New York, United States | AFP | he experimental R&B singer Solange has revealed a struggle with an autonomic disorder as she canceled a New Year’s Eve performance in South Africa. Solange, the younger sister of pop superstar Beyonce, said doctors had advised her not to make the long journey from …
Read More »Shakira cancels tour, hopes for June return
New York, United States | AFP | Colombian pop star Shakira on Wednesday cancelled the remainder of her world tour because of a problem with her vocal cords and said she hoped to be back on stage in June of next year. “Though I very much hoped to be able …
Read More »Facebook promises personalized music in first label deal
New York, United States | AFP | Facebook announced a licensing deal Thursday with Universal Music Group, its first with a major label, as the social media giant promised more personalized, interactive music features for its two billion users. The move marks a new foray into music by Facebook, which despite …
Read More »Seeking music edge, Apple buys song recognition app Shazam
New York, United States | AFP | Apple said Monday that it would buy leading song recognition app Shazam in a fresh bid to secure an edge in the intensifying battle of streaming services. Apple, whose streaming service has rapidly grown but still has only half the paid subscribers of Spotify, …
Read More »Ugandans charged for presidential protest pop song
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Two Ugandan musicians were released on bail on Wednesday after being charged with disturbing the peace of veteran President Yoweri Museveni for a song suggesting he should retire, their lawyer said. Singer David Mugema and music producer John Muwanguzi were accused of having composed and disseminated …
Read More »Michael Jackson’s impact on art revealed in new show
Paris, France | AFP | Pop legend Michael Jackson’s “huge impact” on contemporary art will be explored in a new exhibition in Paris and London next year. The “groundbreaking” show claims it will tell the “untold story” of how the king of pop became “one of the most influential figures …
Read More »Bruno Mars wins American Music Awards on night of divas
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Bruno Mars took the top prize at the American Music Awards on Sunday at a show that paid glowing tribute to legendary divas Diana Ross and the late Whitney Houston. Mars, the retro star who found fresh success with the funky beats and R&B …
Read More »‘Star Wars’ composer writes Bernstein work for Boston
New York, United States | AFP | John Williams, the prolific film composer who has scored “Star Wars” and other blockbusters, will premiere a new work dedicated to Leonard Bernstein, the Boston Symphony Orchestra said Wednesday. The orchestra announced its 2018 season at Tanglewood, its summer home nestled in the wooded …
Read More »MTV EMA: Nigeria’s Davido Wins ‘Best African Act’ Award
London, UK | THE INDEPENDENT | Nigeria’s Davido has bagged the “Best African Act” Award after an evening of awards and world-class performances from some of the biggest music acts on the planet at the 24th annual MTV EMA in London. The awards ended with MTV choosing the six best worldwide act …
Read More »Nominations for 6th HiPipo Music Awards kickoff
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nomination channels for the 6th prestigious HiPipo Music Awards have been opened and will run until November 15, 2017 when the exercise will be closed. While announcing the nomination kickoff, Innocent Kawooya, CEO HiPipo noted that the 6th edition of HiPipo Music Awards comes …
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