Music News LIVE: Drake calls for world peace

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Rapper and producer Pharrell Williams has this month become a dad again for the second, third and fourth time in quick succession.

That's after wife Helen Lasichanh gave birth to triplets earlier this month, according to Vanity Fair today.

The US magazine spoke to Pharrell's rep who confirmed the news but declined to give them the names or sexes but did say that mother and children are “healthy and happy.”

So it looks like Pharrell DID Get Lucky after all.

Read more.

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The Weeknd is to team up with Daft Punk at the Grammy Awards next month. 

In fact, they are one of a series of duets expected at the event in Los Angeles on 12 February.

Anderson .Paak will perform with A Tribe Called Quest and Dave Grohl (should be 'mazin'); and Maren Morris will perform with Alicia Keys.

Adele, John Legend, Bruno Mars, Metallica are among the previously announced performers.

Brit James Corden is making his debut as host of the live show.

How will he fit them all in his car on the way home though?

Robert MapplethorpeCopyright: Robert Mapplethorpe

We love a hard music quiz here, and this one, via BBC Arts, is a belter as it joins up your muso credentials with your art buffery.

Match up 10 record covers with the artist who created them.

Trust us when we say...it's not as easy as it sounds.

Try it out and see how you get on.

American country rocker Ryan Adams popped into Radio 2 over the weekend to chat to Jo Whiley - sitting in for Dermot O' Leary - about his forthcoming album Prisoner, which is out on 17 February.

Luckily for Jo and the listeners, Ryan brought his guitar and learned a brand new cover for the occasion.

Listen to Ryan explain to Jo how the idea to cover Radiohead's Karma Police popped into his head and how it's a fitting choice given "a pretty awful person just got elected in the United States".

All together now: "This is what you get, when you messssssssss with us..."

You can listen to his full session.

GOOGLE PLAY/ENOSISCopyright: GOOGLE PLAY/ENOSIS

Have you ever imagined yourself on a futuristic stage, surrounded by the members of Queen, as they blast out Bohemian Rhapsody while Freddie Mercury struts around you.

We know we have.

Now thanks to the band themselves that experience is now possible, after they collaborated with Google Play and Enosis VR to create a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) take on the groundbreaking video for the band's 1975 hit.

New immersive technologies are increasingly being used as a new revenue stream for the music industry. But does it hold the key to securing its future?

BBC Business have been taking a look.

Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

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Tributes have been paid to prog-rock legend John Wetton who has died aged 67 following a battle with cancer.

John played bass and sang in Kings Crimson, Uriah Heep and Roxy Music before fronting supergroup Asia.

According to a brief statement released by the band, Wetton passed away in his sleep this morning.

Former Asia bandmate Carl Palmer said on Facebook: "With the passing of my good friend and musical collaborator, John Wetton, the world loses yet another musical giant. 

"John was a gentle person who created some of the most lasting melodies and lyrics in modern popular music. 

Quote Message: As a musician, he was both brave and innovative, with a voice that took the music of ASIA to the top of the charts around the world."

As a musician, he was both brave and innovative, with a voice that took the music of ASIA to the top of the charts around the world."

PACopyright: PA

Ed Sheeran may be top of the UK singles charts but the singer-songwriter has also been winning hearts around the world after he travelled to Africa to promote this year's Red Nose Day.

You can see Ed singing with children in Liberia in a film to be shown on the BBC charity fundraising programme on 24 March.

The chart-topper said: "I'll never forget the kids I met on this trip. When we sang together.

"They were in such high spirits despite everything they'd been through."

Read more.

Meanwhile, the singer's team has also revealed he is "vehemently opposed" to tickets for his forthcoming UK tour being sold high resale prices.

Some ticket resellers are reportedly advertising seats at double the face value.

Follow the story over at BBC Suffolk. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

Former Fifth Harmony star Camila popped into the Radio 1 Live Lounge this afternoon with a string section and her good pal  - rapper and actor Machine Gun Kelly.

The latter sounds like a posse leader from Gangs of New York but certainly dresses like a rockstar from the 70s.  Just check out that fur.

The two dueted on their 2016 track Bad Things and then, as is tradition in the LL, a beautiful cover of Jamers Arthur's Say You Won't Let Go.

The full performance will be up on the iPlayer soon but there's a snippet below to wet your appetite.

Radio 1 also took the opportunity today to look back over 9 girlband members who have successfully gone solo.

Hang on, wait, no Posh Spice? Must be a mistake.

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Frank Ocean, Sia and Lady Gaga have all been nominated for the outstanding music artist award at this year's GLAAD (Formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) awards.

The annual event honours figures in the media and art industries for 'fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community'.

For the first time, the category has expanded from five nominees to 10 overall. 

Frank's Blonde, Sia's This Is Acting and Gaga's Joanne are all in the running, up against the likes of Sir Elton John.

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Here's the full list:

Against Me! - Shape Shift With Me

Blood Orange - Freetown Sound 

Brandy Clark - Big Day in a Small Town

Tyler Glenn - Excommunication 

Ty Herndon - House on Fire 

Elton John - Wonderful Crazy Night 

Lady Gaga - Joanne 

Frank Ocean - Blonde 

Sia - This is Acting 

Tegan and Sara - Love You to Death  

EPACopyright: EPA

Canadian rapper Drake closed the first of eight shows at London's O2 on Monday night urging people to "keep loving each other".

