[TODAY IN MUSIC] 5 Things You Should Know On Monday, September 17th, 2018

MRW I saw the news about Australia’s first female-focussed and LGBTIQ+ inclusive booking agency

Hi so I’m going to try a thing. I do my best to keep up with relevant things happening in and thought a recap of the things that stand out the most to me might be mutually beneficial. If you want to chat in the comments (or on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram) about any of these I’m all ears! 😎

• TL;DR: Ad Rock and Mike D did NOT give Eminem permission for the Kamikaze artwork. In fact, a lot of us knew about the artwork before they did. [Exclaim!]

• Dua Lipa’s body guards from her Shanghai show were detained by police after reports of them dragging out fans waving rainbow fans and beating members of the audience. 🤬 [NME]

• If you have a never ending love/hate relationship with AutoTune, you might find this very thorough history of how it revolutionized popular music interesting. [Pitchfork]

• ICYMI: we’re still trying to get the very forward thinking legislation known as the Music Modernization Act passed in the US. Neil Diamond took to the LA Times to detail how our current outdated laws negatively effect legacy acts' ability to earn performance royalties on digital/satellite radio. [LATimes]

• AMAZING news from down under: Australian booking agent Kailei Ginman has launched Australia’s first female-focussed and LGBTIQ+ inclusive booking agency – an all-female roster, run by female agents, employing all-female freelancers and supporting community charities – aptly named Alpha. [The Music Network]

[News] Beastie Boys' Ad-Rock and Mike D Respond to MCA's Passing

In the wake of Beastie Boys member MCA's unfortunate death this past Friday, Ad-Rock and Mike D, the other members of the famed New York group, have both issued statements regarding the loss of their friend and bandmate.

Ad-Rock took to the band's official website, saying, "As you can imagine, shit is just fkd up right now. But i wanna say thank you to all our friends and family (which are kinda one in the same) for all the love and support. i’m glad to know that all the love that Yauch has put out into the world is coming right back at him. thank you."

Mike D's reaction came on Facebook, where he wrote, "I know, we should have tweeted and instagrammed every sad, happy and inspired thought, smile or tear by now. But honestly the last few days have just been a blur of deep emotions for our closest friend, band mate and really brother. I miss Adam so much. He really served as a great example for myself and so many of what determination, faith, focus, and humility coupled with a sense of humor can accomplish. The world is in need of many more like him. We love you Adam."

Numerous other musicians gave statements in response to MCA's passing, including Jay-Z, Thom Yorke, and Madonna.

[Watch] Jimmy Fallon and The Roots Pay Tribute to MCA, Coldplay Covers "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)"

Following the devastating passing of Beastie Boys member Adam "MCA" Yauch last Friday, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots paid tribute on Friday's episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. After giving a brief statement, Fallon delivered a video montage honoring MCA, which gave footage from the Beastie Boys 2009 appearance on the show. Afterwards, The Roots performed covers of "Sure Shot," "Remote Control," and "Sabotage" throughout the show. After the jump, you can stream the entirety of Friday's episode (Fallon’s montage is at the 11:40, and The Roots’ cover of “Sure Shot” can be seen at the 4:15. The other covers performed by The Roots can be seen before and after each break) as well as the 2009 appearance of the Beastie Boys on the show.

Another tribute paid to the passing of MCA comes from Coldplay, who performed a cover of "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)" during their Friday night performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Watch the acoustic, piano-led cover after the jump.

The Beastie Boys' 2009 Appearance on Fallon:

Coldplay's Cover of "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)":

[News] Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch AKA MCA Dead At 47

It is with the heaviest of hearts and tears in our eyes that we report today that Adam Yauch, co-founding member of the legendary Beastie Boys has passed away at age 47. It was well known that he had been battling cancer for a long time and sadly the battle is over.

Cancer is such a sonofabitch. Seriously.

UPDATE: Beastie Boys members Mike D and Ad-Rock have released an official statement regarding Yauch's passing.

Adam Yauch | 1964-2012
It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam “MCA” Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Yauch taught himself to play bass in high school, forming a band for his 17th birthday party that would later become known the world over as Beastie Boys.

