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Today’s Music News: Animated Questlove tells story about Patti LaBelle’s soul food

by Staff

December 18, 2014

Patti LaBelle is legendary not just for her singing but for her cooking. When she offered to cook some of her famous soul food for Questlove, he was all in—but, he soon discovered, it wasn't going to be that simple. He told his story to Okayplayer, which animated the nine-minute tale that features cameos from DJ Jazzy JeffBunny Sigler, and Jill Scott. (Heads up: though this is a cartoon, it includes a few instances of NSFW language.)

Kendrick Lamar appeared on one of the final episodes of The Colbert Report and premiered a genre-bending new song from his upcoming sophomore album. (Consequence of Sound)

Millie Kirkham has died at age 91. In her four-decade career, Kirkham sang backup for artists including Bob DylanJohnny CashRoy Orbison, and many more. Perhaps her best-known singing, however, is the "woo-de-woo" line in Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas." (Billboard)

Justin Vernon announced details for the Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, taking place in Eau Claire on July 17 and 18. The festival will be curated by Vernon with Aaron Dessner of the National. A limited number of tickets will be available for sale starting tomorrow. (The Current)

Tracks from the next album by Madonna have been leaked onto the Internet. Madonna dismisses the tracks as "unfinished demos stolen long ago," and angrily called the leak "artistic rape" and "a form of terrorism." (Billboard)

At the other extreme of music formats, a leaked e-mail from Sony reveals that the company has discussed various partnering arrangements with the social messaging service Snapchat—including a proposed Snapchat record label. (Billboard)

Dozens of famous artists, including many from Australia and New Zealand, appear in a satirical video from Australia's Triple J radio network in which the artists are ostensibly gathered to record a new theme song for the network's annual Hottest 100 poll. Among the artists making cameos in the video are LordeCourtney BarnettFirst Aid KitGotyeAngus & Julia StoneVance JoySkrillex, and Rick Astley.

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.