Over a year after the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his wife, Vanessa Bryant elected to not renew the players deal with Nike which expired earlier this month.
In a statement to ESPN, Vanessa Bryant said, “Kobe and Nike have made some of the most beautiful basketball shoes of all time, worn and adored by fans and athletes in all sports across the globe. It seems fitting that more NBA players wear my husband’s product than any other signature shoe.”
Nike responded to Bryant’s choice in an official statement that read, “Kobe Bryan was an important part of Nike’s deep connection to consumers. He pushed us and made everyone around him better. Through our contractual relationship has ended, he remains a deeply loved member of the Nike family.”
The last Kobe release was on April 13th, a restock of the Kobe 6 “Grinch,” a sneaker commemorating the five year anniversary of his 60-point final game. However, as of now, there will be no future Kobe releases.
“My hope will always be to allow Kobe’s fans to get and wear his products,” Vanessa Bryant said to ESPN. “I will continue to fight for that. Kobe’s products sell out in seconds. That says everything.
Vanessa Bryant confirmed to ESPN that the estate owns the rights to the “Mamba” logo and his signature. With that being said, Bryant’s estate is now free to negotiate with any other brand for a new partnership should they choose.
Young Stoner Life Records released their second label compilation Slime Language 2 this Friday marking another major slew of high profile collaborations.
It is the official continuation of their 2018 record; Slime Language and features several notable names like Travis Scott, Drake, NAV, Future, Skepta, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, YMW Melly, Big Sean and Kid Cudi.
Of course, all members under YSL Records are all present on the album as well including Young Thug and Gunna themselves, who are no stranger to big collaborations. However, with this record it’s nature of kinship is very much intentional.
The cover for the album features the collective in a large-scale family style portrait reflecting the familial nature of the album. Something the trailer for the record also emphasizes heavily as YSL Records refers to themselves as “The biggest family in the world.”
The tracks also reflect this notion as well. Thugger appears in nearly every track carrying the album all the way to the finish. “Proud of You” sings the praises of Lil Uzi Vert who’s featured on the track and even Young Thug’s brother Unfoonk snags a verse on “Real.”
It’s a more personal record to the collective and Young Thug than one may initially expect. The group has undeniable chemistry and their connection only seems to exude in each track that follows.
Earl Sweatshirt posted a photo of an art piece to his Instagram Monday morning with a caption that simply read, “4/30.”
The art piece depicts several black colored figures against a multicolored background. The photo is in a rather low resolution which implies the small photo is likely one part of a much larger piece.
What’s also of note is that several other of Earl Sweatshirt’s collaborators and contemporaries have posted the same photo with the same vague caption. Navy Blue, Pink Siifu, The Alchemist, Maxo and Boldy James, all of which who have previously worked with Earl Sweatshirt in the past, have posted the cryptic image.
The last project to release from Earl Sweatshirt was a deluxe version of his previous EP “Feet of Clay” which debuted in June 2020. Since then he’s only sporadically appeared as a feature on a few tracks from artists like Zelooperz and Black Noi$e, both of which have also not posted the photo of art piece or referenced the looming date of April 30.
It’s unknown if the date is referencing a project or possibly even a track featuring all the artists. Something that doesn’t seem unlikely considering the groups tendency to collaborate with each other often.
BROCKHAMPTON released their sixth studio album on Friday, one of two that is expected to release in 2021.
Their last official release arrived in 2019 and since then the group has remained tight lipped on new music until now. It would seem ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE is meant to usher in a new echelon for the already prolific boyband.
With that being said, this new album and the one expected to also arrive this year are supposedly the final BROCKHAMPTON albums.
Kevin Abstract, the groups front man, said in a short tweet, “2 brockhampton albums in 2021 – these will be our last.” Much to the dismay of their fans.
2 brockhampton albums in 2021 – these will be our last
While this is not the first time someone from the group has announced their intent to disband only continue to release more material this time feels a lot more serious than before. While the reason for their supposed intent to breakup is unknown much of the group are focusing on other projects.
Just recently Kevin Abstract announced on twitter a brand new record label he created with fellow BROCKHAMPTON member Romil. “me & romil started a record label together – Video Store – our first release came out today by one of my favorite artists in the world. if you’re reading this please follow @blossomenergy & listen to their new EP rite NOW!!” said Kevin.
It’s also completely possible members of the group want to begin their own solo careers, something they’ve hinted and joked about before.
Former BROCKHAMPTON member, Ameer Vann, after leaving the group in 2018, began his solo career not very long after and has seen relative success. It’s likely the rest of the group would see similar results given their status has only increased since their initial release of the Saturation Trilogy in 2017.
