Joey Badass has kicked off triple j’s Like A Version 2018 with one of the most original tracks in recent memory. In town for a headline tour along with an appearance at Sugar Mountain Festival, the 22-year-old rapper stopped by the triple j studios to reinvent a Prince classic.
Hailed the biggest Like A Version in history, complete with a ten-member band and full purple lighting, Joey adapted Prince’s When Doves Cry into a soulful, rap-heavy tune re-titled When Thugs Cry.
The tune isn’t so much a cover as a new track with Prince sampled. After the beautiful performance, Joey revealed he’d been sitting on When Thugs Cry for some time—in fact, it was supposed to end up on his 2017 album All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$, but they weren’t able to clear the Prince sample.
Joey then thanked presenters Ben and Liam for giving him the opportunity to share the song regardless. We’re joining in the thanks, because this track is bloody lovely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPcclBGKAMw
The rapper, singer and Mr. Robot actor has certainly set the bar high. If this is how Like A Version is beginning for 2018, it looks like we’ve got a great year ahead.
Image: triple j
The day has finally arrived: a large portion of Prince‘s discography is now available for streaming across all major services including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and Google Play.
Until now, Prince’s music has only been available on celebrity-owned platform Tidal. The addition, which was recently hinted at by major all-purple advertising campaigns, coincides with the 59th Grammy Awards which are currently taking place in California.
In a press release, Cameron Strang, chairman & CEO of Warner Bros. Records CEO and Chairman Cameron Strang spoke of the release: “Prince recorded his most influential and popular music during his time with Warner Bros. and we are deeply aware of our responsibility to safeguard and nurture his incredible legacy. Warner Bros. is thrilled to be able to bring Prince’s music to his millions of fans around the world via streaming services, fittingly on music’s biggest night. We’d like to thank Prince’s estate, Universal Music Publishing, the Grammy Awards and all of the streaming services for their great collaboration in making this landmark event possible.”
The full list is as follows:
STUDIO ALBUMS:
For You
Prince
Dirty Mind
Controversy
1999
Purple Rain
Around The World In A Day
Parade
Sign ‘O’ The Times
Lovesexy
Batman
Music From Graffiti Bridge
Diamonds And Pearls
[Love Symbol]
Come
The Vault – Old Friends 4 Sale
PLECTRUMELECTRUM
ART OFFICIAL AGE
COMPILATIONS:
4Ever
The Hits 1
The Hits 2
The Hits/The B-Sides
The Very Best Of Prince
Ultimate
Image: Spotify
A series of rumours, hints, and a telling purple Spotify advertisement all seem to indicate that Prince’s catalogue, or at least a portion of it, will be appearing on Spotify, Apple Music and potentially other major streaming services in the near future.
As reported by Billboard, purple Spotify ads have appeared throughout Union Square station in New York City, apparently confirming the recent rumours that his catalogue would be made available in time for the Grammy Awards on February 12.
Since the late, great artist died on April 21 last year, Prince’s entire catalogue has only been available on Jay Z’s Tidal. In November, Prince’s estate sued Roc Nation for “exploiting many copyrighted Prince works,” claiming they were never given the rights to stream his entire catalogue.
It was recently reported that Prince’s estate is working to secure a deal that would allow at least a greatest hits selection to be made available on other services. The Grammy’s timing is set to coincide with a major tribute, for which The Weeknd, Rihanna and Bruno Mars have been touted to perform.
This will be the first Grammy Awards since the seven-time Grammy winner (and 24-time nominee) passed away last year at age 57.
Billboard, who cite sources close to the situation, suggest that a TV commercial will air during the global broadcast, announcing that the music will be made available on services including Apple Music and Spotify.
No comments have been made by representatives for any parties involved, but with the Grammys less than two weeks away, it won’t be long before we know for sure.
Images: Billboard
The Grammy Hall of Fame for musical recordings has been around for 44 years, and, including 2017’s new entries, will now boast an incredible 1038 songs in an incredible heritage list of sorts. Many of these are certified classics beyond just their melodies; they shaped political movements, whole genres, popular culture, social change and technological growth.
Similar to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a song has to be 25 years old to be inducted, meaning that R&R and Grammy inductions are often similar. N.W.A were inducted into the Hall of Fame back in April, which rounded off an incredible resurgence for the game-changing five-piece, who last year were the subject of blockbuster biopic Straight Outta Compton.
