funk: Last News

George Clinton has filed a $100 million copyright lawsuit against his former business partner Armen Boladian and his Bridgeport Music company over ownership of his music.The Parliament-Funkadelic musician – who is set to be be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame later this year – has alleged that Boladian fraudulently obtained copyrights to approximately 90 per cent of his catalogue.In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday (March 11) in the Florida District Court, the funk legend alleged Boladian and Bridgeport, as well as Westbound Records, Nine Records, Southfield Music and Eastbound Records, have unlawfully profited from his music.He went on to hold a press conference outside of the Apollo Theatre to announce the suit alongside his attorney Ben Crump, stating that he aimed to reclaim ownership of his catalogue to provide for his family.“These songs we’re talking about is my history,” Clinton said (via Variety). “I have to fight for them, I have to make sure that I did not do all of this my whole life and have my family here, not get what’s due to them, what they inherit.“We don’t have a chance to pass down 40 acres and mules to our families.

Roy Ayers has died, aged 84.Ayers death was confirmed via an announcement from his team through Ayers’ Facebook account. The post, which notes he died from a “long illness” reads: “It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composter and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4th, 2025 in New York City after a long illness.”“He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed.

The Isley Brothers‘ Chris Jasper has died at the age of 73.The songwriter, producer and keyboardist passed away last Sunday (February 23) following a cancer diagnosis in December 2024, a statement from his family confirmed yesterday (February 25).“He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations,” the message read.The post noted Jasper’s “pivotal role in shaping the sound of The Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley”, and his career “as a distinguished solo artist” – which spanned over three decades.In 1992, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of his bandmates in The Isley Brothers.Jasper earned a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2014. He was given the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

Primus have announced the identity of their new drummer, after they issued a global open call for auditions.In October, the band revealed the “complete shock” departure of their longtime drummer Tim Alexander, writing on social media: “We are currently taking submissions from all points in the universe for the position of Primus drummer/percussionist.”Now, the results of that process are in, and the successful applicant is John Hoffman, a drummer from Shreveport, Louisiana who has a significant following on YouTube.Les Claypool confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Huffington!!! Welcome aboard!”A post shared by Les Claypool (@lesclaypool)In his own post about the news, Hoffman wrote: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I came and did my thing the way I do it. It went as well as I could have hoped.

Red Hot Chili Peppers were among those who took to the stage for the FireAid benefit concert in California. Check out footage of the set below.The non-profit live event took place at the Kia Forum last night (January 30), and was first announced earlier this month as a way to provide financial support for the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.Joining the star-studded setlist for the gig – which included Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, Joni Mitchell and more – was California’s own Red Hot Chili Peppers, who broke out a medley of their biggest hits.For their segment, Anthony Kiedis and co.

was found badly beaten in the back of an abandoned vehicle in the Bronx, New York. He was pronounced dead at the scene on January 13 at the age of 64.The vehicle in question was a private ambulette bus that Forrest drove for work, with the New York Police Department noting that he had suffered “trauma around the body” and that they were investigating his death as a homicide.On Friday (January 17), Sharief Bodden, 29, was charged with Forrest’s killing.

Duran Duran have announced details of two outdoor UK shows, which will see them joined by Nile Rodgers and Chic. Find the details below.The first of the newly announced gigs that the iconic ‘80s band will play will be at Powderham Castle on July 3, as they take to the stage as headliners of the Powderham Presents concert series.The latter will be held at the City Racecourse in Chelmsford two days later (July 5) as part of the Chelmsford City Live series.Both shows will see Simon Le Bon and co.

Nile Rodgers has accidentally confirmed that he and Chic will be performing at Glastonbury 2025.Up until now, only one artist had been confirmed for next year’s edition of the festival: Rod Stewart. He was announced for next year’s Legend Slot earlier this week (November 26), a performance that will follow on from his previous headline appearance in 2002, alongside Coldplay and Stereophonics.Usually, the first line-up poster for Glastonbury is unveiled in early March, meaning no further artists are confirmed for roughly four months.

Cymande have teamed up with Celeste on their anthemic new track ‘Only One Way’ from the group’s upcoming album.Serving as the second single to be released from the British funk group’s album ‘Renascence’ and opens with a delicate piano riff followed by swelling strings and Celeste’ powerful and soulful voice singing: “Here you are again / In my arms / There you go again reaching for someone.”Speaking about the collaboration in a press release, Cymande’s Patrick Patterson shared: “We got together in New York some time ago. Celeste approached it melodically and lyrically from a perspective we thought was great, we came back to the UK and perfected it.

Jamiroquai have shared details of a huge UK and European tour, set to kick off in 2025. Find a list of dates and ticket details below.Announced this morning (November 18), the new run of dates will mark the first from the band in six years, and see them perform at some of the largest venues across the continent.The tour begins on November 6 next year, kicking off with an opening night at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, before continuing with a stop at Lyon’s ADLC Arena and Zurich’s Hallenstadion on November 8 and 11 respectively.From there, more stops are planned for Europe across the remainder of the month – including dates in Milan, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam and more – before the UK shows begin at the beginning of December.These feature a date at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on December 3, followed by a stop at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on December 6.

