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Robert Downey Jr. Christens Disney Cruise Line’s Newest and Largest Ship, the Disney Adventure, in a Spectacular Ceremony

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 Disney Cruise Line welcomed its newest ship, the Disney Adventure, to its rapidly expanding fleet in a dazzling entertainment showcase that celebrated the beloved Disney stories, characters, and music that come to life onboard. The elegant artistry of the christening ceremony punctuated the introduction of the cruise line’s first ever ship to sail in Southeast Asia.

In the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the ship, guests witnessed the magic of Disney storytelling come to life through regional vocalists and musicians, incredible video effects, and star-studded surprises, including special appearances from Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse. A 23-piece orchestra, Hollywood Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductee Jed Madela, and international recording artist of Eurovision fam Dami Im guided the show through classic Disney, Pixar, and Marvel melodies accompanied by stunning visuals that sprung to life on screens that surrounded the stage and seemed to engulf the audience.

Chairman of Disney Experiences and incoming Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D’Amaro, and President of Disney Signature Experiences, Joe Schott, joined the artists on stage to mark the momentous occasion.

“The Walt Disney Company has always been built on the power of storytelling and innovation – and Disney Cruise Line brings those values to life in extraordinary ways. Our cruise ships are ambassadors of our brand that carry joy, wonder and enchantment to destinations around the world,” said D’Amaro. “As our first ship to homeport in Asia, the Disney Adventure represents a new chapter for Disney Cruise Line and will introduce Disney to audiences who may be experiencing our magic for the very first time. It offers fans across this region an opportunity to immerse themselves in unforgettable ways and create memories that are uniquely Disney.”

The Godparent of the Disney Adventure, Robert Downey Jr., lent his voice to the ceremonial blessing for good fortune for the ship and all its guests.

“I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the team at Walt Disney Imagineering, and I can tell you Adventure is the perfect name for what they’ve created,” he said. “Being the Godparent of this majestic vessel is an honor, and I have some serious duties to perform, so let’s make it official, shall we?”

Downey Jr. cued the orchestra, saying, “You bring the theme and I’ll bring the thunder,” followed by the official blessing, “I christen thee, Disney Adventure, may God bless this ship and all who sail upon her.”

The Christening Ceremony culminated with a confetti burst and a multitude of beloved Disney characters in a rousing rendition of “Let’s Set Sail,” a Disney Cruise Line tradition that builds excitement for the journeys that lie ahead onboard the Disney Adventure.

Drawing on more than 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel, the Disney Adventure is filled with epic experiences and beloved characters waiting to be discovered. The ship features seven immersive themed areas, each transporting guests into iconic stories and worlds including San Fransokyo Street from Disney’s “Big Hero 6”. On board, guests can enjoy a brand-new Broadway-style musical, “Remember”; immersive dining experiences; signature fireworks at sea; imaginative clubs for kids of all ages; a dynamic collection of bars and lounges for adults; and thrilling attractions, including Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever roller coaster at sea, Ironcycle Test Run.

The Disney Adventure marks Disney Cruise Line’s eighth ship and its largest to date. The ship embarks on its maiden voyage on March 10, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night itineraries at sea. The Disney Adventure is part of a multi-year expansion of the award-winning Disney Cruise Line fleet, which currently includes eight ships, with five more planned to join the fleet by 2031.

Music Unchained

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By Mitch Rice

Why should anyone in music care about Web3 and blockchain?
The quick answer: they let artists earn directly from their work, cutting out the middlemen.

Instead of relying on labels, distributors, or streaming platforms, artists can now connect directly with fans, sell their work, and receive payments instantly and transparently. These technologies open up new creative and financial possibilities, giving musicians more control over their careers and allowing fans to engage in ways that were never possible before..

Exploring the Top Web3 Music Platforms

The music world is stepping into Web3, and a new wave of platforms is reshaping how artists create, share, and earn. Audius (AUDIO) leads the charge as the largest decentralized streaming service, giving musicians full control over their tracks while providing deeper insights and direct monetization. Platforms like Royal take it a step further, letting artists sell shares of their royalties to fans—turning listeners into stakeholders who actually own a piece of their favorite songs.

NFTs are transforming music into collectible art. Sound.xyz focuses on NFT drops that connect artists directly with collectors, while Catalog treats each track as a curated, collectible asset. Multi-chain marketplaces like OneOf (Tezos/Polygon) offer eco-friendly, accessible NFTs across music, sports, and lifestyle, and BitSong Studio, built on the Cosmos SDK, streamlines efficiency so artists can monetize without friction. Meanwhile, Decent makes music NFT collecting effortless with tools like ā€œThe Box,ā€ and Loozr adds a social twist, letting fans invest in artists and earn through innovative ā€œListen2Earnā€ mechanics.