2016 marked quarter-century anniversaries for a bunch of classics, notably including N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton, which remains as relevant ever 25 years on. It appears alongside Nirvana’s revolutionary Smells Like Teen Spirit as well as R.E.M for Losing My Religion. Household names Elvis, Bowie and the Jackson 5 were all listed, along with the Deep Purple track that every budding young guitarist will know how to play blindfolded and upside down, Smoke On The Water.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMZi25Pq3T8&w=560&h=315]
It’s also worth mentioning the theme song to Mission Impossible by Lalo Schifrin will also be inducted. Make of that what you will. Check out this lit live performance of said tune from the jazz-master general below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjgjU9C8UUc&w=560&h=315]
Grammy Hall of Fame inductees in alphabetical order:
Arlo Guthrie – “The City of New Orleans”
The Beach Boys – “I Get Around”
Billie Holiday – Lady Sings the Blues
Blind Willie McTell – “Statesboro Blues”
Bonnie Raitt – “I Can’t Make Your Love Me”
Cab Calloway And His Orchestra – “(Hep-Hep!) The Jumpin’ Jive”
David Bowie – “Changes”
Deep Purple – “Smoke of the Water”
Dion – “The Wanderer”
Elvis Presley – “Jailhouse Rock”
The Everly Brothers – “Wake Up Little Susie”
Jackson 5 – “ABC”
Lalo Schifrin – “Mission Impossible”
Lesley Gore – “You Don’t Own Me”
Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra – “When the Saints Go Marching In”
Merle Haggard – Okie From Muskogee
Mills Brothers – “You Always Hurt the One You Love”
Mississippi John Hurt – “Stack O’Lee Blues”
N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton
Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Prince – Sign ‘O’ the Times
R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion”
Rod Stewart – “Maggie May”
Sly & The Family Stone – “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”
Sonny & Cher – “I Got You Babe”
Image: Grammy
Fans and mourners of the Purple One will only have three days to visit Prince‘s famous Paisley Park home, before the proposed public opening is delayed until at least late December.
Earlier this year it was announced that public museum tours of Paisley Park were to commence in October – this week. The proposed tours were set to take visitors throughout his studios, rehearsal rooms and so on, including a display of his costumes, awards and instruments alongside video footage and rare recordings.
The zoning request for this permit was this week delayed by the local council, who requested extra time to assess the effect that this will have on traffic conditions, parking, public safety and more in surrounding areas. Considering that they estimate up to 600,000 fans will visit the area each year, typically holding a population of just 24,000, it makes a lot of sense. The council are yet to decide whether or not they are ready to become a tourist destination.
The Chanhassen Villager reports that the city will have until December 23 to come to a decision. In the meantime a temporary three day permit has been granted for visitors to see the property now, as originally planned.
The primary reason for this is because hundreds of attendees have already purchased tickets (priced around US$100) for the tours, many of whom have visited the area especially to do so. According to Yahoo, the museum will attempt to host an entire months’ worth of guests in just three days.
Since Prince passed away on April 21 at age fifty-seven, the Chanhassen, Minnesota property has become an immense shrine for the late legend. I visited the property myself in August, and was astounded by the staggering the amount of banners, posters, items of clothing, personal notes, flowers and more still adorning the enormous lengths of wire guarding the stark white complex.
After the first three days, the property will then close once more until December, at which time the council will have to make a decision to approve or reject the request.
Representatives of Paisley Park have also announced that they are in talks with the Mall of America, Minneapolis’ nearby major tourist attraction, to exhibit Prince costumes and artefacts in the meantime.
Image: BOTO Design Architects
Prince‘s Minneapolis Paisley Park estate, where he lived and recorded until his death, is set to open for public tours as of October 6th. Bremer Bank currently holds title as the special administrator for the grounds, which has been inundated by visitors, tributes and more since his passing in April. According to his family and estate holders, this would have been a dream come true for Prince, who always wanted to the leather-clad legend.
The park is 65,000 square feet and boasts performance spaces, TWO recording studios, living accommodation, office spaces and even a dance rehearsal room. If that wasn’t enough to make your heart palpitate, Paisley Park also stores his personal archives – motorcycles, clothes, awards and instruments. That said, it’s unclear exactly how much of this will be open to the public.
There’s no questioning that Prince had a taste for everything eccentric. The opening of Paisley Park is an amazing opportunity for the public to get a chance to better understand his incredible mind and life.
Image: Bloggaz With Attitude
The park was built in 1983 when the artist specifically asked esteemed architect Bret Thoeny to turn his visions into a tangible reality. It has been a private space since being built, but Prince’s family claims that opening it to the public would, “realise Prince’s long-term vision for the property.”
“The new Paisley Park museum will offer fans a unique experience, an exhibition like no other, as Prince would have wanted it,” as stated by his siblings. “Most important, the museum will display Prince’s genius, honor his legacy, and carry forward his strong sense of family and community.”
Tickets can be found here. Pricing and more details are to be advised tomorrow, Friday August 26th.
Image: Modern Vinyl
In life, Prince was well known for living up to the more lavish and eccentric aspects of his celebrity lifestyle. In a story that can only be Prince though, information has recently emerged that the legendary pop star purchased the house featured in his 1984 film Purple Rain at an auction last year.
A bit of digging by property blog The Current has revealed that the 1913 property is currently in the ownership of NPG Music Publishing, one of many companies now in the care of Prince’s estate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5XSw6YhuI
The Minneapolis house, which featured as the troubled home of Prince’s character ‘The Kid’, was snapped up last year when it went to went to auction but it was never revealed who had purchased it until now. The house may even bear a passing resemblance to Prince’s own childhood home (which he also owned).
