The first edition of this year’s Newsflash begins with Rage Against the Machine co-founder Tom Morello and his latest musical feats and Carl Cox dropping two fresh sets available for streaming, while Steve Angello, Rudimental, Iniko, Ian Asher, and Franky Wah are all set to unveil new singles!
Meanwhile, Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am is diving into a new AI-driven podcast. Plus, three of this year’s festival stars – Rudimental, Kenya Grace, and Barry Can’t Swim – have scored Brit Award nominations! On the local front, regional sensation Joker Out is stirring the scene with a new live album and gearing up for a major European tour!
Tom Morello Inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame
Guitar wizard and Rage Against the Machine co-founder Tom Morello has been inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame this week. Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5 presented him at the prestigious ceremony. “Last night was an honor because heavy metal is in the DNA of everything I’ve ever done. It’s about being true to yourself and not caring what anyone thinks. (…) Metal’s what made me,” Morello expressed in an Instagram post, sharing his fondest memories with the genre.
Earlier this month, Morello teamed up with Sheryl Crow on the single “Evolution,” contributing his signature guitar solos. “To me, Tom’s playing comes from some other planet. It’s a cool bit of kismet that we were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the same year, and his solo on ‘Evolution’ just ejects you into space,” said Crow. As a reminder, Morello was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last November with RATM, and he recently shared a poignant speech from the event on social media following the band’s split.
Carl Cox Makes Two New Sets Available for Streaming!
The legendary Carl Cox, often hailed as the ultimate symbol of DJing, has released two exclusive sets, now fully available for streaming. One was recorded for Drumcode Radio Live at the VW Arena in Istanbul, and the other for Defected Records.
The Defected Records set was captured on New Year’s Eve at The Ivy in Sydney. As he is known for being very selective about where he performs, Cox’s release of two sets in a single month is a real treat for techno aficionados!
Steve Angello Drops New Single “ME”
Swedish DJ phenomenon Steve Angello, a founding member of the globally acclaimed electronic trio Swedish House Mafia, has unleashed his much-anticipated single “ME” under his label SIZE Records. Fans have eagerly awaited the track since its electrifying debut at Angello’s massive SIZE XX party in Stockholm.
Explosive piano chords, pounding bass lines, and mesmerizing vocals take center stage in the new release. In addition to SIZE Records, the track is featured on the iconic Astralwerks.
Rudimental – Dual Single Release and a Brit Awards Nomination!
British chart-toppers Rudimental have joined forces with Ella Henderson on the new hit single “Alibi,” which is already climbing the charts, including the prestigious UK Official Singles Chart Top 100. “Alibi” marks the second collaboration between the dynamic group and the renowned singer-songwriter, following their 2021 hit “Handle My Own.” The track uniquely revives a sample from the iconic “Gangsta’s Paradise.”
Rudimental’s last year’s release, “Dancing Is Healing,” earned them a Brit Awards nomination for Song of the Year. They rounded off last week with another fresh release – “Waterslides,” a collaboration with Tiësto and Absolutely!
Will.i.am Launches AI-Co-Hosted Podcast!
Will.i.am, the frontman of one of the most successful music groups of all time, The Black Eyed Peas, has launched the first episode of his new podcast, The FYI Show, this week, co-hosted with – artificial intelligence! Qd.pi (Cutie Pie) is the AI co-host of the show that delves into music, pop culture, and technology. The entire podcast is available for streaming via Will.i.am’s app, FYI, and a sneak peek trailer can be found on Instagram.
Iniko Unveils New Track “Armor”!
The voice of the new generation, Iniko, has released their latest single, “Armor,” today. The lyrics, “I don’t need armor / I’m more than brave / Gotta go harder / I will not be a slave,” hit hard in the chorus. Iniko declares themselves as neither son nor daughter, with no label or name.
This highly rhythmic and energetic new single picks up where the megahit “Jericho“ left off, encapsulating the entire philosophy of this versatile singer-songwriter in under three minutes.
Ian Asher Remixes the Iconic “Mas Que Nada”
Ian Asher, the rising producer, DJ, and hitmaker known for collaborations with stars like The Weeknd, Mariah Carey, and Kendrick Lamar, has released a new single. This remix of the classic “Mas Que Nada,” also featuring Oliver Heldens and Sergio Mendes, has been streamed over a million times in just 11 days!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrutQ5VOqOk
Kenya Grace – A Triple Threat with Brit, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music Nominations
Kenya Grace, who kick-started her career with modest musical gear from the privacy of her room, has skyrocketed to the top of global charts in just a few months.
The success of her single “Strangers” keeps growing, leading to a Brit Awards nomination for Song of the Year, an iHeartRadio Music Award nomination for Best New R&B Artist, and a spot on Amazon Music Breakthrough UK: Artists to Watch 2024.
Barry Can’t Swim Scores Brit Awards Nomination for Best Dance Act
Barry Can’t Swim is also basking in the glow of a Brit Awards nomination for Best Dance Act, standing toe-to-toe with the likes of Calvin Harris and Fred Again... “Someone call the police! I’ve been nominated for a @brits, and Calvin Harris is about to get robbed!” Barry joked on Instagram.
Franky Wah Teams Up with Paul Oakenfold for “Bullet In The Gun” Rework
British producer and DJ Franky Wah has collaborated with Paul Oakenfold to revamp the single “Bullet In The Gun.” Franky shared the intriguing coincidences surrounding this collaboration on Instagram.
“It’s funny how history has a way of repeating itself. Around 4 years ago I posted a photo of me in the desert announcing my official rework and release of the 90s classic ‘You’re Not Alone.’ I had no idea that almost 20 years prior to this picture being taken that Paul Oakenfold had basically taken the exact same photo for his album ‘Travelling.’ Fast forward 4 years and the opportunity came along to rework the absolute classic that is ‘Bullet In The Gun’ with Paul himself, which was an obvious YES for me,” Franky wrote.
Joker Out Release Live Album, Announce European Tour and New Music
Regional sensation Joker Out has released “Live From Arena Stožice,” an album from their biggest concert to date held in Ljubljana in front of over 12,000 fans. The LP is available on all streaming platforms, while the eponymous concert film can be viewed on demand on the band’s official website.
The group has also announced a major European tour titled “See You Soon,” featuring over 20 scheduled performances across the continent. Frontman Bojan Cvjetičanin teased new music on his Instagram, promising more exciting developments for fans!