Whatever the case may be fans will have to wait and see what comes next from their favorite American boyband.
A documentary 21 years in the making featuring exclusive footage of Kanye West has been sold to Netflix for a reported $30M, according to Billboard.
The documentary is the work of two filmmakers Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah, who’ve previously worked with Kanye on several music videos for iconic tracks like “Jesus Walks” and “Through the Wire.” For over two decades the two have been documenting the artists life and are finally ready to release the miniseries later this year.
In the past the two directors have also worked on other documentaries, like their critically acclaimed ESPN documentary series 30-for-30, and Benji, a film about Chicago basketball player Ben Wilson.
The documentary series aims to tell the story of the producer turned rapper turned billionaire entrepreneur’s rise to stardom and success as well as his effect on the music industry at large, something undeniable to many artists working today.
According to Billboard, the directors relationship with West serves as the “backbone” of the series, dispute West having nothing to do with the project creatively. With that being said, Kanye West has reportedly given the documentary his “blessing” and his willingness to be filmed for 21 years is support enough.
Kanye West is no stranger to headlines. Just last month, Forbes estimated that the rapper’s net worth was around $1.8 billion making him one of the richest black men in the world. A year prior, West made headlines for his presidential bid. However, it would seem this documentary is going to cover far more than what general audiences have been exposed to thanks to the “exclusive” and “rare” footage the directors have captured.
While the series remains untiled it is slated to release later in 2021.
The popular record store, Amoeba Music, has reopened in its new location in Hollywood after closing down at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new location was announced back in Feb. of 2020 but due to COVID-19 had its opening postponed. Meanwhile its previous location was unable to reopen at all for the same reason. However, on March 30th, Los Angeles County reached the orange tier which allows all retail stores to be opened with modifications.
Amoeba Music is taking its modifications seriously and on their website outlined their detailed safety protocols. Aside from the usual protocols expected such as directional signs and social distancing, patrons who wish to sell their records are no longer able to remain in the store as their products are being assessed unless they’re shopping.
As for the opening day in itself, several festivities were planned. Customers will get a limited edition poster as a gift with purchase created by a local Los Angeles artist.
Amoeba Music is now open Monday through Sunday 11 A.M. through 8 P.M.
Fans can expect two new releases from the iconic shoegaze band in the coming year, according to a recent interview with New York Times.
Today My Bloody Valentine released all their projects on streaming services for the first time since their sudden removal a few years prior. Their website also updated featuring links for fans to pre-order a re-issue of their vinyl, CD’s and merchandise.
Many fans rejoiced as they were finally able to hear their 2013 project ‘m b v’ for the first time officially. However, that is not the only surprise fans were in store for.
An interview with New York Time’s revealed that the band is working on not one, but two records set to release quite soon. The first of the two albums, according to Kevin Shields, My Bloody Valentine front man, is going to be “warm and melodic” while the other is going to be “more experimental and feature a “stark evolution” from his original “very traditional” writing process.
While those statements may sound vague Shields maintains that is the point. “I don’t want to give too much away because I could lay it out verbally, and then someone’s going to go, ‘That’s a really good idea.'” said Shields
The band is currently waiting on the right time to meet in Shield’s home studio to begin recording, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Belinda Butcher, the guitarist for My Bloody Valentine, told NYT over email that it would “probably be finished by the end of the year.”
While promises for a new release have been made in the past and never been fulfilled Shields has stated his view on timelines has dramatically changed since their last release which came eight years ago. “Time is a bit more precious…I don’t want to be 70-something wanting to make the next record after ‘m b v.’ I think it’d be cooler to make one now.”
It would seem fans have to hold out only a little bit longer until their favorite shoegaze band is ready to release music again.
My Bloody Valentines official Instagram suddenly became active again after nearly a year of silence to tease something new releasing on March 31st.
The cryptic teaser in question, features visuals lifted from their album Loveless, as their song Only Tomorrow plays in the background. Text in their iconic rounded typeface spells out, “M B V 31 03.” A link to their website is in the caption for the video which has become a mostly blank page where an email sign up is available. Many fans believe this is the band promoting an official release of their 2013 album MBV to streaming services.
Due to the album being self released it has never seen any outside of their personal website since its debut. Much of the rest of their catalog has also practically disappeared from streaming services up till recently.
With all that being said some eager fans have also come to the conclusion that the band is gearing up to release a brand new project. The band has reportedly been working on new material since 2018 but has since not met any deadlines promised. The most recent lead comes from Writer and Producer Andy Savors biography on his personal website which states he has “been recording the new album for MY BLOODY VALENTINE and worked with KEVIN SHIELDS on remastering ‘loveless’ and ‘isn’t anything’ for Vinyl.”