Eddie Murphy will play funk legend George Clinton in an upcoming biopic directed by Bill Condon.The script, written by Virgil Williams, is based on Clinton’s memoir Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You?, which traces his roots in 1940s North Carolina to becoming a pioneer of funk and founding the musical collective Parliament-Funkadelic.Murphy is set to produce the film through Eddie Murphy Productions, while Clinton is also on board as an executive producer.It’s not the first time Condon and Murphy have joined forces, having previously worked together on 2006’s Dreamgirls – another musical drama, inspired by Motown Records and the Supremes starring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson. Murphy received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.Clinton has previously been portrayed by Wiz Khalifa on film, in 2023’s Spinning Gold. Parliament-Funkadelic released their last album ‘Medicaid Fraud Dog’ in 2018, marking their first new music in 38 years.

Moonchild Sanelly has announced her third album ‘Full Moon’ with a new single called ‘Do My Dance’, and shared details of a 2025 UK and Ireland tour. Listen and find all the details below.The South African musician and dancer is due to release the record on January 10 via Transgressive, following on from 2022’s ‘Phases’.

Remi Wolf has announced her 2024 UK and Ireland ‘Big Ideas’ tour – check out the dates and ticket information below.The Californian funk-pop singer is due to release her new album of the same name on July 12 (via EMI). Wolf is currently on tour supporting Olivia Rodrigo on her ‘GUTS’ tour in Europe, but is now due to arrive in the UK/Ireland in November this year.Wolf announced her ‘Big Ideas’ tour on Thursday (June 6), taking to X/Twitter to share the news: “UK/IRELAND I’m obsessed with uuuu”.She will land in Leeds on November 28, passing through cities such as Glasgow, Dublin and Manchester,Presale access is currently open until June 11, 5pm here; general sale will start on June 14 at 10am here.

Thundercat has spoken about becoming sober, revealing that he chose an awkward time to quit alcohol.The bass virtuoso has been sober for five years and spoke about how sobriety influenced his music in a new interview for NME In Conversation. “In life, I just chose something different, and what comes with it comes with it,” he said. “In certain respects, it feels like I had to learn to walk and talk again.

Phish, so the band have sent him a blender. In December, it was announced that Phish would be the next band to take up residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, following the conclusion of U2’s run. Those four dates took place last week, from April 18-21.

Chromeo have announced a world tour across the UK, Europe and the US in 2024 – find all the details below.The Canadian electro-funk duo will kick off the first phase of their ‘Adult Contemporary’ world tour – in support of their forthcoming new album of the same name – in Europe and the UK this May, before heading to North America for a lengthy run across September and October.The dates will kick off at Vega in Copenhagen on May 28, and will be followed by stops in Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and more ahead of the UK leg, which begins at Project House in Leeds on June 9. They’ll also play in cities including Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and London.From there, they have one North American date on planned for June 21 at the Pepsi Center WTC in Mexico City, before transitioning into their autumn ‘Chrome Nights’ co-headline tour with The Midnight.

Jungle have announced a one-off headlining show at London’s O2 Arena which will take place later this year.The London duo – comprised of Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson – will be taking over the famous arena on Thursday, September 12 in support of their fourth LP ‘Volcano‘. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Friday, February 2 10am local time.

Stevie Wonder and Meat Loaf, along with also founding the duo Milli Vanilli – who were hit by scandal in 1989 when it emerged that they lip synced their songs.From https://t.co/ayzUSreenw ® we are sad to announce the death of the creator and producer of Boney M., Frank Farian.According to family reports, Frank passed away peacefully in his apartment in Miami, Florida.#RIP Frank Farian pic.twitter.com/eODfxk8mNw— BoneyM.es® (@BoneyM_es) January 23, 2024While a cause of death has not been revealed, Farian had reportedly experienced ill health in recent years. He underwent heart surgery in 2022 and had a pig heart valve inserted.He told German tabloid Bild in a translated statement: “My heart valve works wonderfully.

Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis may soon by the topic of a biopic.According to reports from Deadline Hollywood, Universal Pictures has optioned Kiedis’ 2004 autobiography, ‘Scar Tissue’. According to Deadline‘s report, the film is currently in the early development stages at the studio, and will see Kiedis as a producer, alongside Brian Grazer through Imagine Entertainment and Guy Oseary.A tentative release date for the film has yet to be announced, nor has its director and cast.Kiedis’ ‘Scar Tissue’ chronicles his relationship with his father, their addiction to drugs, the death of founding Chili Peppers guitarist Hillel Slovak of a heroin overdose, how he and Flea kept the band alive and more.Universal Pictures, per Deadline Hollywood, is promising that its silver screen adaptation of Kiedis’ memoir that will be “a shockingly candid portrait of an artist, addict, and ringleader”.Kiedis has been candid about his regrets in writing the memoir, telling The Sun in 2016: “I did regret the book for a while as there was some pain caused.

Faith Fanzine on X/Twitter today (December 18), with various other news sources reporting that the artist passed away overnight.“Faith are saddened to hear that Amp Fiddler has passed away. The king of the new era of Detroit Soul. RIP,” the zine wrote.“Our thoughts are with his family friends and all the musicians and producers who knew him.”Faith are saddened to hear that Amp Fiddler has passed away.

Kool & the Gang’s drummer and founding member George “Funky” Brown had died, aged 74.A representative for Kool & the Gang issued a statement to TMZ announcing the news yesterday (November 18) and revealing that Brown died on November 16 following a long battle with cancer. Brown was reportedly diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago.The statement read: “George Brown died November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer.