Daddy issues: why Beyoncé, Chance the Rapper and Jay-Z put their parents on their albums

How rap and R&B stars revived the once prolific ‘interlude’ as a family affair —  Michael Cragg, The Guardian

Philly company digitizes 25,000 old records and they're free to download

They are the first batch of an estimate 400,000-piece virtual record collection to be made available, from gospel by the Tuskegee Institute Sings, to opera recorded in Italy, to novelty tunes by Spike Jones, to hot, though obscure, jazz — Peter Crimmins, Newsworks

It's been a year since a woman had a No. 1 single

Why is the Billboard Hot 100's top spot all-male? —   Maeve McDermott, USA Today

The top 10 MuchMusic VJs of all time

They were our connection to showbiz, proof that meek Canadian kids could crack the big time; rolling with marquee bands in downtown Toronto, living the dream, sorting the wheat from the chaff at a time when an album cost about $25. Legends! — Ed Conroy, blogTO

Legendary Mudd Club doorman on getting tipped in cocaine and turning away Paul Simon

Richard Boch reminisces about the glory days of NYC nighlife  — Michael Musto, Papermag.com

Aron D’Alesio’s retro solo project is Your New Favourite Thing

The Young Rival singer's solo debut looks back to rock ’n’ roll’s early days, but it’s not comforting  — Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Presley's friends feel love, pain, 40 years after his death

It isn't just the legend of Elvis Presley that has unmatched staying power. The guilt, pain and regret felt by those who knew and loved him lingers, too — Canadian Press

The War on Drugs is still playing rock the old-fashioned way

Philly favourites have a new album coming soon — Joe Coscarelli, New York Times

Matt Andersen works without a formula

Following his gut instincts works for the award-winning blues singer/guitarslinger — Tony Montague, Georgia Straight

Arcade Fire's Win Butler discusses their new album, the power of social media, and more

The band's leader has oft been accused of pretentiousness —  Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail

Q& A: Metal messiah James Hetfield talks Metallica, long hair and Canadian fans

Hard rock superstars to play BC Place tonight —  Edmonton Journal

Google marks hip-hop’s 44th birthday with epic musical Doodle

Team Google Doodle collaborated with superstars including Fab Five Freddy to provide an epic global jam in its most dazzling work of interactive art yet — Michael Cavna, Washington Post

Gregg Allman’s final music ‘obvious farewell’ but full of life

Swansong album recorded by Don Was at Muscle Shoals studio — Jeff Karoub, AP

Jazz legend Herbie Hancock talks music, recovery and partying with Prince

Jazz giant is working on an album with Snoop and Pharrell — Jon Bream, StarTribune

After Glen Campbell: here are the rhinestone cowgirls and cowboys to listen to now

He was the king of country music. From Kacey Musgraves to Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson, we pick the 12 singers continuing his legacy — Laura Barton, The Guardian