Waka Flocka Flame doesn’t pretend to be a political expert. The rapper knows what fans look to him for, and he makes it his priority to be energetic and entertaining. That said, Waka has become increasingly more vocal about his ideology. He decided to clarify where he stood, politically speaking, during a string of tweets on July 31. He not voiced support for Republican nominee Donald Trump, but he described why and urged those who disagreed to be civil in their reaction.
Waka Flocka Flame made it clear that he doesn’t prescribe to the MAGA extremism put forth by some facets of Trump’s followers. “Trump still my president,” he stated. “I don’t have to stand with a red hat or dance or stage for money in my pockets. Didn’t push me this direction.” The rapper then noted that one shouldn’t attack someone for having a different set of beliefs than them. “This is my choice like I choose not to eat pork,” he explained. “But do that make me hate pork lovers or disrespect their character…” He proceeded to list the different ways in which he aligns with Trump’s policies. Once more, while noting he is nothing more than an entertainer with a voice.
Waka Flocka Flame Was Awarded By The Trump Administration
Trump still my president I don’t have to stand with a red hat or dance or stage for money in my pockets… didn’t push me this direction… this is my choice like I choose not to eat pork but do that make me hate pork lovers or disrespect their character…nor will I act like…
Politics my m o… I just want my rights. My freedom, equality, men/women to pay for bad policing, women to have rights and make choices for self, teachers to be paid more, and the list goes on but hey I’m just a lil o entertainer with a micro voice I know no1 is listening
“I just want my rights,” Waka Flocka Flame asserted. “My freedom, equality, men/women to pay for bad policing. Women to have rights and make choices for self, teachers to be paid more, and the list goes on. But hey I’m just a lil o entertainer with a micro voice I know no1 is listening.” It’s a measured explanation, especially compared to the aggression of other rappers who have endorsed Donald Trump. Lil Pump has been waving the Trump flag for years, and has resorted to questioning the racial background of Kamala Harris. Waka Flocka Flame’s plea for understanding, however, does contradict his behavior during a July concert.
On July 2, the “No Hands” rapper singled out Joe Biden supporters and mocked them during his show in Utah. “All Joe Biden voters, get out of my concert,” he stated. “We going to see y’all at the bingo game. We’re gonna party right now for motherf*cking president T24!” The footage of Waka Flocka Flame went semi-viral, and many fans criticized the rapper for isolating fans who paid to see him perform. It’s also worth noting that Waka was awarded by the Trump administration back in 2021. He was given a lifetime achievement award for his philanthropical work with the Chicago organization Daughter of Destiny.
Drake has always had a contentious relationship with dancehall. The rapper was criticized for exploiting the Jamaican genre during the making of the “Find Your Love” video way back in 2010. That said, he has repeatedly voiced his adoration for its artists. He has collaborated with numerous dancehall legends, and helped to boost their profile with American listeners. It’s been a while since Drake dabbled in dancehall in his own music, but the rapper’s recent Instagram post confirms that he’s still very much a supporter. He celebrated the release of Vybz Kartel by rocking a “Free Vybz” t-shirt on Instagram.
This is not the first time Drake has shown off his “Free Vybz” merch. The rapper posted a photo of the shirt on his Instagram Story back on April 2. “Up 2 Di Time,” the rest of the text on the shirt reads. “Free Kartel, free world boss.” The timing could not have been better. Vybz Kartel was sprung from prison on July 31. The Jamaican deejay was convicted of murder back in 2011, but the Privy Council in the United Kingdom overturned his conviction back in March. The Privy Council cited juror misconduct and bribery as the main causes, according to Rolling Stone.
Drake has advocated for Vybz Kartel’s release for most of his career. The rapper praised the deejay during a 2016 interview with Narduwar. “Vybz Kartel is one of my biggest inspirations, one of my favorite artists,” he explained. “You want to talk about a guy coming out of a place that has their own thing, their own culture, and absolutely just taking over. The one person to idolize.” Drake proceeded to single out Kartel’s ability to transcend era, and maintain longevity within Jamaican culture. “I been to Jamaica,” he explained. “And no matter what, people are always holding up Vybz as an icon.” The Toronto artist also revealed that PARTYNEXTDOOR shares his admiration for Kartel.
