‘s “Marrakesh Express” and Curtis Mayfield‘s “People Get Ready.”
“The Americana Railroad album is a collection of both history and metaphor for your listening and thought provoking pleasure,” says Olson.
“Here Comes That Train Again” — Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson
“The Conductor Wore Black” — Robert Rex Waller Jr. with Chip Kinman
“Mystery Train” — Rocky Burnette with Barry Goldberg
“This Train” — Peter Case
“City of New Orleans” — John Fogerty with Mickey Raphael
“Marrakesh Express” — Dustbowl Revival
“Train Leaves Here This Morning” — Kai Clark with Byron Berline
“Train Kept A-Rollin'” — Gary Myrick
“Southwest Chief” — Dave Alvin
“500 Miles” — Alice Howe
“People Get Ready” — Deborah Poppink
“Steel Pony Blues” — Dom Flemons
“Runaway Train” — John York
“Waiting for a Train” — Paul Burch & Fats Kaplin
“Freight Train” — AJ Haynes of Seratones
“Whiskey Train” — Carla Olson & Brian Ray
“Mystery Train” — James Intveld with Barry Goldberg
“Midnight Rail” — Robert Rex Waller Jr. with Todd Wolfe
“I Remember the Railroad” — Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson
t turns out The Kid LAROI is not joining Taylor Swift in the “I Hate Scooter Braun” club after all.
Even though the Australian artist seemingly dissed the music manager on social media on Wednesday, Braun has now used his Instagram Story to reveal that the whole thing was a stunt to promote LAROI’s new single “Thousand Miles.”
On Wednesday, LAROI posted a snippet from the song, in which he sings, “Here goes another mistake/ I know I’m gonna make,” with a text balloon reading, “Show me ur last mistake. Use this sound.” He then posted three photos of Braun, suggesting that his last mistake had been signing with Braun’s management company.
Last year, LAROI signed on with Braun, who also handles his “Stay” duet partner Justin Bieber, but then departed after four months, with Billboard reporting that Braun had reneged on a promise to be personally involved in his career.
However, Braun has now produced receipts in the form of text messages proving that LAROI had run the idea about the diss past him first. He also posted a screenshot of an exchange in which he wrote to LAROI, “People are calling from media thinking you and I got real beef,” to which LAROI replied, “LMAO I’m dead. They’re quick with it!”
Braun wrote over the screenshots, “For those asking about the beef…and my friends who are wanting to go hard. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.” He also urged his followers to check out “Thousand Miles,” which he notes was produced by his client Andrew Watt.
And, pointing out that LAROI’s “last mistake” could be interpreted as him leaving Braun, not signing with him, Braun posted a video of himself saying in mock anger, “Huge mistake. Probably the biggest of your career. That guy’s trash.”
Four years ago today, the world got to witness greatness personified, by way of Beyoncé’s groundbreaking 2018 Coachella performance.
From her pyramid stage, the 28-time Grammy winner performed a two-hour set that was rich in Black history, HBCU pride, iconic hits, musicality and so much more.
The full production was extraordinary, to say the least, but it was also filled with cultural references and homages to Black life, Black art and Black music. And rightfully so — after more than 20 years of shows and events from Indio, California’s Coachella Valley, Beyoncé made history as the first-ever Black woman to headline the festival.
From marching bands and Greek strolls to majorette dancing and chopped and screwed versions of songs, Beyoncé and the 150 dancers and musicians, made proud both the Black community and the millions of fans who watched the concert. Highlights included a mini Destiny’s Child reunion, and appearances from her husband, Jay-Z, and sister, Solange.
The 2018 performance, which was quickly dubbed ‘Beychella,’ received widespread critical acclaim, not only for the history it made, but so much more. The New York Times called the show “meaningful,” “absorbing” and “forceful,” among other things, with others wondering if Beyoncé’s two weekend performances can ever be topped, and more still considering it one of the greatest concerts of all time.
Netflix knew what to do: They joined forces with the singer to release the original concert film, Homecoming, at the same time Beyoncé released Homecoming: The Live Album.
(NEW YORK) — The man accused of opening fire on a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn was ordered to be held without bail following his first court appearance Thursday.
Frank Robert James, 62, was arrested in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said, more than 24 hours into an intense manhunt that began after 10 people were shot on a crowded subway car in Brooklyn.
James was charged in a criminal complaint with committing a terrorist act on a mass transportation vehicle and was subsequently transferred to federal custody. James faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, said Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
James didn’t enter a plea during the court hearing and only answered a few yes or no questions. U.S. Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann did not rule out a future bail application.
