Making Movies

Photo: Luis Cantillo

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Ruben Blades & Making Movies Team Up On "Delilah," Co-Written By Lou Reed

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The song is co-penned by Blades and GRAMMY-winning rock icon Lou Reed in an epic music collaboration brought together by the topic of immigration
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 3, 2019 - 11:38 am

Kansas City band Making Movies, whose Afro-Latin rock rhythms have invaded NPR's Tiny Desk and gotten the attention of Rolling Stone, have dropped the third single off their forthcoming album ameri'kana. Titled "Delilah," the track features co-writes from Latin GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter and musician Rubén Blades and the late GRAMMY-winning rock legend Lou Reed.

"Delilah"'s lyrics touch on the tragic realities of immigration when hope for starting a new life is met with the challenges immigration policies can bring. "I was beaten, finger printed, deported / for the love of Delilah," Blades sings. 

The song was written by Blades and Reed during a week of music making in the east coast in the late '80s. Blades' "Letters To The Vatican" was one of the songs that came out of the session, but "Delilah" was left unfinished. 

"Lou and I got together in 1986, or 1987, to write songs for my first album in English, Nothing But The Truth. We were together for a week I believe, in an isolated place he had in the New Jersey woods," Blades said in a statement to the Recording Academy. " We made a deal beforehand, that any idea or lyric or anything we came up with during that time would be shared 50/50. We began with this but did not [finish] it then. I did some time after and, as agreed, we share the credit."
 
Making Movies, adding their touch of percussion and guitars, is now helping bring the song to life. Frontman Enrique Chi said, "This story is as valid today as it was 30 years ago when they wrote the song." The song is also the latest collab between the musicians, both of whom have roots in Panama. 
 
"It is the most amazing gift to work with Rubén who is an unparalleled artistic force," Chi said. "He has mentored and inspired us––and has affirmed our belief that music is a powerful tool for illuminating stories that need to be told."
 
ameri'kana will be out May 24. 

BTS

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BTS Taking An Official Break After Breaking Records & Offering Epic Performances

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Over the past 2 years alone, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook have broken several major records, made epic performances, and an album of theirs received a GRAMMY nomination. Now it's time for a break, their management said
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Aug 12, 2019 - 12:30 pm

K-pop superstars BTS are taking a break for the first time since their 2013 debut, their management team at Big Hit Entertainment announced on Sunday, Aug. 11.

"BTS will be going on an official and extended period of rest and relaxation," the South Korean entertainment company said in a statement on Twitter. "During this time, the members will rest and recharge in their own personal ways."

The announcement comes after an impressive run the past two years alone, in which Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook have broken records, including being the first K-pop band with a No. 1 album in the U.S. and made epic performances like the Beatles-inspired appearance on the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In addition to other accolades for the group, their 2018 album, Love Yorself: Tear, earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Recording Packaging at the 61st GRAMMY Awards in February, bringing them to their first-ever GRAMMY show. 

Big Hit Entertainment asked fans to show the group "consideration for their need to rest and enjoy" their vacation, if they were to spot them during their time off. The vacation time will be a chance for the members to "recharge and prepare" for the next phases of their careers as well as be a "chance to enjoy the ordinary lives of young people in their 20s," Big Hit added.

The post did not specfically call out how long the time off for the group would last, yet the BTS Army has generally responded positvely to the news.

BTS released their latest studio album, Map Of The Soul: Persona, featuring "Boy With Luv" with Halsey in April, six years after they debuted with the single "No More Dream" from their album 2 Cool 4 Skool in 2013. 

Another noteworthy moment BTS has had with the Recording Academy this year was with GRAMMY U college students in Chicago for the May edition of our SoundCheck series. 

Thanks for all the music so far, BTS. We'll see you again soon. 

Lauv On "F**k, I'm Lonely," Staying Independent, Mental Health & More

Lana Del Rey at the 60th GRAMMY Awards in 2018

Lana Del Rey 

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

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Lana Del Rey Unveils Fall 2019 Tour Dates

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"We are doing some shows this year and next! Looking forward to going all the way down the coast from Vancouver to San Diego :-)," the singer said
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Aug 1, 2019 - 3:49 pm

GRAMMY-nominated sultry songstress Lana Del Rey will be back on the road after dropping her sixth studio album Norman Fucking Rockwell Aug. 30. She has announced a short, predominantly West Coast tour in the U.S. in support of the follow-up to 2017's Lust For Life.

The tour will start in Wantagh, N.Y. on Sept. 21, head to West Coast cities like Berkeley, Calif., Seattle Los Angeles and more before its last stop in the U.S.: San Diego on Oct. 11. After the last date, Del Rey will head to Europe. 

"We are doing some shows this year and next! Looking forward to going all the way down the coast from Vancouver to San Diego :-)," the singer tweeted.  