Drake and Vybz Kartel have never collaborated on a song, for obvious reasons. The former did link up with Kartel’s longtime producer, however, in 2022. Rvssian posted photos alongside the 6 God on IG, fueling rumors that they were going to cook up music together. Sadly, nothing from the sessions has seen the light of day. The closest fans have come to getting an OVO and Vybz Kartel collaboration was the PARTYNEXTDOOR single “Not Nice.” The 2016 song featured a sample of Kartel’s “Real Bad Gal,” which was unreleased at the time. Hopefully fans will get an official Drake and Kartel song, since the latter is a free man.
On Monday, July 29, Ocean posted a photo showing him playing the guitar in a studio, which was perfectly summed up by someone named Jenski on X (formerly Twitter): “I know Frank Ocean was manically laughing posting that picture of him in the studio knowing damn well he’s not putting out sh*t.”
In other words, anybody still trying to predict if or when Ocean will release his first album since 2016’s Blonde is a masochist. Instead, everyone should enjoy Ocean showing signs of life publicly whatsoever.
On Wednesday, July 31, Ocean posted several times to his Instagram Story. One video showed a suited Ocean swaying back and forth while holding a coffee. The next photo is a certified thirst trap — a shirtless Ocean sticking his tongue out in a mirror selfie. Then, there’s a sunset photo, an unidentified man’s back, a steep staircase that Ocean must have climbed, and a beautiful rainbow over the ocean.
While we all helplessly wait for new Frank Ocean music, check out some of his latest posts below.
The trend continued on Wednesday, July 31, when Drake celebrated Vybz Kartel’s release from prison by posting a selfie showing him posing in a “FREE KARTEL FREE WORLD BOSS” graphic tee.
Drake posts selfie wearing a shirt of dancehall star Vybz Kartel.
Vybz Kartel has been released from prison after serving more than 10 years, Jamaica Observer reports.
Jamaica Court of Appeal ruled against a retrial in Vybz’s 2014 murder conviction. pic.twitter.com/rK1gMDE3b6
According to Rolling Stone, the Jamaican dancehall artist is “a free man after a decade in prison” after “a Jamaican court of appeals declined Wednesday to retry Vybz Kartel after the dancehall star’s 2014 murder conviction was overturned earlier this year.”
As per Rolling Stone, Kartel had been found guilty in 2014 of murdering Clive “Lizard” Williams, but the UK-based Privy Council overturned the ruling this March after “finding evidence of juror misconduct in Kartel’s initial trial.”
It’s been a strange week for Kanye West music. The rapper announced that his new album, Vultures 2, will drop August 3rd. Then, a few hours after, he took the date down from his website. Fans have been waiting to hear the second installment in the Vultures trilogy for months, and they have to keep waiting. On the bright side, a Kanye West song has mysteriously leaked online. It’s not from Vultures 2 sessions, but from the Graduation sessions back in 2007. If that doesn’t sweeten the pot, the inclusion of JAY-Z will.
The leaked song is titled “Buildings.” Kanye West has never mentioned the song, and no snippet of it had ever been released prior to July 31. That said, fans can now listen to the entire four minute collab online. JAY-Z kicks off the song with a predictably excellent verse. The most interesting part of his verse is that some lines, particularly those referencing Cuban cigars and “doing donuts” in a lambo, were eventually repurposed for the single “Otis” in 2011. The contemplative, finally-made-it feel of the song is perfectly suited to name-dropping designer labels, which is what JAY does here. A few months later, Hov would drop American Gangster (2007).
Kanye West wins the song, though. The production is clean, with crisp piano keys littered throughout, and his verse is filled with clever bars. “Just tryna eat dog, tryna stay fresh,” he raps. “Now I got meals and I’m tryna eat less.” There’s even a reference to 50 Cent, who West was famously beefing with back in 2007. “Yeah mommy, I see you G, on the treadmill, bumping 50,” he spits. “Oh, I get it. You tryna loose that G-G-G-G-U-T.” There’s a ramshackle quality to West’s delivery, and given how polished the rest of Graduation is, one has to wonder whether he would’ve re-recorded his vocals. Regardless, the rawness is fascinating as a sort of studio time capsule.
