For the first time since 2007, U2, Madonna and the Rolling Stones are all sitting out touring the U.S., and with Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift also off the road, the concert business will have to get by this summer without a sure-thing megastar. “Some of the artists who’ve been iconic multiple arena and stadium…

On Wednesday night, Earl Sweatshirt and Lionel Boyce became one. They were no longer the Odd Future MC behind the incredible Doris album, and the twisted mind that co-created and stars in Adult Swim’s Loiter Squad. Nay, they morphed into DJ Billy Jole, and SPIN was there to witness the transformation. It happened at Haus…

Yesterday (April 17), several publications reported that Boldy James signed under Nas’ new Mass Appeal imprint. Boldy James says that the reports are unfounded. “Can I get a deal on the table 1st before people start with the rumors. Still the most slept on unsigned hype in the Game. #BoldyBlocks227,” James said in a Twitter…

As Record Store Day’s stature has grown over the last seven years, it’s easy to lose sight of the international music retail celebration’s humble beginnings. Here, on the eve of Saturday’s (April 19) event, Billboard sat down with RSD co-founder Michael Kurtz who explained the inspiration behind the event (Tower Records closing, Free Comic Book…

Keyboardist Ed Diaz works as a product specialist at Roland, but he also has been making a series of video blog posts, sharing his thoughts on gear and experience with keyboards.  His latest video looks at gear that should be in any keyboardist’s gig bag. Check it out and don’t let your synths get fried by a…

Many times it’s surprising the difference an extra mic can make when miking an instrument. A second mic can add depth and ambiance even without resorting to a stereo configuration, which can be perfect for the right track. Here are 3 techniques for using two mics when recording an acoustic guitar, culled from The Ultimate…

50 Cent stopped by Baltimore radio station 92Q Jamz recently to visit with hosts AJ and AngelBaby on the Rap Attack show. The “I Get Money” hit maker talked about the theme of prosperity for his forthcoming Animal Ambition album, explains why he still makes street music even though he’s financially set, the environment he…

Back on April 11, the Onion-esque parody site The News Nerd published a fake story about Patti LaBelle punching Aretha Franklin at “an R&B/Soul concert” on March 20. Franklin didn’t appreciate the clunky dose of internet humor and posted a formal denial of the scuffle on April 15. Apparently, that wasn’t enough, as the Detroit…

Ryan Lewis, who released the Grammy Award-winning album The Heist in 2012 with Macklemore, says the duo is set to embark on its next phase. “Obviously going into the studio and doing another full length album together is the immediate [step],” Lewis says in an interview with Prologue. “In the long term, I would love…

On April 16, Clear Channel Music + Entertainment began what they termed an ‘alignment’ of radio station sales staffs at the local market and cluster levels. According to reports, markets of all sizes have been impacted. 22 people were rumored to be affected. The company, which has gone through several rounds of layoffs in other…