Your Support Helps Organizations Like We Make NoiseNAMM released a statement on Tuesday to say that, "As we continue highlighting the organizations supported through NAMM Foundation global grantmaking, this week, we’re proud to share the work of We Make Noise, which advances global gender equity through music & technology. They blend music creation, technology training, community building and career development needed for success in the music industry."

"From songwriting and recording to digital production and performance, We Make Noise provides students with opportunities to explore their creativity while developing confidence, community and career-building skills."

"The NAMM Foundation grants support 57 organizations, expanding music-making and career mobility worldwide. Programs like We Make Noise demonstrate how grassroots music education can empower the next generation of artists, producers, engineers and innovators."

"We Make Noise provides free and low-cost access to contemporary music education, including digital recording, songwriting and production camps, performance ensembles, creative workshops and an online global Hub connecting creators across more than 20 countries."

"Their programs intentionally cultivate safe, inclusive spaces where women and gender-expansive participants build technical fluency, professional networks and a sense of belonging. These experiences serve as entry points into music careers and cultural leadership, helping participants move off the sidelines and into the rooms where creative decisions are made."

"Lamond GenNext Award – Connecting college students to career opportunities and mentorship at The NAMM Show."

"Women of NAMM Leadership Fund – Supporting mentorship and leadership development for women shaping the music industry’s future."

"Your year-end gift helps sustain these programs and continues the legacy of music your generosity makes possible."

DONATE NOWThe post Your Support Helps Organizations Like We Make Noise first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

A Guide to Using Apple Music for Artists to Promote Your New MusicA guide for promoting your music through Apple Music for Artists. Here's everything you need to know if you're an indie artist.
The post A Guide to Using Apple Music for Artists to Promote Your New Music appeared first on Hypebot.

Jacob Varghese of Noctil Shares His 2026 Music PredictionsHypebot's Future Predictions series is back. Join us as we ask the music industry's expert analysts what they think might unfold in the world of music in 2026.
The post Jacob Varghese of Noctil Shares His 2026 Music Predictions appeared first on Hypebot.

RIP Nigerian Afro-Rock Music Percussionist/Drummer Remi Kabaka Tony Amadi a journalist on PressReader.com reported news of Remi Kabaka’s passing on December 20, 2025. 

“Rock music percussionist of international repute and Nigeria’s unsung hero Remi Kabaka has passed on at 80 with details of his death still shrouded in uncertainty. He died in Los Angeles where he lived his final days on earth on December 8, 2025. 

“He was the most influential rock musician in Nigeria history but he never flaunted the roles he played to make Nigerian music great.” 

The musician and master of the talking drum was born March 27, 1945 in Ghana to Nigerian parents.  Kabaka relocated to London in the mid-sixties, and became a central figure in the city’s expat music scene inside venues like Club Afrique in Soho.     

I knew of Remi Kabaka’s African rhythmic contributions to several Island Records discs, and Paul McCartney & Wings’ Band On The Run, along with studio sessions and live road work with Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Hugh Masekela, and Paul Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints tour.  Kabaka also wrote the tune “Happy Vibes” on the Steve Winwood four-CD set, The Finer Things.  

During the 1970s, Remi was entrenched in the afro-jazz scene and composed the 1978 soundtrack to director Ola Balogun’s Black Goddess. 

In June, 2001, The L.A. Weekly nominated Remi Kabaka in their awards category for “Best World Percussionist.” 

Over the last 25 years, Kabaka was booked in clubs and hotels around the beach community of Santa Monica.            

“To start with, I’m here to support with my hands,” explained Remi in a 2001 interview with me. 

“You establish support, and then it builds. The talking drum is an amazing instrument. It does everything that a drum can do, but it spreads the keys too.  It has taken me years to transpose all the stuff on to the talking drum.  That comes from experience as well. The vibe is almost scientific.  We tell stories with our hands and fingers,” emphasized Kabaka.  

“I’ve worked with John Martyn, Stevie Winwood, Jim Capaldi, John Lennon, George Harrison, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Arthur Lee, Denny Laine, Bob Marley, Stephen Stills, Mariam Makeba, Doris Troy, Paul McCartney, and the Rolling Stones.”

Remi appeared three times with the Stones providing percussion during “Sympathy for the Devil” in 2002 and 2003 Southern California shows. Kabaka was on stage at their July 1969 Hyde Park London concert event. 

This century, Kabaka recorded with guitarist Toulouse Engelhardt and producer Chris Darrow, and sessions with the production duo Tea.   

In our conversation, I asked about Jimi Hendrix. Kabaka knew Jimi, and occasionally played and jammed with him in the studio. 

“I called him Marshall,” Remi recalled,” a loving nod to his civilian name, James Marshall Hendrix. 

