American monthly magazine on pop culture and politics since 1967
A collection of obituaries and reflections from major outlets highlight the career of a legendary record executive who shaped artists from Janis Joplin to Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen. The pieces emphasize his instinct for pairing talent with mainstream appeal, and note Patti Smith’s counterpoint approach. The coverage spans the Independent, New York Times, Guardian and Scotsman, among others, with portraits of his long influence.
Beyoncé has released a new track, Morning Dew (Donk), marking the start of a 60-day countdown to her birthday and the 20th anniversary reissue of B’DAY. The song is credited to Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream and Darius Dixon, and will feature on the 20th-anniversary edition of B’DAY. A lyric video accompanies the release.
Marcellus Wiley has been arrested in Florida on a domestic battery charge after an argument with his wife at a Orlando hotel. Police allege threats were made; Wiley denies the claims and is due in court in August. The case has drawn renewed attention to his public profile and past legal issues.
Ofcom has found 26% of UK viewers now turn to Netflix first when choosing what to watch, narrowly ahead of the BBC on 25%, while ITV is first for 15%. YouTube viewing has surged: TV viewing of YouTube has doubled since 2022 to 19 minutes a day and total daily YouTube time is 41 minutes. Traditional broadcasters’ weekly reach has fallen to 70%.
Charli xcx has released Music, Fashion, Film, a 11-track project that blends electronic textures with guitar-driven moments. The artist has explained the release as a reflection on creativity, identity, and the pressures of fame, with responses to Brat and earlier projects.
Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has been hospitalised after a TikTok livestream appeared to show self-harm. Emergency services recovered Hilton from his Miami home, and he is receiving medical care as his family requests privacy. TikTok says the video violated guidelines and was removed after a moderator error, with law enforcement notified.
The Guardian and independent outlets detail Katseye’s rise as a global pop group built on K-pop training, fan culture, and major-brand partnerships, while facing internal strains and critical scrutiny as they tour globally and release Wild Hearts.
The US rapper has been dropped from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after making Gaza- and West Bank-related remarks on stage. Promoters warn the tour could have canceled if Macklemore had remained on the lineup. Macklemore says there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed and that he has faced personal and professional costs for speaking up.