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How Label Issues Kept Outkast From Reuniting for One More Song in 2010: ‘It’s Stupid Politics’

24 October 2026 at 21:39

Hip-hop fans will spend the rest of their lives begging for new Outkast music. At this point, we’ll take just one more song if it means we get that proper reunion. But both Big Boi and André 3000 have fruitful enough solo careers where they never have to make music together again. Still, that won’t stop fans from pleading with André to put the flute down and put down some raps.

However, what if I told you they’ve already tried rapping together again? What if I told you the final results are floating around on the internet instead of on a formal album? According to Big Boi in 2010, it was all typical music industry nonsense that robbed us of getting proper releases.

In an interview with GQ, the Atlanta legend revealed that there were initially supposed to be two collaborations with André 3000 on Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty. Their old record label didn’t know what to do with his solo venture, though. Consequently, he took his ball and went over to Def Jam to release the album.

However, because Jive still had rights to their work as a duo, Big Boi effectively couldn’t release anything with his partner-in-crime on the other side. So he had to rely on the Wild West of the internet to get fans what they wanted.

Why Outkast Never Released Any Collaborations With Each Other Over The YEars

“They cannot block it. Au contraire. Either they’re going to do it the right way, or they’re going to do it my way. How you wanna do it?” Big Boi questioned. “The fans thirst will be quenched. You know, I’m no stranger to that internet, baby. So you already know what time it is. The thirst of the fans will be quenched.”

The two Outkast collaborations in question were “Royal Flush” with Wu-Tang Clan legend Raekwon and “Lookin’ 4 Ya” with Dungeon Family royalty Sleepy Brown. Eventually, those records live on in internet history, but they’ve effectively been lost to history due to the lack of ease of access.

All of this culminated in a larger frustration with Big Boi’s frustration with Jive Records. They held onto his music for years, let alone the Outkast collaborations. After a while, he got tired of playing their silly games.

“It’s plain stupidity. It’s stupid business and it’s stupid politics,” Big Boi scoffed. “I mean, Jive Records had ‘Shutterbug’ for three years. And [Sir Luscious leak] ‘General Patton’ for three years. You see what I’m saying? They told me to go in and make my version of Lil’ Wayne’s “Lollipop”! I love that song. That was my favorite song when it came out. But how you gonna tell me to go bite another MCs style?”

(Photo by Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Elvis Presley Estate Sues Anthropic for Stealing His Music ‘At a Scale Never Seen Before’ To Train AI

24 October 2026 at 20:58

Artificial intelligence needs a ton of data in order for it to be truly effective. Consequently, companies like Anthropic are going above and beyond, using their technology to train their AI. However, time and time again, they’ve gotten in hot water with artists and estates. They take issue with them using their art and general likeness in order to create their own versions. With the Elvis Presley estate, they’re claiming Anthropic used an unprecedented amount of music in order to push their technology forward.

In a report from Billboard, Authentic Brands Group and the Presley family filed a lawsuit, accusing the tech giant of using Elvis’ music without permission. They allegedly took 274 of his copyrighted songs, including hits like “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.

Lead attorney Richard Busch also claimed that Anthropic has built their entire empire “based on copyright infringement at a scale never seen before.” “The Elvis Plaintiffs are deeply protective of these iconic songs,” he said on behalf of the Elvis Presley Estate.

Plenty of labels have gone to court over their issues with AI companies taking liberties with their musicians. Typically, by the end of the disputes, a settlement finally gets reached, and they quietly partner instead of taking music through backdoors. However, according to Billboard, suing on behalf of Elvis as an individual artist sets a massive precedent for the rest of the music industry.

Elvis Presley Estate Takes Anthropic to Court for Mass Amounts of Copyright Infringement to Train AI

Anthropic isn’t the only company getting a ton of heat for infringing on artists’ work. Suno similarly got in hot water with Mary J. Blige earlier this year after uploading an ad with her without permission.

Back in September 2026, the R&B legend faced a ton of backlash for starring in an ad promoting Suno while in the studio. However, apparently, she never approved of it in the first place. The AI firm allegedly spoke to someone who “presented themselves as Ms. Blige’s official representative.”

As soon as they learned that she didn’t want anything to do with Suno, they pulled the ad immediately. Mary J. Blige hasn’t spoken about the incident since, and it’s not clear who the person is that the Suno team spoke to.

But in the advertisement itself, she seemed to think it was “dope” despite not really understanding how it works. Moreover, Blige seemed open to the idea of tinkering with AI further in the future.

Photo by Oscar Abolafia/TPLP/Getty Images

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Rock Star Recalls Horrific Bus Crash After Driver Suffered Medical Emergency Behind the Wheel

24 October 2026 at 18:58

An ordinary tour bus drive turned fatal for its driver and nearly killed rockstar Sawyer Hill in the process. In a recent Instagram video, he recalled the exact circumstances that caused the horrific crash to take place.

During a trip from Denver to Salt Lake City, Hill, his band, the crew, and driver David Jackson hit a big bump during their drive. They desperately tried to course-correct on the highway before eventually flipping over into a ditch. In that moment, he thought his life was flashing before his eyes.

“Oh my God, this is about to happen. I’m about to die,” Sawyer Hill recounted to fans. “Everything starts shaking and metal starts scraping and then crash. I get thrown out of my bunk in complete darkness. The flashlights come on and our lighting guy is just bleeding profusely out of his face. Our merch person, who’s trying to bandage him up, is bleeding out of the back of her head.”