Outside of his iconic Paisley Park residence, Prince owned a number of properties throughout his native state. In fact, his claim to more than 200 acres of Minnesotan property made him one of the largest property owners in the entire state.
The quasi-biographical film Purple Rain marked a turning point in Prince’s career, seeing the Purple One concurrently holding down the number one slot for both an album, film and single in the United States on its release.
Whether he had been waiting to scoop up the property since 1984 or if it was simply another act of pop star whimsy will likely remain unknown.
For other Prince-related secrets, check out the seven tracks you never knew featured him.
Image: The Current
“Dear Princely Person,” begins what might be one of the most expensive letters of all time.
A handwritten letter from Paul McCartney to Prince has sold at an auction for $14,822 USD, or $19,511 AUD.
In it, McCartney is asking Prince for a donation to build the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which came to fruition in 1996. Although the letter does not have a date on it, it is assumed to have been sent in the mid 1980s. As NME points out, the letter refers to the Toxteth riots of 1981 has being “a few years ago.” As to whether Prince actually made the donation, we don’t know. RR Auctions, who sold the letter, noted that “the majority of [Prince’s] contributions were gifted anonymously.”
Here’s the handwritten version; you can read the whole letter below.
Dear Princely person,
Hi there! I know how hard it is to always be getting letters that ask for some favour or another, so it was not easy for me to accept the job of Lead Patron for a Performing Arts School to be located in my home town, Liverpool. But, you guessed it! I did agree to do it, so now I’m writing to “friends and all good people” to try and interest them in the scheme. The story started just after the inner-city riots in Liverpool a few years ago. A friend suggested that “what the city needs is a “Fame” School.”
I liked the idea as a possible positive focus for local and overseas kids, but it was only later when I went back to my own old school that was in ruins, that I thought by locating a Performing Arts Centre there we could save the 1825 building in the process. So….. (phew!) We’re now well on our way, as the enclosed info shows, but there’s still a lot to be done. Now the hard part. A donation from you would be a great boost to the project, and I know your involvement in some way, would be a thrill for everyone concerned. Hope you didn’t mind me writing this, it’s so long since I’ve written letters I feel like I’m back at school myself.
Anyway, one of these days you’ll have to come and teach a class some moves!! Who knows, it may turn out to be something special for thousands of future kids. Thanks for looking at this.
Cheers, & love
Paul (McCartney)”
Image: Rolling Stone/Ultimate Classic Rock/Mirror
After Prince tragically passed away in April due to complications related to a drug overdose, legendary singer and lifelong friend Chaka Khan paid tribute to Prince on Twitter, saying that she loved him and that he’s now “at peace with his Father.”
Now, the 63-year-old vocalist has revealed that she herself is battling her own drug addiction, and has checking into a rehabilitation program alongside her sister.
In a statement released to The Associated Press, Chaka Khan said that she has been struggling with an addiction to fentanyl, the same powerful painkiller which took Prince’s life, and that she was prompted to assess her life after the drug took his. “The tragic death of Prince has had us both rethinking and re-evaluating our lives and priorities. We knew it was time to take action to save our lives. My sister and I would like to thank everyone for their support, love and prayers.”
A representative for Khan added that she is set to resume recording mid July, and be back on tour August 1st, so it doesn’t look like fans will be waiting too long for the forthcoming postponed gigs.
“Unfortunately, I will miss concert appearances over the summer,” she added. “However, it’s vital that I put my health and well-being first. I know that I am disappointing some of my fans, but I also know they would want me to recover and be well and healthy.”
Chaka Khan showed her appreciation for the Prince with her cover of his 1979 track I Feel For You. Both the original and the newer version were highly praised, but it was Khan’s version which gave Prince the 1985 Grammy Award for best R&B song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04yCea2HOhY
Image: Page Six
2016 has been pretty horrible for a number of reasons, including the death of some of entertainment’s most important legends, from David Bowie to Muhammad Ali. But one of the most shocking losses came out of nowhere. It has been two and a half months since the world lost Prince, and the truth is still hard to come to terms with. Millions of words have been written about his impact, and hundreds of artists have paid tribute. For a man who contributed so much to the music world to be gone overnight was devastating. In the wake of such a loss, Prince’s original backing band, The Revolution, have announced that they will play two reunion shows in Minneapolis later this year.
Coming together in 1979, The Revolution were playing before Prince’s self-titled sophomore album was released. Their first appearance with the rock legend came in 1982, on the album 1999. Over the years the band’s roster changed many times, before a final split in 1986. This show will feature the original lineup of Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z., Wendy Melvoin, Brown Mark, and Matt Fink along with Dez Dickerson and André Cymone.
The shows are slated to be played at the First Avenue, a main-room show, on the 2nd and 3rd of September. Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday, July 8th.
Image: Stereogum