George R. R. Martin met with James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter at Milk of the Poppy, Martin’s medieval apothecary bar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he shared how he was inspired to create the characters of Dunk and Egg for his Hedge Knight stories. The characters are being brought to life in the HBO series ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’. “I had the idea that I wanted to write a prequel, so I would set it before ‘Game of Thrones’ started. And I wanted to write it about a tournament. I’ll set this entire one around a tournament,” Martin said. “One thing or another, Dunk and Egg came from somewhere. I had to figure out who starred in this. This story and the characters Dunk and Egg really came alive on me.”
Mick Fleetwood Reunites With USC Trojan Marching Band For “Tusk” Performance
Legendary drummer Mick Fleetwood reunited with the USC Trojan Marching Band to perform the Fleetwood Mac hit “Tusk” before the USC vs Northwestern University game recently. The performance also featured the USC Song Leaders and USC Spirit Leaders. Fleetwood Mac originally recorded the song in 1979 with the USC Marching Band, making this reunion a full-circle moment decades later for the iconic track.
Noah Kahan Documentary From Director Nick Sweeney Premieres On Netflix In 2026
Netflix will premiere an untitled documentary chronicling a pivotal year in Noah Kahan’s life and career in 2026, offering an inside look at the singer-songwriter as he navigates the aftermath of ‘Stick Season’ and the pressures of global stardom. Directed by Nick Sweeney, the film follows Kahan through a period of sold-out tours, unprecedented acclaim and deep personal reflection. What emerges is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads, balancing creative momentum with the emotional weight that comes with sudden, life-altering success.
Born from the quiet landscapes of rural Vermont, ‘Stick Season’ became a defining cultural moment, propelling Kahan from indie favorite to international star. The documentary captures the year that followed as he begins work on his next album while repeatedly returning home to Vermont, reconnecting with family and searching for grounding amid nonstop touring and attention. Kahan leans on his trademark wit and self-awareness as he confronts personal struggles that have left him feeling out of sync with himself, all while trying to define what comes next creatively and personally.
“When we started filming, I had no idea what we’d capture, only that Noah was determined to be honest about everything, especially the messy bits,” director Nick Sweeney said. “He was in a strange in-between moment, caught in the collision between almost surreal fame and a quieter inner world he’d tried to keep offstage. What we captured over the course of a year surprised me, moments that were thrilling, terrifying, hilarious, often all at once.” The film is produced by Samantha Mustari, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Ryan Kroft, Vaughn Trudeau, Anna Keegan, David Blackman, Jeff Ludwig and Devon Libran, with production companies including RadicalMedia, Live Nation Studios, Polygram Entertainment and Federal Films.
Earth, Wind & Fire Earn SoundExchange Hall Of Fame Award For Streaming Legacy
SoundExchange announced today that the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire has earned a SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award. The honor recognizes the genre-defying group as one of the most streamed artists in the organization’s 20-plus year history of administering digital performance royalties.
Founded in 1969 in Chicago by Maurice White with a foundation funk, Earth, Wind & Fire’s music incorporates everything from jazz, smooth soul, gospel, and pop to rock, psychedelia, blues, folk, disco, and more. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, a year after receiving Kennedy Center Honors, the group is well-known for a legacy of incredible music that includes such hits as “September,” “Let’s Groove,” “Fantasy,” “Shining Star,” and “Serpentine Fire.”
“Earth, Wind & Fire are true icons whose music has transcended generations and genres, shaping the soundtrack of countless lives,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. “Their artistry, innovation, and cultural impact embody the very spirit of creativity we celebrate. It’s a privilege to honor a group that continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award.”
“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from SoundExchange,” said Philip Bailey, of Earth Wind & Fire. “Since the beginning, our mission has been to create music that brings joy and unity, and it’s incredible that even after more than five decades we are able to continue reaching audiences around the world. Thank you to SoundExchange for championing artists and ensuring that we receive the royalties we’ve earned as the music lives on.”