The strangest part of “Buildings,” though, is Kanye West’s prediction of the future. The rapper was on top of the world in 2007, and hearing him reflect on his status is akin to hopping in a time machine. “As I caught a glimpse of my future,” he raps. “I got that feeling, knowing one day I’ma crush these buildings.” Kanye West wasn’t wrong. Listening to “Buildings” is going to be a bittersweet experience for anybody who misses the old Kanye. It’s a reminder of how relatable his music used to be, and a stark contrast to the music and statements in the present.
The jarring slaying of Sonya Massey has stunned the world and placed Sean Grayson in infamy. The former Sangamon County Deputy shot and killed Massey in her Macomb, Illinois, home as she was unarmed and crouching on the ground in fear. Massey called the police to her residence, believing there may have been a prowler on her property, but instead, Grayson escalated the situation. He told Massey to check on a pot boiling on her stove because they didn’t want to risk a fire. As she did as he asked, words were exchanged, resulting in Massey telling Grayson, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” He then pulled his weapon and threatened to shoot her in the face.
Massey said, “I’m sorry,” as she bent down to the ground with her arms in the air. Grayson shot her three times, killing the 36-year-old mother instantly. The body camera footage was released and sent shockwaves on social media. Protests have erupted, and calls for justice have been echoed from one coast to the other. Grayson has been removed from his position, arrested, and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, among others.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 28: Demonstrators with signs protest the killing of Sonya Massey by a Springfield, Illinois sheriff’s deputy, in Washington Square Park on July 28, 2024 in New York City. Massey was shot at home in the head by Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County, Illinois deputy after she called the police to report a possible prowler. Grayson has been arrested, sparking protests around the country demanding justice for Massey’s death. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
However, this tragedy is an unfortunate cap in Grayson’s long line of transgressions. His career and personal life are riddled with controversy. These indiscretions show a man who never should have had a badge, illuminating how the system failed those he was hired to “protect and serve.” Within the last four years, Grayson bounced around six police departments in central Illinois. His supervisors detailed concerns over his behavior, but Grayson flew under the radar despite the warning signs. Here are 11 reasons why Sean Grayson should never have been an officer of the law.
1. “Extreme Mental Cruelty” Was Cited In Divorce Papers
According to Newsweek, Sean Grayson and Alexia Pitchford, a nail technician, separated in May 2015. The outlet stated the divorce documents reportedly show that Grayson was “cited over ‘extreme and repeated mental cruelty’ without cause or provocation.” The paperwork didn’t detail specifics of what that meant. Further, in the divorce, Pitchford “received possession of several household items during the split, including a table, a vacuum and a moped.” She dropped “Grayson” from her name, and both parties walked away without having to pay the other.
2. He Was Corrected For Inaccurately Filing A Report
An incident in 2022 found Grayson on the wrong side of his supervisors. While working for the Logan County Sheriff’s Department, CNN reported that on September 12 of that year, Grayson was on patrol in Lincoln, Illinois. In the early morning hours, Grayson pursued a truck, believing the woman driving it “was acting suspicious” because she didn’t use a turn signal. After turning on his squad car lights and attempting to pull the woman over, she reportedly didn’t stop.
The pursuit continued “at a high rate of speed,” but over his police radio, Grayson’s supervisor told him to end the hunt. Yet, Grayson continued driving at fast speeds, eventually striking a deer on the road. In an interview with his supervisors, the officer was questioned about including incorrect information in the report. He named the wrong street where he first saw the truck make the traffic infraction, something that puzzled Logan County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Nathan Miller, who reportedly brought out a map to show Grayson it was “impossible” for his statements to be correct.
