The Making of LL Cool J’s “Rock The Bells”

Feb 20, 2015

“LL Cool J is hard as HELL/Battle anybody I don’t care who you TELL!” Those words were recited by a then 17-year-old LL Cool J on a song called “Rock The Bells” in 1985. The lyrics would go down as some of the greatest opening lines in rap history. By the time Rick Rubin’s unforgettably rough and raw beat kicks in on the song, LL Cool J takes you on a furious lyrical tirade in a way the world had never really heard before. Although LL had already put out a handful of records prior to “Rock The Bells,” this is the song that really proved the self-proclaimed GOAT rapper was a phenomenon. “Rock The Bells” isn’t just one of LL’s best songs, it’s one of the best rap songs ever.

What’s important to understand about “Rock The Bells” is that there’s was really no precedent for it. The early days of hip-hop, from the late ’70s to the mid-80s, were great but rap was still an emerging genre, so kids like LL didn’t really have a proper template for their careers. While he was still a teenager, LL not only embarked on what would become one of hip-hop’s most illustrious careers but he also helped define what we expect from every rapper that came after him. When rap fans think of the golden age of the ’80s hip-hop, they often cite GOATs like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and KRS-One—and yet in most cases, LL precedes all of them. Sadly, many younger rap fans might know LL more for things like acting and hosting the Grammys these days, but none of that should take away from his status as a legendary rapper.

To document this classic record, Complex Magazine talked to everyone from LL Cool J to Rick Rubin but also Russell Simmons, LL’s DJ Cut Creator, DMC of Run-D.M.C., former Def Jam Publicist Bill Adler, as well as journalists like Bonz Malone and Karen Hunter. Together, they all provide a look into how this song was made, the impact it had on the streets, and why LL Cool J is who he is.

Oliver Sacks on Life Since He Was Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer

Feb 19, 2015

Oliver Sacks has cancer. Damn. I hope you live out the remaining days with the greatest happiness anyone has ever had on this planet. You, of all people, deserve it.

From The New York Times:

Over the last few days, I have been able to see my life as from a great altitude, as a sort of landscape, and with a deepening sense of the connection of all its parts. This does not mean I am finished with life.

On the contrary, I feel intensely alive, and I want and hope in the time that remains to deepen my friendships, to say farewell to those I love, to write more, to travel if I have the strength, to achieve new levels of understanding and insight.

This will involve audacity, clarity and plain speaking; trying to straighten my accounts with the world. But there will be time, too, for some fun (and even some silliness, as well).

I feel a sudden clear focus and perspective. There is no time for anything inessential. I must focus on myself, my work and my friends. I shall no longer look at “NewsHour” every night. I shall no longer pay any attention to politics or arguments about global warming.

This is not indifference but detachment — I still care deeply about the Middle East, about global warming, about growing inequality, but these are no longer my business; they belong to the future. I rejoice when I meet gifted young people — even the one who biopsied and diagnosed my metastases. I feel the future is in good hands.

Video: The Story of Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” Album Design

Feb 19, 2015

Former Factory Records graphic designer Peter Saville discusses the design + effect of Joy Division’s iconic “Unknown Pleasures” album cover.

Rivers Cuomo Is Relieved Kurt Cobain Never Had A Chance To Hear Weezer

Feb 19, 2015

Rivers Cuomo: At 18, I moved to L.A. with my heavy metal band Avant Garde, which was very much influenced by Metallica. At 19, I got a job at Tower Records, and everything started to change very quickly. I started listening to the Velvet Underground, Pixies, early Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and also earlier music like the Beatles. Around that same time, Weezer started. I met them through co-workers at Tower and, one by one, we cut our hair and stopped doing the sweep picking and two-handed tapping. And we came up with The Blue Album.

