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Today’s Music News: David Bowie and other stars writing songs for SpongeBob musical

by Staff

August 31, 2015

David Bowie is just one of a motley collection of famous musicians who will write new songs for a SpongeBob SquarePants musical opening in Chicago next summer. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of AerosmithJohn LegendDirty Projectors; the Flaming LipsThey Might Be GiantsCyndi LauperT.I.Lady AntebellumPanic! At the Disco; and Plain White T's will also contribute songs. (Rolling Stone)

Fallout from Sunday night's raucous VMAs continues: a White House spokesman says he's looking forward to seeing what Kanye West's campaign slogan will be, the event was revealed to be the most-tweeted non-Super-Bowl event ever, and Justin Timberlake tweeted that Kanye "always has a point" after the rapper criticized awards shows by saying he saw Timberlake cry after he failed to win the Album of the Year Grammy for FutureSex/LoveSounds.

At Epic Fest in L.A., Big Boi and Phantogram made their live debut together with a three-song set as the supergroup "Big Grams." They say a joint album will be "coming soon." (Pitchfork)

De La Soul have announced even more special guests on their forthcoming Kickstarter-funded album. In addition to previously announced guests Damon AlbarnDavid Byrne2 Chainz, and Little Dragon, the album will also feature UsherSnoop DoggPete RockRoc Marciano, and Estelle. (Pitchfork)

Carrie Brownstein announced a star-studded fall book tour to promote her forthcoming memoir Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl. Among the celebrities who will serve as guest interviewers on the tour will be QuestloveAmy PoehlerDave Eggers, and Jessica Hopper. (Pitchfork)

Stephen Colbert has announced guests for the first two weeks of his gig hosting The Late Show, which begins September 8. His first musical guests will include the Dead WeatherWillie Nelson, and Run the Jewels. (Billboard)

Pitchfork has debuted a new tour documentary featuring Courtney Barnett, directed by longtime Minnesotan Dan Huiting. (Pitchfork)

Online education has been taking off for the past few years, but this is something new: Christina Aguilera will teach an online singing course, with a tuition of $90. Previously in the "MasterCourse" series, Usher taught a course on performance and Dustin Hoffman taught a course on acting. (Billboard)

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