Supporting these platforms are essential Web3 music tools. Spinamp acts as a search engine and player, letting users discover and stream blockchain-based music across web and mobile. Reveel simplifies the business side, automating revenue-sharing and royalty splits so creators can focus on what matters most: making music.

Together, these platforms and tools are redefining the music industry — empowering artists, rewarding fans, and creating a more transparent, direct, and creative ecosystem for everyone.

Mini Roadmap: Building a Web3 Music Platform

  1. Define Your Vision & Audience: Decide what your platform offers (streaming, NFTs, royalty sharing, fan engagement) and who it’s for: artists, collectors, or fans.
    Ā 
  2. Choose Blockchain Infrastructure: Pick the right blockchain(s) like Ethereum, Polygon, or Tezos, and plan for smart contracts to manage royalties, payments, and NFTs.
    Ā 
  3. Design User Experience: Build an intuitive interface for artists and fans, integrating wallets, music libraries, and interactive features.
    Ā 
  4. Develop & Integrate Smart Contracts: Automate royalty splits, NFT minting, and transactions with secure, scalable smart contracts.
    Ā 
  5. Test Thoroughly: Ensure security, low transaction fees, and smooth performance across devices before going live.
  1. Launch & Grow: Deploy the platform, onboard artists, market to fans, and continuously iterate based on user feedback and trends.

Web3 and blockchain are changing the way music is made, shared, and monetized.

Whether you’re an artist exploring new revenue streams or a music brand looking to tap into Web3, Peiko can help you navigate this space: from building NFT strategies and marketplaces to integrating blockchain tools that connect directly with fans. Let’s create a modern, future-ready music experience together.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Bad Bunny establece récord mundial de audiencia en el espectÔculo de medio tiempo de la Super Bowl 

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Hoy, Apple Music, la NFL y Roc Nation anunciaron que la actuación de Bad Bunny en el espectÔculo de medio tiempo de la Super Bowl LX de Apple Music arrasó con la audiencia mundial, alcanzando 4.157 millones de visualizaciones en 24 horas en transmisiones globales, YouTube y redes sociales.

Desde un consumo rƩcord en redes sociales hasta un streaming global sin precedentes y un dominio en las listas de Ʃxitos, el espectƔculo de medio tiempo de la Super Bowl LX de Bad Bunny en Apple Music se erige como un hito decisivo, no solo para la NFL y Apple Music, sino para la cultura musical global en general.

En Apple Music, la actuación desencadenó una de las conversaciones culturales en tiempo real mĆ”s grandes en la historia de la plataforma. El impacto cultural se tradujo instantĆ”neamente en el dominio del streaming. Inmediatamente despuĆ©s del espectĆ”culo de medio tiempo, las escuchas de Bad Bunny en Apple Music se multiplicaron por siete, con “DtMF,” “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” y “TitĆ­ Me Preguntó” como las canciones mĆ”s reproducidas.

Solo en X, el momento del medio tiempo generó:

  • 2 mil millones de impresiones
  • 209 millones de visualizaciones de videos
  • MĆ”s de 6 millones de publicaciones relacionadas con Bad Bunny
  • Un aumento interanual del 409% en publicaciones durante el espectĆ”culo de medio tiempo

Tras su conferencia de prensa del 5 de febrero, que batió un rĆ©cord de 68 millones de visualizaciones, y durante el fin de semana de la Super Bowl, las reproducciones de Bad Bunny se cuadruplicaron en comparación con su promedio de enero. Entre las canciones con mĆ”s reproducciones totales en Apple Music se encuentran “DtMF,” “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” and “NUEVAYoL”. Durante este tiempo, “DtMF” se multiplicó por 7 en reproducciones en Apple Music.

En las horas posteriores a su actuación, la lista de canciones del espectÔculo de medio tiempo de la Super Bowl LX de Apple Music se convirtió en la mÔs reproducida en Apple Music.