With fellow members Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Adrock” Horovitz, Beastie Boys would go on to sell over 40 million records, release four #1 albums–including the first hip hop album ever to top the Billboard 200, the band’s 1986 debut full length, Licensed To Ill–win three Grammys, and the MTV Video Vanguard Lifetime Achievement award. Last month Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Diamond and Horovitz reading an acceptance speech on behalf of Yauch, who was unable to attend.

In addition to his hand in creating such historic Beastie Boys albums as Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty and more, Yauch was a founder of the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and activism regarding the injustices perpetrated on native Tibetans by Chinese occupational government and military forces. In 1996, Milarepa produced the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which was attended by 100,000 people, making it the biggest benefit concert on U.S. soil since 1985′s Live Aid. The Tibetan Freedom Concert series would continue to stage some of the most significant benefit shows in the world for nearly a decade following in New York City, Washington DC, Tokyo, Sydney, Amsterdam, Taipei and other cities.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, Milarepa organized New Yorkers Against Violence, a benefit headlined by Beastie Boys at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, with net proceeds disbursed to the New York Women’s Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Association for New Americans (NYANA) September 11th Fund for New Americans–each chosen for their efforts on behalf of 9/11 victims least likely to receive help from other sources.

Under the alias of Nathanial Hörnblowér, Yauch directed iconic Beastie Boys videos including “So Whatcha Want,” “Intergalactic,” “Body Movin” and “Ch-Check It Out.” Under his own name, Yauch directed last year’s Fight For Your Right Revisited, an extended video for “Make Some Noise” from Beastie Boys’ Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, starring Elijah Wood, Danny McBride and Seth Rogen as the 1986 Beastie Boys, making their way through a half hour of cameo-studded misadventures before squaring off against Jack Black, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as Beastie Boys of the future.

Yauch’s passion and talent for filmmaking led to his founding of Oscilloscope Laboratories, which in 2008 released his directorial film debut, the basketball documentary Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot and has since become a major force in independent video distribution, amassing a catalogue of such acclaimed titles as Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy, Oren Moverman’s The Messenger, Banksy’s Exit Through The Gift Shop, Lance Bangs and Spike Jonze’s Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait Of Maurice Sendak, and many more."

Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen and his daughter Tenzin Losel, as well as his parents Frances and Noel Yauch."

[SKOA Presents] The 50 Best Albums Of 2011: 15 - 11

15. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part. 2 [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

After postponing Hot Sauce Committee Part One so that MCA could kick cancer in the ass, the Beastie Boys came back with a vengeance on their eighth studio album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. It has been a thrill and a priviledge to grow old with the Brooklyn trio and the boys certainly did not let us down this time around. Combining old school style rhymes and trying a few new sounds on for size, they've managed to deliver another solid album complete with songs that will stick with us for years to come. Plus who could forget the epicness of the longform music video for "Make Some Noise" that's full to the brim with celebrities, complete with Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood and Danny McBride as the younger version of the Beasties. I also thoroughly enjoyed Nas' appearance on "Too Many Rappers" as well as tracks like "Taddlock's Glasses", "Lee Majors Come Again" and "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" featuring Santigold. This album sat well in my heart over the course of the year and I look forward to more albums in the future from Brooklyn's finest. —Kibbe

14. Doomtree - No Kings [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

Minnesota rap outfit Doomtree (P.O.S., Dessa, Sims, Cecil Otter, Mike Mictlan, Lazerbeak and Paper Tiger) have been making waves for sometime, but with their sophomore crew record No Kings, the group once again pushes the standard of indie hip hop from the genre mashing production down to flawless raps and lyrics. This album is an all around group record as well, which differs a lot from your typical crew record where one person handles production on a track and drops a verse. No. With No Kings each member assisted with crafting records unique sound and provides a little bit of everything from Blues to Electronic to Rock to Soul. If this record is a preview of what is to come in Doomtree's future, I cant wait to see what comes next. If you are looking for a great rap record, look no further than No Kings. —Rocko

Doomtree "Beacon" by doomtree

13. DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

After dropping a mediocre 3rd LP, the king of sample based instrumental hip hop returns to form with his latest record The Less You Know The Better. Combining elements from all genres, DJ Shadow's 4th LP bangs so hard from beginning to end it makes you forget about that last "hyphy" album and reminds us of the sound that we fell in love with from his first 2 albums. The album even features a few guest  appearances (Talib Kweli, Pos of De La Soul, Tom Vek and Yukimi of Little Dragon) which give the album a nice twist in style every now and then but hardly take away from the overall sound of the record. So if you are looking for a fun, drum break heavy, electronic album look no further than The Less You Know The Better. —Rocko

