Music

BTS Won’t Submit Comeback Album for Consideration at 2027 Grammys

• BTS won't submit ARIRANG album for 2027 Grammy consideration
• Group cites wish for music to transcend region/language divides
• Decision follows Recording Academy's new Best Asian Pop Music category

BTS have announced they will not submit their comeback album, ARIRANG, for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. All seven members shared the decision through individual Instagram Story posts on 29 July, stating in Korean that they wanted "music to be heard and loved by itself rather than…

Country Music Is Coming Out Strong Against Data Centers

• Country stars unite against data centres over water and power concerns
• Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Tanya Tucker and Gavin Adcock among critics
• Only 7% of Americans strongly support data centre construction, poll finds

Country music artists across the political spectrum have united in opposition to data centre construction, with stars including Brad Paisley, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson and Gavin Adcock speaking out against facilities they say drain local electricity and water supplies. The wave of criticism, which has gathered pace over…

THAO announces new Tune-Yards-produced album & tour, shares “Sick of the Times” ft The Linda Lindas

• Thao announces new album produced by Tune-Yards' Merrill Garbus
• New single "Sick of the Times" features The Linda Lindas
• Album title, release date and tour dates not yet confirmed

US singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen, best known for her work with Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, has announced a new solo album produced by Tune-Yards' Merrill Garbus, alongside a supporting tour. The news arrives with the release of a new single, "Sick of the Times", which features…

George Michael estate face legal battle over newly shared recordings

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The “perfect” 1998 song Keith Richards crowned the peak of the genre

• Keith Richards praised ‘Reggae Got Soul’ as perfect reggae.
• The song was released by Toots and the Maytals in 1998.
• Richards highlighted reggae’s enduring influence on rock.

Keith Richards singled out Toots and the Maytals’ 1998 track ‘Reggae Got Soul’ as an example of “perfect” reggae, praising its rhythm, energy and authenticity. His endorsement matters because Richards, a longstanding admirer of Jamaican music, highlighted the song as embodying qualities that influenced rock musicians including the…

The 1984 movie that saved Kevin Bacon from a drug bust: “There might have been a little contraband”

• Footloose fame allegedly softened a police search of Kevin Bacon’s home.
• Bacon said there may have been contraband inside.
• The 1984 film became a major box-office success.

Kevin Bacon has recalled that his role in the 1984 musical drama Footloose may have helped him avoid arrest during a police search in Los Angeles. The actor said officers appeared to recognise him from the film and became less aggressive, illustrating how his sudden fame may have…

Jared Leto Accused by 4 Women of Sexual Misconduct When They Were Teens, Star Calls Claims ‘False’

• Four women accuse Jared Leto of misconduct dating to their teenage years.
• Leto denies all claims as "categorically false."
• BBC documentary cites over 120 total allegations against him since 2002.

Actor and musician Jared Leto has denied new allegations of sexual misconduct made by four women who say encounters with him occurred when they were teenagers, calling the claims "absolutely and categorically false." The accusations, detailed in a BBC report published on 29 July summarising its documentary "Jared…

The guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen thought had all the talent but none of the soul: “Lacked the vibe”

• Van Halen admired Vai’s technique but questioned his feel.
• He considered emotional expression essential to guitar playing.
• Vai succeeded Van Halen in David Lee Roth’s band.

Eddie Van Halen reportedly regarded Steve Vai as an exceptionally skilled guitarist but felt his playing lacked the “vibe” and emotional feel that Van Halen valued. The comments highlight a longstanding distinction in rock guitar between technical virtuosity and expressive, song-serving performance. Vai had replaced Van Halen in…

Afroman Sues Ohio Police Officer Who Filed Failed Defamation Lawsuit: ‘Malicious Prosecution’

• Afroman sues Officer Newland for malicious prosecution over failed defamation case
• Follows March jury verdict clearing Afroman in officers' original lawsuit
• Seeks $25,000+ in costs tied to 2022 police raid dispute

Rapper Afroman has filed a new lawsuit against Ohio police officer Brian Newland, one of seven officers who unsuccessfully sued him for defamation over music videos mocking a botched 2022 raid on his home. The move comes months after a jury rejected the officers' case in a March…