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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, April 20, 2018

Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer win is welcomed, ECMAs focus on mental health, and hip-hop's impact on New York City. Others in the headlines include Emm Gryner, Steve Jobs, Kiran Ahluwalia, Tee Krispel, early music shows, Stars, David Bowie, Tom McBride, and Steve Dawson

Music Biz Headlines, April 20, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Mental health front and centre at ECMAs

A workshop, wellness centre and keynote speech will all be centred around maintaining mental health in the arts industry – Hillary Windsor, Chronicle-Herald


This year's other two Pulitzer finalists on losing to Kendrick Lamar

Some classical fans are furious that the rapper won. The guys he beat are thrilled – Marissa Martinelli, Slate

How Hip-Hop transformed New York

When hip-hop culture started to spread in the 1980s, it changed the city in more ways than one – Nelson George, NY Times

Emm Gryner follows her heart

The acclaimed singer/songwriter will travel to the hometown of the late guitarist Greg Lowe in early May for shows marking the release of her new album – Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer

It's going to be a while till we find 'the next Steve Jobs'

Our quest to find the next Steve Jobs has not been inspired. His passing in 2011, like the life that preceded it, was infused with spiritual fervor – Staff, Wired

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Kiran Ahluwalia's LOVEfest brings together Sikh and Islamic music

At Harbourfront Centre, the show united secular and sacred traditions in a one-day festival filled with special moments  – Chaka V Grier, NOW

Canadian rapper Tee Krispil spills the tea on her new CBD company

Her newest endeavour, Fleurs Tea, is a seven-woman company specializing in locally made tea and topical products –  Georgia Straight

Should music shows start earlier?

Perhaps the best strategy—at least for weeknight gigs—is to begin the action earlier. In recent times, I've noticed more Seattle shows beginning at 7 pm and 8 pm – Dave Segal, thestranger.com

Toronto’s chiropractor to the stars tours with Radiohead

Through word of mouth and reputation, Shannon McEwen’s client list has grown since her first tour in 2007 with Avril Lavigne. “My job is to help them always feel great on stage” – Tamar Harris, The Star

A David Bowie installation is taking over an NYC subway station

Starting April 18, the Broadway-Lafayette subway station is being taken over by an installation that pays homage to the Starman – Clayton Guse, Time Out

Stars shine on 

Nearly 20 years in, all the Montreal love-poppers are looking for is connection –  Morgan Mullin, The Coast

Young Galaxy are happy to no longer be on a record label

“It feels like late-period capitalism is sinking its fangs into everyone," says Stephen Ramsay. "The middle class is gutted, and the top artists are in control of what used to be shared" – Suzanne Andrew, NOW 

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He went out the way he came: music world mourns Big Tom

Irish country legend Tom McBride was a quiet and humble man who never spoke on stage. He just sang – Jennifer O'Brien, The Times

Steve Dawson digs deep into his roots

Roots music renaissance man Steve Dawson sounds off on the things that enquiring minds want to know – Alex Varty, Georgia Straight

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Bad Bunny Turns the World Into His Casita With Triumphant Super Bowl LX Halftime Performance: Critic’s Take
Christopher Polk/Billboard

Bad Bunny performs at Super Bowl LX held at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

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Bad Bunny Turns the World Into His Casita With Triumphant Super Bowl LX Halftime Performance: Critic’s Take

The global superstar called for unity without hiding from confrontation in a brilliant, career-defining performance.

Few halftime shows had as much at stake while simultaneously having nothing really to lose than Bad Bunny‘s halftime performance at Super Bowl LX on Sunday (Feb. 8). On the one hand, the gig comes with all eyes on it — minus the likely comparatively small amount of those who tuned in to the alternate Turning Point USA halftime show — after the Puerto Rican superstar’s halftime selection was loudly decried by a select few reactionary pundits who probably couldn’t tell Karol G from Kenny G anyway. On the other hand, Bad Bunny has been on such a winning streak in just about every way possible over the past 13 months — including most literally at the Grammys last Sunday — that his gig on the world’s biggest stage came at a time when it really couldn’t do anything but further confirm his status as one of the world’s most globally dominating and beloved superstars.

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