Music

POP UNCULTURED: A roundup of weird music news for the week ending March 23

by Anne T. Donahue

Since it’s impossible to address the total madness of the music industry in only five days, Pop Unculturedsaves some of the week’s strangest stories for Friday afternoon. Enjoy?

Drake‘s North American tour does not include Canada [FULL STORY]

Just when we thought our relationship was real, Drake goes and snubs Canada on his North American tour. The downside: we will all have to pile into a car and drive ourselves to Detroit. The up: Drake did come up with a dance called “The Wheelchair Jimmy,” inspired by a showdown he and I had this morning:

Selena‘s widower wrote a memoir

This week, Billboard published an interview with Selena’s widower, Chris Perez, who has released a memoir about the couple’s time together. And since there’s no way to make light of what’s still a heartbreaking story, may I simply share with you how this news makes me feel:

R. Kelly is bringing back Trapped In The Closet [FULL STORY]

Good news to anyone who dares to dream: R. Kelly is bringing more episodes of Trapped In The Closet to IFC since he “knew after the first chapter that [he] had tapped into something that was not of this earth.” What he’s describing is, I think, Narnia.

American Idol is launching a clothing line

Vogue UK reports that American Idol has enlisted Tommy Hilfiger as their “image advisor” on an American Idol clothing line that will be launching this June. Apparently, the collection will include “striped skinny jeans, graphic t-shirts and Op-Art hot pants,” which is super exciting for those of us that missed dressing like this:

Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson recorded a Carly Simon cover [FULL STORY]

Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson have recorded a version of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” that will appear on Manson’s upcoming album, Born Villain. Claiming the track was chosen because it was “a song which we thought was ironic for each other,” Manson was quietly interrupted by Johnny who gently reminded him what “ironic” means.

P. Diddy wants to party with Prince Harry

According to Music-News, P. Diddy is “desperate” to hang out with Prince Harry this summer, saying that “he’s such a cool guy and it’s about time we hung out.” This just in, I hopped in a time machine, saw them partying together and can honestly say that the night sounded like this:

Lana Del Rey has released her video for “Blue Jeans”

And finally Crocs get the attention they deserve.

Omar from The Wire will play Ol’ Dirty Bastard

Michael K. Williams – a.k.a. Omar from The Wire and Chalky from Boardwalk Empire – will play Ol’ Dirty Bastard in an upcoming biopic. Unfortunately, a statement from the actor could not be heard over the whole of North America scream-singing to “Fantasy” in celebration. [via Rolling Stone]

Justin Bieber used social media to remind us why he’s famous again [FULL STORY]

In an attempt to break the internet, Justin Bieber asked fans what they think his upcoming single, “Boyfriend,” will sound like. And considering that I’m a lifelong Belieber, I was completely offended when my submission wasn’t featured:

#ForeverEmbed

Katy Perry covered a “Watch The Throne” track

And you know what? None of us, in our cars, singing along, rapping at times, pretending to be Kanye West, could do any better.