Killer Mike Is Keynote Masterblaster for FIRE’s Launch as National Free Speech Defender Rapper Kydd Jones wants you to know that he’s always telling his truth. The Texas-born rapper/singer/producer tells SPIN at SXSW that his music is funneled from the most authentic version of himself. “As far as integrity [goes], I always just think about, ‘What is my son gonna think when he listens to [my music]?'” Jones says. “Will he be able to understand the context or the mediums that I’m trying to portray through the music that I’m writing at that time? I try to make it broad, but I always give it th ..read more

Billie Eilish Sets May 17 Release For New LP 'HIT ME HARD AND SOFT' Billie Eilish looks like she’s about to lose her mind with excitement. It’s the opening weekend of this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Ca, and the singer is standing behind the Do LaB stage, dressed in a light blue basketball jersey and baggy shorts, bouncing to the beats of a DJ set. In a few moments, Eilish will step out to dance and celebrate on a stage crowded with her friends and at least 15,000 fans spread out on the grass in front of her. Her brother and key collaborator, Finneas, is here too ..read more

The 50 Best Albums of 1971 Allman Brothers Band guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Dickey Betts died this morning (April 18) at the age of 80 after suffering from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Per a statement, “the legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch was at his home in Osprey, Fla., surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger-than-life, and his loss will be felt worldwide.” Starting in 1969, the mustachioed Betts flanked brothers Gregg and Duane Allman in the Allman Brothers Band, who overcame Duane’s death in a 1971 motorcycle accident to beco ..read more

Pearl Jam Blast Back On Punky Single 'Running' Pearl Jam will headline the first and third nights of frontman Eddie Vedder‘s annual Ohana festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Ca., while longtime friend and collaborator Neil Young will anchor the middle evening of the Sept. 27-29 event with Crazy Horse. Vedder spilled the news today (April 17) in an interview with KROQ, two days ahead of the release of Dark Matter, Pearl Jam’s first album since 2020’s Gigaton. More from Spin: The SPIN Interview: Pearl Jam Dark Matter Producer Andrew Watt System of a Down Lead Historic Golden Gate Par ..read more

Stars Align For Henry Mancini 100th Birthday Album, Concert Since its first 2008 edition, Record Store Day has grown exponentially into a celebrated holiday for music fans and retail outlets. As brick-and-mortar shops can attest, there is a newfound hunger for physical media from a public that’s grown weary of digital media. Thumbing through the racks is still one of the most optimal ways of discovering new music. And what better time to revel in that satisfaction than to go when your favorite local spot has exclusive titles produced specifically for this occasion? More from Spin: RiTchie Fi ..read more

Jordan Groggs, Injury Reserve Rapper, Dies at 32 RiTchie – Triple Digits [112] Self-Released On his debut solo album under the new moniker RiTchie, the Injury Reserve/By Storm rapper offers up a charcuterie board of sprawling sounds and introspective verses. Although RiTchie—formerly known as Ritchie With a T—doesn’t deliver a masterpiece on par with Injury Reserve’s final album, the experimental By the Time I Get to Phoenix, that apparently wasn’t the goal. Instead, Triple Digits [112] is a kind of appetizer for the first By Storm LP. In RiTchie’s own words, it’s “a cathartic creative relea ..read more

Killer Mike, Vince Staples Lead Lineup of Inaugural Elsewhere Festival Forget marquee festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra, Governors Ball, and even Burning Man. They share similar lineups and have become bloated, inaccessible, and extortionate, making attending more of a challenge than an unforgettable (in a good way) musical experience. Also grown beyond fun level are the world-famous Glastonbury (U.K.), Rock in Rio (Brazil), Tomorrowland (Belgium), and Fuji Rock Festival (Japan).  What’s more attractive is the boutique or destination festiva ..read more

Joni Mitchell Added To Grammys, Taylor Swift, SZA Next? Festival lineup announcement season rolls on today (April 16) with All Things Go’s 10th anniversary bill, which will feature Hozier, Laufey with the Kennedy Center Orchestra, Reneé Rapp, Bleachers, Janelle Monáe, Conan Gray and Chappell Roan. The event returns Sept. 28-29 to Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Also performing at the event humorously dubbed “All Things Gay” and “Gay-chella” are Remi Wolf, Ethel Cain, Julien Baker, Maren Morris, the Japanese House, Holly Humberstone, Michael Kiwanuka, Soccer Mommy and Del Water Gap ..read more

5 Albums I Can’t Live Without: Greg Camp of The Defiant/Smash Mouth In honor of what would have been legendary composer Henry Mancini’s 100th birthday today (April 16), his estate has unveiled a host of celebrations, including the tribute album The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company. That project, due June 12 from Primary Wave, is led by a new take on the iconic “Peter Gunn” theme by Quincy Jones, John Williams, Herbie Hancock and Arturo Sandoval. The album boasts additional contributions from Lizzo on the “Pink Panther” theme and Michael Bublé on “Moon River,” as well as Stevie ..read more

Killer Mike Reflects on Ice Cube's Importance in Latest Episode of 'Sonic Impact' Killer Mike, Vince Staples, Steve Aoki, Lane 8, Snow Tha Product, and BADBADNOTGOOD lead the eclectic lineup of the inaugural Elsewhere Festival and Conference, set for June 21 and 22 in Wichita, Kansas. Sudan Archives, A Place to Bury Strangers, Blu DeTiger, Sunflower Bean, D Smoke, and PUP will also be among the dozens of performers. You can find the full lineup in the poster below. Tickets are available here. Part of what distinguishes the event is its community focus—specifically within the Midwest, a regi ..read more