Rob Thomas was fresh off the success of Matchbox Twenty’s debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, when he was brought on to work on “Smooth,” his smash collaboration with Carlos Santana. The chart topper remains one of his most recognizable hits, but it’s the two key relationships formed behind the scenes that would prove … Read more
Alicia Keys honored Clive Davis after news of his death on Monday at the age of 94. In her touching tribute to the beloved music executive, Keys joined a wave of legendary artists crediting Davis for being pivotal at the start of their careers. “Clive Davis changed my life forever,” Keys began in her remembrance … Read more
The first time I heard BlocBoy JB’s “Look Alive,” Tay Keith’s now-famous producer tagline simply sounded like background noise, hidden in the shadow of Drake’s star power. I was a college student far away from home, and the song was a little piece of my birthplace to take pride in: “901, Shelby Drive, look alive…” … Read more
This week is the centenary of Allen Ginsberg, the gay, Jewish, Buddhist, Socialist writer who for decades was America’s most public poet. He used his presence as both an outsider and a celebrity to challenge wars, capitalism, censorship, and the codified marginalization of the underserved in this country. He altered the literary canon by presenting … Read more