The Current

Great Music Lives Here
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
News and Interviews

Music News: Tributes pour in for late rapper and community leader Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle greeting kids at the Nipsey Hussle x PUMA Hoops Basketball Court Refurbishment Reveal Event on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles.
Nipsey Hussle greeting kids at the Nipsey Hussle x PUMA Hoops Basketball Court Refurbishment Reveal Event on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles.Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
  Play Now [9:47]

by Jade

April 01, 2019

Today is Monday, April 1 — April Fools' day, so don't fall victim to any of those jokers out there. But, if you are into the long game for your pranks, you'll like the Nine Inch Nails story we've got in today's roundup.

Meanwhile, in much more somber news, people throughout Los Angeles and the wider music community are mourning the death of rapper and community leader Nipsey Hussle.


Rolling Stones postpone tour as Mick Jagger undergoes surgery


The Rolling Stones have postponed their North American No Filler Tour due to Mick Jagger's medical situation. Jagger will undergo heart-valve replacement surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Jagger released a statement saying, "I hate letting our fans down and I'm hugely disappointed to have to postpone the tour but am looking forward to getting back on stage as soon as I can."

Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets, which will be valid at the rescheduled shows. (Consequence of Sound)

Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, Selena Gomez, RZA in new zombie film


Iggy Pop, RZA, Tom Waits and Selena Gomez all will be appearing in the upcoming zombie film from Jim Jarmusch, The Dead Don't Die. The film will star Bill Murray, Steve Buscemi and Adam Driver. But a trailer came out today, and the addition of zombie Iggy Pop and a grizzled Tom Waits along with Selena Gomez and Wu-Tang Clan's RZA trying to figure out what's happening in their small town stole the show. The Dead Don't Die hits theaters June 14. (Billboard)

New class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions


This past weekend was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The 2019 class included Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks — who became the first woman inducted twice — Roxy Music, Radiohead, Def Leppard, The Cure and the Zombies.

Nicks, being honored for her solo work this time, wore a shawl she said was her original cape from 1983; she performed with Don Henley and Harry Styles (who in her induction speech called her a "magical gypsy godmother"). David Byrne introduced Radiohead by calling out the "quality and creative innovation" the band possessed. Janelle Monáe spoke of Janet Jackson's influence, calling her "the legendary queen of black-girl magic." Trent Reznor welcomed The Cure, but admitted that he was cynical about the ceremony in the past because The Cure weren't in — but that he was now ready to "eat [his] words."

Def Leppard led an all-star jam to close out the ceremony. Although Nicks and Jackson were absent, Queen's Brian May, the Zombies' Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs, the E Street Band's "Little" Steven Van Zandt and Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter were all on stage to perform Mott the Hoople's 1972 David Bowie-penned song, "All the Young Dudes." (Billboard)

Community responds to death of Nipsey Hussle


Los Angeles rapper, songwriter, community organizer and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle died on Sunday after a shooting near the clothing store he owned in Los Angeles. Hussle was part of the wave of West Coast hip hop artists, releasing numerous mixtapes in the mid-2000s and drawing the eye of The Game, Jay-Z, and Diddy. His debut Victory Lap came out in February of 2018 and was a critical and commercial success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album in 2019.

Beyond music, Nipsey Hussle was also known for being a pillar of his community, having once given a pair of shoes to every student at a local elementary school and having created a STEM program to link Silicon Valley to the inner city. Los Angeles Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff said that Hussle had planned to spend Monday afternoon meeting with the Los Angeles Police Department to "talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids."

The music community has reacted strongly to what they see as another senseless death of a positive force in the world, with many posting statements on social media:

KTLA reported that details remain scant, but a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation said Hussle was shot by a young man who opened fire at close range and then ran to a waiting getaway car. At a news briefing, Los Angeles Police Lt. Chris Ramirez described the suspect only as a black male and said he is still at large. (NBC News)

Nine Inch Nails play the April Fools' long game


And I couldn't leave you today without a little April Fools' story.

Journalist and author Annie Zaleski tweeted out earlier today:

According to the Nine Inch Nails Wiki page, "On 1 April 2009, Trent Reznor announced Strobe Light, which was apparently Nine Inch Nails' brand-new album, featuring various artists. The website featured a repeating tempo accompanying the page, and a rapidly flashing GIF image at the top, "strobing" to match the album's name. The album was an April Fool's day joke, and has been mentioned on several April Fools' since."

The original tracklist was supposed to be a parody of the 2009 music scene's obsession, and it set up hilarious song features like Fergie of the Black Eye Peas with Al Jourgensen of Ministry and some self-parody with songs called "Even Closer (Feat. Justin Timberlake and Maynard Keenan)" and "Still Hurts (Feat. Alicia Keys)." The album, which you can listen to, is a fun mashup of songs either from Nine Inch Nails or the "featured artists."

Viral: The Cure's Robert Smith is happy to be here


For Today's Viral Hit, let's circle back to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Cure were inducted on Friday night with an introduction from Trent Reznor who spoke of the band's influence in the 40 years since they released their first record. But the moment that perfectly encapsulates The Cure's lead singer, Robert Smith, is an 11-second response to a reporter. I'll let Robert take it away:


Audio sampled in podcast:
"Comedie" (CC BY 4.0)
BoxCat Games - "Against the Wall" (CC BY 3.0)
Def Leppard, Brian May, The Zombies - "All the Young Dudes"
Nipsey Hussle - "Hussle and Motivate"
Nine Inch Nails - "Everybody's Doing It (featuring Bono, Chris Martin & Jay-Z)"
The Cure - "Pictures of You"