Tras su aparición en el medio tiempo, Bad Bunny ocupó casi una cuarta parte de la lista Daily Top 100 Global de Apple Music, con los siguientes resultados:

  • 24 canciones en elĀ Top 100
  • 9 canciones en elĀ Top 25
  • 6 canciones en elĀ Top 10

“DtMF” se alzó con el primer puesto mundial. Seis canciones volvieron a entrar en la lista por primera vez desde al menos febrero de 2025, mientras que su Ć©xito mundial con Cardi B, “I Like It”, volvió a la lista por primera vez desde enero de 2020.

El 9 de febrero, DeBƍ TiRAR MĆ”S FOToS arrasó en las listas de Ć”lbumes de 155 paĆ­ses, alcanzó el Top 10 en 128 y se alzó con el primer puesto en 46, incluyendo MĆ©xico, Colombia, Chile, Brasil, Alemania, Francia y EspaƱa.

En las plataformas propiedad de la NFL, incluyendo @NFL y NFL International, los fans han pasado mĆ”s de 1.275 aƱos viendo contenido del Medio Tiempo (incluyendo la actuación y el material complementario). Esto incluye:

  • 456 aƱos de tiempo de observación en Facebook, Instagram, y TikTok
  • 822 aƱosĀ aƱos de tiempo de observación en YouTube

Bad Bunny establece un récord de audiencia global para el espectÔculo de medio tiempo del Super Bowl de Apple Music mÔs visto de todos los tiempos, alcanzando 4.157 mil millones de visitas 

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Hoy, Apple Music, la NFL y Roc Nation anunciaron que el espectÔculo de medio tiempo Apple Music Super Bowl LX de Bad Bunny destrozó la audiencia global, atrayendo 4.157 millones de visitas en 24 horas a través de la transmisión global, YouTube y plataformas sociales.

Desde el consumo social sin precedentes hasta la transmisión global sin precedentes y el dominio de las listas, el espectÔculo de medio tiempo del Super Bowl LX de Apple Music de Bad Bunny se erige como un hito definitorio, no solo para la NFL y Apple Music, sino para la cultura musical mundial en general.

En Apple Music, la actuación provocó una de las mayores conversaciones culturales en tiempo real en la historia de la plataforma. El impacto cultural se tradujo instantĆ”neamente en el dominio del streaming. Inmediatamente despuĆ©s del espectĆ”culo de medio tiempo, las escuchas de Bad Bunny en Apple Music aumentaron 7 veces, con “DtMF”, “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” y “TitĆ­ Me Preguntó” emergiendo como las pistas mĆ”s transmitidas.

Solo en X, el momento del medio tiempo generó:

  • 2 mil millones de impresiones
  • 209 millones de reproducciones de video
  • MĆ”s de 6 millones de publicaciones relacionadas con Bad Bunny
  • UnĀ aumento interanual del +409Ā % en las publicaciones durante el espectĆ”culo de medio tiempo

DespuĆ©s de su conferencia de prensa el 5 de febrero, que acumuló un rĆ©cord de 68 millones de visitas, y durante el fin de semana del Super Bowl, las jugadas de Bad Bunny aumentaron 4 veces en comparación con sus jugadas promedio en enero. Las mejores canciones por total de reproducciones en Apple Music incluyen “DtMF”, “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” y “NUEVAYoL”. En este tiempo, “DtMF” vio un aumento de 7 veces en las reproducciones en Apple Music.

En las horas posteriores a su actuación, la lista de reproducción de Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Set List se convirtió en la lista de reproducción mÔs reproducida en Apple Music.

Después de su aparición en el medio tiempo, Bad Bunny ocupó casi una cuarta parte de la lista Daily Top 100 Global de Apple Music, colocando:

  • 24 canciones en el Top 100
  • 9 canciones en el Top 25
  • 6 canciones en el Top 10

“DtMF” se adjudicó la  posición #1 a nivel mundial. Seis canciones volvieron a entrar en la lista por primera vez desde al menos febrero de 2025, mientras que su Ć©xito mundial con Cardi B, “I Like It”, regresó a la lista por primera vez desde enero de 2020.

El 9 de febrero, DeBƍ TiRAR MĆ”S ā€ÆFOToS llegó a las listas de Ć”lbumes en 155 paĆ­ses, alcanzó el Top 10 en 128 y ocupó el puesto nĆŗmero1 en 46, incluidos MĆ©xico, Colombia, Chile, Brasil, Alemania, Francia y EspaƱa.