In an audio recording of the conversation between Miller and Grayson, the latter admitted to the inaccuracy. “The sheriff and I will not tolerate lying and deception, nor should we, or the county or the state or law enforcement partners,” Miller said in the audio. “And you understand this?” Grayson answered, “Yes, I do.” One month later, CNN added that another disciplinary report showed that Grayson “needed ‘report writing training, high stress decision making classes, and needs to read, understand and discuss issued Logan County Sheriff’s Office Policy.’”
“If we can’t trust what you say and what you see, we can’t have you in our uniform,” Miller told Grayson in the recording. He stated, “Others will say you have no integrity, and you’re lying to get to that traffic stop. And I have told you that I have zero tolerance for stretching the law. Because when you have officers that stretch the law, they will get caught, they will get prosecuted.” Miller also expressed unease. “I’m getting goosebumps. This is extremely concerning. Everybody likes you. I gotta be able to trust you. Was this a purposefully done lie?” Grayson said, “No.”
3. He Left The Army Due To A “Serious Offense”
Moreover, Grayson’s concerning behaviors date back to his time in the U.S. military. Reports state he joined the Army in 2014 but was back home in 2016 after being cited for a “serious offense.” It has been learned that while serving, Grayson was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. This would be the first of two DUI arrests. At the time, his address was listed in Kansas, as he was stationed at Fort Riley. Further, a Sangamon County spokesperson admitted that authorities knew about Grayson’s DUIs and were aware that by 2024, they were his sixth job in law enforcement in four years, but hired him anyway.
4. The First DUI In 2015
Multiple outlets have stated that a 21-year-old Grayson was driving a Ford pickup truck in Springfield, Illinois, when a Virden Police officer saw him on the road in 2015. Grayson had his high beam lights on and was seen hitting a curb. Then, when the officer pursued the truck, Grayson continued to hit the curb repeatedly before pulling over. Grayson would admit to the officer that he had one or two beers hours before getting behind the wheel. Soon, that increased to four. The officer noted that Grayson’s “eyes were bloodshot and watery.” There were also claims that Grayson’s breath smelled of alcohol.
During the traffic stop, Grayson reportedly failed multiple field sobriety tests. He was reportedly swaying while attempting to stand on one leg, and he refused the breathalyzer. Meanwhile, as he searched Grayson’s vehicle, the officer found a loaded firearm. Reports state that Grayson did not have a license to carry at the time, but he told police he was in the military, and that’s why he kept it with him. Ammunition was also located in the glove box, along with marijuana that reportedly belonged to Grayson’s passenger. Grayson was arrested at the scene, and his blood alcohol level was later tested. He clocked .117—the legal limit is .08—and pleaded guilty.
5. The Second DUI In 2016
Eleven months later, in July 2016, Grayson was once again facing a DUI. He was driving the same Ford pickup truck in Girard, Illinois, when a Macoupin County sheriff witnessed him making a turn that caused Grayson to drift into the officer’s lane. Grayson was pursued once again, this time crossing into oncoming lanes and almost causing an accident with a semi-tractor. When he was pulled over, Grayson is said to have lit a cigarette and was observed having “glassy and bloodshot” eyes. The officer claimed Grayson was also slurring his speech and struggled to provide his paperwork. When the officer ran Grayson’s Kansas license, it showed it was suspended.
“When Sean stepped out of the truck I observed him to lose his balance and he caught himself by leaning against his back driver’s side door,” the report states. Grayson was asked to do sobriety tests once again, but he confused the officer when he simply answered, “Not true.” The report adds, “I asked Sean what he meant. He again stated, ‘Not true.’ I asked him if he was going to do field sobriety tests for me and he stated ‘no.’”
Grayson was arrested and taken to the station. While there, his behavior reportedly became erratic, and he told officers to “hurry up.” Grayson also was said to have threatened the officer with his 6-foot 3-inch stature, stating he “was too small to be making him mad.”
6. Virden Police Department
The Sonya Massey killing was worse than described- if thats even possible. The officer who killed her – Sean Grayson- worked for 4 different police/Sheriffs departments in 6 years. He also had two DUI convictions. Yet he was still holding a badge. This cant be reformed. pic.twitter.com/ZnXouEPmTC
From May 2021 to December 2021, Grayson was employed part-time at the Virden Police Department. During his time there, he didn’t receive any disciplinary actions. Yet, the department admitted that they did not have evidence to show they conducted a background check when he was hired. That doesn’t mean one wasn’t completed; it’s just that there were no records of one being done. Dispatch supervisor David Bounds explained why Sean Grayson’s time with the department ended.