But if I have to choose one song, it’s gonna have to be “Sliver”, because this other guy I worked with named Howard said, “Rivers, we’re going to play you this song by this new band Nirvana and we think you’re gonna like this.” It was just one of those things where, by the time it got through the first chorus, I was just running around the store. The music turned me on so much. It had the simplicity of the Velvet Underground in the structure and the chords and the lyrical theme—it was talking about family issues from this very innocent perspective. It had the melody and the major chord progression of the pop music I love, like ABBA, but also this sense of destructiveness that I had in me, and it came out in this new hybrid style.

Pitchfork: Did you ever cross paths with Kurt Cobain?
No, not once. When Weezer was making The Blue Album, that was right around the time In Utero came out. He died in April [1994], and The Blue Album came out in May. We were on the same label, and it’s possible he could’ve heard it, but he probably had never even heard the name Weezer. It’s sad for me, because he’s probably my all-time hero, but at the same time, I’m kind of relieved, because he probably would’ve scorned us.

Via Pitchfork

Simply Delicious Shower Thoughts with Cookie Monster

Feb 19, 2015

Cookie Monster is a Muppet of few — mostly cookie-related — words. But the furry blue monster goes deep with profound thoughts about food.

Do You Like Flowcharts? Use This Flowchart To Help You!

Feb 19, 2015

xkcd published a flowchart to determine what kind of chart or graph you prefer. Me? I like them all, but this definitely helps. Somewhat.

80 Facts About The 1980s!

Feb 19, 2015

In the new episode of List Show by Mental Floss, John Green presents viewers with 80 facts about the 1980s! How many of them did you know? Really? Gnarly.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” Almost Didn’t Make It Into “Wayne’s World”

Feb 19, 2015

In 2014, Mike Myers told Marc Maron on his WTF podcast that using “Bohemian Rhapsody” was one of the things he fought for hardest on Wayne’s World. “They wanted Guns N’ Roses. Guns N’ Roses were very, very popular, they were a fantastic band,” Myers said. “Queen, at that point—not by me and not by hardcore fans—but the public had sort of forgotten about them. Freddie [Mercury] had gotten sick, the last time we had seen them was on Live Aid and then there were a few albums after where they were sort of straying away from their arena rock roots. But I always loved ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ I thought it was a masterpiece. So I fought really, really hard for it. And at one point I said, ‘Well, I’m out. I don’t want to make this movie if it’s not ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’”

http://youtu.be/wUAitHlJMvw

Via Mental Floss

Mumford & Sons, Drake, Sam Smith to Headline 2015 Virgin Mobile Presents Squamish Valley Music Festival, August 7, 8 & 9

Feb 19, 2015

Over 70 artists from across the globe will grace the four stages of the Virgin Mobile Presents Squamish Valley Music Festival this summer, led by the star-studded trio of headliners, Mumford & Sons, Drake, and Sam Smith. Back for its sixth year, the Festival, produced by Live Nation Canada in partnership with festival creators brand.LIVE Management Group, takes place at the Logger Sports Grounds and Centennial Fields in Squamish, British Columbia, August 7, 8 & 9, 2015.

ARTISTS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM INCLUDE:

MUMFORD & SONS, DRAKE, SAM SMITH, OF MONSTERS AND MEN, KASKADE, ALABAMA SHAKES, BRANDON FLOWERS, SCHOOLBOY Q, MOTHER MOTHER, CHANCE THE RAPPER, ADVENTURE CLUB, PORTER ROBINSON (Live), HOT CHIP, THE KILLS, MILKY CHANCE, ARKELLS, VANCE JOY, DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979, SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS, ODESZA, ROYAL BLOOD, ANGUS & JULIA STONE, GEORGE EZRA, BAHAMAS, KAYTRANADA, A-TRAK, TCHAMI, GORGON CITY (DJ Set), SLIGHTLY STOOPID, K-OS, JOEL PLASKETT WITH THE EMERGENCY, FIRST AID KIT, MARIACHI EL BRONX, WHITEHORSE, ROBERT DELONG, HANNAH WANTS, JAMES BAY, ELLE KING, SLOW MAGIC, BENJAMIN BOOKER, THE FUNK HUNTERS, SZA, BEAR’S DEN, ALVVAYS, JUSTIN NOZUKA, DEAR ROUGE, PEKING DUK, P REIGN, TEI SHI, OLIVER, MAT THE ALIEN, THE RIVER AND THE ROAD, WILLA, SCOTT HELMAN, OLD MAN CANYON, LITTLE INDIA