On March 17, 1970 Kabaka and Hendrix were invited by Love co-founder Arthur Lee to Olympic Studios in London and cut “The Everlasting First,” with Lee. It was included as part of Love’s False Start.  

I was aware of the association Remi had to Bob Marley and the Wailers.  He encountered Marley in very late 1970 or early 1971 at the time Bob was doing live dates in England with songwriter, mentor and music publisher, Johnny Nash.  

When Marley with the Wailers arrived in the UK for their own debut, it was Kabaka recommending his guitarist, Al Anderson for the band, and suggested another guitarist who joined Marley and the Wailers, Junior Marvin.  

Kabaka earlier studied under master percussionist and musician Ambrose Campbell, who Fela Kuti has hailed as “the father of modern Nigerian music.” 

In the mid-seventies Leon Russell invited Campbell to record and tour with him. In 1979 Leon introduced me to Ambrose, and continued to praise him globally as his “spiritual adviser.”   

“I feel a sense of pride checking out world beat and global music saturating the planet,” Remi emphasized. “I’ve been watching and helping spread the African beat around the world for the past 35 years.  

“Now I’ve got out all my recipes in a big pot.  It’s an amazing soup and all this experience of a half a century. We now get to utilize different tempos and timings in the structure of the items we record and perform together,” he summarized. 

Remi Kabaka is the father of artist and musician Remi Kabaka Jr., since 2015, the drummer, voice over artist and a producer of the virtual rock group the Gorillaz.  

(Harvey Kubernik is the author of 20 books, including 2009’s Canyon Of Dreams: The Magic And The Music Of Laurel Canyon, 2014’s Turn Up The Radio! Rock, Pop and Roll In Los Angeles 1956-1972, 2015's Every Body Knows: Leonard Cohen, 2016's Heart of Gold Neil Young and 2017's 1967: A Complete Rock Music History of the Summer of Love. 

Harvey and Kenneth Kubernik’s published The Story Of The Band: From Big Pink To The Last Waltz in 2018. In 2021 the duo wrote Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child. 

Harvey’s Screen Gems: (Pop Music Documentaries and Rock ‘n’ Roll TV Scenes) is scheduled for 2026 publication).  The post RIP Nigerian Afro-Rock Music Percussionist/Drummer Remi Kabaka  first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

What Is Tickets For Good?In a live-music industry constantly battling rising ticket costs, empty seats, and fan disengagement, Tickets For Good is shifting the narrative. Here's an introduction to their work.
The post What Is Tickets For Good? appeared first on Hypebot.

What was it like for Jewish Rapper to perform on Hanukkah in 2025? [Kosha Dillz]Indie rapper and filmmaker Kosha Dillz writes about how much has changed since October 7th and more recent events, and the enduring power of music during the toughest times.
The post What was it like for Jewish Rapper to perform on Hanukkah in 2025? [Kosha Dillz] appeared first on Hypebot.

GRAMMY Nominations 2025: Best Gospel, Best Contemporary Christian Music AlbumsThe 2025 GRAMMY nominations are here and we're going to help you to untangle it all right up until the big event, continuing with the Best Gospel Album and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album categories.

Take a listen to the nominated albums below--who do you think will win?

See the full list of nominees in every category here.

Best Gospel Album

Sunny DaysYolanda Adams

TashaTasha Cobbs Leonard

Live Breathe FightTamela Mann

Only On The Road LiveTye Tribbett

Heart Of MineDarrel Walls, PJ Morton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

CHILD OF GOD IIForrest Frank

Coritos Vol. 1Israel & New Breed

King Of HeartsBrandon Lake

ReconstructionLecrae

Let The Church SingTauren Wells

Yolanda Adams photo by Dennis LeupholdThe post GRAMMY Nominations 2025: Best Gospel, Best Contemporary Christian Music Albums first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

GRAMMY Nominations 2025: Best Gospel, Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

The 2025 GRAMMY nominations are here and we're going to help you to untangle it all right up until the big event, continuing with the Best Gospel Performance/Song and Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song categories.

Take a listen to the nominated performances/songs below--who do you think will win?

See the full list of nominees in every category here.