Then, Hill revealed an extremely rough set of bruises along his leg down to his ankle. Even the first responders on the scene admitted that the incident could’ve truly been fatal for the entire crew. “[First responders] told us, ‘You all should be dead. If you have a God you should be thanking Him.’ So, thank God, and I wish we were all still here, but we’re all lucky to be alive,” he added.

Sawyer Hill Details the Horrific Crash That Caused the Death of His Driver

However, not everyone involved in the crash made it out unscathed. The tour bus driver, David Jackson, was the sole casualty, passing away at 50 years old. According to the family on their GoFundMe, an autopsy revealed that he passed away while behind the wheel, causing the bus to swerve across traffic and into the ditch.

Sawyer Hill gave his condolences at the end of the video and thanked fans for donating to the GoFundMe posted by Jackson’s family. Currently, they are at $20,800 of their $24k goal in order to bring him back home.

In a heartbreaking tribute in the caption, the family lamented how sudden the tragedy took place and how they never got the chance to say goodbye. Moreover, they warmly eulogized him as a man who touched everyone he met in the music industry and in the recovery world alike.

“A mother has lost her son. Four children have lost their father. Three grandchildren have lost their grandfather. And so many people have lost someone whose presence in their lives can never truly be replaced,” they wrote.

(Photo by Dana Jacobs/FilmMagic)

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My Chemical Romance Is in Hot Water Following a Legal Notice From Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

24 October 2026 at 17:51

My Chemical Romance have never been afraid to push the envelope and dig into controversy. However, that mindset can also lead to a litany of legal issues. Now, they’ve drawn the ire of an extremely unexpected group.

In a report from TheWrap, Pro Silver Star Ltd., the owner of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, was particularly upset by the band’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl. They had an over-the-top performance depicting an evil dictatorship with armed conflict and lots of American iconography.

One detail to make their messaging airtight was the use of cheerleaders that looked eerily similar to the Dallas Cowboys. With blue and white outfits, dance numbers, and eventually arming themselves with prop rifles, they thought My Chemical Romance degraded the brand.

“Audience members and online commentators understandably believed that the performers were the real Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and said so in social media posts that continue to circulate,” a legal document read.

Consequently, Pro Silver Star Ltd. filed a temporary restraining order. In the document, they stressed that they don’t really care about MCR’s music or the message they’re depicting. They just don’t want their performers to even remotely resemble the Dallas Cowboys. “The universe of alternative costume designs is effectively unlimited,” they said.

My Chemical Romance Draws the Ire of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Brand and Gets Threatened With a Lawsuit

“Their refusal threatens ongoing and irreparable harm to the reputation and goodwill Silver Star has cultivated in the DCC brand,” they continued. “Silver Star thus is left with no choice but to bring this action to protect itself.”

They concluded, arguing that there is no possible way that anyone could be confused by their imagery. As a result, Pro Silver Star Ltd is seeking an undisclosed amount of money from My Chemical Romance in damages to the brand.

“That recognition is no accident,” they stressed. “Silver Star built it through decades of investment and has protected it just as long by regularly monitoring and policing unauthorized uses of the DCC Uniform.”

Legal woes and all, fans seem to be loving the performances from My Chemical Romance. If the leaks are any indication, they’re bound to see them even more. Back in September 2026, rumors swirled online with an alleged album and tour at some point in 2027.

To further add to their enthusiasm, Gerard Way himself said that if anyone deserves new music, it’s their fans. “You guys, honestly, you guys kept us alive so long. You guys deserve another record, and we’d love to do that. I don’t know when it’ll be, but it’ll be awesome,” Way said during a recent concert.

Photo by Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Watch: Drake Ushers in His 40th Birthday by Singing a Backstreet Boys Classic

24 October 2026 at 16:45

What better way to celebrate the milestone of turning 40 than singing one of the best pop songs ever? During a massive birthday celebration, Drake commissioned legendary boyband the Backstreet Boys to perform for him.

However, it wasn’t enough for him to enjoy and sing along from the crowd. Instead, he decided to hop on stage and croon along to their iconic song “I Want It That Way”. The Toronto MC is all smiles as he dons an incredibly sparkly suit and the band harmonizes with him on the chorus. Check out the big birthday bash down below:

Drake performing “I Want It That Way” with the Backstreet Boys at his 40th birthday party 😭🔥 pic.twitter.com/iAa2Kz4E6G

— Kurrco (@Kurrco) October 24, 2026

Turning 40 years old also marked another massive occasion for Drake. In a report from Billboard, he officially surpassed 350 million RIAA-certified units with 30 new certifications under his belt. One big milestone in particular saw his massive 2016 album Views go diamond, with over 10 million copies sold. The same applied to his hit songs “Marvin’s Room” and “In My Feelings”. Meanwhile, “God’s Plan” went double-diamond.

Additionally, an abundance of his other albums and songs went to varying degrees of platinum. His most recent album ICEMAN, in particular, just went platinum five months after its release back in May 2026. All of these accomplishments cement the 6 God as the most certified artist of all time. Moreover, he also has the most diamond plaques of any artist in history.

Drake Celebrates Turning 40 Years Old With Backstreet Boys Karaoke

However, naturally, the Take Care rapper’s life isn’t without its fair share of setbacks. While celebrating his 40th birthday, he’s also grappling with a lawsuit for his smash hit “Janice STFU”. Artist, producer, and engineer Aviel Calev Hirschfield claimed that he wrote and recorded the hook for the song.