James was born in New York City and has lived in Philadelphia and Milwaukee in recent years, according to Peace.
“As alleged, the defendant committed a heinous and premeditated attack on ordinary New Yorkers during their morning subway commute,” Peace said in a statement Wednesday. “All New Yorkers have the right to expect that they will be safe as they travel throughout our great city and use our vital transportation systems.”
The shooting unfolded on a Manhattan-bound N subway car during the Tuesday morning commute, just before 8:30 a.m. ET, as the train approached the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood.
A man witnessed mumbling to himself on the subway car donned a gas mask and detonated a smoke canister before pulling out a handgun and firing a barrage of 33 bullets, hitting 10 people, a police official told ABC News.
The gun jammed during the incident, which is believed to have saved lives, a law enforcement official told ABC News.
Smoke poured out of the subway car as the doors opened and screaming riders ran out onto the platform of the station. Bloodied people were seen lying on the floor of the train and the platform.
A total of 29 people were injured, according to hospital officials.
In a court filing, federal prosecutors called the shooting calculated and “entirely premeditated.” They noted James wore a hard hat and construction worker-style jacket as a disguise and then shed them after the gunfire to avoid recognition.
Prosecutors suggested James had the means to carry out more attacks, noting that he had ammunition and other gun-related items in a Philadelphia storage unit.
“The defendant, terrifyingly, opened fire on passengers on a crowded subway train, interrupting their morning commute in a way this city hasn’t seen in more than 20 years,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Winik said in court Thursday. “The defendant’s attack was premeditated; it was carefully planned; and it caused terror among the victims and our entire city. The defendant’s mere presence outside federal custody presents a serious risk of danger to the community and he should be detained pending trial.”
James’ defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg called the subway shooting a tragedy but pointed out that initial information can often be wrong. She also lauded James’ actions after the shooting.
“Yesterday Mr. James saw his photograph on the news,” Eisner-Grynberg said. “He called crime stoppers. He told them where he was.”
The lawyer said her client deserves a fair trial like all other defendants.
In court, she asked the judge to order James to undergo psychiatric treatment while in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Brooklyn.
The judge did not immediately respond to the request for psychiatric treatment.
According to the criminal complaint, police recovered two bags from the scene containing, among other items, a Glock 17 pistol, a key to a U-Haul rental vehicle and multiple bank cards, including a debit card with the name Frank James. They also discovered a jacket with reflective tape near the two bags that had a receipt for a storage unit in Philadelphia, which records provided by the facility showed was registered to James, the complaint said.
The Glock recovered from the scene was lawfully purchased by James in Ohio, according to the complaint.
Records provided by U-Haul showed James rented a white Chevrolet van from the company in Philadelphia on Monday, according to the complaint. The U-Haul vehicle crossed states lines from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and then to New York, the complaint said. Surveillance cameras recorded the van driving over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before dawn Tuesday and entering Brooklyn, according to the complaint.
At approximately 6:12 a.m. ET, another surveillance camera recorded an individual wearing a yellow hard hat, orange working jacket with reflective tape, carrying a backpack in his right hand and dragging a rolling bag in his left hand, leaving the U-Haul van on foot near West 7th Street and Kings Highway in Brooklyn’s Gravesend neighborhood, according to the complaint.
Police later located the vehicle parked on Kings Highway, about two blocks from a subway stop for the N-train, where investigators believe James entered the mass transit system.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, we believe he was alone,” Mayor Eric Adams told “Good Morning America” on Wednesday.
Senior law enforcement officials told ABC News they also uncovered a number of social media posts and videos tied to James, including, police said, “race-based grievances and conspiracy theory narratives.”
Police added, “James made several statements indicating that he suffers from a deteriorated mental and emotional state, including claims of severe post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as at least one video that includes a potential indicator of his intent to conduct an act of violence.”
The investigation was complicated by the fact that none of the surveillance cameras inside the 36th Street subway station were working at the time of the attack, a police official told ABC News. The cameras, which are aimed at turnstiles, didn’t transmit in real-time due to a computer malfunction, a source said. The same glitch impacted cameras at the stops before and after 36th Street. Investigators said they are looking into how this malfunction happened.
James was ultimately apprehended after police received a tip that he was in a McDonald’s near 6th Street and 1st Avenue. When responding officers didn’t see James at the fast-food restaurant, they drove around the area and spotted him near St. Marks Place and First Avenue, where he was taken into custody at around 1:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, according to police.