Best Gospel Performance/Song

Do It AgainKirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter

ChurchTasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend; Anthony S. Brown, Brunes Charles, Annatoria Chitapa, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Jonas Myrin, songwriters

Still — LiveJonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts; Britney Delagraentiss, Jonathan McReynolds, David Lamar Outing II, Orlando Joel Palmer & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters

AmenPastor Mike Jr.; Adia Andrews, Michael McClure Jr., David Lamar Outing II & Terrell Anthony Pettus, songwriters

Come Jesus ComeCeCe Winans Featuring Shirley Caesar

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

I Know A NameElevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake; Hank Bentley, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake & Jacob Sooter, songwriters

YOUR WAY'S BETTERForrest Frank; Forrest Frank & Pera, songwriters

Hard Fought HallelujahBrandon Lake With Jelly Roll; Chris Brown, Jason Bradley Deford, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings & Brandon Lake, songwriters

HeadphonesLecrae, Killer Mike, T.I.; Tyshane Thompson, Bongo ByTheWay, Michael Render, Lecrae Moore & Clifford Harris, songwriters

AmazingDarrel Walls, PJ Morton; PJ Morton & Darrel Walls, songwriters

CeCe Winans photo by Hanna CorwinThe post GRAMMY Nominations 2025: Best Gospel, Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Top New Music Industry News Last WeekTop new music industry news last week includes predictions for 2026 from experts, how musicians will get discovered in 2026, Songcards, the Measure of Music Conference, France honoring EDM and more.
The post Top New Music Industry News Last Week appeared first on Hypebot.

Vinyl Minded, Gift Guide Edition Vol.3Pansy Division

Deflowered (Sounds Rad)

Iconic punk band Pansy Division have celebrated the 30th anniversary of the sophomore Deflowered album with a limited edition, red vinyl rerelease. It also marks the first tine the album has been released on vinyl in over 20 years. So we're due a fresh listen.

The songs are magnificent; perfectly constructed, gloriously poetic and very witty slices of gay life. In the sleeve notes, singer and guitarist Jon Ginoli says that the album originally came out during the AIDS crisis, and that "the original inner sleeve provided safe sex instructions, information we thought could save lives." Commendable stuff.

"Chris [Freeman] and fellow co-founder Jon Ginoli (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) reflects on the impact of Deflowered's 30 years in a funny and revealing video, touching on topics as the album’s artwork, the 'dirty and sweet' balance of the lyrics, the inclusion of lesbian/bi/gay youth support group directory in the liner notes, and interpolating 'MMMbop' by Hanson and Cher’s 'Believe' into their live performances of 'Groovy Underwear,'" reads a statement. See that video below.

Shonen Knife

Our Best Place (Good Charamel Records)

Japanese punk-pop (not pop-punk) trio Shonen Knife have released an expanded edition of the 2023 album Our Best Place, with four new tracks and brand new embroidered sleeve art.

The ladies had food on their mind a couple of years ago, as they sang about "Vamos Taquitos," "Spicy Veggie Curry," and even "Afternoon Tea." Whatever they were singing about, the songs are typically fun, catchy and easy to sing along to.

The new tracks include Japanese versions of "The Story of Baumkuchen" and "Girl's Rock." If anything, the new versions are better than the originals.

Whipping Boy

Disillusion (Blackhouse Inc.)

There's a certain segment of the punk-loving population that will be whooping and cheering for this reissue. It's a niche release, sure, but the best ones usually are.

Originally produced by Dead Kennedys man Klaus Flouride over four decades ago as Muru Muru, the renamed Dysillusion is a quite wonderful, experimental slab of SF hardcore.

The influence of the likes of the DKs and also Flipper can be heard in the left field, out of kilter punk rock. But once your mind settles into it, the songs are a joy. "Sunshine Nellie," for example, is a weirdly psychedelic, experimental yet infectious tune. It's followed by the sinister "Myster Magi," and the juxtaposition is wonderful.

Dig in!The post Vinyl Minded, Gift Guide Edition Vol.3 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

How an Athletic Mindset Can Help Artists With Performance AnxietyDr. Noa Kageyama, PhD takes a look at research into how athletes deal with performance anxiety to extract a framework for musicians struggling with stage fright.
The post How an Athletic Mindset Can Help Artists With Performance Anxiety appeared first on Hypebot.

Randi Zimmerman of Symphonic Shares Her 2026 Music PredictionsHypebot's Future Predictions series is back. Join us as we ask the music industry's expert analysts what they think might unfold in the world of music in 2026.
The post Randi Zimmerman of Symphonic Shares Her 2026 Music Predictions appeared first on Hypebot.

4 Non Blondes Reenergized at the RoxyPhotos by Alex Kluft, taken on December 16.

For quite a few years, Linda Perry was quick to reply "Hell no" to any request from fans or interviewers for a 4 Non Blondes reunion. She admitted as much from the stage at the Roxy on a Monday night in December, the first of two gigs at this venue before moving on to a couple in their San Francisco hometown.

Perry said that she was simply done with that chapter of her life. A super-successful songwriter and producer, why in the world would she put herself back into that particular machine again? Well, she found a reason.

