I LUV LUDI: Ludacris To Star In The New Black ‘Fame’ Set At High School For The Creative and Performing Arts

MTV’s nighttime network The N has signed a development deal with actor, rap artist and producer Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges as he takes his first step into the television production industry. The N, MTV Networks’ programming arm available in 52 million households, has tapped the star for its new drama Halls of Fame, on which he will serve as executive producer as well as starring in it and producing the original music. Driven by today’s most popular music, the drama features multi-talented students at the Philadelphia High School of Performing Arts, focusing on two sisters: 21-year-old singing phenomenon Starla and 15-year-old […]

We Know It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But We Like It

I WAS MEANT FOR THE STAGE: The Decemberists, Electric Factory, November 1, 2006 Colin Meloy On How Democracy Is A Great Place To Live But A Bad Way To Make An Album: “I was listening mostly to British folk revival stuff from the seventies; I was listening to a lot of Pentangle and Shirley Collins and Fairport Convention. I think that really is what drove me in this direction. But Jenny is a huge Jethro Tull and ELP fan, so I think she was really excited to go crazy all over the album. This record, more than any other, has […]

RADIO DAZE: WXPN To Hang The DJ? Also, Hear That Crunchin’? That’s The Sound Of Car Wheels On A Gravel Road At Appel Farms

All you Volvo-clad latte-sippers in yer North Face fleeces who hung in there through the homestretch of the 885 Artists Countdown may have heard an advert for an open on-air position at the station, which made us wonder — is someone leaving? Negatory, says ‘XPN program director Bruce Warren, which comes as no small relief to us because really, we can hardly get out of bed these days without Michaela Majoun hoggin’ all the covers. Sike! No, this is one of those rarest of creatures in these belt-tightening days: A brand spankin’ new position! So take note, all you would-be […]

NOW PLAYING: Is That The Surrealistic Pillow-Folk & Dope-Rock Ragas of El Goodo On Phawker Radio? Well, TURN IT UP, man!

Hey kids, hope you dug the Lupe Fiasco, we kept it up a little longer than planned because we love you — and also we just now figured out how to do the upload music to the blog thingee with the tubes and wires and the sparks and the smoke coming out. We may not be the brightest and we may not be the best, but by god, we are the surest. About everything! That’s one of our many mottos, PHAWKER: WE’RE SURE. Anyway, wanna tip you off to the new tuneage on Phawker Radio. (Click here for user’s manual) […]

Oh Snap: PW Music Editor Calls U-Outfitter Music Picker On Conflict Of Interest

Jeebus! We take off one week from hearing no evil and the bossman comes into our cubicle, unzips his fly and pisses in the bowl of Cheerios: Dryw Scully is music promotions director for Urban Outfitters. That means he’s in control of the Urban Out [sic] jukebox, picking the tracks you hear while shopping for skinny jeans at the company’s stores. Not a bad gig. Dryw Scully also manages Favourite Sons. They’re currently on the Urban Outfitters playlist. This — according to your tolerance for such things — is either a glaring and shameful conflict of interest or just kinda […]

We Know It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But We Like It

The Changeling: Beck morphing, Lucifer rising, Tower Theater, October 23, 2006 Eva Says: Me and Beck roll like this: Him, international pop star; Me, long-time listener, first-time, um, seer. I had always hoped my first time would be one of those sheet-rippingly ecstatic moments of unalloyed ear-joy. But, Beck tonight? Not so much. I give it ‘Meh.’ When he came out in a dapper, snug-fitting vintage tuxedo and red silk bow-tie, his dirty-blonde locks grown Jesus-length, things looked promising. But in the end, the scenery — a live puppet show behind the drumkit, complete with puppet versions of the whole […]