However, Drake allegedly never gave the proper credit nor paid for the work. To add legitimacy to the claim, Hirschfield said that the stems for the record are still intact, which would prove that he was behind its catchy chorus. Apparently, it was all made with him in mind, crafting the song after hearing Lykke Li’s song “I Follow Rivers”.

Of course, Drake and his camp vehemently denied taking any work or inspiration from Hirschfield. They claimed that it was yet another attempt at trying to discredit the rapper’s credibility and was only being done for the sake of publicity.

“These allegations are categorically, unequivocally, and unequivocally denied. There is not one iota of truth to these accusations,” his camp responded. “Drake wrote this song and has no connection or knowledge of this person, full stop.”

(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

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Fielded is obsessed with scammers and unhinged Japanese cyberpunk

24 October 2026 at 17:00

Lindsay Powell, who releases records under the name Fielded, has spent most of her career subverting expectations and genre conventions. According to their Bandcamp page, Fielded started as an experimental noise project before growing into something closer to R&B. But from moment one, her take on the genre was restless, relentlessly playing with what R&B even means.

Her first album, Ninety-Thirty-Thirty, includes songs heavily indebted to '80s synth-pop and features multiple saxophone solos. Boy Angel is a quirky electronic exploration with huge saw-wave synths, jittery percussion, and sky-high vocal stacks. While 2020's Demisexual Lovelace …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Schoolboy Q Shuts Down Questions About Late Rapper With Explicit Response: ‘I Wish People Would Stop Asking Me About My Dead Friend’

24 October 2026 at 15:54

Schoolboy Q is sick of answering questions about Mac Miller, so don’t ask him.

During a recent concert Q&A, a fan brought up Miller, who died in 2018 from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol. Afterwards, Schoolboy Q replied very candidly.

“I wish people would stop asking me about my dead friend like it’s f**king something I’ma be so happy to talk about,” the rapper said. “Like, that s**t gets old. Everywhere I go, people are asking me about my dead friend like it’s a f**king fun time to talk about my dead friend.”

Ultimately, the fan apologized, and Schoolboy Q responded, “I appreciate it, bro.”

Mac Miller died in 2018, with his death ruled an accidental overdose

To be fair, Schoolboy Q has publicly talked about Mac Miller’s death and how it impacted him. In a 2019 interview with Charlamagne Tha God, Schoolboy was very transparent about how he was feeling.

“To this day I don’t understand how I can’t call my n***a no more,” Q explained in the clip shared on Instagram. “Losing a soul to gangbanging is way different than losing a friend that’s like… an innocent kid… super pure.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Schoolboy Q grew teary as he talked about Miller. “Man, that’s my n***a bruh. I’ve got memories with that n***a. I could never write a song,” he paused to wipe away tears. “Man, I don’t even know if I want to put this in the thing, man. I don’t want to look like I’m exploiting the situation because I’ve got an album out and I’m crying and sh*t.” He later wrote a comment on the post, calling his explanation “weak.”

Notably, Schoolboy Q revealed that he did have a chance to play his CrasH Talk (2019) album for Mac Miller before he passed. The pair’s final conversation was a FaceTime call. At the time, Miller was in the studio shooting a video.

Schoolboy Q has gone on to drop one more record since CrasH Talk: 2024’s Blue Lips. He will reportedly drop his next album, THank Que, in 2027.

Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images

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New Music Friday: 5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week (10/23)

23 October 2026 at 23:53

Happy New Music Friday, friends!

You made it through another week, and you deserve some new tunes as a reward! Enjoy!

“OVER THE VIOLENT SUN” by Tony Iommi

Heavy metal godfather Tony Iommi drops his newest solo album, From The Dark, featuring the song “Over The Violent Sun”.

You should definitely listen to the entire record, but this track is a killer starting point. With a killer band behind him and vocalist Jørn Lande behind the mic, Iommi has crafted a dark, powerful metal epic. It’s very reminiscent of Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell album/spin-off supergroup.

Queue it up and just wait for that solo at the end. It is *chef’s kiss*.

“Panic Attack” by MXPX

The legendray PNW Punkers are back and as good as ever!

Today, the band released “Panic Attack”, a new song from their forthcoming 12th studio album, Living In The Chaos.

This is good ol’ fashion pop-punk the way god intended: fun, fast, and friendly. It’s got a driving drum beat, dope guitar riffs, and anthemic vocals.

Play this one loud, with the windows down, and sing along!

“Runaway” by The Yagas

Fronted by actress Vera Farmiga, The Yagas seem hell-bent on their mission to revive 80s goth rock.

Somewhere between Blondie and the Sisters of Mercy falls “Runaway”, The Yagas’ newest single. There are some great New Wave elements at play here, and there’s an underlying manical quality that’s held down by a really solid rhythm section.

It all crescendos into a great guitar solo, heralding the end. Make sure you add this one to your Halloween 2026 playlist.

“Let There Be Light” by Polyphia

I’m gonna be screaming Polyphia’s praises for all my days.

The instrumental prog metal band has finally unveiled their fifth album, Be Not Afraid, and it’s just banger after banger.

AS part of the album’s rollout, the band has released a music video for the song “Let There Be Light”, and I don’t know that there’s a better way to define what is happening here. The track is bright; it moves with Polyphia’s well-honed sense of timing; and overall it just feels like being bathed in a warm, comforting light.

I’m gonna call this Djent Gospel, and I am so here for it.

“Crackology” by PeelingFlesh

Finally, anchoring the list this week, is the Oklahoma boys from PeelingFlesh.

The slam band dropped a new tune this week, “Crackology”, and it’s an absolute a**-beater.

There’s really not anything else you need me to say.

Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The post New Music Friday: 5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week (10/23) appeared first on VICE.

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This week, New Music Friday brings us fresh tunes from Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi, MXPX, and goth-rockers The Yagas.

3 Classic Hip-Hop Mixtapes You Might’ve Forgotten About

23 October 2026 at 22:47

Every hip-hop fan knows the canonical classic mixtapes in the genre and culture. There’s Section.80 by Kendrick Lamar, Kush and Orange Juice by Wiz Khalifa, Pilot Talk by Curren$y, and So Far Gone by Drake are some of many all-time projects from the blog era alone. That doesn’t even account for the days where Lil Wayne was proving he was the best rapper alive or 50 Cent was hosting G-Unit Radio. You used to have to get your tapes out of the trunks of cars if you wanted what was hot.

However, there are many classic mixtapes that can often go overlooked in history for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’re just not on streaming services for copyright issues. People got comfortable with the easy convenience of having it on Spotify and Apple Music. Consequently, if it wasn’t readily available, it risked being forgotten entirely.

Moreover, some mixtapes get tossed aside by other classics in their catalogue. Then, it’s as if the others don’t exist at all. But in the spirit of remembering projects that might go forgotten otherwise, we highlighted three classic projects fans desperately need to revisit.

Three Fantastic Mixtapes That Fans Absolutely Need to Revisit

The Champ is Here by Jadakiss

Jadakiss embodied the true spirit of hip-hop on his The Champ is Here tapes. The rap game was founded on competition and he viewed himself as the heavyweight champion of the world due to his barrage of punchlines. DJ Green Lantern gassed him up constantly throughout the project like a cornerman coaching him into another round. Mixtapes like these proved to be exhibition for Jadakiss, giving him firm arguments in the best rapper alive conversations with Lil Wayne and Jay-Z.

Chapter 16 – Late Night F**kin Yo B***h by DJ Screw

There’s so much Houston hip-hop history that only locals and diehard rap fans know about through YouTube uploads and physical copies of DJ Screw mixtapes. Rappers you may have never heard of would get their careers off the grounds through freestyles on his projects. Moreover, certain songs took on new contexts completely due to the chopped and screwed nature of Screw’s mixes.

Some of his most inspired works came from reworking R&B slow jams through his syrupy vision. Chapter 16 – Late Night F**kin Yo B***h is dedicated completely towards turning a hot and raunchy anthems into molasses. Teddy Pendergrass’s hefty voice goes even deeper on “Love TKO” and Screw lets you savor Janet Jackson’s intimate whispers by chopping them on “Any Time, Any Place”. Chapter 16 acts as the most approachable Screw tape for anyone unfamiliar with his style because he operates with tried-and-true classics in R&B.

Verda Terrace by Curren$y and DJ Drama

Frequently, Curren$y fans will cite his classic Pilot Talk mixtapes or Covert Coup with The Alchemist as his opuses. However, that fact constantly undermines some of his equally strong material during his historic blog era run. Take Verda Terrace, Spitta’s answer to yacht rock where he breezily raps with a blunt in hand and sand in his feet.

DJ Drama’s endearing hype-man antics makes the chill time energetic, keeping listeners from lounging too deep into the record. Quietly, we can point to Verda Terrace as the blueprint for Tyler, The Creator’s effort at a Gangsta Grillz tape in 2021 with Call Me If You Get Lost.

Photo by Ben DeSoto/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

The post 3 Classic Hip-Hop Mixtapes You Might’ve Forgotten About appeared first on VICE.

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Noisey looks back at three classic mixtapes in hip-hop history that have quietly gone underrated and overlooked in history.

This Hollywood Star Is Bringing His Spooky Indie Rock Duo Back From the Dead Just in Time for Halloween

23 October 2026 at 22:45

It’s only a week before Halloween, and Ryan Gosling is reanimating his indie-art-rock duo with musician Zach Shields just in time. Dead Man’s Bones is back from the dead with new music on the way, according to a post on the band’s Instagram.

17 years after Gosling and Shields collaborated with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir for their solitary self-titled album, the duo is releasing something new on October 27. Dead Man’s Bones was built around Halloween from the start, and the teaser makes it clear that wasn’t a one-off theme.

The announcement features a green spiral slowly spinning against a black backdrop. Resembling a grainy retro television, the spiral turns for a moment before the ghostly visage of a man appears.

He then speaks the words, “Dead man’s bones must wait to rise, from the house where shadows cry. All of this must change Oct. 27, when our ghosts must leave our world for this, to dance with us at twilight time, and bring your hand to lie in mine.”

Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields Are Back as Dead Man’s Bones Just In Time for Halloween

For those who have been watching closely, Ryan Gosling’s partner Eva Mendes actually teased new music from the duo on social media. She made a post with the caption, “Trying to summon new music from Dead Man’s Bones.”

In a roundabout way, we have Mendes to thank for this Halloween treat. Like Victor Frankenstein, she shocked Dead Man’s Bones back to life. Cue a mob of fans shouting “It’s alive! It’s alive!” Or, maybe she just asked Ryan Gosling to make more music with Zach Shields, and he said yes.

Following the confirmation, Mendes posted, “He came through on his promise to me.” So, most likely the latter scenario then.

Dead Man’s Bones has been dormant since their 2009 album, but they’ve never lost their cult following. The news of upcoming music has fans wondering what they’ll do next. Another collaboration with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir almost 20 years later? An elaborate concept? More puppets?

