Biggie enters R'n'R Hall of Fame, Thundercat shares a song, Beastie Boys announce documentary

(Not really) Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class turns out to be pretty diverse considering genre and style.

The class of 2020 includes Notorious B.I.G., Nine Inch Nails, Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, and T. Rex. While some people are angry because bands like Judas Priest, MC5, Kraftwerk and Motörhead were snubbed, some can't seem to understand the induction of Biggie and Whitney Houston.

Although the Hall of Fame favored "guitar-music" so far, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is clearly against that idea. “Rock doesn’t have to be guitar-bass/drums,” Reznor said in an interview for Rolling Stone. “It can be a turntable, a computer, a synthesizer, sequencer. They are all tools and a spirit of expression.”

However, one might say that lack of guitars in the sound of NIN is not the same thing as lack of Rock and Roll in the sound of Biggie and Whitney Houston. Still, as Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers puts it, the Hall of Fame picks "those bands that have sculpted what we see rock & roll as today". It's not just the guitar or singing that makes rock and roll, it's the spirit of music, the attitude, and the influence. And Notorious B.I.G. and Whitney Huston did influence rock 'n' roll with their authentic expression.

Another adventure with Thundercat & friends is on the way

Thundercat shares new song "Black Qualls", the first single of his upcoming album "It Is What It Is".



Stephen Lee Burner aka Thundercat is known not just for being a bass virtuoso, but also for his numerous collaborations with different artists ranging from Suicidal Tendencies on one side to Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott on the other.

New single, "Black Qualls" features Steve Lacy and Steve Arrington, but as Consequence of Sound writes album version also features Childish Gambino. The song is supposed to be a rumination on what it means to be a young black American. “What it feels like to be in this position right now,” explained Thundercat. “…The weird ins and outs, we’re talking about those feelings… "

Thundercat co-produced his album with Flying Lotus, who is also featured on the tracklist. This duo was responsible for the soundtrack of Donald Glover's (Childish Gambino) show Atlanta. Other features include Louis Cole, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kamasi Washington, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil B and Zack Fox.

"It Is What It Is" comes out on April 3 on Brainfeeder Records.

Being Beastie Boys

Beastie Boys announce a new documentary directed by Spike Jonze.



Adam "Ad-Rock" Horowitz and Mike D of Beastie Boys, along with Spike Jonze have announced a documentary about the band. Beastie Boys Story is directed by Spike Jonze and written by both him and the band. As Pitchfork writes, the idea came around after their collaboration on the Beastie Boys Book.

“There are some friends you have lunch with so many times over the years, you know their order,” Mike D and Ad-Rock said in a statement. “Spike is one of those friends. And even when you don’t recognize anything on the menu, he comes up with something good for the whole table. Like when we wondered what to do when our book comes out... then Spike placed his order: You will put on a show for the children.”

Spike Jonze added, “I owe Beastie Boys a lot. One time, they pulled me out of a burning ship, and another time they helped me cheat on my college exam to get into Florida State. So, it was a real privilege to get to reunite with them and help them tell their story.”

The documentary will debut on IMAX on April 3, while a global release is set on April 24 via Apple TV+.

 

Image sources:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Thundercat
Beastie Boys