With all their info currently being updated on streaming services fans will have to wait a very short amount of time to figure out what it all means for the iconic act.
Her’s was an indie rock band from Liverpool, England consisting of Stephen Fitzpatrick on vocals and guitar and Audun Laading who played bass and sang backup vocals.
The band was known for their unique sound blending dream pop and indie rock to creating an innovative mix between the two that dazzled audiences for years. This was achieved thanks to Fitzpatrick’s creative guitar riffs, Laadings smooth bass grooves, and their collective choice to use a drum machine rather than regular drum kit.
Their subject matter also ranged across a wide spectrum of topics. “Cool with You” from their compilation album Songs of Her’s is a heartfelt ballad about a person wanting to call someone’s name, a song meant to be about companionship. Meanwhile the opener to their debut album, Invitation to Her’s while admittedly similar to the former is dedicated to “a six-foot, three-and-a-half-inch tall invisible rabbit,” according to the band themselves.
Their debut single, “Dorothy,” was released in April 2016, and met with favorable reception. Jamile Milton of DIY compared their sound to that of Beach Fossils and Ariel Pink. Others would go on to name Mac DeMarco as well. Their compilation album was met with positive scores as well
Their first and only record was released in Aug. 2018 and was met with generally positive reviews from critics. It was certainly enough to send the band touring around the world. The band had several successful touring dates in Europe and the United States following the release of their debut album. It went over so well the band announced a second batch of North American tours in October 2018. The band was supposed to perform across the United States with venues Washington, Texas and even New York.
All was well at the beginning of the tour. The band even made a tongue-in-cheek tweet to celebrate their sucsessful landing. “
We’re officially on US soil, and your American air is tasting delicious, crisp with a hint of freedom. We’ll soon be truckin into Texas to participate in the @sxsw festivities. Come see us all five times or just the once, depending on how eager you are,” wrote the band.
We’re officially on US soil, and your American air is tasting delicious, crisp with a hint of freedom. We’ll soon be truckin into Texas to participate in the @sxsw festivities. Come see us all five times or just the once, depending on how eager you are 🤟🇺🇸🤟 pic.twitter.com/AxKCYT7QUN
However, despite such an optimistic start the band would not be able to complete their North American tour. On March 27th 2019, their label, Heist or Hit, would announce their passing due to a “road accident” that occurred that Wednesday morning as the band was driving from Phoenix to to perform a show on that evening in Santa Ana, California.
“We are all heartbroken…Their energy, vibrancy and talent came to define our label. As humans, they were warm, gentle and hilarious. Each time they stopped by the office made for an uplifting experience. To say they were close would be an underestimation of a friendship that was genuinely beautiful to witness; they loved one another like brothers,” said the label in an official statement.
Many people from the Liverpool music scene would go on to share their grief about the bands unfortunate passing sharing statements about the bands genuine bond and charismatic image. An image that will never fade so long as their name echoes through listeners ears.
After many teasers, boy-band BROCKHAMPTON is ready to start rolling out singles in anticipation for their forthcoming album ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE.
Word on the new single began on Tuesday. Kevin Abstract posted to his Instagram account asking for 5000 comments and in return BROCKHAMPTON would release a new music video. After quickly, surpassing the 5000 comment threshold they confirmed a new single and music video would release the next day. What came was “BUZZCUT” their newest track after a year of relative silence from the group.
The track features a verse from Danny Brown a rapper the group looks up to greatly. The rest of the song prominently displays BROCKHAMPTON front man Kevin Abstract and an outro delivered by JOBA and Merlyn Wood. The track is very self referential, Kevin interpolates many themes from his previous verses in the song and Danny Brown even makes a passing reference to a Nas verse. According to Romil Hemnani, one of their producers, the track is also heavily inspired by the Beastie Boys.
The music video is full of weird trippy visuals similar in style to their work from their 2018 studio album iridescence, complete with the same, thermal vision and saturated color palette. If that wasn’t enough its in their trademark 4:3 aspect ratio and every member is seen sporting a blue varsity jacket. The video mostly features the members horsing around riding in a red sports car, until Danny Brown emerges from JOBA’s mouth and turns into monster. The video ends with heartfelt coos from JOBA as his hair blows in the wind.
While their newest record has no set release date its safe to assume what’s sure to follow are more updates from the boy band as the year continues leading up to their eventual release.
Turn off the Bright Lights 