RZA

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New Documentary To Celebrate 25 Years Of Wu-Tang Clan

The legendary hip-hop group reminds us they are "for the children" with a new film out Friday

Ana Yglesias

GRAMMYs

Nov 7, 2018 - 6:25 pm

Hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan announced today, Nov. 7, they will be releasing a new documentary, For The Children: 25 Years of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) this Friday, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

The influential group has released several other documentaries over the years, yet, as Spin points out, this one "differentiates itself as a celebration of the group's legendary debut," released Nov. 9, 1993. The film's title is a reference to Wu-Tang's Ol' Dirty Bastard infamously taking the stage during Shawn Colvin's Song Of The Year win for "Sunny Came Home" at the 40th GRAMMY Awards to announce "Wu-Tang is for the children...Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is the best!" Wu-Tang Forever was nominated for Best Rap Album but lost to Diddy's No Way Out.

Wu-Tang Clan has not only launched the careers of many other rappers with their Killa Bees, but has also paved the way the for other rap collectives, including ASAP Mob, whose members include ASAP Ferg and ASAP Rocky. "If you don't plant seeds it won't be forever," says Ferg in the documentary's trailer.

As Spin reported last month, Hulu announced they would be launching a new show, "Wu-Tang: An American Saga" about the group's origin story, to be co-written and directed by the group's leader RZA.

Update: For The Children: 25 Years of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is now streaming on YouTube.

Missy Elliott Makes History As First Female Rapper Nominated For Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Dave Grohl

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Dave Grohl Creates Rock Super-Group All By Himself In 'Play'

The Foo Fighters frontman is nothing short of extraordinary in his new documentary which puts the art of making music on display

Ana Yglesias

GRAMMYs

Aug 10, 2018 - 11:56 am

GRAMMY-winner Dave Grohl takes on an impressive and inspiring project with his new documentary, Play, which includes expertly synced footage resulting in a band of Grohls performing an epic 23-minute rock opus.

The half-hour video takes us deep into the Foo Fighters frontman's passion for making music. Grohl explains, "You never feel satisfied, and you never feel like you’ve completely mastered the instrument you’re playing. It’s always going to be a puzzle; it’s always going to be a challenge. It’s a beautiful mystery."

Before diving into his inspiring one-man super-group performance, Grohl brings us to Join the Band, where youth are given a chance to begin the journey of learning an instrument. He shares his excitement about organizations like this that are bringing youth into the world of music making. "All around the world there are these rooms full of kids that are really trying to figure this [playing an instrument] out. I'm inspired watching that process," he says.

Shortly after the eight-minute mark, we watch seven Grohls stroll into the studio where they take us on a musical adventure through his passion. He played each instrument individually live in the same studio, and through the magic of editing, we are left in awe to witness a band of Grohls jamming together.

While the video and resulting song are pretty special to witness, this feat isn't all that new to Grohl. All of the instruments on the GRAMMY-nominated debut Foo Fighters album were played entirely by him and recorded in just one week. It was shortly after after recording that album that he then formed the band we now know and love as the Foo Fighters.

"Play" is available to stream and download now, and a limited edition vinyl LP is available for pre-order now on the Foo Fighter's site.

If Grohl has inspired you to grab your favorite instrument, check out his new website where you can download sheet music for "Play," find music education organizations like Join the Band near you, and even watch the single instrument tracks of the video.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

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Ultra Music Festival Moves To Bigger, Better Location In Miami For 2019 Event

The dance music event will celebrate its 21st year in its new home in Virginia Key

Ana Yglesias

GRAMMYs

Nov 16, 2018 - 5:52 pm

On Nov. 15 Ultra Music Festival announced their flagship festival will officially move to a new, larger location in Miami, Virginia Key, following approval from the City of Miami. The 21st edition of the huge electronic dance music event will take place on March 29-31, 2019, following Winter Music Conference and to close out Miami Music Week.

Virginia Key is an 863-acre freeway-accessible island in Miami home to the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and Miami Marine Stadium Flex Park, the festival's new event space. Ultra explains the new ocean-side location is significantly larger than their former venue at Bayfront Park, located in downtown Miami. The new, bigger space has allowed Ultra to increase their attendee capacity and offer more tickets than in prior years, as well as extending the event end time until 2:00 a.m. each day.

"We are excited to announce that the City of Miami has agreed to a deal to relocate Ultra Music Festival to the beautiful and historic Virginia Key," Ultra said in a statement. "The new venue will allow the festival to evolve into its new, larger home, ultimately creating a more enjoyable experience for all festival attendees. We look forward to a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with our partners at the City of Miami and Historic Virginia Key Beach Park as we commemorate keeping Ultra in the City of Miami."

Ultra also acknowledged the "cultural and historic significance" of Virginia Key Beach, which was a safe gathering place for Miami's black population during the dark times of segregation, and has committed to honor the location's history and take care of its natural environment. The partnership with Ultra and the city will allow around $20 million to be set aside for the county's first African American Museum.

Emilio Gonzalez, Miami City Manager, said the agreement "keeps this world-renowned event in our global city, while providing operating funds for a long-desired African American History Museum at Historic Virginia Key Beach."

