Thomas Hesse, Bertelsmann president of corporate development and new businesses is reportedly stepping down and has asked the company’s supervisory board to release him from his contract, according to sources. A Bertelsmann spokesperson declined to comment on the report, but the matter is reportedly on the agenda of the company’s supervisory board meeting tomorrow (Nov….

Jack White’s very own Third Man Records may be one of the most exciting labels and stores right, which is probably why The Vinyl Factory have decided to make a documentary about the company. As the Vinyl Factory themselves describe it: “it’s without doubt the Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory of record stores”. This new film takes…

In a series of unreleased quotes from Suge Knight’s interview with Rolling Stone’s Paul Cantor, the former Death Row Records CEO spoke on Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar, the influence of West Coast rap, and more. While speaking on the influence of West Coast rap, Knight went on to call out Kris Kross, Da Brat, 50…

Volkswagen + Underworld have collaborated on a generative music application that creates music based on your style of driving. Play the Road generates music via a phone app that’s connected to the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s onboard computer. The app uses the driver’s location and movements to generate music live. Here’s a video that explores the…

Jazz drummer Chico Hamilton, a linchpin of the West Coast jazz scene in the 1950s and ’60s, died yesterday evening of natural causes in New York City, according to his publicist April Thibeault. He was 92. As a player, Hamilton’s subtle colors and sensitive accompaniments made him emblematic of the relaxed, “cool” approach to jazz….

Danity Kane’s comeback is in full effect. After announcing their first show in five years, tickets sold out in 24 hours. The ladies will perform their hits and new material for the first time at L.A.’s House of Blues on December 16. In Part 2 of our interview, Aubrey, Dawn, Shannon, and Aundrea discuss their…

In his first interview since Randy Phillips’ exit as CEO of AEG Live on Monday, Dan Beckerman, president and CEO of parent company Anschutz Entertainment Group, weighed in on Phillips’ contributions in building AEG Live into the second largest promoter in the world. “I have nothing but great respect for [Phillips] and what he did…

First! Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP beats the odds and, in an unprecedented move, sells more on its second week than its first. Nah, we’re kidding. The thing crashed. ARTPOP not only starts week two at No. 8 — it does so with a mere 46,000 units sold according to Billboard. That makes for an 82 percent…

In a motion to dismiss, the producers say the show features enough African-Americans, is protected by the First Amendment and isn’t a “rigged contest.” In July, 10 former contestants on American Idol sued over alleged discrimination on the long-running reality singing competition show. The complaint filed in New York federal court came in at a…

Radiohead and Atoms For Peace frontman Thom Yorke has clashed with Moby after the US artist criticised Yorke’s attacks on Spotify. Moby labelled Yorke “an old guy yelling at fast trains”, during an interview with Mashable in which he discussed his recent partnership with file sharing site BitTorrent. During a wide ranging interview on the…