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Live Updates

Kev Geoghegan and Sarah Jane Griffiths

All times stated are UK

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  1. So long for now...

    That's it from us today. We'll be back again tomorrow with more rolling coverage of what is going on in the music world.

    We'll leave you with this video which has gone a bit viral. Kanye pulled a, well... Kanye at a friend's wedding at the weekend when he grabbed the mic and interrupted the best man's speech.

    We'll let him fill you on the rest.

    View more on instagram
  2. Nas writing rhymes for new Baz Luhrmann series

    Billboard magazine

    Nas

    Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann's been talking about collaborating with rapper Nas, who's been helping him write rhymes for new Netflix series The Get Down, about the birth of hip-hop in 1970's New York. 

    Nas is a producer on the show which is due in August, and stars Jaden Smith as Marcus 'Dizzee' King.

    Speaking on a panel at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, Luhrmann said Nas had been a "huge creative force" on the show, and that they'd been penning lyrics for a character who tells his story through "pure rap, narration and sort of Greek chorus comment". 

    Read more.

  3. Florence debuts final part of short film The Odyssey

    Florence Welch

    It's not just Beyonce getting in on the film action... Florence Welch has debuted her new short film The Odyssey on her website.

    Be warned, it is an 18 certificate and has until now been available in instalments.

    Made with director Vincent Haycock, it re-tells the story behind third album How Big How Blue How Beautiful. 

    Florence says the project was sparked by a conversation the pair had at LA celeb haunt Chateau Marmont. 

    Quote Message: I was talking to him about the record and the car crash of a relationship break up I was going through. The highs and the lows of love and performance, how out of control I felt, the purgatory of heartbreak, and how I was trying to change and trying to be free. And we decided we would re-tell this story in full. We would re-claim this experience, re-imagine it and in some way perhaps I would come to understand it, to exorcise it. And so the Big Blue Odyssey began...” from Florence Welch
    Florence Welch

    Meanwhile director Vincent had this to say:

    Quote Message: The Odyssey, like the epic poem by Homer, is a journey. It’s Florence’s personal journey to find herself again after the emotional storm of a heartbreak. Like the layers of Dante’s purgatory, each song or chapter represents a battle that Florence traversed and physical landscape that embodied each song or story. It's a metaphorical journey about escaping your demons, confronting yourself and returning to the original Florence, the dancer, the performer, the lover. from Vincent Haycock
    Vincent Haycock

    So there you have it.

  4. Beyonce has 'no airs and graces' says British songwriter

    BBC Newsbeat

    Carla Marie Williams

    Well, they do say it always pays not to insult the people you work with, especially if that person is a hugely successful singer who could help make or break you.

    That said, British songwriter Carla Marie Williams has nothing but good things to say about Beyonce, with whom she co-wrote the track Freedom on her new 'visual' album Lemonade.

    "She's a total vibe and she's an inspiration and there are no airs and graces. You didn't feel like you were in the presence of a superstar," she gushes. 

    "You're looking at her, but her vibe is all about the music. And I loved that."

    Read more.

  5. China's Peking Opera master Mei Baojiu dies aged 82

    Mei Baojiu

    One of China's top opera stars, Mei Baojiu, has died at the age of 82 according to Chinese state media.

    Mei, who was hugely popular with Peking Opera fans, had been in hospital since late March, after having difficulty breathing. 

    The opera master was famous for his role in classic operas such as Farewell My Concubine and The Drunken Beauty.

    Read more.

  6. Dolly, Dylan or Daft Punk?

    Gemma Cairney

    Why do we like the music we like? That's the question BBC Radio 1 presenter Gemma Cairney set out to answer for a new World Service documentary.

    Whether it's Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan or Daft Punk on our headphones, she spoke to musicans, DJs, fans and experts to find out what our playlist says about us and what part music plays in helping us form an identity. 

    Listen to the full programme on the iPlayer.

  7. Paul Simon: The Beatles was a "terrible pun"

    Paul Simon has been reminiscing about his first trip to the UK, more than 50 years ago, as he promotes his latest album Stranger to Stranger.

    The new LP sees him inspired by the sounds of flamenco and is full of handclaps and clattering percussion.

    Lyrically, it touches on ageing, death, social exclusion and Simon’s trip to a Brazilian faith healer, who he hoped would cure his “violent nightmares”.

    He's been speaking to Andrew Marr about his songwriting process and what he felt when he was first introduced to The Beatles:  

    Video content

    Video caption: Andrew Marr speaks to singer-songwriter musician Paul Simon
  8. Florence Welch and Jess Glynne to receive Nordoff Robbins honours

    Florence Welch (Getty) and Jess Glynne

    Florence Welch and Jess Glynne have been announced as the first winners of music charity Nordoff Robbins' annual O2 Silver Clef Awards.

    Florence, who headlined last year's Glastonbury, will be presented with the best female award.

    Jess Glynne is to receive best newcomer, previously won by James Bay and Laura Mvula. 

    The awards will be handed out on 1 July at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. 

  9. Record Store Day is a hit with UK retailers

    Music Week

    David Bowie Record Store Day special release of Changes

    New figures show this year’s Record Store Day was a hit with shops, with sales showing a 14% year-on-year increase.

    Singles sales have dropped 2%, but LPs were up 35% year-on-year.

    More than 230 independent shops in the UK took part in this year’s event.

    David Bowie topped both the Record Store Day singles and album chart with his 7” picture disc TVC 15 and The Man Who Sold the World LP with the original German cover artwork.

    Read more.

  10. Tinie Tempah, La Roux and Foxes to appear in Ab Fab movie

    Tinie Tempah

    Music stars including Tinie Tempah, La Roux and Foxes have signed up for cameos in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

    The huge list of celeb appearances also includes Alesha Dixon, Emma Bunton, Lulu and Ella Eyre - as well as presenters Nick Grimshaw and Graham Norton and supermodel Kate Moss.