Whatever it is, it’s a Halloween miracle that Gosling found time to get together with Shields again. Between the Oscar campaign for Project Hail Mary and likely prepping for the Star Wars: Starfighter press tour next year, plus appearing in Marvel’s next Ghost Rider adaptation? He’s definitely been busy with his day job. But if the Dead Man’s Bones comeback proves anything, it’s that Halloween will find a way no matter how busy you are.

Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

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Black Sabbath Legend Reveals Strange Behind-The-Scenes Tension With Famous Producer

23 October 2026 at 22:42

Black Sabbath released their final album, 13, after an 18-year break following Forbidden from 1995. This album marked Ozzy Osbourne’s first with the band since 1978, and also brought bassist Geezer Butler back after almost 20 years. For the first time in decades, three original members of Black Sabbath were making an album together—Osbourne, Butler, and guitarist Tony Iommi.

But as Iommi revealed in an October 2026 interview with Planet Rock, working with legendary producer Rick Rubin on that album wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Rubin is widely known for his eccentric work ethic and philosophies. But in this case, Iommi found his behavior more strange than eccentric.

“On our last Sabbath album we did with [producer] Rick Rubin, we didn’t have time to absorb what we’d done,” Iommi began. “Because Rick wouldn’t talk to the others. He talked to me, and I’d have to tell them. I don’t know what happened there.”

Producer Rick Rubin Only Spoke to the Rest of Black Sabbath Through Guitarist Tony Iommi During ’13’ Recording Sessions

Speaking of the recording sessions for Black Sabbath’s 2013 final album, Tony Iommi recalled a specific moment of weirdness. They recorded most of the album at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu, California, and Iommi described an incident that occurred right before taking a weekend off.

“Rick phoned me on the Friday and said, ‘Oh, could you come up with a song like ‘Planet Caravan’ [from Black Sabbath’s 1970 album Paranoid] to record on Monday?'” Iommi said. “I went, ‘What?!’ [He said] ‘You come up with a song.’ [I went], ‘Blimey!'”

He added, “So, I worked on this idea and [Rubin] said, ‘We can record it Monday.’ But nobody else [in Black Sabbath] knew.” Because of Rick Rubin’s unexplainable decision to only speak with Black Sabbath through Tony Iommi, no one else in the band was aware of the new song.

“We got in there Monday, and Rick said, ‘We’re going to put this song down,'” Iommi continued. “Geezer went, ‘What song?!’ [Rubin replied], ‘Well, Tony’s done a song here. We’re going to put that down.’ [Geezer] went, ‘I don’t even know what it is. I don’t know what key [it] is.'”

Talk about being blindsided. The band ended up getting the song down, said Iommi, “But it was such an awkward situation.”

Geezer Butler Called Rubin’s Work Ethic ‘Mad’, but Also ‘Good For Publicity’

In 2022, Geezer Butler discussed 13 on an episode of The Eddie Trunk Podcast, recalling the process of working with Rubin. While his own opinions on the producer leaned more favorable overall, he did recall several moments that seemed a bit ridiculous. For example, Rubin told them to pretend they weren’t a heavy metal band.

“That was the first thing [Rick Rubin] said to us,” said Butler. “He played us our very first album, and he said, ‘Cast your mind back to then when there was no such thing as heavy metal or anything like that, and pretend it’s the follow-up album to that.’ Which is a ridiculous thing to think.”

Butler also mentioned that Rubin pushed Ozzy Osbourne to redo so many vocal tracks that the frontman eventually exploded. “I think Ozzy one day went nuts ’cause he’d done, like, 10 different vocals, and Rick kept saying, ‘Yeah, that’s great, but do another one,'” said Butler. “And Ozzy was, like, ‘If it’s great, why am I doing another one?’ He just lost it.”

Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

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Blueface and Chrisean Rock Call It Quits Just Days After Surprise Engagement

23 October 2026 at 20:53

Blueface and Chrisean Rock have split again. This time, the breakup comes just days after they got engaged, following rumors that Rock was pregnant.

According to XXL, the pair got into a hug fight on Oct. 21, 2026. This was after Blueface was arrested and released from jail in connection to a swatting incident the pair endured. The rapper allegedly delayed or obstructed a police investigation.

The couple livestreamed their war of words on Kick, and it all apparently started after Rock made some comment about Blueface’s arrest. “That’s why you went to jail,” he recalled her saying. Blueface asked her to leave his room so he could vent in his stream room, but she wouldn’t go. Instead, she told him to “calm down” repeatedly, and eventually he had enough.

Blueface and Chrisean Rock share one child

Blueface finally shoved Rock out of his room and began talking to his chat followers. “She think she run something, she control something,” he said. “You think the program finna change for you?”

The rapper then brought up Rock’s quote about him going to jail. “I equate that to if something tragic happened to you in your life and a muthaf**ka tried to validate that. What?” he questioned. “That sounds like you got a little satisfaction. [That comment] just f**ked my whole state of mind up with her. What do you mean by that? You’re happy about that? That validated you? Her telling me that earlier let me know that b**ch is here to prove a point.”

Citing comments from Rock in her own livestream, XXL reported that she said their relationship is over. She also reportedly said something regarding Blueface asking “her to wipe him after going to the bathroom.” This was ironic to her since she feels that he allegedly often labels her as clingy.

Chrisean Rock started dating Blueface in 2020

In yet another separate livestream, Blueface offered some more explict comments on his feelings for Rock. “Just talking while I’m talking and s**t. B**ch, shut the f**k up! B**ch, let me talk! You not even saying s**t,” the rapper told his chat followers. “I can’t do that s**t for years and years, chat. That’s for sure gonna end in domestic violence. I’ll pass. I identify with that.”

