GRUNGECAKE

Category: News

  • Algeria reinstates VISA requirements on Moroccan nationals

    According to Reuters, the authorities in Algeria have resumed VISA requirements for people from Morocco. The report states that Algerians are accusing its neighbours of “abusing VISA-free entries to allow criminal activities over the border in a fresh measure against Rabat.” Two decades ago, both countries lifted the requirements. As of Thursday, Morocco has not released a statement.

  • Travis Scott earns #1 spot on Billboard 200 with 10-year-old mixtape ‘Days Before Rodeo’

    Officially the higest-selling mixtape in history, ‘Days Before Radio’ is officially Scott’s highest-selling vinyl release of his career, highest-selling in Rap history, and sixth highest across all genres since 1991

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    Celebrated for its transformative impact on Hip-Hop, ‘Days Before Rodeo’ is now the highest-selling Rap album of 2024, and marks Travis Scott’s highest-selling vinyl release of his career, in Rap history, and sixth across all genres since 1991.

    ‘Days Before Rodeo’ was re-released on all digital streaming platforms for the first time on August 23 to celebrate its tenth anniversary and a decade of groundbreaking influence. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 on September 7 with 361,000 units. In its fourth week of release, the album jumped to #1 after its vinyl editions shipped to customers who had pre-ordered the album before its release, eventually earning 156,000 equivalent album units in the United States week ending September 19 (up 1,295%).

    ‘Days Before Rodeo’ marks Scott’s fourth consecutive #1 previously topping the charts with ‘Utopia’ (2023), ‘Astroworld’ (2018), and ‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’ (2016).

    This seminal project heralded a new era of sonic innovation and played a crucial role in shaping today’s music and culture. Travis originally released ‘Days Before Rodeo’ in 2014 as his second mixtape, almost a full year before his debut album ‘Rodeo’ arrived. Featuring an impressive lineup of guest appearances from Young Thug, Big Sean, The 1975, Rich Homie Quan, Migos, TI, and Peewee Longway, the mixtape introduced a new era of Progressive Trap production that contributed to the genesis of some of today’s most influential artists, including Young Thug, Metro Boomin, and Migos. The project stands as a testament to Scott’s visionary approach, marking a monumental moment in music.

    Tracks like ‘Mamacita’ featuring Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug, and ‘Don’t Play’ featuring Big Sean and The 1975, underscore the mixtape’s impact, blending moody production with dynamic collaborations that captivated both fans and critics. The gritty production, crafted by Metro Boomin, Lex Luger, FKi, Wondagurl, and Travis Scott himself, set a new tone for Hip-Hop and played a pivotal role in shaping its direction in today’s culture. The re-release of ‘Days Before Rodeo’, offers both longtime fans and new listeners worldwide the chance to experience a project that has profoundly influenced the music industry. Hailed as one of the best mixtapes of the 2010s, ‘Days Before Rodeo’ was instrumental in redefining the sonic landscape of hip-hop, amplifying Travis Scott’s enduring legacy and trailblazing contributions to music.

    Travis Scott’s sold-out Circus Maximus Tour made stops across Latin America this month, and will be arriving in Australia and New Zealand in October. Additionally, he will be returning to North America for a special one-night-only stadium show in East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

    Circus Maximus Fall Tour Dates

    Oct 9 – East Rutherford, New Jersey – MetLife Stadium
    Oct 17 – Sydney, Australia – Allianz Stadium
    Oct 22 – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium
    Oct 26 – Brisbane, Australia – Suncorp Stadium
    Oct 31 – Auckland, New Zealand – Eden Park
    *Non-Live Nation Date

  • President Joseph R Biden, Jr approves major disaster declaration for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

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    FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms and flooding from August 8-10, 2024.

    Public Assistance federal funding is available to the Tribal Nation and certain private nonprofit organisations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding.

    Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures.

    Catherine O Fan has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further assessments.

  • Stevie Wonder announces ‘Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart’ tour

    As a special thank you, Stevie Wonder will be offering a designated amount of complimentary tickets to those in our communities who are already working tirelessly to fix our nation’s broken heart.

     

    Today, Stevie Wonder announced his upcoming tour in hopes of utilising his celebrity to mend the country “at the height of a critical election season”. The legendary 25x GRAMMY Award-winning singer with hits spanning decades will perform in ten cities during October to address “a pivotal juncture in American politics and culture, in a call for joy over anger, kindness over recrimination, peace over war.”

    Tickets will be available for purchase tomorrow at noon local time — Eastern Standard Time. Please find the dates below for the ‘Sing Your Song! As We TFix Our Nation’s Broken Heart’.

