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Music News: Michael Stipe dishes on beard care

Michael Stipe attends the 2016 Freedom For All Gala
Michael Stipe attends the 2016 Freedom For All GalaNicholas Hunt/Getty Images

by Jay Gabler

May 17, 2017

Since R.E.M. parted ways, Michael Stipe has cultivated a luxurious beard. He reunited with former bandmate Mike Mills for a BBC interview, and the most memorable moment came when Stipe was asked about his beard-care regimen.

"I wash it with shampoo, and I've tried conditioner, but it doesn't condition very well," said the singer. "I'm kind of going for — rather than skid row Santa, I'm kind of going for a Poseidon-slash-Zeus-slash-Brancusi, uh, Matisse kind of appeal. And so I keep it a little trimmed on the sides to show off my beautiful cheekbones. And that's about it, really. I put some oil on it from time to time." (Billboard)

Grammys Karaoke will return

James Corden will return to host next year's Grammys, CBS has announced. The last ceremony saw Corden taking the mic from LL Cool J after a half-decade of hosting by the hip-hop star. (Billboard)

Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame to hold first induction in five years

On Sept. 23, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn, Beau Dommage, and Stéphane Venne will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Toronto ceremony will be the hall's first since 2011, when it was purchased by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. (Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar portrait headed to U.S. Capitol

A portrait of Kendrick Lamar will hang in the U.S. Capitol. That's thanks to teenage artist Tiona Cordova, who was one of the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition. Pitchfork describes it as "an annual contest for high school students to submit their works of art to their respective congressional representatives for a chance to be put on display at the United States Capitol for one year."

Chuck Berry has first-ever music video

Posthumously, Chuck Berry has released his first-ever official music video. The clip for "Big Boys" was in post-production when the rock legend died, said co-director Matt Bizer. The song appears on Berry's new album Chuck. (Billboard)

Princemobile spotted in Missouri

A Prince fan with some hot wheels recently pulled in to the Longhorn Steakhouse in St. Charles, Mo. "Did U drop in for some Midwestern chain restaurant realness on your way 2 cosmic bowling?" asked the Riverfront Times.