Music News

Mark Ronson thinks he has excelled himself on his new album because people mistake it for someone else's music.
The producer played 'Uptown Funk' - the lead single from upcoming LP 'Uptown Special' - to his stepfather Mick Jones and the Foreigner rocker praised the track, but mistakenly believed it was by Chic's Nile Rodgers.
Mark said: "He said: 'Oh, that's good, is that Nile Rodgers?'
"That's what I've done. I've made something so good that people don't actually think it's me."
The 39-year-old producer recently previewed some tracks from the album during a DJ gig and was relieved they went down well with the young audience because he felt it was proof the record is strong.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "2,500 kids were totally going for it, which I thought was kind of amazing.
"It's so different to what everyone's ears are attuned to right now, but it completely works. That just kind of makes me psyched for music. You know, 'Oh, it's not just that I like it because I'm an old man,' or whatever."
As well as well-known vocalists including Stevie Wonder and Bruno Mars, Mark has teamed up with singer Keyone Starr on the record.
He found the unknown musician while looking for a soul voice in Mississippi and was impressed not only by the talented singers but their dedication to church over fame.
He recalled: ""It was kind of amazing. You'd meet these people that could out-sing anyone in the top 10, but they'd explain that they didn't really enjoy singing secular music or Beyoncé or whatever, because unless they're really singing for God, they just don't feel it.
"In the era of music reality shows, where people basically start singing in order to become famous, it's so anti that, it's incredible. You'd start talking to them, like, 'We're making this record, would you be interested in coming up to LA to record a song?' and they're like, 'Well, I can never miss my choir rehearsal on Wednesdays and Thursdays,' which is really touching."

Kelly Clarkson will release a new pop album this year.
The 'Breakaway' hitmaker took a break from music to get married to Brandon Blackstock and have their daughter River Rose, now six months, but she has returned to the recording studio and will bring out the first single from her new LP later this month.
She tweeted: "People keep asking. My next album is pop. But I am always influenced by music I love, which is pop-rock/country/r&b/dance #whoknowswhatsnext.
"2 clues for the first single...Proof of life & Dr. Dre #TheNextEpisode.(sic)"
When a fan asked if the new single will be released this month, she replied: "Yes :)"
And quizzed if the Dre reference meant she was planning a surprising new musical direction into rap, she replied: "totally. I'm gonna be the most amazing rapper you've ever heard.(sic)"
The 32-year-old singer also confirmed the record will feature a duet - but has kept fans guessing as to the identity of her vocal partner.
She wrote: "Oh and people also keep asking about the duet on the record. Here's a hint ....this wasn't our first time to sing together 🙂 (sic)"
Kelly released a Christmas album in 2013 and a greatest hits collection in 2012 but this year's record will be her first full-length studio LP since 2011's 'Stronger'.

Akon will release five albums this year.
The 'Lonely' hitmaker has announced plans for a multi-genre project, entitled 'Stadium', which will be comprised of a number of LPs, each in a different style, released over the course of the next 12 months.
He tweeted: "Thru out this long wait, there has been fans who stuck with me. This Album is for you! 5 Albums 5 genres equaling STADIUM. (sic)".
Akon - who hasn't released an album since 2008's 'Freedom' - has shared a track from each record on his official website.
'To Each His Own' will feature on a pop album, while Euro fans can enjoy a song called 'Bounce', which also features Niko the Kid.
On his island album, Akon has teamed up with Damian Marley for a song named 'Just a Man', while the world album's first track is called 'Feeling a Nikka' and features D'Banje.
Finally, the urban album is lead by a song titled 'Whole Lot'.
The artwork featured on his website shows the five records all have the same artwork - an image of the topless singer performing for a crowd - but in different colours.

The Black Eyed Peas are reuniting for their 20th anniversary this year.
The 'I Gotta Feeling' group - comprising Fergie, will.i.am, Apl.de.ap and Taboo - have been on hiatus since 2011 but are working together in the recording studio on follow-up to 2010 album 'The Beginning' and also plan to celebrate their milestone with a new tour.
will told Metro newspaper: "We're all geared up and excited for the next year. We are recording now."
The news comes a few months after will pledged the 'My Humps' hitmakers would only get back together for something "amazing" and unique.
He said: "We're doing some configuration as far as what do we do as the Peas next .
"In 2008, I was like 'Guys, electro music is sick!' And most of them were like, 'What are you talking about, electro?'
"[I said], 'There's this guy called David Guetta and there's like this underworld, we should do songs like that.'
"Now we have to do something that no one's thought of, so you're thinking like 'The Black Eyed Peas are what?' If it doesn't spark that conversation, then there's no point.
"I know we have to either emerge with something from the underground or do something no-one has thought of. Either it's amazing or I don't get it."