It's worth remembering that 4 Non Blondes only released the one studio album--1992's Bigger, Better, Faster, More! They were around from 1989-'94, briefly in 2014, and now this. They are, of course, best known for monster hit "What's Up?" but the album had a lot more to offer, and it feels unjust to think of them as a one hit wonder.

Incidentally, "one hit wonder" is one of the most ridiculous turns of phrase in the modern English language. The idea that musicians have achieved a level of success, and the response from many is to say, "yeah, well, do it again or be subjected to mockery" is frankly insane. The vast majority of working musicians would love to have one hit.

So anyway, back to the Roxy. It was wonderful to see Perry back in stage with bassist Christa Hillhouse and drummer Dawn Richardson. The biggest surprise was that there were only two songs from their one album--"Train" and, naturally, "What's Up?" There was also a gorgeous rendition of the Perry-penned "Beautiful," a hit for Christina Aguilera, with the set filled out with new songs.

That's a bold move, but it proved to be an astute one. The band clearly believes in the new material, as they should. Highlights from those new tracks included "Drama Queen," "What They Want" and "Monomorphic." Hopefully a new release will be available soon.

The post 4 Non Blondes Reenergized at the Roxy first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Vinyl Minded, Gift Guide Edition Vol. 4Chip Kinman

Chip Kinman (In the Red)

As a member of beloved punks The Dils and then a number of other projects, all with his brother Tony (Rank & File, Blackbird, Cowboy Nation), Chip Kinman is a Hallowed figure on the L.A. scene. It's impressive that all of his projects have a different sound, though a family feel for fans.

This self-titled album is Chip's first full length solo effort, and it's a hyper-personal, genre-blurring piece of work.

“I had to figure out something to write about, and I thought, it’s time to make that record,” Chip says. “A long time ago, Tony and I were talking about singer-songwriters, and he said, ‘If you’re going to sing about your life, you better have had a fucking interesting life.’ And I thought, I have. I’ve gotta deep-dive into that. I figured, if I was going to write about what it was like, how was I gonna approach that? How was I going to say that without being nostalgic or without being maudlin or without being over-celebratory? It it was, well, just say it like it was.”

"So Young" is a beautiful backwards glance, while there are awesome guest appearances (Alice Bag on "Que Voy A Hacer," Mike Watt on "Drive Drive Drive"). But it's the blend of electro-punk and rootsy singer-songwriter that keeps the senses perked.

Naïm Amor and Kid Congo Powers

Tucson Safari (In the Red)

Kid Congo, well known for his work with The Cramps and The Gun Club in particular, has been busy of late. His project with Alice Bag, Juanita & Juan, plus his ongoing work with his band the Pink Monkey Birds, has seen him recording and playing shows regularly. This is different though.

According to his bio, "Gabriel Naïm Amor is a French born, Parisian musician who moved to Tucson, AZ in 1997 where he lives with his family." Of this pairing, In the Red says, "Naim Amor and Kid Congo Powers met shortly before the pandemic in Tucson, AZ . When the complete lockdowns hit everybody, Naïm like lots of other musicians reclused himself in his studio and started experimenting with longtime ideas that were on the shelf. The initial idea was to combine rockabilly/ garage electric guitars with electronic drum machines and bass synthesizers, a vague intuition inspired by Link Wray’s guitar tones in one hand and the electronic rawness of the band Suicide."

So that's how it all came to be, and the results are wonderful. Link Wray is a solid reference point; there's a very desert feel to the music, like a psychedelic spaghetti western but gone surf. The use of the drum machines and synths add an otherworldly vibe that is most welcome on tunes like "Murder She Wrote." A success, all told.

Woo

Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong (Independent Project Records)

We discovered London duo Woo via this column a couple of years ago and, honestly, we haven't looked back. We learned then that Woo were early pioneers of electronic-infused music, but never received the credit afforded to the likes of Tangerine Dream, Jean-Michel Jarre and Kraftwerk. The good folk at Independent Project Records are doing a fine job of reintroducing, or perhaps introducing, the world to the joy of Woo through some quite stunning rereleases. Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong is the latest.

Mark and Clive Ives are the brothers in question, and this double LP features a remastering of the original album, plus 10 previously unreleased bonus tracks presented as a mini-album.

"Mark and I had been home recording for five very prolific years before Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong was compiled," Clive says. "The 13 tracks we selected from this period are very diverse in style, yet magically complimentary."

Diverse is right. Jazz and folk, prog and electronica, it all makes its way in on songs such as "Swingtime" and "A Wave." The whole set is an experience though, and we're glad it's now a more expansive one.The post Vinyl Minded, Gift Guide Edition Vol. 4 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Happy Holidays from Hypebot!Season's greetings and happy new year from the team here at Hypebot.
The post Happy Holidays from Hypebot! appeared first on Hypebot.