Black Keys blast Nickelbland
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Black Keys drummer Pat Carney took issue with what he saw as the blandness of today’s rock and roll. “Rock & roll is dying because people became OK with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world. So they became OK with the idea that the biggest rock band in the world is always going to be shit,” Carney said. “Therefore you should never try to be the biggest rock band in the world.” Carney also took issue with those who would lump his band in with “watered-down, post grunge crap,” saying, “Fuck you, honestly.” Upon hearing the criticism, Nickelback responded on their Twitter account by saying, “Thanks to the drummer in the Black Keys calling us the Biggest Band in the World in Rolling Stone. Hehe.”
From pop star to president
Grammy Award-winning Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour revealed that he will be running for president in his native country. N’Dour made the announcement through his private radio and TV stations last Monday saying, “For a very long time, many Senegalese of different backgrounds have called for my candidacy for the presidency next February, I’ve listened, I’ve heard and I am responding favourably to their request. I am a candidate. It’s a supreme patriotic duty, the best I can give of myself. I am the alternative to the current leadership in place in the country.” N’Dour will be joining a host of other candidates running against the 85-year-old incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade, whose attempts to seek a third term in office through a loophole in the electoral law have sparked protests.
Meet Yeezy Jetson
According to his Twitter feed, Kanye West has been in talks with movie producer Denise Di Novi to work as a creative director for her upcoming live-action movie, The Jetsons. Though Di Novi admits they have discussed the subject, she claims that no decision has been made yet. “He was interested in creatively brainstorming what we were doing with the movie and what ideas he might have; it was a really friendly, preliminary conversation,” she said. The film, currently in production, piqued West’s interest due to his being a big Jetsons fan and his passion for the design aspects of the film.
At Last!
Etta James, known as the matriarch of R&B, was released from the hospital last Thursday and is currently resting at her Riverside, Calif. home. James, 73, who is terminally ill and battling leukaemia, was admitted to hospital last December after experiencing difficulty breathing. Her health has been in steady decline for several years and she can now only communicate through simple words and nods, according to her doctor. Lupe De Leon, James’ business manager, said of the situation, “We all think it’s best for her to be at home.”