Sources told ABC News that James may have called police on himself. Among the calls to NYPD Crime Stoppers was reportedly someone who said: “I think you’re looking for me. I’m seeing my picture all over the news, and I’ll be around this McDonalds.”
James allegedly gave his name and a description of what he was wearing, according to sources. He said his phone battery was dying and he would be either in the McDonald’s charging his phone or out front, according to sources. A New York City Police Department official told ABC News investigators are reviewing the 911 call.
When officers didn’t find the suspect in the McDonald’s, a block away they encountered pedestrians who told officers they found James, sources said. James was found standing at a kiosk charging his phone, according to sources.
ABC News’ Luke Barr, Mark Crudele, Alex Hosenball, Joshua Hoyos, Soo Rin Kim, Josh Margolin, Christopher Looft and Pierre Thomas contributed to this report.
Earlier Thursday, the “Wake Up” outfit teased a possible surprise set at the California festival with a photo of frontman Win Butler captioned, “Decided to spend my birthday somewhere warm and dry.” Now, Coachella has confirmed that Butler and company will indeed be performing in its newly unveiled schedule of set times.
Arcade Fire won’t be playing a headlining set — rather, they’ll be performing Friday evening at the Mojave tent from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., in between performances by pop artist Carly Rae Jepsen and punk band IDLES.
The first weekend of Coachella takes place April 15-17, followed by weekend two April 22-24. It’s unclear if Arcade Fire will play the second weekend, as well, or just the first.
The Coachella 2022 lineup also includes Billie Eilish, Måneskin, Phoebe Bridgers, Turnstile, girl in red, Wallows, FINNEAS, The Regrettes, and Bishop Briggs.
As promised, Garth Brooks unveiled the name of his downtown Nashville entertainment complex this week, and the moniker is an homage to one of his biggest hits of all time.
The venue is called Friends in Low Places, named after Garth’s classic breakout single from 1990. In true Garth fashion, he found a creative way to share the name of his new hot spot with fans, slowly assembling the letters in the windows of the second and third stories of the building.
Just a couple of weeks after he officially confirmed the opening of his new entertainment complex, Garth is already bringing Friends in Low Places to life. The downstairs merch store is open for business, and fans have been posting their snapshots of the inside — and their purchases — to Twitter, using the hashtag #FILPonBroadway.
Meanwhile, Garth’s gearing up for a two-night stand at Music City’s Nissan Stadium. Those shows, which take place Friday and Saturday, are both stops on his Stadium Tour.
Mariah Carey is teaching her very own MasterClass that will train students how to use their voice like an instrument.
According to the official press release, “Carey will bring members into the Butterfly Lounge, her mobile studio, to show how they can use their voice not only to sing but also to write and produce melodies, lyrics and instrumentation that blend genres and break barriers.”
In addition, attendees will be first to hear a remix of Mariah’s 1997 song “The Roof,” which will feature new vocals from Brandy. The Moesha star will also be a part of the class so students can “see Carey in action as she directs Brandy on background vocals.”
“I’ve never let cameras in when I am creating — not when I’m writing, and especially not when I’m singing,” Mariah said in a statement, adding she hopes her class will help teach people they can “become anything they want to be as long as they create, re-create, reimagine and reinvent.”
Mariah’s MasterClass is now available, consisting of seven video lessons that run just under an hour and 45 minutes total.
Is Arcade Fire planning a surprise performance at Coachella?
On Thursday, the “Wake Up” outfit tweeted a photo of frontman Win Butler, who turns 42 today, with a palm tree in the background, alongside the caption, “Decided to spend my birthday somewhere warm and dry.”
The tweet also includes a palm tree emoji and tags @Coachella.
A surprise Coachella performance would fit right in with Arcade Fire’s recent month of spontaneous concerts, which has included last-minute, intimate shows in New York City and New Orleans. However, nothing yet is confirmed. It’s entirely possible that Butler is instead teasing a DJ set under his DJ Windows 98 moniker, or is just attending the festival as a fan.
Coachella, meanwhile, has seen its fair share of lineup changes on the road to its return this year following two years of pandemic-canceled festivals. The reunited Rage Against the Machine was originally supposed to headline in 2020 before eventually dropping off the bill, while controversial rapper Kanye West‘s headlining set was canceled just this month, with The Weeknd and electronic group Swedish House Mafia replacing him on the bill.
As for who will definitely be playing Coachella 2022, which takes place April 15-17 and April 22-24, the lineup includes Billie Eilish, Måneskin, Phoebe Bridgers, Turnstile, girl in red, Wallows, FINNEAS, The Regrettes, and Bishop Briggs.