En todas las plataformas propiedad de la NFL, incluidas @ NFL y NFL International, los fanĆ”ticos han pasado mĆ”s de 1.275 aƱos viendo contenido de medio tiempo (rendimiento y materiales de apoyo combinados). Esto incluye:

  • 456 aƱos de tiempo de reproducción en Facebook, Instagram y TikTok
  • 822 aƱos de tiempo de reproducción en YouTube

Bad Bunny stellt den weltweiten Zuschauerrekord für die meistgesehene Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show aller Zeiten auf und erreicht 4,157 Milliarden Zuschauer 

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Heute gaben Apple Music, die NFL und Roc Nation bekannt, dass der Auftritt von Bad Bunny in der Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show mit 4,157 Milliarden Aufrufen innerhalb von 24 Stunden auf der ganzen Welt, auf YouTube und auf sozialen Plattformen die weltweiten Zuschauerzahlen sprengen wird.

Von der rekordverdƤchtigen Nutzung in den sozialen Netzwerken bis hin zur beispiellosen globalen Streaming- und Chart-Dominanz – Bad Bunnys Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show ist ein entscheidender Meilenstein – nicht nur für die NFL und Apple Music, sondern für die globale Musikkultur im Allgemeinen.

Auf Apple Music lƶste der Auftritt eine der größten kulturellen Echtzeit-Diskussionen in der Geschichte der Plattform aus. Der kulturelle Einfluss schlug sich sofort in der Dominanz des Streaming nieder. Unmittelbar nach der Halftime Show stiegen die Hƶrerzahlen von Bad Bunny auf Apple Music 7x, wobei ā€žDtMF”, ā€žBAILE INoLVIDABLE” und ā€žTitĆ­ Me Preguntó” die meistgestreamten Titel waren.

Allein durch X wurde der Halftime-Moment erzeugt:

  • 2 Milliarden Eindrücke
  • 209 Millionen Videoaufrufe
  • 6+ Millionen BeitrƤge zum Thema Bad Bunny
  • +409 % mehr als im VorjahrĀ an BeitrƤgen wƤhrend der Halbzeitshow

Nach seiner Pressekonferenz am 5. Februar – die eine rekordverdƤchtige Anzahl von 68 Millionen Zuschauern erreichte – und wƤhrend des Super Bowl-Wochenendes stiegen die Aufrufe von Bad Bunny um das Vierfache im Vergleich zu seinen durchschnittlichen Aufrufen im Januar. Zu den Top-Songs nach Gesamtzugriffen auf Apple Music gehƶren ā€žDtMF”, ā€žBAILE INoLVIDABLE” und ā€žNUEVAYoL”. In dieser Zeit verzeichnete ā€žDtMF” einen 7-fachen Anstieg der Aufrufe auf Apple Music.

In den Stunden nach seinem Auftritt wurde die Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Set List Playlist zur meistgespielten Set List auf Apple Music.

Nach seinem Halftime-Auftritt belegte Bad Bunny mit einer Platzierung von fast einem Viertel der Daily Top 100 Global Charts von Apple Music:

  • 24 Songs in den Top 100
  • 9 Songs in den Top 25
  • 6 Songs in den Top 10

ā€žDtMF” beansprucht die weltweite Position #1. Sechs Songs stiegen zum ersten Mal seit mindestens Februar 2025 wieder in die Charts ein, wƤhrend sein globaler Hit mit Cardi B, ā€žI Like It”, zum ersten Mal seit Januar 2020 wieder in die Charts einstieg.

Am 9. Februar landeteDeBƍ TiRAR MĆ”S FOToS in den Albumcharts von 155 LƤndern, erreichte die Top 10 in 128 und belegte die Nummer 1 in 46, darunter Mexiko, Kolumbien, Chile, Brasilien, Deutschland, Frankreich und Spanien.

Auf allen NFL-eigenen Plattformen – einschließlich @NFL und NFL International – haben die Fans mehr als 1.275 Jahre langHalftime-Inhalte (Performance und Begleitmaterial zusammengenommen) angesehen. Dazu gehƶren:

  • 456 JahreĀ der Uhrzeit auf Facebook, Instagram und TikTok
  • 822 JahreĀ an Zeit auf YouTube

Bad Bunny Ć©tablit un record mondial d’audience sur pour la performance la plus regardĆ©e du Super Bowl Halftime Show d’Apple Music, atteignant 4,157 milliards de vues.

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Aujourd’hui, Apple Music, la NFL et Roc Nation ont annoncĆ© que la performance de Bad Bunny lors du spectacle de mi-temps du Super Bowl LX sur Apple Music a pulvĆ©risĆ© l’audience mondiale, attirant 4,157 milliards de vues en 24 heures Ć  travers la diffusion mondiale, YouTube et les plates-formes sociales.