Ultra Music Festival began in 1999 in Miami when now-President/CEO Russell Faibisch threw the first event with the late Alex Omes. It began as a celebratory event in March the weekend following Winter Music Conference, as many world-renowned DJs and producers from around the world were already in town for the conference. As both events grew and the festival gained more and more loyal fans and performers, Ultra grew to offer spin-off festivals worldwide, under the Ultra Worldwide brand.

The company announced last year that they had purchased the conference, streamlining all events as part of Miami Music Week. The revamped conference, traditionally geared towards those working in electronic music, will now include two segments: an educational segment for music consumers to learn about the industry in addition to one aimed at industry professionals.

More info and tickets for Ultra Music Festival are available on their website.

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Karol G & Rosalía

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Latin GRAMMY Winners Karol G, Rosalía. Maluma & More Share Excitement On Social Media

The 19th Latin GRAMMY Awards was quite the celebration, as many talented artists were honored—here's our roundup of some of the winner's best reactions on social media

Ana Yglesias

GRAMMYs

Nov 16, 2018 - 2:24 pm

The Biggest Night in Latin Music took over Las Vegas on Nov. 15 for the 19th Latin GRAMMY Awards and celebrated some of its brightest rising and established stars. The evening made some artist first-time winners and gave other artists more awards to add to their collection, with many taking to social media to celebrate with fans.

Several incredibly talented young artists had the excitement of taking home their first Latin GRAMMY wins, including Spain's nuevo flamenco popstar Rosalía, Colombia's reigning queen of reggaeton Karol G and fellow Colombian Maluma, the sensual pop-infused reggaeton singer. Another Colombian reggaetonero, the forefather of the reemergence of the genre, J Balvin, took home his third Latin GRAMMY this year.

Karol G took home the high honor of winning Best New Artist and GRAMMY-nominated pop singer Halsey, who handed the award over to her, could not but help but share Karol G's excitement, reflecting on the joy she felt when receiving her first GRAMMY nod.

"My first Grammy nomination was a massive moment in my life and I was so excited to hand @KarolGmusic her award at the @LatinGRAMMYs tonight," Halsey said. "So well deserved beauty felicidades [congratulations]."

Halsey received her first two GRAMMY nominations at the 59th GRAMMY Awards. Karol G replied to the singer with, "Today was an entire dream."

Another first time Latin GRAMMY winner, Rosalía, was thrilled to take home two awards last night, both for her song "Malamente," which she also performed. During her second acceptance speech, for Best Fusion/Urban Interpretation, she thanked the female musicians, including Lauryn Hill and Björk, that came before her and continue to inspire her. The Spanish star's reaction on Twitter to her second win summed up the excitement perfectly: "SECOND GRAMMY MALAMENTE OMG OMG OMG OMG."

She was unable to make it to her first Latin GRAMMY acceptance, so uploaded a video on Instagram to excitedly tell her fans about it, "Omg, omg they have told me I have just won my first GRAMMY," she said on her way to the event. "I'm flipping out."

Maluma, looking ultra-stylish in a fitted all-black suit, also took home his first Latin GRAMMY, for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album for F.A.M.E, his third LP released earlier this year. He showed off his GRAMMY and fashionable digs on Instagram with a caption that translates to: "IT WAS NOT BEFORE, IT WAS NOT AFTER. IT WAS TODAY."

J Balvin took home his third Latin GRAMMY this year for Best Urban Music Album for Vibras, his hit-filled fifth studio album released in May 2018. He gave a moving speech about the positive influence of reggaeton and even shouted out fellow category-nominee and Puerto Rican reggaeton star Ozuna. Balvin's recent Instagram post showed him raising the award in the air on stage with a fittingly simple yet powerful caption that translates to: "Latin Grammys. GOD BLESS REGGAETON. AMEN."

2018 Latin GRAMMY Awards Complete Winners List

Karol G

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Karol G Crowned Best New Artist At The 2018 Latin GRAMMYs

The rising queen of reggaeton takes home her first Latin GRAMMY

Ana Yglesias

GRAMMYs

Nov 15, 2018 - 6:31 pm

The 19th Latin GRAMMY Awards have crowned Karol G as Best New Artist, giving the Colombian reggaeton artist her first win ever. The category is one of the most anticipated of the night.

Karol G Wins Best New Artist At 2018 Latin GRAMMYs

The 27-year-old rising star took to the stage beaming ear-to-ear with her father to receive her award from GRAMMY-nominee Halsey. She shared her gratitude for being recognized for her music and the hard work she's put into it over the last five years. In 2013 she released "Amor De Dos" with Nicky Jam, which put her on the map in her native Colombia, and since then has grown her audience globally. She released her debut album Unstoppable on Oct. 27, 2017 and has continued to release hot collabs with artists like fellow current Latin GRAMMY-nominees Bad Bunny and Maluma. This year she was also nominated for Best Urban Song for "Mi Cama."

The 2018 nominees for Best New Artist at the Latin GRAMMYs were filled with plenty of other talented artists as well. The other nominees included 15-year-old Regional Mexican singer Angela Aguilar, Brazilian jazz-influenced singer Anaadi, Columbian alt-rock group LosPetitFellas, Mexican R&B-infused singer Nana Mendoza and Chilean singer/songwriter Benjamín Walker. The group also had Mexican indie-musician El David Aguilar, Dominican artist Álex Ferreira, young traditional Mexican singer Christian Nodal and Colombo-Venezuelan Latin folk artist Claudia Prieto.