“We did not receive a resignation from Mr. Grayson,” Bounds reportedly stated in a letter. Apparently, Grayson got another job and ceased going to work. “He just stopped covering shifts. We were advised that Mr. Grayson left our department to accept a full-time position with the Auburn Police Department. We have no disciplinary actions against Mr. Grayson.”
7. Kincaid Police Department
While working as a part-time officer for the Pawnee Police Department, Sean Grayson also got a job with the Kincaid Police Department. Again, he did not have records of complaints or disciplinary issues, but Grayson was known to have an attitude problem. Mike Lawrence is a member of the Village of Kincaid’s Board of Trustees and had less-than-favorable memories of Grayson.
“I thought he was a loose cannon,” Lawrence said. “He was just arrogant and cocky.” Of the Sonya Massey shooting footage, he added, “I watched the video today actually. It was disgusting [and] it was shocking because it was so wrong.” Lawrence also stated he didn’t know anything about Grayson’s DUI while in the Army.
8. Auburn Police Department
When he applied to the Auburn Police Department in July 2021, Grayson had a letter of recommendation in hand. It was from his former first sergeant, who noted Grayson’s DUI when he enlisted in the Army but also said Grayson didn’t have any issues while serving in the military. However, the department reportedly stated that Grayson described his discharge from the Army as “honorable,” which was a lie. They also shared that they did not look into the discharge, either.
On his application, Grayson was asked if he had ever been “convicted of, charged with or (was) currently waiting trial for any crime greater than that of a minor traffic offense to include driving while intoxicated,” Grayson said, “No, I have only been arrested and charged for DUI.”
9. Supervisors Expressed Concern
Before submitting his letter of resignation from the Logan Police Department in April 2023, Grayson’s supervisors reportedly had concerns regarding his behavior. Grayson was called a “bragger” and deemed “too aggressive.” According to KDSK News out of St. Louis, a supervisor asked Grayson, “How are you still employed by us?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
In a disciplinary report from Logan, Grayson also faced accusations from a couple he pulled over during a traffic stop. The pair alleged that Grayson was “harassing” them and “abusing his power” during the incident, where arrests were also made. An investigation by the department did not find that Grayson did anything wrong.
10. He Was Called A “Bully”
Further, in another incident that reportedly occurred in 2023, Grayson tried to use his position against a woman. Girard Police Chief Wayman Meredith told CBS that Grayson “pressured him to call child services on a woman outside the home of Grayson’s mother.” Details of the incident are scarce, but Grayson was described as being “steaming mad.” Meredith added, “He was acting like a bully. He was wanting me to do stuff that was not kosher.”
11. Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Didn’t Know Of His Past
There is no need to argue with people about Sonya Massey and the “Pot of water”. The cop, Sean Grayson was condemned by his fellow officers, arrested in handcuffs and charged with murder.
Grayson was working for the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office when he fatally shot Sonya Massey in cold blood. In a statement, the Office said they were not aware of Grayson’s past disciplinary actions. “We were not provided any such information from any of Grayson’s former employers, nor from any crediting agency,” the statement said. They were aware, however, of his DUIs. “We cannot comment on whether the information is accurate, nor why it was not shared by another agency.”
“The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) reviewed the information, which included the DUI convictions,” the office said. “ILETSB certified Grayson for hire and advised that he had been certified several times in the past despite the history of the DUIs.” Grayson also was said to have passed a background check, drug test, and psychological evaluation. He also participated in and graduated from the 16-week training academy.
“[Sonya Massey] called for help and we failed. We did not do our jobs,” Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell told the public during a meeting. He added, “We failed Sonya. We failed Sonya’s family and friends. We failed the community.”