De la consommation sociale record au streaming mondial sans prĆ©cĆ©dent en passant par la domination des classements, le spectacle de mi-temps du Super Bowl LX d’Apple Music de Bad Bunny est une Ć©tape dĆ©cisive, non seulement pour la NFL et Apple Music, mais aussi pour la culture musicale mondiale dans son ensemble.

Sur Apple Music, la performance a dĆ©clenchĆ© l’une des plus grandes conversations culturelles en temps rĆ©el de l’histoire de la plateforme. L’impact culturel s’est traduit instantanĆ©ment par une domination du streaming. ImmĆ©diatement aprĆØs le Halftime Show, les Ć©coutes de Bad Bunny sur Apple Music ont bondi de 7x, avec Ā« DtMF Ā», Ā« BAILE INoLVIDABLE Ā» et Ā« TitĆ­ Me Preguntó Ā» Ć©mergeant comme les titres les plus streamĆ©s.

Rien que pour le X, le moment de la mi-temps a ƩtƩ gƩnƩrƩ :

  • 2 milliards d’impressions
  • 209 millions de vidĆ©os vues
  • Plus de 6 millions de messages liĆ©s Ć  Bad Bunny
  • Une augmentation de +409% d’une annĆ©e sur l’autreĀ dans les posts pendant le Halftime Show

AprĆØs sa confĆ©rence de presse du 5 fĆ©vrier – qui a attirĆ© un nombre record de 68 millions de tĆ©lĆ©spectateurs – et pendant le week-end du Super Bowl, le nombre d’Ć©coutes de Bad Bunny sur a augmentĆ© de 4 fois par rapport au nombre moyen d’Ć©coutes en janvier. Les chansons les plus Ć©coutĆ©es sur Apple Music sont Ā« DtMF Ā», Ā« BAILE INoLVIDABLE Ā» et Ā« NUEVAYoL Ā». Au cours de cette pĆ©riode, Ā« DtMF Ā» a vu son nombre d’Ć©coutes multipliĆ© par 7 sur Apple Music.

Dans les heures qui ont suivi sa prestation, la liste de lecture Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Set List est devenue la liste de lecture la plus lue sur Apple Music.

AprĆØs son apparition Ć  la mi-temps, Bad Bunny a occupĆ© prĆØs d’un quart du classement Daily Top 100 Global d’Apple Music, en se plaƧant :

  • 24 chansons dans le Top 100
  • 9 chansons dans le Top 25
  • 6 chansons dans le Top 10

Ā« DtMF Ā» a revendiquĆ© la position #1 global. Six chansons ont rĆ©intĆ©grĆ© le classement pour la premiĆØre fois depuis au moins fĆ©vrier 2025, tandis que son succĆØs mondial avec Cardi B, Ā« I Like It Ā», est revenu dans le classement pour la premiĆØre fois depuis janvier 2020.

Le 9 fĆ©vrier, DeBƍ TiRAR MĆ”S FOToS est entrĆ© dans le classement des albums dans 155 pays, a atteint le Top 10 dans 128, et s’est emparĆ© de la place #1 dans 46, dont le Mexique, la Colombie, le Chili, le BrĆ©sil, l’Allemagne, la France et l’Espagne.

Sur les plateformes appartenant Ć  la NFL – y compris @NFL et NFL International – les fans ont passĆ© plus de 1 275 ansĆ  regarder le contenu de la mi-temps (spectacle et matĆ©riel d’accompagnement confondus). Il s’agit notamment de

  • 456 ansĀ de temps de montre sur Facebook, Instagram et TikTok
  • 822 ansĀ de temps de montre sur YouTube

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Draws 4.157 Billion Views in 24 Hours, Shattering Every Record in Sight

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Today, Apple Music, the NFL and Roc Nation announced Bad Bunny’s Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show performance shattered global viewership, drawing 4.157 billion views in 24 hours across global broadcast, YouTube, and social platforms.

From record-breaking social consumption to unprecedented global streaming and chart dominance, Bad Bunny’s Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show stands as a defining milestone — not just for the NFL and Apple Music, but for global music culture at large.

On Apple Music, the performance sparked one of the largest real-time cultural conversations in platform history. The cultural impact translated instantly to streaming dominance. Immediately following the Halftime Show, Bad Bunny’s listens on Apple Music surged 7x, with “DtMF,” “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” and “TitĆ­ Me Preguntó” emerging as the most streamed tracks.

