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On the Charts 17 Years Ago Today, Reba McEntire Made Country Music History When She Broke This Record Previously Held by Loretta Lynn
On 26 August 2009, Reba McEntire’s album Keep On Loving You topped both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart, making country music history. The achievement gave her more chart-topping albums than any other female country artist, surpassing a record previously held by Loretta Lynn, and underscored McEntire’s longevity after overcoming early barriers for…
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Why Dolly Parton could bring together Americans who agree on almost nothing
The article argues that Dolly Parton’s broad appeal reflects more than her talent, success or philanthropy: the author sees her as someone who treated others with warmth and dignity across political, religious and social divides. It presents her public persona as a rare unifying force in a polarised United States and suggests that her example…
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ARIA bars fully AI-generated music from Australian charts
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) will exclude music made wholly by artificial intelligence from Australia’s official charts from Friday. The move also makes such tracks ineligible for ARIA Awards, reflecting the industry’s effort to protect human artists and prevent unlicensed AI-generated material being rewarded. Songs that use generative AI as a supporting tool can…
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Lil Durk Trial: Jurors See Unreleased ‘Redman’ Video, Defense Calls It ‘Expression of Art’
Jurors in Lil Durk’s Los Angeles murder-for-hire trial were shown an unreleased 2021 music video, “Redman”, which prosecutors argue supports their claim that the rapper was motivated by revenge after the killing of his friend King Von. Defence lawyer Brian Steel said the staged video was artistic expression by a grieving musician, not evidence of…
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Gates Warns of AI Upheaval as Deadly US Police Chase Shocks
An esports OLED debut, calls for a UK wealth tax and Apple’s new heist drama lead the bulletin. Four teenagers face charges after a New Jersey crash killed two people.
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Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’: The Best Covers, Spin-Offs, and Response Songs
Rolling Stone surveys the enduring influence of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, tracing how a 1973 country hit became a global standard that artists repeatedly reinterpret across genres and perspectives. – The article selects 20 songs: 10 direct covers and 10 response songs, spin-offs or reinterpretations. – “Jolene” was inspired by a red-haired bank teller’s attention to…
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Revealed: A sneak peek at some of the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Natural History Museum has released a preview of winning images from the 62nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, ahead of its London exhibition opening in October. The photographs depict wildlife across varied settings, from Arctic sea ice to Tokyo streets and a circus ring in Qatar, highlighting both natural behaviour and human impacts…
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Beyoncé Announces $1 Million Donation for Earthquake Relief Efforts in Colombia
Beyoncé will personally donate $1 million to earthquake relief in Colombia, directing the money towards food and housing supplies in the areas worst affected. The announcement adds to a wider fundraising effort by prominent musicians following the disaster, which caused major loss of life and displacement in Chocó. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Chocó on 10…
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3 Hip-Hop Bangers That Will Uplift Any Party, Shindig, or Get-Together
The article highlights three hip-hop tracks it considers particularly effective at energising parties and social gatherings: Missy Elliott’s “Work It”, Nas’s “N.Y. State of Mind”, and the Beastie Boys’ “Intergalactic”. It presents the songs as examples of hip-hop’s long-standing ability to create excitement, encourage dancing and bring listeners together. The selections span 1994 to 2002…
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The Dolly Parton Performance That Brought Stephen Colbert to Tears Hits Even Harder Today
The article revisits a 2020 virtual interview in which Dolly Parton sang the traditional ballad ‘Bury Me Beneath the Willow’ for Stephen Colbert, visibly moving him to tears. It says the clip has resurfaced following reports of Parton’s death, highlighting the emotional force of her voice and her connection to the songs her mother sang.…