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    ‘Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart’ Dates

    Tuesday, October 8 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
    Thursday, October 10 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
    Saturday, October 12 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
    Tuesday, October 15 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena 
    Thursday, October 17 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
    Saturday, October 19 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
    Tuesday, October 22 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
    Thursday, October 24 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
    Sunday, October 27 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
    Wednesday, October 30 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena

  • Usher joins Coke Studio 2024 lineup

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    Coke Studio 2024 unveiled exciting additions to this year’s lineup, welcoming global music superstars, Usher and Tyla. Marking another milestone for Coke Studio, Coca-Cola’s premier global music platform, Usher and Tyla are joining this season alongside several incredible artists including Karol G, NewJeans and Peggy Gou, delivering exclusive musical experiences to fans around the world. 

    As part of the Coke Studio programming, fans can look forward to an array of immersive experiences from Usher and Tyla, including exclusive original tracks and thrilling live performances to be announced in the coming weeks. In October, Usher will perform live in Atlanta as part of his upcoming tour, whilst Tyla will take the stage in Johannesburg, South Africa where lucky fans will get to be some of the first in the world to experience the new tracks performed live for the very first time. 

    “Being part of this year’s Coke Studio lineup is both an honour and an opportunity to engage with my fans through the power of music. Partnering with Coca-Cola to bring these experiences to life is exciting, and I can’t wait for fans to join us in the magic we’re crafting together”, said Usher.

    “I’m excited to perform in my hometown of Johannesburg as part of the Coke Studio platform. It’s a privilege to bring these vibrant moments to life and share the joy and energy with music lovers across the world”, said Tyla.

    Usher and Tyla are the latest artists to curate new music for Coke Studio 2024 following the successful song drops of Karol G’s ‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’, Peggy Gou’s ‘Find The Way’, and NewJeans’ ‘How Sweet’ videos. Karol G’s Coke Studio session has been celebrated for its remarkable achievements, as it reached the #1 global top music video on YouTube with over 225 million views. The song has been on top of the global charts for more than ten weeks, whilst reaching the # 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome two of our favourite artists, Usher and Tyla, to our incredible 2024 lineup. This year Coke Studio offers unparalleled access to exclusive content and experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. We’ve partnered with both Usher and Tyla to create something special for their fans, and we’re sure that they will love what we have in store for the rest of 2024”, said Josh Burke, global head of music and culture marketing at The Coca-Cola Company.

  • Dame Dash says Drake wanted to buy his shares of Roc-A-Fella

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    It could all be a way to drive traffic to his network… and it’s working.

    According to Dame Dash via his America Nu Network, Drake attempted to buy his shares of Roc-A-Fella. Had the deal gone through, the Toronto-bred legendary artist would have owned a third of the masters to JAY Z’s debut album, ‘Reasonable Doubt’. Could you imagine? That would have certainly been the talk of the town amid Kendrick Lamar’s recent announcement about performing at the Super Bowl during its Halftime Show in February 2025. Based on the reports, Drake contacted Dame Dash in a direct message. In any event, as previously reported on GRUNGECAKE, JAY Z’s legal is not having it and filed a motion that states the rights of his debut will return to its original owner in 2031.

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  • Taylor Swift officially endorses Kamala Harris

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    Yesterday, Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. The American superstar wrote on Instagram, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.” Her 283 million followers or others could not leave a message since the popstar limited comments on her post.

  • Watch The Weeknd’s new music video teaser, shot on iPhone 16 Pro: See behind-the-scenes photos

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    Today, we received an exciting email from Apple detailing its new product, the all-new iPhone 16 Pro. In the email, the world’s leading tech company shared The Weeknd’s music video shot for his latest single ‘Dancing in the Flames’ on the device.

    Not only did the director, Anton Tammi, and his director of photography, Erik Henrikkson, execute incredibly well, but the visuals also looked stunning!

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    According to the press release, the iPhone 16 Pro features a larger display and the thinnest borders ever on any Apple product. The pro camera system brings all-new creative features, including the ability to record in 4K 120fps in Dolby Vision for smooth slow-motion video capture — on perfect display in the forthcoming music video for ‘Dancing in the Flames’. Four new studio-quality mics preserve true-to-life recorded sounds, Audio Mix uses machine learning to identify and separate background elements from speech, giving users three voice options: In-Frame Mix, Studio Mix, Cinematic Mix, and so much more. iPhone 16 Pro also features the powerful A18 Pro chip, a huge leap in battery life, and comes in four stunning titanium finishes: black titanium, white titanium, natural titanium, and desert titanium. 