In its full 2015 lineup release today, the Festival announced an eclectic roster of artists from all genres, including internationally renowned musicians, emerging local talent, and legendary electronic dance music (EDM) artists who will once again be featured in the Blueprint Arena presented by Bacardi, curated by Blueprint Events.

“We believe today’s festival-goer is looking for diversity in the line-up but are also looking to discover new artists,” says Erik Hoffman, Live Nation Canada Senior Vice-President of Talent. “This year’s programming embodies this spirit. Artists accessible enough for all music fans but cutting edge enough for the most discernible music critic.”

More than 105,000 music fans attended the Festival last year, making it the largest outdoor music event in Western Canada. It generated an estimated economic impact of over $32 million over the four days of the festival.

“The 2014 Festival saw unprecedented growth and success across all areas, including security, transportation, camping and medical services – all with tremendous support from the Squamish community,” says Executive Producer of the Festival and Senior Vice-President of brand.LIVE, Paul Runnals. “We’re building off that momentum again this year with another incredible lineup, continued improvements being made to Festival infrastructure and logistics based on feedback from our festivalgoers.”

“We’re proud to be the presenting sponsor of this amazing Festival for the fourth year in a row,” says Kevin Campbell, Director of Brand Experience, Virgin Mobile Canada. “We love offering Virgin Mobile Members VIP experiences at every turn and we’re kicking off this Festival by offering our Members an exclusive presale starting Monday, February 23.”

This year, the festival is proud to have Spotify Canada onboard to enhance the fan experience by providing unique playlists of festival performers online, on their phones and through the festival app. Check out the lineup playlist here: SVMF

The Festival will again be held at Centennial Fields and will be expanding its use of the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) enabled wristband system that was implemented last year to incorporate all food and merchandise vendors, including those at the four offsite campgrounds.

Weekend passes go on sale Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 am. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. Virgin Mobile Members Presale starts Monday, February 23 at 10:00am and ends Wednesday, February 25 at 11:59 pm. Members who purchase a Festival pass will receive a $20 credit applied to their RFID wristband, while quantities last. Visit www.virginmobile.ca/benefits to see the exclusive access and deals available for Virgin Mobile Members.

For more information on the Festival lineup, RFID system, tickets and more please visit: www.SquamishFestival.com. Find us on Twitter @squamishfest #SVMF & Facebook.

Alanis Morissette, deadmau5, Lights, and Sam Roberts Band confirmed as performers for 2015 JUNO Awards

Feb 19, 2015

CTV and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that 2015 Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee Alanis Morissette, as well as electronic music phenomenon deadmau5, electro-pop artist Lights, and rockers Sam Roberts Band, are all set to rock THE 2015 JUNO AWARDS broadcast, Sunday, March 15 on CTV. Alanis Morissette returns to the same Hamilton stage where she won five JUNO Awards for her seminal, multi-platinum 1995 album Jagged Little Pill, released 20 years ago. These artists join previously announced performers Arkells, Hedley, Kiesza, MAGIC!, and Shawn Mendes. THE 2015 JUNO AWARDS airs live from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. AT and at 7 p.m. in all other markets on CTV and CTV GO. Check local listings to confirm broadcast times and stations.

Tickets are currently on sale for THE 2015 JUNO AWARDS. Tickets range from $39 to $149 (plus service charges) and are available through the FirstOntario Centre Box Office, by phone at 1-855-872-5000, and online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Additional broadcast announcements will be released in the coming weeks.