Earth, Wind & Fire will be memorialized in an upcoming documentary from Academy Award and GRAMMY winner Questlove (Summer of Soul). Set to premiere in 2026 on HBO, the film will examine the iconic group’s legacy, cultural impact, and enduring body of work.
After performing as part of January 2025’s FireAid benefit concerts in Los Angeles, Earth, Wind & Fire spent much of the last year on tour, wrapping with two sold-out shows in New York City. They’ll be on the road again in 2026 with spring tour dates scheduled in Australia and the United States.
Ali And Charif Megarbane Release Collaborative Album ‘Tirakat’ Via Habibi Funk
Jakarta-based trio Ali and Lebanese composer and multi-instrumentalist Charif Megarbane announced their collaborative album ‘Tirakat‘ releasing March 20 via Habibi Funk. The record explores music shaped by the longstanding cultural exchange between Indonesia and the Arab world. First single “Ombak, Ombak” is available now. Ali’s blend of 1970s Indonesian psychedelic funk, Melayu traditions, disco grooves and Arab melodic forms meets Charif’s cross-regional sound explorations, rooted in a shared musical vocabulary rather than genre.
The album reflects a way of making music that feels already interconnected rather than approaching the project as fusion. Melodies, grooves and textures move fluidly without highlighting their sources, grounded in a performance-led process shaped by intuition, repetition and trust. Western instruments are played through techniques and sensibilities formed in Indonesia and Lebanon, emphasizing circulation of influence across regions.
The title ‘Tirakat’ refers to a Javanese practice of discipline, patience and devotion, derived from the Arabic tariqa meaning “path” or “method.” This layered meaning mirrors the album’s focus on process and continuity. The result is a record where Indonesian and Arab sounds intersect naturally through groove, texture and melody, feeling both contemporary and timeless.
Poison Ruin Announce Spring North American Tour Following ‘Hymns From The Hills’
Philadelphia punk band Poison Ruin announced their headlining North American spring tour launching April 11 at Bowery Ballroom in New York City. The run spans the East Coast and Midwest with support from The Serfs, Prision Postumo, Cruelster, Dollhouse, Savage Pleasure, Peace Talks, Zorn and Marked Men on select dates. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 11 at 10AM local time. The tour follows the April 3 release of their album ‘Hymns from the Hills’ via Relapse Records on vinyl, CD and digital platforms.
The band has pushed their sound into new territory while maintaining the dark symbolism and uncompromising intensity that established them as a vital voice in extreme music. Lead single “Eidolon” showcases their raw, anthemic approach. Frontman, lyricist and guitarist Mac Kennedy explains: “‘Eidolon’ is about being stuck in a broken reality, a cog in a fate-machine doomed to play out the same cursed loop until it fully breaks down. The ones who had the power to affect change have abandoned the scene. Their phantoms loom down in quiet disapproval of the disaster that slowly plays out beneath, grim reminders of what could have, but will not be.”
Kennedy self-recorded the album without professional studio equipment, relocating to a private practice space to meet the record’s greater sonic demands. The band enlisted mixer Jonah Falco and mastering engineer Arthur Rizk to help elevate the variety of sounds. Kennedy contributed to the mixing process by incorporating grittier tape segments to maintain tonal continuity with previous work. Lyrically, the record employs medieval and fantasy imagery not as historical accuracy but as mythic language. “If we are to make sense of the present, we need to employ a more mythic mode of language and symbol to reach beyond the spiritual malaise that envelopes us,” Kennedy states.
