FLEA

Vince Staples’ New Album Gets Co-Signed By Rock Legend Flea

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Vince Staples has won over the world with his new album, Dark Times. Despite being one of the bleakest and densest releases of his career, the album has received universal praise critics and fans. The L.A. MC has also gotten a co-sign from one of the definitive West Coast bands of the last four decades: Red Hot Chili Peppers. The bassist for the band, Flea, hopped on X (formerly Twitter) on May 26 to praise Dark Times and Staples’ approach to songwriting.

Flea is a man of few words, but a lot of personality. It’s what makes him arguably the most famous bass player of all time. His Dark Times review was predictably brief yet succinct: “New Vince Staples so deep and good,” he wrote. Flea has been an advocate of hip-hop since the 1990s. He told AllHipHop that his favorite producer is J Dilla, whom he was put onto during a jam session with Erykah Badu. “I was doing this thing,” he recalled in 2012. “I was playing with Erykah Badu a while ago, you know, and she really…got me into J Dilla… It was like brought me to tears because of how beautiful it is.”

Read More: Vince Staples Pays Homage To New Orleans Hip-Hop Culture On “Étouffée”

Flea Has Liked Vince Staples And OF For Years

Flea has also voiced support for Odd Future. “The Odd Future kids,” he singled out in the same interview. “I can [relate] just, in terms, like, it’s like wild, you know.” The similarities between OF and Red Hot Chili Peppers are obvious, especially considering how raucous the latter were in the 1980s. The bassist’s love for Odd Future hasn’t wavered, either. In 2023, Flea welcomed Earl Sweatshirt as a guest for his podcast, This Little Light. He praised the rapper’s dense wordplay and production style.

He also compared the OF crew to prime Wu-Tang Clan (who he is also a fan of). “You know, Wu-tang has been, like, a big thing for me a lot through the years,” he explained. “You know, all the solo records, and I love Ghostface and the Apollo Kids [album] he came out with.” Given Flea’s favorite hip-hop artists, it makes perfect sense that he would love Vince Staples. The rapper was an affiliate of Odd Future during their heyday, and he had arguably the best verse on Earl Sweatshirt’s major label debut, Doris. He knows talent when he hears it.

Read More: Vince Staples Updates Fan On Future Of His Netflix Show, Admits He Was Surprised By It’s Success

The post Vince Staples’ New Album Gets Co-Signed By Rock Legend Flea appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Flea Net Worth 2023: What Is The Red Hot Chili Peppers Legend Worth?

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Flea, an iconic figure in the rock music world, has garnered fame and a significant fortune over the years. As of 2023, his net worth stands at an impressive $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. But how did this Australian-born musician achieve such success? Let’s delve into his journey.

Born Michael Peter Balzary on October 16, 1962, in Melbourne, Australia, Flea’s journey to stardom began when his family moved to New York City. Following his parents’ divorce, he relocated to Los Angeles with his mother and sister. In L.A., Flea’s passion for music blossomed, influenced by jazz legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. His love for music led him to learn the trumpet and even play with the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. During high school, he met Anthony Kiedis, who introduced him to punk rock music. This meeting would set the stage for the formation of the legendary rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Flea’s transition from trumpet to bass guitar in high school proved pivotal. In 1983, he joined a band formed by Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, and Jack Irons. Initially known as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, they soon rebranded to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their debut album, released in 1984, faced criticism, but their subsequent album, Freaky Styley, marked the beginning of their ascent to fame. The 1990s saw the band’s explosion in popularity, with Flea also contributing as a lyricist. Their album Californication, released in 1999, sold a whopping 15 million copies.

Flea’s Versatility: Beyond Music

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Winners Red Hot Chili Peppers members (L-R): John Frusciante, Flea, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, September 11, 2007 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

Apart from his musical achievements, Flea has showcased his talent in the acting realm. He has appeared in over 20 movies and television shows, including memorable roles in the Back to the Future series, Big Lebowski, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the critically acclaimed Baby Driver. His musical style, too, has evolved over the years. While jazz remains a significant influence, he has also embraced funk, punk, and gothic rock, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.