Kanye West fans have taken to social media to predict "newcomer" Sir Paul McCartney is going to have a huge career after collaborating with the rapper.
The 37-year-old star's supporters took to Twitter to heap praise on the Beatles legend with some admitting they didn't know who he was but envisaged the singer - who has sold more than 100 million albums and 100 million singles - would make it big in music after teaming up with Kanye on new song 'Only One'.
OVOJosh wrote: "I don't know who Paul McCartney is, but Kanye is going to give this man a career w/ this new song!! (sic)"
DuesNice tweeted: "Kanye has a great ear for talent. This Paul McCartney guy gonna be huge. (sic)"
percyBlacksom posted: "Who is Paul McCartney? He boutta blow up thanks to Kanyer!!! (sic)"
While many thought the comments about one of the most successful performers of all time were comical, some reacted with genuine concern about the youth of today.
Dukeofhoops wrote: "The downfall of America's youth has officially concluded with people not knowing who Paul McCartney is (sic)"
@miss_raej tweeted: "People tweeting "unknown artist's career is gonna blow up" thanks to working with Kanye West. It's Paul McCartney. *screams internally* (sic)"
Sky_Razball wrote: "Only thing makes me mad about the stupid McCartney/Kanye tweets is these damn kids have google. Ain't no reason for your stupidity today (sic)"
Paul and Kanye teamed up last year to record the song, which is dedicated to the rapper and his wife Kim Kardashian West's 18-month-old daughter North and his late mother Donda West, who died in 2007.
The Beatles star plays keyboard on the song, which was released last Thursday (01.01.15), and Kanye sings from the perspective of his mother.
Kim is a huge fan of the tune and ranks it as her favourite song of the rapper's, admitting she breaks down in tears every time she listens to it.
She tweeted: "People always ask me what my favorite Kanye song is and it's Only One. Kanye feels like his mom sang thru him to our daughter.
"I cry every time I hear this song (sic)"

will.i.am always knew he'd be a successful music artist.
The 39-year-old rapper and businessman - who has collaborated with some of the world's biggest artists - has revealed that he was "practising" music from a young age with his fellow Black Eyed Peas rapper, apl.de.ap.
He said: "I was hyper as a kid. Apl and I were always 'practising' music.
"From the age of 15 to 22 we would get together and dance, free style, write raps. We were talking about it the other day and laughing like, 'What the hell were we practising for?'.
"I knew back then if I kept talking about something every day then it's going to be a reality."
The 'It's My Birthday' hitmaker also revealed that even if he hadn't of become famous, he'd still be in a creative industry.
Speaking of his school days, he said: "I was good at creative writing - anything that required me coming up with ideas. I was popular.
"And I was the student who got along with my teachers. I'd be the one cleaning the black board after class."
He added to Notebook magazine: "If I wasn't famous, I think I would still be creative. My core love has changed through the years - and computer electronics is my current passion.
"I think I'd be creating technology in some capacity, even if people didn't know I was.
"Being able to create whatever I want to create excites me - whether that's shoes, music or a new type of technology."

Mark Ronson found making 'Uptown Funk' so stressful it caused him to faint.
The 39-year-old producer made the chart-topping tune in collaboration with Bruno Mars, 29, but says getting the song to his liking caused him to feel ill.
He revealed: "We did 45 takes of it and I just couldn't get it, it sounded like horrible bull***t, so we went to lunch, walked down to a restaurant. Everyone was saying: 'Dude, what's wrong with you? You've gone totally white.'
"Because I was going on pretending everything was just fine; you don't want to admit that you're just not there, you're not where you want to be. And I went to the toilet and just ... fainted. I threw up, and fainted. They had to come and carry me out of the toilet."
Mark - who is best known for his collaborations with Amy Winehouse - admits his career had "gone cold" prior to the success of 'Uptown Funk'.
He told The Observer newspaper: "You know you're cold, industry-wise, because you see all the gigs going to your friends. OK, I understand, so they think that I'm just the guy that did [Amy's album] 'Back to Black' six years ago, and that's pretty much all.
"I don't know, it's probably all my weird hangups and neuroses, a lot of it."

Idina Menzel has defended her ability to perform live.
The 'Frozen' star came in for some severe criticism for failing to hit a note at the end of 'Let It Go' on New Year's Eve in Times Square, but she's responded to her critics by citing an interview she gave last year.
In the interview, which she's republished on her Twitter account, the 43-year-old star said: "There are about 3 million notes in a two-and-a-half-hour musical; being a perfectionist, it took me a long time to realise that if I'm hitting 75% of them, I'm succeeding.
"Performing isn't only about the acrobatics and the high notes: It's staying in the moment, connecting with the audience in an authentic way, and making yourself real to them through the music.
"I am more than the notes I hit, and that's how I try to approach my life. You can't get it all right all the time, but you can try your best.
"If you've done that, all that's left is to accept your shortcomings and have the courage to try to overcome them."
'Let It Go' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2014.

Kid Rock is "loaded".
The 43-year-old star has earned a fortune through the course of his career, but insists he isn't embarrassed about his wealth because he has amassed his earnings in an honest way.
He said: "I'm not just wealthy, I'm loaded. I can say that because I'm not embarrassed - I've made a f***-ton of money, but I've never made a dishonest dollar. I try to do right by the people around me."
The musician, who was once married to actress Pamela Anderson, has a son from a previous relationship, Robert Jr, and has revealed he's "excited" by the prospect of becoming a grandfather.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "I'm 43 and about to become a grandfather, but it keeps my redneck street cred up. I could be a great-great-great-grandfather by the time I'm 80. I am excited, but also nervous for my son. He was dropped on my doorstep at six months when I had no money and was trying to be a rock star. I didn't have a clue.
"The partying gene skips a generation. I was really wild and I never saw that in my son. He'll have a few drinks, but that's it. He'll say: 'Right, I'm going home,' and I'm like: 'Ha! We're just getting warm.'"