Music Biz Headlines, March 19, 2018

By Kerry Doole

We need a new category for today's rap music because this shit ain't hip-hop

  Contemporary hip-hop is ignoring the roots of the genre – Dustin J. Seibert, theroot.com

'Its soul was lost somewhere': inside the demise of NME

The cover of NME was still coveted by bands right to the end – but for readers themselves, it was a different story. Ex-staffers, publishers and musicians tell the inside story of how a once-mighty media brand lost its cool  – Laura Snapes, The Guardian

Bands keep on rocking without key members. But is it still the same?

Foreigner is about to tour Ontario, but with just one original member – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail

Rachel Beck Finds Her Solo Wings With Self-Titled Record

After having amassed a respectable following as a part of the folk duo The Beck Sisters, Prince Edward Island’s Rachel Beck arrived at a creative crossroads almost two years ago – Kevin Kelley, noreasteronline

We picked Toronto’s top 100 songs — now tell us why we’re wrong

What are the biggest hits, the most influential Toronto songs recorded? Here’s our stab at the list – Toronto Star

Lindi Ortega loves birds, Tarantino — but not photos of herself

Objectively, the Calgary-based singer is both stylish and beautiful. Early in her career, she suffered so much from body-dysmorphic disorder that when she wasn’t wearing giant sunglasses on stage, she hid her entire head under a stylized birdcage – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal

The late Irish guitar great was honoured at Fender guitars Irish HQ during a special event attended by President Michael D Higgins and Rory’s brother Donal Gallagher – Alan Coors, rte.com

The Last Word: John Prine on fatherhood, Johnny Cash, why happiness isn't good for songwriting

The godfather of Americana also shares his thoughts on the best lyric he ever wrote, becoming a dad at 48 and car-shopping on eBay – Patrick Doyle, Rolling Stone

‘You expect us not to call you out?’ – Camp Cope and the Australian musicians fighting industry sexism

Whether it’s standing up to sexual abuse or male-dominated festival lineups, female Australian musicians, and their #MeNoMore campaign, have got their government listening – Kate Hennessy, The Guardian

Borders break-in yielded big break for punk-rock veterans the Mekons

It’s now over four decades since a group of wayward youths broke into a quiet Galashiels cottage, earning themselves a footnote in Borders musical history – Southern Reporter

Juno Songwriters Circle an entertaining way to learn a thing or two

Comments from Bob Rock and Jann Arden, co-hosts of the Juno Songwriting Circle on March 25 in Vancouver –   Dana Gee, Calgary Herald

"Environmentalism is part of our ethos"

An interview with Arwen Helene of the Winnipeg Folk Festival –  Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail

Gobsmacked! rides the a cappella wave into Toronto’s CAA Theatre

Beatboxer Ball-Zee says he likes the variety of his role in vocal revue hitting town this month – Raju Mudhar, Toronto Star