Shigeichi Negishi, Original Karaoke Machine Inventor, Dies at 100

Shigeichi Negishi, the Japanese entrepreneur who invented the first-ever karaoke machine, died on January 26, The Wall Street Journal reports. Negishi, who was based in Tokyo, was 100 years old. Journalist Matt Alt, who interviewed Negishi for his book Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World, reported the news on X and expanded on … Read more

Vybz Kartel, Sentenced to Life in Prison in 2014, Wins Appeal of Murder Conviction

In 2014, Vybz Kartel was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. The Jamaican dancehall star has now won an appeal of his conviction due to juror misconduct in the original trial, Reuters reports. A Jamaican appeals court will now decide whether the musician and his … Read more

‘Destroyer’: How KISS Eliminated The Competition

After their first three albums yielded relatively modest returns, KISS achieved a well-deserved breakthrough with 1975’s concert album Alive! However, the New York rockers knew that their next studio album, Destroyer, needed to be their strongest yet if they were to continue their upward trajectory. Listen to the classic KISS album Destroyer on Apple Music … Read more

“It really is a special song”

if you listen to K-pop while running errands and doing chores, STAYC think their newest song, a remake of an older one, is perfect for you: a reimagined version of TWICE’s 2019 hit, ‘Fancy’. It is the final of three K-pop remakes for Spotify Singles, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the streaming platform’s ‘K-Pop ON!’ … Read more

Watch Amaarae’s New Video for “Angels in Tibet”

Amaarae has shared a new music video for her Fountain Baby single “Angels in Tibet.” The richly-colored visual takes place on stage and in various palatial settings, and stars dancers Hamly and Beaulexx alongside Amaarae. Check out the Yavez Anthonio-directed clip below. Last year’s Fountain Baby marked the Ghanaian American musician’s Interscope debut, following her … Read more

Joe Cuba Sextet ‘Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!)’ To Be Reissued

Joe Cuba Sextet, ‘Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!)’ – Photo: Courtesy of Craft Latino Craft Latino will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Joe Cuba Sextet’s classic Tico Records debut, Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!), with the album’s first vinyl reissue in nearly 50 years. Freshly remastered from all-analog sources, the 1964 LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and … Read more

Rapper Boss, One of the First Women Signed to Def Jam Recordings, Dies at 54

Boss, the Detroit rapper who became one of the first women to sign to Def Jam Recordings, has died of kidney failure, The Detroit News reports, citing a family spokesperson. The musician had been crowdfunding treatment for renal disease after a major stroke and seizure in 2017, according to a GoFundMe page. Boss was 54 … Read more

Frankie Beverly Announces Farewell Tour: ‘I Wanna Thank You’

Frankie Beverly has announced his retirement and revealed the schedule for his farewell tour with Maze, titled “I Wanna Thank You.” The five-city tour kicks off in Atlanta on March 22. That show will feature El DeBarge and Chaka Khan as special guests and a yet-to-be-announced after party. The tour will also visit Alabama, Chicago, … Read more

New Pacha Beach Club Opening Inside Lavish Dubai Waterfront Resort

Dubai’s FIVE Hospitality has announced a state-of-the art beach club, Playa Pacha, opening in FIVE LUXE, its new waterfront resort. Scheduled to open on March 31st, 2024, the lavish property features 222 rooms and suites as well as seven dining and nightlife venues, according to a press release. FIVE Hospitality CEO Aloki Batra has been vocal … Read more

American Football Announce Debut Album Anniversary Shows

American Football are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their beloved 1999 debut album with anniversary shows in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The newly announced U.S. concerts take place in September and October. See the band’s tour dates—including a performance at the new Best Friends Forever Festival—below. American Football released their first … Read more