Random music news for Tuesday, December 19, 2023
There’s Spotify Wrapped and then there’s Pornhub Wrapped. Here’s a map of the US featuring the most-search terms per state which includes “furry” (Mississippi), “Goth” (Wyoming), and “Mormon” (Utah, of course). How can music news for December 19, 2023, live up to that?
- An Israeli heavy metal drummer was accidently killed by IDF forces because he was mistaken for a Hamas terrorist.
- RIP Jim Ladd, one of LA’s most famous FM rock radio DJs. That’s him on the Roger Waters album, Radio K.A.O.S. And inspired the Tom Petty song, “The Last DJ.”
- RIP Manny Martinez, an early drummer for The Misfits.
- In case you missed it, Keith Richards turned 80 this week. He will be here long after we’re all gone.
- On that note, here’s an updated list of the musicians we’ve lost in 2023 so far.
- Nicki Minaj has blocked her collaboration with Kanye West on his new album because Ye’s gone all pro-Hitler and antisemitic again.
- Want to own a legendary recording studio in the Welsh countryside? Here’s your chance.
- Ron DeSantis’ people have no idea how to create a campaign rally playlist.
- Wu-Tang in Vegas? Yep. For a Super Bowl performance.
- Will Spotify “disinvest” in France? That’s the threat.
- Talking chickens. As in the band, not anything else. (Via Tom)
- On this day in 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol.
- Ice-T says he’s open to AI using his likeness for future acting gigs.
- The last time U2 hadn’t this song live was in 1987–but they played it during a Sphere show.
- The most metal moments ever on Family Guy.
BONUS: Now available.
When I see that Spotify doesn’t want to work with different governments regarding supporting artist it makes me think a few things.
1) The labels behind Spotify are trying to suck as much cash out of the artists as they can.
2) Spotify wants to continue to exploit artists and not wanting to pay to build up newer artists.
3) Both of the above.
The old role of the label, to sign, build up and support artists is dead, and groups like Spotify need to step in and help build up artists. This just stinks of Daniel Ek wanting more in his pocket instead of the artists.