On X alone, the Halftime moment generated:

  • 2 billion impressions
  • 209 million video views
  • 6+ million Bad Bunny-related posts
  • A +409% year-over-year increase in posts during the Halftime Show

After his press conference on February 5 – which amassed a record breaking 68 million views- and across the Super Bowl weekend, Bad Bunny’s plays increased 4x compared to his average plays in January. Top songs by total plays on Apple Music include “DtMF,” “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” and “NUEVAYoL.” In this time, “DtMF” saw a 7x surge in plays on Apple Music.

In the hours following his performance, the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Set List playlist became the most-played Set List on Apple Music.

Following his Halftime appearance, Bad Bunny occupied nearly a quarter of Apple Music’s Daily Top 100 Global chart, placing:

  • 24 songs in the Top 100
  • 9 songs in the Top 25
  • 6 songs in the Top 10

“DtMF” claimed the  #1 global position. Six songs re-entered the chart for the first time since at least February 2025, while his global smash with Cardi B, “I Like It,” returned to the chart for the first time since January 2020.

On February 9, DeBƍ TiRAR MĆ”S FOToS ā€Ælanded on album charts in 155 countries, reached the Top 10 in 128, and claimed the #1 spot in 46, including Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Germany, France, and Spain.

Across NFL-owned platforms — including @NFL and NFL International — fans have spent more than 1,275 years watching Halftime content (performance and supporting materials combined). That includes:

  • 456 years of watch time across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
  • 822 years of watch time on YouTube

Detroit Poet M.L. Liebler Traces a Life Lived Fully Through Music in Memoir ‘Hound Dog’

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‘Hound Dog: A Poet’s Memoir of Rock, Revolution, and Redemption’ is out March 10, a heartfelt and wide-ranging memoir from award-winning Detroit poet M.L. Liebler, with contributions from Ed Sanders. Moving through fifty-plus years of artistic life with Elvis, Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Hüsker Dü, and Eminem as guideposts, Liebler uses music to chart a life defined by creative conviction, deep personal faith, and an unwavering commitment to championing artistic expression in all its forms.

Hip-Hop Pioneer and Cultural Architect Fab 5 Freddy Tells His Extraordinary Story in ‘Everybody’s Fly’

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Fab 5 Freddy’s memoir ‘Everybody’s Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture,’ written with Mark Rozzo, is out March 10 via Penguin Random House. It is the story of one of the most genuinely consequential creative figures of the last half century, told by the man himself. The New Yorker called him “the coolest person in New York.” The resume backs it up completely.

Fred Brathwaite was among the first graffiti artists to move subway tags into fine art galleries. He was the visionary behind Wild Style, the first hip-hop film. He was the bridge between Jean-Michel Basquiat and the downtown new wave scene. He was the first person to take rap global on MTV as the original host of Yo! MTV Raps. And he is literally in the opening lines of Blondie’s Number 1 hit “Rapture,” the song that carried hip-hop from New York streets into mainstream culture worldwide.

‘Everybody’s Fly’ moves from a book-and-jazz-filled Brooklyn childhood through the creative explosions of New York in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. His circle included Basquiat, Keith Haring, Grandmaster Flash, Andy Warhol, and The Clash. He directed music videos for Snoop Dogg, Nas, and Queen Latifah. He painted subway cars that became moving masterpieces and brought hip-hop into downtown clubs for the first time. At every inflection point in the culture, Brathwaite was not just present, he was pushing.

This is a memoir that doubles as a panoramic cultural history of one of the most creatively fertile periods in American urban life. Fast-moving, deeply personal, and compulsively readable, ‘Everybody’s Fly’ is essential reading for anyone serious about understanding where hip-hop, street art, and downtown New York culture came from and how they took over the world.

Seattle Indie Rockers SHe Said Deliver an Intimate and Electrifying Live Set for KEXP

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KEXP has released the full studio performance from SHe Said, hosted by Cheryl Waters. The four-song set moves through “Like Lions,” “Over The Marionette,” “The Reins,” and “The Real Thing,” giving the six-piece band room to stretch out and demonstrate exactly why they are worth paying close attention to. Fronted by Jen Ayers on lead vocals and electric piano, with Kathy Moore and R L Heyer on guitars, Richard Davidson on bass, Geoff Reading on drums, and Melissa Montalto on keyboards, SHe Said fills the KEXP studio with a sound that is layered, dynamic, and completely alive.