Leading up to the Grammy nominations on Nov. 10, Rolling Stone is breaking down 16 different categories. For each, we’re predicting the nominees, as well as who will (and who should) win on Grammy night. Americana is a wide-open category, partly because it’s hard to define. “I always look at …
Read More »A Christian Artist Sang 'Cock' on Their Album. The Grammys Bounced Them Out of Their Category
There’s a fine line for what the Recording Academy considers eligible for Best Contemporary Christian Album at the Grammys. In the case of drag queen Christian singer Flamy Grant, that line was drawn over several curse words. Grant, whose offstage name is Matthew Blake and uses they/them pronouns when not …
Read More »Britney's Memoir Is Incomplete — But Powerful
Britney Spears‘ wrenching new memoir, The Woman in Me, is a classic celebrity tell-all — but she doesn’t quite tell all. There’s not a word in there about the recording her classic second album, Oops!… I Did It Again. Later, she mentions one of her greatest songs, “Toxic,” but again, …
Read More »TikTok Gave MGMT a New Audience. They're Going to Make the Most of It
Just a few years ago, MGMT seemed like they were spiraling into oblivion. The psychedelic synth-pop dup of Andrew VanWyngarden and Benjamin Goldwasser exploded onto the scene back in 2007 with their debut LP, Oracular Spectacular, and the hits “Kids,” “Electric Feel,” and “Time to Pretend.” But follow-up albums Congratulations …
Read More »What Was It Like To Replace Robbie Robertson in the Band?
Rolling Stone interview series Unknown Legends features long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians who have toured and recorded alongside icons for years, if not decades. All are renowned in the business, but some are less well known to the general public. Here, these artists tell their …
Read More »The Best Rock Album Grammy Could Come Down to These Heavyweight Bands
Leading up to the Grammy nominations on Nov. 10, Rolling Stone is breaking down 16 different categories. For each, we’re predicting the nominees, as well as who will (and who should) win on Grammy night. The Foo Fighters are Grammy catnip, especially given Dave Grohl’s eager participation in the festivities. …
Read More »Meet the 'Freak From Behind the Barricade' Who Produced the New Rolling Stones Album
What do you get when you allow a superfan to produce your band’s newest album? Hackney Diamonds. Andrew Watt, who helmed the Rolling Stones‘ first album of original music in 18 years, wants it known that, first and foremost, he is a Stones fan, with an admittedly unhealthy obsession at …
Read More »'The Black Godfather' Changed the Music Business Forever. He Was Also My Dad
I n the middle of August this year, three legends of the music industry died within 72 hours of each other: founder of A&M Records Jerry Moss; music lawyer Abe Somer; and my father, the “Black Godfather” himself, Clarence Avant. These three men helped define the recording industry of the …
Read More »Brent Faiyaz on Bad Habits, Zodiac Signs, and Scorsese
Listen to Brent Faiyaz’s music long enough, and his life starts to sound like a movie. He’s the director, screenwriter, and main character in an imaginary film born from late nights in big cities, hushed conversations with women at loud parties, and emotions felt without penitence. Faiyaz doesn’t see himself …
Read More »Low Cut Connie's Adam Weiner Dares to Celebrate His Jewishness in a Thrilling New Concert Film
About 10 years ago, Adam Weiner was onstage in a shitty NASCAR bar in Illinois, playing two sets of piano-driven rock & soul for about 30 onlookers. Weiner, who’s Jewish and fronts the band Low Cut Connie, was wearing a Star of David around his neck as he sang and …
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