Poison Ruin Live Dates:
Apr 11: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Apr 12: Medford, MA – Deep Cuts
Apr 13: Portland, ME – Genos
Apr 14: Portsmouth, NH – Press Room
Apr 15: Brattleboro, VT – The Stone Church
Apr 16: Montreal, QB – Petit Campus
Apr 17: Toronto, ON – The Garrison
Apr 18: Detroit, MI – Edgeman
Apr 19: Muskegon, MI – Rake Beer Project
Apr 21: Cincinnati, OH – Northside Tavern
Apr 22: Chicago, IL – Subterranean
Apr 23: Minneapolis, MN – Zhora Darling
Apr 24: Milwaukee, MN – Quarters
Apr 25: St. Louis, MO – The Sinkhole
Apr 26: Indianapolis, IN – Healer
Apr 28: Cleveland, OH – Happy Dog
Apr 29: Pittsburgh, PA – 222 Ormsby
Apr 30: Richmond, VA – Cobra Cabana
May 01: Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
May 02: Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
Apr 11 w/ Prision Postumo, Dollhouse, Savage Pleasure
Apr 12-15, 4/28 w/ Peace Talks
Apr 18-4/28 w/ Cruelster
Apr 29 – May 02 w/ The Serfs
May 02 w/ Marked Men, The Serfs, Zorn
Mac Sabbath Returns To Florida This April Before Monsters Of Rock Cruise
Black Sabbath parody band Mac Sabbath announced Florida club shows this April ahead of their Monsters of Rock Cruise appearance. The three-date run represents their first Florida performances in years and concludes just before they board the cruise departing Miami on April 12. Shows take place in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Orlando, offering fans chances to see the band’s theatrical production in club venues. Tickets are on sale now.
The group has developed a loyal fanbase through their unique approach of reworking Black Sabbath songs with fast-food references while wearing elaborate costumes. Lead performer Ronald Osborne fronts the band alongside Slayer MacCheeze, Grimalice and the Cat Burglar. Their live performances combine heavy metal music with satirical commentary on corporate food culture and visual spectacle.
Mac Sabbath 2026 Tour Dates:
Thursday, April 9 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
Friday, April 10 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectable Street
Saturday, April 11 – Orlando, FL @ The Conduit
April 12–17 – Miami, FL @ Monsters of Rock Cruise
New Edition Way Tour With Boyz II Men And Toni Braxton Redefines Concert Experience
 The Black Promoters Collective is pleased to announce the arrival of the New Edition Way Tour, an event that’s not just redefining the concert experience in 2026 but rewriting the rules of live entertainment. With back-to-back sold-out nights, these shows have shattered expectations. Headliner New Edition with Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton are delivering the definitive R&B event of the year.
The second the lights dim, the arena erupts into a multi-sensory, high-octane spectacle that fuses breathtaking theatrical storytelling with relentless musical energy. The centerpiece: a newly created showtime elevated single, “We Going Out Tonight,” uniting all three legendary acts in one unforgettable moment. Even more powerful is the diversity pouring from the stands — fans of every background, every generation, every walk of life, all coming together for a celebration of R&B’s finest.
New Edition delivered pure, unmatched energy, performing hit songs that defy time and continue to ignite their fanbase. Their choreography remains second to none, drawing not only screams from the crowd but fans in the stands breaking into the iconic dance moves straight out of the classic music videos. Spanning the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, New Edition delivered every era with precision, passion, and showmanship that no other act on the planet can match.
The opening night in Oakland saw California Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, present New Edition with a Certificates of Congressional Recognition, one of the greatest honors that Congress bestows.
The second night in Las Vegas brought an electric surprise — the reveal of Boyz II Men’s fourth founding member Michael McCary, who was clearly emotional, sharing the stage while sending the arena into a frenzy. The moment quickly went viral on social media. Throughout the night, Boyz II Men delivered a masterclass in vocal harmony, performing in the round in a 360-degree celebration that made every seat feel like the best seat in the house.
Toni Braxton made an illustrious grand entrance via riser, electrifying the crowd from the moment she appeared. From her flawless vocal delivery on hits like “Breathe Again” and “Just Be a Man About It” to every detail of her visual presentation, Braxton commanded the stage. Her stunning costume changes — from shimmery gowns to angelic regalia — punctuated the evening, keeping the spectacle as dynamic as the music itself. Adding to the night’s surprises, Braxton brought out social media influencer and journalist Kayla Nicole for a special cameo during the Los Angeles stop — a full-circle moment that came months after Nicole went viral for recreating a scene from Braxton’s Grammy Award-winning “He Wasn’t Man Enough” music video for Halloween, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
In addition to the Boyz II Men surprise, the third night included a show-stopping appearance by B2K, who performed “Bump, Bump, Bump,” receiving an electric reception by fans who jumped out of their seats in Los Angeles. The group recently went viral after paying homage to headliner New Edition at a Grammy event and will embark on a reunion tour this Spring brought to you by Black Promoters Collective.