    Last week, The Weeknd revealed the title of his forthcoming album, ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’, which marks the culmination of his acclaimed trilogy. Following ‘Dawn FM’ and ‘After Hours’, this album is set to elevate his artistic narrative, encapsulating existential and self-referential themes that have captured the imagination of fans. The anticipation surrounding this final chapter is palpable, as it promises to be a powerful testament to The Weeknd’s evolution as an artist.

    The Weeknd’s official music video for ‘Dancing In the Flames’ will come out on Friday, September 13.

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  • Shaboozey performs ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ live at Vevo Studios: Watch

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    Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces the release of Shaboozey‘s live performance of ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, off his album ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’.

    Shaboozey blends Country and Hip-Hop genres, creating songs that feel as epic as a movie; gripping, unpredictable, immense in scope but rooted in raw emotion. On his new album, ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’, Shaboozey charts a cinematic road trip through the wilds of the American West, bringing a powerful new depth to his storytelling whilst pushing further into the Country/Folk-inspired sound he’s explored in recent years.

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    Originally from Northern Virginia, Shaboozey pulls inspiration from other DMV artists like Missy Elliot, Pharell and Timbaland. After a decade of perfecting his sound, Shaboozey skyrocketed to the mainstream after being featured in two songs on Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ album: ‘Sweet Honey Buckiin’ and ‘Spaghetti’. His album, ‘Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going’, was released shortly after, with the standout single ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, built around J-Kwon’s 2004 hit, ‘Tipsy’. The track most recently became the longest-running #1 single in the Hot 100 of 2024, having now been in the top spot for eight weeks and counting.

    “I’ve been doing music for such a long time, I’ve put a lot of time and years into it”, Shaboozey said in a recent interview, “I put so much into it that I feel like it’s just cool to see it working. Everybody hopes it works. To see it actually working, it’s unreal.”

    On Vevo, Shaboozey has garnered over 147 million global views in 2024 so far, with the official video for ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ currently Vevo’s #1 most-viewed country video this year.

  • Kendrick Lamar to perform at Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in 2025

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    Today, Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL announced Kendrick Lamar will perform at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9, 2025, airing on FOX.

    “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” – Kendrick Lamar

    “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for Hip-Hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.” – Shawn “JAY Z” Carter

    “The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of the music we love and the incredible artists who make it, all on the world’s biggest stage. Apple is thrilled to bring this show, starring the absolutely incomparable Kendrick Lamar, to fans worldwide with Apple Music’s industry leading Spatial Audio quality along with tons of exclusive videos, interviews, playlists and so much more across Apple Music.” – Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats.

    “Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar. Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of Hip-Hop.” – Seth Dudowsky, Head of Music at the NFL. “We’re excited to collaborate with Kendrick, Roc Nation, and Apple Music to deliver another unforgettable Halftime Show.”

    Multi-platinum, GRAMMY and Emmy award-winning artist and co-founder of creative imprint pgLang, Kendrick Lamar, has achieved massive critical and cultural success since his debut album ‘Good Kid, MAAD City’ released in 2012. Since its release, Lamar has accumulated seventeen GRAMMY wins, and became the first non-classical, non-Jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album ‘DAMN’. Lamar’s latest album ‘Mr Morale & The Big Steppers’, was released in May 2022. In April of this year, ‘Like That’ by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in June, Lamar’s record-breaking, ‘Not Like Us’ spent two weeks at #1.

    Creative Direction for Lamar’s performance will be provided by pgLang.

    The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show telecast will be produced by DPS with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers, and Hamish Hamilton serving as director. Roc Nation will also serve as the strategic entertainment advisor of the live performance.

    Apple Music’s multi-year partnership with the NFL and Roc Nation brings together the Super Bowl Halftime Show — the most-watched musical performance of the year — with Apple Music, which celebrates musicians, songwriters, producers, and fans, and offers the world’s best music listening experience with a catalogue of over one-hundred million songs and immersive sound powered by Spatial Audio. Apple revolutionised the music experience with iPod and iTunes and continues the award-winning tradition with Apple Music.

    Earlier this year, The Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Starring Usher became the most-watched halftime performance of all time and garnered three 2024 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Variety Special (Live). In 2023, The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna scored five Emmy nominations, taking home two, including Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special, a first in Super Bowl Halftime history. In 2022, Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige, and Kendrick Lamar garnered five Creative Arts Emmy nominations. The critically-acclaimed performance won three Emmys, including Outstanding Variety Special (Live), a first-ever for the show.