    More names are expected to be revealed when the first proper trailer is released later this week. The film - starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley in the iconic roles of Edina and Patsy -  is due in cinemas on 1 July. 

    Absolutely Fabulous The Movie
  11. Nikki Sixx urges YouTube to pay musicians more money

    Motley Crue co-founder Nikki Sixx has launched a campaign asking Google to pay musicians more money when their videos appear on YouTube.

    The bass player, now in band Sixx AM, has invoked Google's former slogan - 'Don't be evil' - and asked it to now live up to its new incarnation in its dealings with artists and 'Do the right thing'. 

    "It's time to live up to your corporate mottos, Google, " he told music reporter Mark Savage, "and invest in the future of music."

    Video content

    Video caption: Sixx AM challenge YouTube payments
  12. Music stars pay tribute to Papa Wemba: The 'voice of Africa'

    Papa Wemba

    Music fans across Africa are mourning the death of Congolese musician Papa Wemba, who died at the age of 66 after collapsing on stage on Sunday.

    Stars have paid tribute to the man whose music influenced artists across Africa.

    Quote Message: I worked with Papa Wemba and he was a very nice, genuine soul and very shy at the same time. from Angelique Kidjo
    Angelique Kidjo
    Quote Message: We are all orphans... May the heaven and the spirits welcome him in peace. Papa Wemba will remain forever in our hearts. from Manu Dibango
    Manu Dibango
    Quote Message: He was performing in a period of people like my father Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masakela, Manu Dibango - the African greats who have always opened doors for people like me. They have always done Africa proud anywhere in Europe and America where they performed, and they opened doors for African musicians to tour Europe with great pride and respect. from Femi Kuti
    Femi Kuti

    Read more.

  13. Beyonce makes Lemonade available on iTunes

    Beyonce's now made her new album Lemonade available to the masses on iTunes, after first debuting it exclusively on streaming service Tidal alongside its visual premiere on US network HBO. 

    Fans can buy the 12-track album and get the film too, although it's thought Tidal - co-owned by Beyonce's husband Jay-Z - will retain exclusive streaming rights. 

    View more on twitter
  14. BBC Three to get new music show

    James Acaster

    Comedian James Acaster is hosting a new 15-part music series for BBC Three, where guests will have to defend the guilty pleasures lurking on their playlists.

    Sounds Random will feature artists including Wolf Alice (pictured below), Izzy Bizu, Raleigh Ritchie, Billy Bragg, Tom Parker from The Wanted, Vanessa White (previously of The Saturdays), Scroobius Pip and Mystery Jets. 

    Wolf Alice

    They'll have to discuss the emotions and memories triggered by tracks picked at random.

    Debuting online later, each episode will end with "a specially choreographed dance routine inspired by the chat". 

  15. Lenny Henry on meeting his musical hero Prince

    The Guardian

    Lenny Henry

    Comedian and presenter Lenny Henry has penned a tribute to Prince in today's Guardian newspaper.

    Apparently he managed to meet one of his musical idols on two occasions.

    Here's our favourite bit:

    Quote Message: After the set, Prince walked down and drew level with me, (with my right nipple actually – he was short). 'You’re Lenny, right,' he said. I almost passed out. This was my hero, talking to ME. Lenny.

    Read more.

  16. Gervais says Bowie 'kept his cancer secret' from him

    Ricky Gervais

    Ricky Gervais has told the BBC he was exchanging emails with David Bowie two weeks before his death but that Bowie kept the state of his health a secret.

    The comic cast Bowie in the second series of his hit comedy Extras.

    Gervais told Radio 5 live he had contacted the musician - who he'd been "pen pals" with - to say he loved his new album Blackstar.

    Bowie's death aged 69 sparked a global outpouring of grief from fans. 

    Quote Message: "What dignity. He was an amazing man. It was something for him and his family. Dignity to the end. And amazing work to the end. from Ricky Gervais
    Ricky Gervais

    Read more.

  17. Soul singer Billy Paul dies aged 80

    Billy Paul

    American soul singer Billy Paul, best known for his 1972 hit Me and Mrs Jones, has died at the age of 80.

    The song won a Grammy award and reached number one in the US.

    A statement on his website said he died on Sunday of a "serious medical condition". 

    Read more.

  18. Reports: Grime artist MC NoLay has been involved in car crash

    BBC Newsbeat

    NoLay

    NoLay, whose real name is Isabella Gotti, is in a "critical condition" following a car crash, reports on her social media accounts are suggesting.

    The musician recently featured on BBC Radio 1Xtra's Best of British.  

    Read more.

  19. Prince death makes huge impact on US Billboard chart

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Prince

    The effect of Prince's death on the US chart has been far greater than in the UK over the past few days, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 

    Prince took the number one and two slots on the Billboard 200 album chart at the weekend with the greatest hits set The Very Best of Prince and the Purple Rain soundtrack.

    The Very Best of Prince marks his fifth chart-topping US album and his first since 3121 in 2006.

    Read more.

  20. PJ Harvey lands number one album

    PJ Harvey

    While the death of Prince had an almost instant impact on the UK's official album chart announced on Friday, it was PJ Harvey who topped the album chart with The Hope Six Demolition Project. 

    The follow up to her Mercury Prize winning album Let England Shake gave the singer-songwriter her first number one album.

    Adele's global smash hit 25 is still at number two - its 22nd consecutive week in the top five. 

    Drake topped the singles chart for a second week with One Dance featuring Wizkid and Kyla - the most streamed song of the week, notching up almost 7.08 million plays over the last seven days. 

    Read more.