“What’s Going On” is MusiQology’s weekly news round-up. Running each week, we curate a selection of relevant items from across the spectrum of popular culture, adding our own commentary and spin when it makes sense. With any luck, you’ll be able to spend a little less time browsing the web for what matters. We’ve got you covered.
The Whole World
Manhattan’s Central Park has hosted its fair share of politically themed concerts over the years, with the annual Global Citizen Festival rising in recent years to promote social action and global change. Earlier this week, the headliners for the 2016 edition—which will take place September 24—were announced, and two MusiQology favorites, Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna, top the bill. While the festival’s actionable production has been questioned in its four years of existence and many wonder if the concert is emblematic of contemporary slacktivism, gathering a few thousand fans in one place and offering speakers and special performances emphasizing empathy and global citizenship can’t be all bad, even if they have to stand through a performance by another more problematic headliner, Metallica. Tickets can be acquired free of charge; entries into a lottery can be “earned” by promoting the concert’s many causes on social media. For more information, see THEIR SITE.
Album(s) of the Year?
We’re just past the halfway point of 2016, and it seems appropriate to reflect on the year in music to this point. In just seven months, Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Beyoncé have all released albums to a mix of acclaim and ambivalence. After prodding from LeBron James, Kendrick Lamar released a set of b-sides. Less-known talents like Anderson Paak, Kaytranada, Blood Orange, and Esperanza Spalding all continued to refine their sounds with steps forward on record. And a 23-year-old Chicago kid name Chancelor reminded us all “how great” an emergent shooting star can make us all feel. Before we know it, year-end best-of lists will be printed, arguments will be had, and Lemonade will likely reign supreme. But there are a list of other albums expected/rumored/prayed-for on the way, including potential releases from Missy Elliott (unknown), M.I.A. (September 9), and, of course Frank Ocean, whose long-delayed follow-up to his masterwork, channel ORANGE is set to drop any day. While record sales remain stagnant, 2016 has been a banner year so far, and it seems fair to believe that will continue.
Jamaica Music Conference 2016
Permit us to make a personal plug here for the Jamaica Music Conference, an assembly of industry workers, entertainers, and more set to be held from November 11-13 in Kingston, Jamaica. This year’s conference—titled Word, Sound, Power—continues to investigate the complex and ongoing relationship between the island nation—whose greatest export remains its incredible musical catalogue—and the wider music industry. For a preview of the type of information to expect, tune in next Wednesday, August 3, for a free music monetization webinar, titled “Dance Ah Yard Before Yu Dance Abroad” and hosted by two industry professionals, Karen Marie Mason and Joan Webley. To register for the webinar, CLICK HERE.
Unreeling the Truth
If you’ve ever walked through Times Square in New York City, you’ve probably seen a street performer or two and left feeling unimpressed. The city’s buskers seldom turn heads. But a few years ago, a group of middle-school-age black youth appeared, shredding metal songs and drawing large crowds with massive guitar riffs and flair to match. Malcolm Brickhouse, Jarad Dawkins, and Alec Atkins—known as Unlocking the Truth—became a global sensation (thanks to YouTube), signing a deal with Sony Records and booking shows at a wide range of events including Coachella and Warped Tour and some opening slots for Metallica. Chaos, their full-length debut, dropped earlier this summer; it’s a fairly straightforward metal record, though major-label dollars have allowed them to produce some striking accompanying materials, including the music video for “Monster.” But perhaps most notably, an accompanying documentary, titled Breaking a Monster, is screening in theaters around the country, including the Ritz at the Bourse in Philadelphia. The verité film is a fairly standard rockumentary, but its subjects—the three charismatic youth blazing a new trail in metal—make the film a must-see.
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