Flea’s contributions to the music industry haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2009, Rolling Stone nominated him as the second-best bass player of all time. He also secured the second position in an online poll by Contact Music in 2011. Furthermore, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, a testament to their impact on the music world.

Personal Life & Advocacy

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05: Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers signs copies of his new book “Acid For The Children”. At Barnes & Noble, 5th Avenue on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Flea’s personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. He has been married multiple times and has children. Beyond his personal sphere, Flea has actively advocated for various causes. He has supported politicians like Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders and has been vocal about gun violence prevention and climate change. His commitment to societal betterment is evident in his co-founding of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which aims to provide comprehensive musical education to underprivileged children.

Flea’s net worth isn’t just a result of his musical career. Over the years, he has made significant investments in real estate, owning properties in Los Angeles, Malibu, and even an architecturally significant home in La Crescenta, designed by the renowned Richard Neutra.

The post Flea Net Worth 2023: What Is The Red Hot Chili Peppers Legend Worth? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Herbie Hancock, Flea, And More Musicians React To The Passing Of Jazz Improviser Wayne Shorter

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The famous jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter passed away at age 89. The news was confirmed to Rolling Stone by his team, noting that it happened earlier this morning (March 2), and there was no cause of death provided.

“Visionary composer, saxophonist, visual artist, devout Buddhist, devoted husband, father, and grandfather Wayne Shorter has passed away at age 89, departing the earth as we know it and embarking on a new journey as part of his extraordinary life. Shorter was surrounded by his loving family in Los Angeles at the time of his transition,” Shorter’s record label, Blue Note, added in a statement.

Some of Shorter’s fellow famous collaborators, close friends, and those who were influenced by his work have also shared touching tributes in the late musician’s honor.

“Wayne Shorter, my best friend, left us with courage in his heart, love and compassion for all, and a seeking spirit for the eternal future. He was ready for his rebirth. As it is with every human being, he is irreplaceable,” Herbie Hancock wrote.

“Rest in peace to longtime Joni friend and collaborator Wayne Shorter. A visionary musician and composer, his contributions to the world of music will always be remembered,” Joni Mitchell’s team shared.

“I love Wayne Shorter with every fiber of my being. Saw him play 20 times, listened to him in every context I could. A spiritual, intellectual and viscerally transcendent giant. My hero forever. I aspire to be a fraction of the musician and human he was. Love for ever,” Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, posted.

Continue scrolling for some more heartfelt posts about Wayne Shorter from musicians.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Red Hot Chili Pepper Bassist Flea Thinks The Westminster Dog Show Results Are Rigged

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Maybe we’ve all been inside too long. Maybe we don’t know how to socialize anymore so we project our fears and fantasies onto a dog show. Or maybe, just maybe, the Westminster Dog Show would’ve captured our hearts and minds even without the ongoing 15-month lockdown that’s turned our brains into mush!

Who knows, at this point, but the fact remains, the Westminster Dog Show might as well be the Super Bowl given the way it’s influenced some of the best minds of my generation to Tweet unhinged takes. And not even famous musicians are safe from this canine spectacle — Red Hot Chili Peppers’ founding member and bassist, Flea, is getting in on the conspiracy theories in a big way.

You see, Flea doesn’t think the winner of the event was chosen fairly. No, not at all. And according to The New York Times, he isn’t the only one doubling down on this hypothesis, either. “Shocked and grossed that they gave best in show to that little ass pekinese,” the bassist wrote on Twitter earlier today. “The judge had a crush on its handler im sure of it.”

Fans of bigger dogs were afronted at the win, as The Onion so perfectly detailed:

But some people were more than happy to see little Wasabi waddling his way to victory. I’m staying neutral on this one.