After a 36-song setlist, which included the huge hit One Dance and Hotline Bling, he told the audience:

"This was probably the most fun I’ve had at a single show in my life. Do you know what my favourite thing about tonight is? The world is going through so much hate and confusion right now. But take a look around.

Quote Message: There are people from all places and all races here tonight. I want you to keep loving each other and take that concept and apply it when you leave these doors."

There are people from all places and all races here tonight. I want you to keep loving each other and take that concept and apply it when you leave these doors."

The star also brought out south London crew The Section Boyz and rapper Giggs on stage, sending some fans into rapture.

You can re-live it below courtesy of some fans, but be warned there are some cuss words.

Drake is due to play his second show at the venue tonight.

Read more

Bath-based hip hop inspired pop band Bad Sounds were Mistajam's Hottest Record on Monday night's show on Radio 1.

The five-piece band were influenced by a wide-range of artists including Beck, Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.

Hear the world exclusive of their new song Meat on My Bones below.

AFPCopyright: AFP

The group Mountain Goats, who worked with Rian Johnson - the Star Wars: The Last Jedi director - before he worked in feature films, have shared a new comedy song inspired by the latest film in the saga. 

As a fan of the band, Johnson had directed their 2006 video for the song Woke Up New and even worked on a live DVD for the band.

Now, singer John Darnielle has revealed he was challenged by the filmmaker to write a song he jokingly suggested for the new film.

So we have The Ultimate Jedi Who Wastes All the Other Jedi and Eats Their Bones.

It's a catchy title, dontcha think?

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

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Thousands took to the streets of Great Britain last night to protest against US President Donald Trump issuing executive orders to stop Muslims from seven countries and all Syrian refugees from entering the US.

Now Syrian clarinet player and legal US citizen Kinan Azmeh says he is unsure about whether he will be allowed to return to the country he has called home for 16 years.

Azmeh, 40, who acquired a green card three years ago on the grounds of his “extraordinary” musical talent is currently in Beirut on tour and plans to return home to the States this week, but worries he could now be denied re-entry.

The musician told Associated Press: “I have my apartment. You know, 16 years is not a short time, you accumulate lots of stuff.

Quote Message: But what is not replaceable is all the friends who are incredibly supportive.”

But what is not replaceable is all the friends who are incredibly supportive.”

Read more.

AFPCopyright: AFP

Green Day have named eight support bands for their British Summer Time gig in London in July. 

And it's a pretty breakneck day of punk rock.

The list is led by 1980s punk vets Rancid and also joining the day's line-up are Gypsy punk group Gogol Bordello and Swedish rockers The Hives.

The rest of the list is made up by Aussie punk rockers The Living End,  Beach Slang, SWMRS, psychedelic newcomers Sunflower Bean and Public Access TV.

You'll require strong safety pins to withstand all of that lot then.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Something fishy is afoot in the capital...

After grime star Stormzy mysteriously disappeared from social media, a string of messages (or lyrics? hmmm) have now appeared on adverts across London containing the hashtag #GSAP and the date 24.02.

Is that the date his much-anticipated debut album will drop?  And what does GSAP stand for?

The billboards contain different messages including: "Ain't dropped nothing for a minute. I'm fine" and "You're getting way too big for your boots", as well as the rather more provocative "All my young black kings rise up man, this is our year"...and..."Who's gonna stop me?! You? Him?!"

We won't stand in your way Stormz.  Bring it on man.

Read more.

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BBC Sound of 2017 winner Ray BLK and runner-up Rag 'N' Bone Man are among the first hotly-tipped names in British music to be be announced on the lineup at this year's Great Escape festival in Brighton.

The event, which invites around 300 performers, prides itself on helping to break new artists and has previously played host to the likes of Blossoms and Alabama Shakes.

Other names to play this year include Manchester rockers Cabbage, Goat Girl, Alma and Abattoir Blues.

Kentish punk duo Slaves will take over Brighton Pier for a one off show too.

More details below and at the Great Escape website.

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The BritsCopyright: The Brits

The Brits have finally announced who will replace Michael Buble in presenting this year's awards.

And as you can see, such is the power of the Bubster, it takes not one but two people to replace him.  Drum roll please...

...Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis will now host next month's show after Buble pulled out to look after his three-year old son Noah, who has cancer.

Dermot calls the awards "a holy grail for a broadcaster" but says their thoughts are still with the singer.

Quote Message: Michael is an effortless show man, so those patent shoes will not be easy to fill, but it's an honour to be asked to step in with Emma."

Michael is an effortless show man, so those patent shoes will not be easy to fill, but it's an honour to be asked to step in with Emma."

The Brit Awards will be held at London's O2 Arena on 22 February.

Read more.

And plenty of people seem to approve of their choice of using 'Mr Saturday Night'...oh as long as they don't just leave Emma backstage apparently.

But backstage is where all the action is isn't it?  Like a kitchen at a house party.

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Morning all.

After thousands marched on Parliament and around the country last night in protest we find ourselves back in work this morning rather fittingly on this man's 61st birthday...

...all the best John Lydon.

If you don't recognise the face just type 'punk' into any search engine.

We'll have news of another gang of punks Green Day who are headlining a UK festival this summer and have just announced their support acts and we'll have some reaction to Michael Buble's replacements at the Brits.  Plus the first acts have been announced for the Great Escape festival in Brighton.

For now re-live yesterday's Music News LIVE and we'll be right with you.