Tickets go on sale Friday Aug. 9. Find more information at Ticketmaster. 

Cate Le Bon's New Beginning

Michael Lang 

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Focus Features

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Woodstock 50 Is Officially Cancelled

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The anniversary fest was meant to take place in two weeks at the Merriweather Post Pavilion around Baltimore
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Aug 1, 2019 - 11:40 am

It's official: Two weeks before scheduled to take place, organizers have announced that Woodstock 50, which originally had Miley Cyrus, The Raconteurs, Santana and more as headliners, is cancelled.

The festival that was to take place Aug.16–18 has faced issues ranging from financial troubles to issues with venues, since its inception. Co-founder of Woodstock and Woodstock 50 organizer Michael Lang cited artists backing down as one of the reasons the music event has decided to not go forward with the event this time, after having recently found a new venue, the Merriweather Post Pavilion around Baltimore, and starting a collaboration with HeadCount, a non-profit committed to getting people registed to vote. 

"We are saddened that a series of unforeseen setbacks has made it impossible to put on the Festival we imagined with the great line-up we had booked and the social engagement we were anticipating. When we lost the Glen and then Vernon Downs we looked for a way to do some good rather than just cancel," Lang said in a statement. "We formed a collaboration with HeadCount to do a smaller event at the Merriweather Pavilion to raise funds for them to get out the vote and for certain NGOs involved in fighting climate change. We released all the talent so any involvement on their part would be voluntary. Due to conflicting radius issues in the DC area many acts were unable to participate and others passed for their own reasons."

Lang enouraged artists who have been paid by the festival to donate to HeadCount: "I would like to encourage artists and agents, who all have been fully paid, to donate 10% of their fees to HeadCount or causes of their choice in the spirit of peace. Woodstock remains committed to social change and will continue to be active in support of HeadCount’s critical mission to get out the vote before the next election. We thank the artists, fans and partners who stood by us even in the face of adversity. My thoughts turn to Bethel and its celebration of our 50th Anniversary to reinforce the values of compassion, human dignity, and the beauty of our differences embraced by Woodstock.”

The festival had been struggling with several details throughout its planning. The festival struggled with venue permits, financial support, and having a clear lineup. In late April, it was announced that the festival was canceled to due to the backing out of their original funder, Dentsu Aegis Network.  

Woodstock 50 Music Festival Finally Finds Venue, Merriweather Post Pavilion

Michael Sticka 

Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage via Getty Images 

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Michael Sticka Named GRAMMY Museum President

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Sticka, who first joined the organization in 2014 and formerly held the position of Executive Director at the GRAMMY Museum, will continue to lead the museum's growth and strategy
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 30, 2019 - 2:14 pm

The GRAMMY Museum has promoted Michael Sticka to President as the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy make the largest conributions to the museum in either organization's history.

Sticka, who first joined the organization in 2014 and formerly held the position of Executive Director at the GRAMMY Museum, will continue to lead the museum's growth and strategy. He will also "oversee all aspects of Museum operations, including curatorial, development, marketing, grants and awards, public and education programs, and more," a statement said. His contract will extend through 2022. 

“As Executive Director, I’ve witnessed our team’s incredible passion, hard work, and dedication, which has strengthened our impact and presence in the Los Angeles music and education communities,” said Sticka. “I’m honored that the Board has entrusted me in the role as President, allowing me to continue leading this extraordinary team with the purpose of driving our social good within the community and uphold the Museum's mission to educate, inspire, cultivate creativity, and share the significance of music."

Sticka, who created the museum's Community Engagement Department as executive director, said the museum will continue to invest in its community engagement, curatorial mission and education program. Sticka said the museum's goal is to reach 100,000 over the next five years. 

The Recording Academy contributed $5 million for museum renovations and technology updates, while the Latin Recording Academy will donate more than half a million dollars in a three-year period to grow the Latin music exhibits, education programs and the hiring of a Latin music curator. Both presidents of each organization shared their excitement for Sticka's promotion and their investment in the museum's work. 

“Under Michael’s leadership and guidance, the GRAMMY Museum has not only secured substantial new investments from the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy, but has also seen a tremendous increase in visitors, revenue from attendance, merchandise and event sales, and more” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy and Chair of the Board of Directors of the GRAMMY Museum. “The Museum’s growth and path towards cementing its status as ‘the’ steward and place where Music Has A Home, as well as its future financial and business well-being is reflective of and a testament to Michael’s strategic vision, impressive operational skills, and exceptional leadership.”  

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with the GRAMMY Museum,” said The Latin Recording Academy President/CEO Gabriel Abaroa Jr. “The Latin Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum share the commitment of educating the public about the significant contributions Latin music has made in the world. I look forward to expanding our presence inside the GRAMMY Museum in an impactful way that guides the narrative and preserves the stories of Latin music and its creators."

GRAMMY Camp Inspires Dreams, Not Fantasies