“She doesn’t know how to calm me down,” he continued. “She actually hypes me up a little too f**king much. It’s just not a good mixture for me. I’ve grown up a little bit. See sh*t before it happens. I don’t want that to happen.”

Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Lemuel Plummer/ Zeus Network

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The Extremely Controversial Prince Song You Might’ve Forgotten About

23 October 2026 at 19:37

Prince has never been a stranger to controversy. He constantly challenged gender and sex norms both musically and aesthetically. Back in the 80s, it was extremely taboo to try and tackle any of those kinds of ideas. But he released enough timeless records and fantastic albums at such a prolific rate, it was impossible to ignore him.

However, there is one song in his catalogue that has gone under the radar for years, and it’s his most controversial by far. Back in 1980, Prince released his subversive, rugged album Dirty Mind. Towards the end of the album, there’s “Sister”, an inflammatory song about incest. He sang about being 16 years old and being preyed upon by his 32-year-old sister and how it sparked his sexual awakening.

“My sister never made love to anyone else but me/She’s the reason for my, uh, sexuality/Showed me where it’s supposed to go/A blow job doesn’t mean blow/Incest is everything it’s said to be,” the Minnesotan legend cooed.

Naturally, fans and skeptics alike were aghast at how he could sing about such a wild topic. Moreover, it begged the question: did he actually have sex with his sister?

Prince Released an Insanely Controversial Song About Incest Back in 1980

The Purple Rain star never made it explicitly clear whether or not “Sister” came from a real place or not. The initial instinct is to believe that he’s trying to spark a reaction from the audience, given the rest of the X-rated songwriting on Dirty Mind.

However, a 1981 interview with the Kingsport Times-News suggested that Prince only wanted to write from his own experiences. Not doing so made him especially thorny towards the state of the industry at the time.

“I only write about things that occur,” he told the publication. “I’m not going to sit around and make up a bunch of phony stories about fantasies and such and put that out. That would make me a lot of money, but it’s not the way it should be done. I’m not going to bow down to the establishment to make records like they want me to make. That’s why there’s a record sales slump.” 

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Prince talked about it as just another part of life. “It’s something that’s inside of all of us to some degree, whether we like it or not. We may think about it or encounter it in some form or other,” he said.

Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

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While Prince wasn't scared to be controversial, his 1980 deep cut "Sister" might be the most contentious song of his career.

Rock Drummer Reveals Meningitis Diagnosis, Forced to Step Away From Band

23 October 2026 at 19:04

Longtime drummer for Finnish rock band The 69 Eyes is stepping away for a bit due to illness. Jussi 69, real name Jussi Vuori, posted a statement to the band’s social media on October 22, 2026. He shared the news with fans of his temporary departure following a viral meningitis diagnosis.

“Dear all! I’m truly sorry to share that I’ve been diagnosed with nasty infection (viral meningitis),” he wrote. “I need to rest and follow my doctors orders, which means no physical activity or drumming for now.”

The glam-goth band has several dates scheduled throughout Finland until the end of 2026. For the remaining shows, Jussi will be replaced by his drum tech, Vilho Rajala. In the statement, Jussi gave Rajala his seal of approval as his temporary replacement.

The statement continued, “The 69 Eyes will play all upcoming tour dates, with my amazing drum tech Vilho Rajala, who knows our songs by heart, filling in for me for the first couple of weeks.”

The 69 Eyes Drummer To Take Temporary Break Following Illness, Fans Send Supportive Messages

Jussi concluded the post with a personal note to fans, sharing his hopes that he’d return to the stage soon. “I’ve always given 100% at every show, but right now I need to focus on getting better so I can come back stronger than ever!” he wrote. “I hope you understand. I love you all and hope to see you at the shows very soon!”

The comment section of the post was full of support from fans and famous friends. This included a comment from Rajala, who wrote, “I’ve got your back & will do my best. Get well soon!” Samy Elbanna, guitarist for Finnish metal band Lost Society, commented, “Get well soon brother!!!!”

Fans commented well-wishes, urging Jussi to take his time to fully recover. “Sending you lots of good vibes and love. Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery!” one fan wrote. Many others commented similar statements, flooding the post with support.

The 69 Eyes most recently released one of their older hits as a single. In September 2026, the band gave “Brandon Lee (Forma Acustica)” a standalone release after 26 years. It was initially featured on their 2000 album, Blessed Be, and became a huge international hit. Another big hit was “Lost Boys” from 2005, which has since become a staple of the Halloween season.

As for their current I Survive Tour, the band is scheduled to play 11 shows in Finland starting on October 30. They have a hometown show in Helsinki on December 5, before ending the year with a show in Munich, Germany, on December 31.

Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images

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Michael Kiwanuka’s “Fudge” is a treat not to be missed

23 October 2026 at 19:00

The last time “Cold Little Heart” singer Michael Kiwanuka visited Seattle, I mistook the 7 o’clock start printed on my concert ticket for the doors-open time, only to arrive as he performed the “Big Little Lies” theme . . . and bid the audience goodnight. I sheepishly assured my husband that was OK; we’d catch his next tour.

Cut to a September 2026 interview with The Guardian, a month before his fifth album, “Fudge,” was due to come out: Kiwanuka revealed he’d suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in July 2025. He’s rehabilitating but still struggles to speak, in addition to other impairments he’d rather not make public. Suffice it to say, no one knows when Kiwanuka will tour again. His full, peaceful recovery comes first, of course. This news also reminded me to never take anything or anyone we cherish for granted.