In international news, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran early Wednesday morning. It’s pretty clear who carried out the hit. What’s dangerous about it is Haniyeh was killed in Iran. Not Gaza, but Iran. The capital no less.
The event sent shockwaves through the region and can significantly impact Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, raising tensions globally with allies on both sides.
So here’s how the death was reported by Hamas … Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ deputy chief in Gaza, reported that Haniyeh was killed by a missile that directly hit his residence, causing extensive damage to the building. The attack also killed one of Haniyeh’s guards. Luckily no one else was killed from initial reporting even though an entire building was leveled.
Of course, Hamas accused Israel of orchestrating the “treacherous Zionist raid,” while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death and announced an investigation.
What’s wild is the assassination followed Haniyeh’s attendance at a swearing-in ceremony for Iran’s new president. A bit embarrassing for Iran. He was visiting the swearing in of Iran’s new president and he gets assassinated. If you recall the previous president died in a weird helicopter crash along with top aides.
The Israeli government has not claimed responsibility for the strike, and the IDF is currently evaluating the situation without issuing new security directives. Interesting response.
Naturally, Hamas warned that Haniyeh’s death would escalate the conflict, with Iran declaring three days of national mourning and blaming the US for supporting Israel. What happens after the mourning? Who does what to who, in this cycle of death and destruction? When does it all end.
As for the potential for reprisals, Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk stated that the assassination would not go unanswered. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed harsh retaliation, framing the event as an attack on Iran itself. Iranian forces have already launched strikes on Israel in response to previous conflicts.
As expected, the international response has been one of condemnation, with Qatar who are handling negotiations for a cease fire and return of Israeli hostages, Egypt, China, Russia, Turkey, and Iraq all denouncing the killing as a dangerous escalation. The assassination comes shortly after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander, further complicating the possibility of a ceasefire in the ongoing 10-month war in Gaza.
Here’s one thing we can all agree on, the violence from all sides needs to stop. Period.
Well, here we go, another day, another legal claim. This time the estate of the late rapper Juice WRLD is in the crosshairs of Joshua Jaramillo. Let’s get into it …
Jaramillo is a producer who is suing Juice WRLD’s estate in a claims that is all too familiar in not just Hip Hop but music in general. TMZ reported he is looking to recover royalties owed to him for his work on one of Juice WRLD’s posthumous tracks.
Now you know TMZ are masters at getting their all seeing eyes on filed legal documents and in the paperwork, Jaramillo alleges he helped produce the 2021 song “Girl of My Dreams” and was promised 5% ownership of the track along with 1% of its royalties.
Sounds like a standard deal Not a huge percentage but depending how the song streamed and any other revenue that may have come from the song, that percentage could mean a few bucks.
Why sue now? Get this, despite repeated requests, Jaramillo asserts that he has not been fully compensated and has not been informed about the total earnings from the song. Naturally, he is seeking unspecified damages and a complete accounting of the track’s revenue. He wants his money owed and damages for all that comes with the ordeal. Lawsuit 101 tbh.
If you recall, Juice WRLD, born Jarad Higgins, tragically passed away in December 2019 at the age of 21 due to an accidental overdose. The worst thing ever, for real. The Medical Examiner’s Office reported that he had toxic levels of oxycodone and codeine in his system at the time of his death. Super sad. Hopefully this story ends with as little stress as possible for all those involved.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Stars — Set Yourself On Fire (20th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue)
Arts & Crafts
Stars are going on a North American tour to celebrate 20 years of their album Set Yourself On Fire, but that’s not all: There’s also a vinyl reissue that comes with a bunch of goodies, including new liner notes, a pin-up poster, a temporary tattoo, and of course, the album itself, pressed on 140g opaque red vinyl.
Duran Duran — Duran Duran, Rio, Seven And The Ragged Tiger, Notorious, and Big Thing (Reissues)
Warner
Duran Duran came out the gate scorching hot, and now that era can be celebrated with a new vinyl set that includes the group’s first five studio albums. The albums have long been out of print and they appear in remastered form here, so this is a big thing. From the iconic Rio cover art to the parade of massive hits including “Notorious” and “Girls On Film,” this is an essential run of records for both new fans and those wanting their faves on wax.