"Scale It Back" Feat. Little Dragon

12. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

August 2009 was a tough time for fans of the brothers Gallagher, as the elder, Noel, left legendary Manchester band Oasis. Sure, they've fought before, but this time it was serious and Oasis as the world had loved them were finished. Fast forward to 2011 and Noel Gallagher returns to the world in which he most definitely belongs, fronting his new band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Noel has always had a knack for writing infectious guitar led numbers, and this album proves that. Album opener "Everybody Is On The Run" sets the scene for the journey you are about to take, while singles "AKA... What A Life" and "The Death Of You And Me," despite being a little more radio friendly, still show what Noel is capable of doing. Instead of this being the Liam & Noel show that we've endured for the 18 year career of Oasis, this is all Noel, and that is a very, very good thing. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds perfectly encompasses what we've always wanted from a Gallagher, and it's one we all knew Noel could create given the freedom. Bravo. —Shey

11. Childish Gambino - Camp [Amazon] [iTunes] [Insound]

Hip hop isn't a genre that I can typically enjoy thoroughly, and it takes a lot for a hip hop album to draw me in. Childish Gambino's Camp has done what most hip hop albums haven't or can't, utilizing the artist's comedic roots by taking what is generally a stale genre and giving it a witty and clever overhaul. Each line that Gambino spits out is comedic gold (such as "Backpackers": "That well spoken token who ain't been heard, the only white rapper who's allowed to say the n-word"), and, coupled with his improved production styles and vocal work, Gambino has shown that he means business. It's not just his comedic abilities that stand out, though, as the artist has placed emotional brevity into every song on the album, and it's these upfront, emotional confessions that show us that he is not just a musician, or a comedian, but a real human being. The realness of his lyrics and his emotional state allows for empathy on the listener's part, and this creates a connection that is difficult to find within the realm of hip hop. Whether it's the on-again-off-again relationship in "Heartbeat," or his disengagement from his own black community in "Backpackers," or the childhood heartbreak of "Kids (Keep Up)," each song evokes emotions that almost anyone can relate to in some way or another, and it is this relationship that makes Gambino's music and lyrics so powerful. No longer is Donald Glover just a comedian; he is going above and beyond to turn hip hop into something that anyone can immediately relate to, and, in every way, he succeeds. —Adrian

[Download & Listen] Ad-Rock & Cut Chemist Remix tUnE-yArDs' "Gangsta"

tUnE-yArDs have released their latest EP for the single "Gangsta" from one of my favorite releases of the year w h o k i l l. The EP features two awesome remixes from Ad-Rock of The Beastie Boys and DJ Cut Chemist. Take a listen to both mixes below, where you can also receive a free download for the Ad-Rock remix. The Gangsta EP is now available to purchase via iTunes and is set to be released on 12" next month which you can preorder here.

Gangsta (Ad Rock Remix)

Gangsta (Cut Chemist Remix)

[Listen] Beastie Boys - "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" Feat. Santigold (SebastiAn Remix)

We got a preview of the track last week within the full version of the video for the latest Beastie Boys x Santigold single "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win", now you can hear the full version of Ed Banger artist SebastiAn's remix. The remix appears on the EP of the single which dropped today and also features remixes by Lil Wayne "A Milli" producer Bangladesh, DJ Z-Trip, K. Flay, SebastiAn and everyone's favorite daggering DJs Major Lazer. Take a listen to SebatiAn's remix below and head over here to hear the Major Lazer remix.

[Watch] The Beastie Boys - "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" Feat. Santigold (Video) [Directed By Spike Jonze]

Check out the full length version of the extremely awesome new video from The Beastie Boys for their newest single off their latest Hot Sauce Committee Part Two "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" featuring Santigold. The action packed, action figures video reunites the NY trio with "Sabotage" director Spike Jonze and also features a short preview of Ed Banger's SebastiAn remix during one of the action scenes, which sounds pretty sweet. Check out the full video in the player above.