The New Edition Way Tour is raising the bar for live music everywhere. In a world overflowing with spectacle, this tour brings heart, history, and harmony to the forefront, creating a non-stop party that leaves every attendee buzzing. With word spreading like, the New Edition Way Tour stands as the undisputed must-see event of the year.
The opening nights drew an impressive roster of celebrities, influencers, and dignitaries, including Barry Bonds, Tina Knowles, Sanaa Lathan, Kelly Rowland, Martin Lawrence, DeWayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, Judge Mathis, Jermaine Dupri, Brian Michael Cox, DJ Cassidy, Spectacular from Pretty Rickey, actress AJ Johnson, radio personality Big Boy and more.
Chuck D Explores Hip Hop’s Revolutionary Power In New Book ‘In The Hour Of Chaos’
Public Enemy’s Chuck D releases ‘In the Hour of Chaos: Art and Activism with Public Enemy’s Chuck D Volume 6’ on February 10 as part of the California Series in Hip Hop Studies. The book presents a razor-sharp investigation into hip hop and rap music from the searing lyricist and global music icon, engaging with some of the world’s leading thinkers on the genre. “Professor Chuck” sets out on a journey that celebrates fifty years of hip hop and charts paths forward for its future.
The book explores the intersections of hip hop with Black radicalism and feminism, media and technology, and globalization and politics. This curated collection shows the power of culture and the arts not only to bring people together but to bring about political change in this current hour of chaos. The work features conversations with leading thinkers including Robin D. G. Kelley, H. Samy Alim, Jeff Chang, Davey D, Scot Brown, Cheryl L. Keyes, Gaye Theresa Johnson, Bryonn Bain, Maya Jupiter, Adam Bradley and Joan Morgan.
‘In the Hour of Chaos’ is not an autobiography or a manifesto but a profound meditation on hip hop’s transformative power that takes readers deep into the mind of the genre’s most unabashed revolutionary. Chuck D delivers an essential examination of hip hop culture through conversations that reveal the genre’s political and cultural significance across five decades.
Shannon Smith Releases Wedding Song “I Do” Written Night Before His Marriage
Western Australian soul-pop and Americana singer-songwriter Shannon Smith releases his new single “I Do” on February 6, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. The song was written the night before his wedding and performed for the first time at the reception. At its heart, “I Do” captures that quiet pause before everything changes, the feeling of standing on the edge of a new life and thinking about gratitude and disbelief. Rather than leaning into ceremony or cliché, the song speaks from a deeply personal place about choosing one person fully, knowingly and with joy.
“I didn’t set out to write a ‘wedding song’,” Smith says. “It was just me trying to put into words how surreal and lucky it felt. Loving someone, and being loved back, that’s the whole thing.” Musically, “I Do” blends folk and country sensibilities with a warm, enveloping arrangement of acoustic guitar, drums, double bass, pedal steel, subtle electric guitar and lush strings. The production mirrors the emotion of the song: full, open-hearted and sincere, never overworked. Smith wrote the song late on the eve of his wedding, unsure whether it would ever be heard beyond the room, but by the next day it became part of the celebration itself.
Smith’s debut album ‘Out of the Shadows’ charted on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart and reached #2 on the AIR Independent Chart. The release earned strong national airplay, consistent AMRAP support and multiple WA Country Music Awards, including Emerging Artist of the Year and Video Clip of the Year. His rich vocal tone, dynamic arrangements and emotionally honest lyrics have drawn comparisons to Allen Stone, Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff and Amos Lee. A compelling live performer, Smith has appeared at major venues and festivals across Western Australia, including the nationally broadcast Telethon WA Music Showcase.