Browsing all articles in Music Profiles.
Jay-Z: War on drugs is an epic fail
Los Angeles (CNN) Rapper Jay-Z is getting political — calling the U.S. war on drugs an “epic fail.” In a video op-ed published in the New York Times, he says the drug war unfairly targets African Americans. Jay-Z narrates over Molly Crabapple’s artwork taking viewers on a journey back to the early 1970s when President […]
Michael Chiklis: From “The Shield” to “The Singer”
Los Angeles (CNN) You know him as the good cop in The Commish, the bad cop in The Shield and the new cop in Gotham. For his latest role, Michael Chiklis is trading in a badge for a microphone – releasing his debut solo record Influence on September 16th. “I’ve always felt that music was […]
Lance Bass no one needs an AR-15
Los Angeles (CNN) Social media has been flooded with tributes to the 49 people killed in the Orlando mass shooting. Famous figures in the L-G-B-T community are also speaking out on Twitter. TV host Andy Cohen tweeted: “I am speechless, sick and so sad reading the news from Orlando. Sending strength to my gay brothers […]
Ben Harper takes on police shootings on latest album
Los Angeles (CNN) Perhaps it all started with “Go Down Moses” or maybe “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” African-Americans have been using music and song for decades to protest slavery, oppression and discrimination. In recent months, there’s been a reawakening of sorts. Be it Beyoncé and her Super Bowl performance and new album, “Lemonade;” Prince […]
Bob Lefsetz: Rockers cancel shows over divisive law
Los Angeles (CNN) Rock stars are cancelling concerts in the southern U.S. They’re protesting bills that deny services to same-sex couples or prevent transgender people from choosing bathrooms based on their gender identity. Bruce Springsteen called off a show in Greensboro, North Carolina: “To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the […]
Lissie’s “Daughters” brings clean water to women in developing nations
Los Angeles (CNN) Women in Africa spend 40 billion hours a year walking to get water, according to the United Nations. The practice dates back generations, can be extremely dangerous and prevents communities from reaching any sort of gender parity. A world away, on her farm in Iowa, singer/songwriter Lissie is trying to do something about […]
Griffin House’s love song to Paris
Nashville (CNN) – November 13, 2015. The darkest day for the City of Light. Suicide bombers and terrorists with guns murdered 130 innocent people dining in Parisian cafés, enjoying a soccer match and dancing at a rock concert. Most of those killed were at the Bataclan Theatre… 89 souls lost simply because they loved music. Weeks […]
Alan Silvestri: “Back to the Future’s” 30 Year Anniversary
New York (CNN) It is one of the most memorable pieces of music ever written for a Hollywood film — often called, “The perfect movie with the perfect score.” Happy 30th birthday to “Back to the Future.” Alan Silvestri wrote the iconic score. He joined “CNN Newsroom L.A.” on October 21, 2015. That was the […]
Don McLean: “American Pie” manuscript sells for $1.2 million
A song that defined a generation. An 8 minute, 36 second ode to the social upheavals of the 1960s and early 70s. Now the original manuscript that Don McLean hoped could make people dance is up for sale. “It’s the creative process from beginning to end,” Tom Lecky with Christie’s New York said while surrounded […]
Rockstar Rant: Aaron Lewis Rips Molesting Fans
Atlanta (HLN) Respect women at Staind shows, or else! Frontman, Aaron Lewis, interrupted his set at RockFest in Kansas City this weekend to berate some concert-goers who he said were molesting a young crowdsurfer. “All right, listen up you f***ing a**holes, that f***ing girl right there is like 15 f***ing years old, and you f***ing […]