John Lennon — Mind Games (The Ultimate Mixes) Super Deluxe Box Set
Capitol/UMe
1973’s Mind Games was John Lennon’s fourth solo album, but in a way, it was also his first, in that it was the first one he produced himself. It’s a big one in his discography and this massive new box set (a literal box, in this case) is limited to only 1,100 pieces and comes with everything from reproduction artworks to posters to books and so much more.
You may not have known this, but Synchronicity started with a bunch of Sting demos. Well, those have never been heard before… until now, as they’re included in an impressive new reissue of the album. The box set contains 55 previously unreleased tracks in all, along with new liner notes, interviews, and more.
We just passed the 30th anniversary of Beastie Boys’Ill Communication (the “Sabotage” album). To mark the occasion, the group has unveiled a 3LP deluxe edition that marks the return of a rare edition of the album that had a limited release in 2009. It comes with lenticular cover art and 12 bonus tracks.
There has been a slew of Yusuf/Cat Stevens remasters gradually making their way out over the past few years, and now we have another. This time, it’s the 1973 classic Foreigner, and this reissue marks the first time the project is available on vinyl since its original release.
Last year’s vinyl reissue of Stop Making Sense sold out (naturally), but now the Talking Heads classic back as a 2LP black vinyl edition on Rhino.com and retail, and as a 2LP crystal clear vinyl version at Barnes And Noble. Whatever edition you get, it comes with a 12-page booklet featuring liner notes from all four band members.
The Mountain Goats — The Coroner’s Gambit (Reissue)
Merge
The Coroner’s Gambit has been out of print for a while, but fret no more: There’s a new edition out now that comes pressed on candy corn-colored vinyl and with new liner notes from John Darnielle. It even comes wrapped in a reproduction of the 15” × 18” white paper bag that the original tape came in, making for a fine homage to the humble roots of the project.
Land Of Talk — Applause Cheer Boo Hiss: The Definitive Edition
Saddle Creek/One Little Independent
Before Land Of Talk’s 2008 debut album Some Are Lakes was Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. Now that original project has gotten a reissue that pushes it into full-length territory, expanding the tracklist to 10 songs, plus an additional 10 tracks of acoustic renditions.
In 2023, Blur went massive at Wembley Stadium, playing to a combined 150,000 spectators across two concerts. Now, the occasion as been memorialized in a new live album, but pay attention to which edition you get: The triple black vinyl and triple teal colored vinyl editions feature the Sunday performances, while the double black vinyl and double picture disc vinyl versions feature highlights from both shows.
The Motown Records catalog is in the midst of a reissue series, with a handful of releases dropping every month. For July, Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells’ Together, which brought together Gaye, then an up-and-comer who hadn’t yet attained his now-legendary status, and Wells, an established star of the time. In addition, Motown also offered up The Supremes’ I Hear a Symphony on green vinyl and The Temptations’ Cloud Nine this month. It’s a good time to be a Motown fan.
DMX — It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)
Vinyl Me, Please
Vinyl Me, Please routinely nails it with the aesthetics of their reissues, and their new DMX release is another example, with the red and black vinyl perfectly complementing the cover art. Like all VMP releases, this one comes with a new listening notes booklet, too.
Rhino High Fidelity (Rhino Hi-Fi) offered up two more stellar titles from its high-end reissue series this month, classic rock gems from Bad Company and Yes. Both albums are limited to 5,000 individually numbered copies in which Kevin Gray expertly cuts lacquers and Optimal handles the 180-gram vinyl pressing. These are as good as the albums have ever sounded, providing definitive issues of two classics.
Fresh off their performance at Coachella and ahead of a widely sold out tour that will play multiple nights in NYC and Paris, L’Impératrice’s Pulsar is now out in the world. Featuring appearances from the likes of Maggie Rogers and Erick the Architect, Exclaim notes that the group “sounds more like themselves than ever” on the set. It’s a great addition to your vinyl collection, and one that might age well as the years go on.
(@WakaFlocka) July 31, 2024
(@CrAstro2) 