Until we can applaud the performer’s return to the stage, attending a vinyl bar’s listening session for “Fudge” is about as close to that elating experience as a person can get for now. That’s what I did last week, driving across town to hear it a week before its release.

 

 

No recording can ever replace the feeling of hearing a singular talent like Kiwanuka live, although his music’s airy psychedelia stirs the soul whether it plays through headphones, tinny car speakers, or the most modest of home sound systems. But top-of-the-line audio equipment allows his work to truly soar.

Kiwanuka is a sonic artificer of the highest level, capturing lofty hope and languid melancholia in liquid waves that crash and surge around his voice. That comes through magnificently on “Fudge,” which was modestly engineered compared to 2024’s “Small Changes.” That was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Inflo and Danger Mouse, whereas this came together in a simple Southampton studio in the U.K. As such, a close-to-home comfort infuses “Fudge” with real tenderness without sacrificing any of Kiwanuka’s signature sonic luxuriance.


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Kiwanuka’s latest is a sun-soaked daydream of an album awash in afternoon light. It’s easy to get lost in its layers of strings, to chase a cello’s lusty glide past innocent piano notes. But it also has a purposeful solidity, announced by a snippet of an interview with jazz legend Chick Corea that leads into the nostalgic “Summer Clothes.”

“The simplest thing to forget is that what music is about, and any kind of art form is about, is creating the kind of things that you think are beautiful,” says Corea. With “Fudge,” Kiwanuka has certainly done that.
 

 

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Metal Frontman Reveals Years of Head-Banging Left Him Facing Possible Paralysis

23 October 2026 at 18:11

Is there such a thing as rocking out too hard? For Nile guitarist and vocalist Karl Sanders, apparently, there is, and doing so has radically altered the trajectory of his life. In a message shared across social media, he revealed that he underwent a “multilevel spinal fusion surgery” in his neck.

Apparently, after years of head-banging in the band, the effects took a massive toll on his neck. Now, after the much-needed operation, he’s going to be well enough to join the rest of Nile for the European leg of their Underworld tour. Additionally, had Sanders tried to endure the pain any further, he could’ve risked being paralyzed for the rest of his life.

“Disc degeneration, decades of headbanging, a martial arts injury 11 years ago, and a long stretch of stress have taken a toll on my health. I’d been dealing with pain from pressure on my spinal cord and nerves,” Karl Sanders said.

“But when I developed constant numbness in my right hand this year, I knew I couldn’t put it off. Scans showed severe narrowing around my spinal cord, along with signs of injury to the cord itself. My doctors made it clear that surgery was necessary. Without it, I was facing further permanent damage, including a very real risk of paralysis.”

Nile’s Karl Sanders Revealed He Could’ve Been Paralyzed If He Didn’t Go Get Surgery on His Neck

Additionally, he joked that the operation left him with “a little more metal in me now.” Now, he’s on the road to recovery that should prepare him for tour starting in late November.

“The surgery went well, and I’m putting in the work on recovery. The neck and shoulder pain is easing, and my throat is healing,” Karl Sanders shared. “I’m walking 2–3 miles a day, doing Occupational Therapy for my right hand three times a week, following my doctor’s instructions, and playing LOTS of guitar.”

The only real downside is that he won’t do the same head-banging he’s used to. However, the surgery allows Sanders to continue to do what he loves and put food on the table. “Making music is what I love, but it’s also how I make my living. Metal doesn’t come with paid medical leave,” Karl Sanders added.

“I won’t be doing any more onstage headbanging, but that’s OK. I have done more than my share of headbanging during my career, and I am thankful that I can still actively tour and Make Metal for the fans.”

Photo by Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic

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Iconic Los Angeles Punk Band Releasing First Standalone EP Since 1995

23 October 2026 at 18:10

It’s been 31 years since Circle Jerks released their final album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities in 1995. But as of October 2026, the L.A. hardcore icons have announced a new release, slated for November 20.

The band is releasing a four-track EP, titled Revenge of Nervous Breakdown. While the tracks themselves aren’t completely new compositions, they’re re-recordings of existing songs from frontman Keith Morris’ time with Black Flag. “Depression”, “Fix Me”, “Revenge”, and “Nervous Breakdown” originally appeared on Black Flag’s 1979 debut EP Nervous Breakdown.

Longtime Circle Jerks fans can get Revenge of Nervous Breakdown on 7″ vinyl, CD, and cassette, as well as digital format. Additionally, the EP includes new artwork by Raymond Pettibon, who designed Black Flag’s earliest album art.

Morris formed Circle Jerks in 1979, when he left Black Flag after two years. His new band went on to become hugely influential in the hardcore punk scene, inspiring everyone from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to The Offspring to Pearl Jam.

Circle Jerks To Release EP of Re-Recorded 1979 Black Flag Classics

Alongside this exciting EP release, Circle Jerks also have a run of live dates scheduled. On November 14, they’re among the lineup for Darker Waves Festival in Huntington Beach, California. They’ll join acts like Morrissey, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bad Religion, Buzzcocks, The Damned, Manic Street Preachers, and more.

Then, in December, they kick off a handful of exclusively California shows. The live performances include a screening of the 1984 film Repo Man, which notably featured Circle Jerks performing “Coup d’État”. Shows begin in Sacramento on December 4, hitting Monterey, San Francisco, Fresno, and Los Angeles before concluding in Gardena on December 12.

