Starting in the early 2000s, writer Kelefa Sanneh did more than any other critic to shake up the way people listen to and think about music. His New York Times pieces were frequently short but incisive and hilarious, humming with the infectious energy of a hooky pop song: Consider the …
Read More »When the Blues Brothers Played the Super Bowl, and Other Halftime Disasters
What were the Blues Brothers (with Jim Belushi) doing headlining the Super Bowl‘s halftime show in 1997 — while most of the actual soul and R&B singers they imitated were alive and well? (James Brown was there — as a “special guest.”) Why in the world was E.T. hanging out …
Read More »Minnesota Timberwolves Unveil Prince-Inspired Jerseys
The Minnesota Timberwolves revealed a special alternate jersey that honors Minneapolis native, Prince, ESPN reports. The Nike-designed uniforms aptly feature a deep purple base with light purple lettering, while the design includes a couple of references to Prince’s Purple Rain album cover. The lettering on the jersey mimics the album …
Read More »23 Prince Albums, New Anthology Come to Streaming Services
Prince completists rejoice: The majority of the singer’s recorded output during the 1990s and 2000s has finally arrived on streaming services. Until now, a limited slice of Prince’s catalog was available on most streaming services. Luckily, that slice included his indispensable Eighties LPs like Dirty Mind, Purple Rainand Sign o’ …
Read More »Rob Sheffield on How Prince's Classic '1999' Launched a Movement
“Don’t worry,” announces the warped robot voice at the start of Prince‘s1999. “I won’t hurt U. I only want U2 have some fun.” Is this the voice of God? Or Prince‘s synthesizers talking back to him? Either way, this guy’s got his own idea of fun. And he spends the …
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