Circle Jerks have disbanded several times in their storied history. After gaining popularity following their appearance in the 1980 Penelope Spheeris documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, they disbanded in 1984. This allowed guitarist Greg Hetson to join Bad Religion full time, however. Once reunited in 1994, they released their final album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, the following year. Another break-up, another reunion in 2001 with periodic live shows. What seemed to be their final split came in 2011.

However, the band reunited once more in 2020 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album, Group Sex. Since then, they’ve spent time touring with Descendants since 2023, and played Coachella in 2025. Now, fans are finally getting the current Circle Jerks sound in its studio-recorded glory.

Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Coachella

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80s Rock Singer Reveals Vocal Cord Paralysis As He Explains Band’s Retirement Confusion

23 October 2026 at 17:53

80s rock singer Kip Winger has revealed he’s suffered from vocal-cord paralysis. The revelation comes amid confusion concerning the retirement status of his band, Winger.

During an October 2026 episode of SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Kip Winger opened up about his band playing shows this year, even after announcing their retirement in 2025. Their final gig was originally an August 2025 show at the Rainbow Bar & Grill Backyard Bash in West Hollywood, California. According to the singer, it was necessarily a planned hiatus, but there had been talk of slowing down.

“We toured a lot for the last five years,” Kip said, as transcribed by Blabbermouth. “I was wanting more time to focus on the other writing I’m doing. I had a lot of trouble with my voice.” He then shared his medical diagnosis: “I’ve got this paralysis in my vocal cord, so it’s very difficult to get my voice up and running, but I can do it.”

Kip Winger revealed that he has been dealing with vocal cord paralysis

Kip then brought up that Rainbow Bar gig from 2025. He sincerely thought it would be his final show for a while. “I was telling everybody, like, ‘This is gonna be my last show for a while, because I’m doing other s**t.’ And f**k if Marq Torien [of ’80s rock band the BulletBoys] didn’t go out there and go, ‘This is Kip’s retirement gig.'”

“He said it the whole set,” Kip added. “So that’s how it got spread. I never announced it, but I was thinking we were gonna go from 35, 40 shows a year down to, like, six or seven, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Speaking about Winger’s 2026 gigs, Kip confirmed that they haven’t played too many. He noted that the gig they were at—The Sands.rocks music festival in Cancún, Mexico—was nearly the end of the line.

“Ten, maybe. Twelve,” he said, counting the band’s 2026 concerts. “This is our last show of the year. No — we’re going to Chicago and Detroit in two days. And that’s our last show. And then the first show of next year will be the [Monsters Of Rock] cruise. And then we’re getting some offers and stuff, which is weird, because I told my agent — I quoted a number that I thought was so high we’d never get it, and we’re getting it.”

Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

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Apple revives the original iPod as an Apple Music easter egg

23 October 2026 at 15:58
An Apple Music 404 page shows an interactive first-generation iPod.

If you've been feeling nostalgic for your old iPod, you can head over to Apple Music's 404 page to listen to music on a virtual re-creation of the first-generation iPod. The hidden iPod was spotted by users on social media on Friday. It's appropriately stocked with music from the early 2000s, like Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" or Gorillaz's "Feel Good Inc." The iPod seems to pop up on any non-existent Apple Music page, so you can find it by just adding a string of random letters after the main Apple Music URL.

theres a hidden fully functional ipod as a 404 page on apple music https://t.co/vLYpnkHG4x pic.twitter.com/0cSz4SF1kp

- Kian (@kianworld …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Cardi B Reveals She’s Tired of Feuding With Female Rappers: ‘It’s Kinda Boring’

23 October 2026 at 16:41

Cardi B is no stranger to beef. She’s bickered back and forth with seemingly everyone, from Nicki Minaj to Latto to BIA. Typically, a lot of her biggest feuds have died out uneventfully, largely due to the fact that she spent several years between dropping albums. But after a while, making enemies so often has to be exhausting.

Consequently, during a Spaces talk with fans on X, Cardi stated her intentions to leave the beef alone and mind her own business. But it’s not just out of sheer exhaustion— she’s really just bored with it.

“I don’t even give a f**k about these b***hes anymore,” Cardi B told fans. “To be honest with you, it’s like, I don’t even like beefing with rap b***hes anymore, because it’s kinda boring. I wanna be for street b***hes, ‘cause y’all? Y’all boring me, for real. Like, I don’t even give a f**k about this s**t anymore. It’s just like, whatever. Matter of fact, I don’t even wanna be for nobody… I feel like I’m outgrowing a lot of s**t.”

Of course, this is easier said than done. If other women in hip-hop throw shots at her, wouldn’t she be compelled to respond? Cardi said she plans on actively ignoring any subliminal shots because she’s too old to engage in petty drama.

Cardi B Tries to Leave the Beef Alone After X Spaces Session

“So no, I don’t give a f**k if a b***h wake up, mad as f**k, and start dissing me and start subbing me,” she stressed. “B***hes been f**king fake trying to sub me and s**t for months straight. … I’m a 34-year-old woman.”

For what it’s worth, Cardi B has went above and beyond trying to repair old feuds. Back in June 2026, she responded to a leaked phone call where she called Atlanta rapper Latto, “p***y a** Latto.” Rather than double down on the slander, the Bronx MC admitted that she shouldn’t have been so cruel and belligerent.

“On that call I didn’t even mean to call you that, I didn’t mean any harm,” Cardi B said in a lengthy apology. “There’s a difference in what I said vs what I meant. What I could have said was you was too forgiving and gave too much mercy in that situation.. But it was a heated conversation and I let my mouth get the best of me.”

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

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