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Music News: Kendrick Lamar impresses, confuses at BRIT Awards

Kendrick Lamar performs at the BRIT Awards 2018.
Kendrick Lamar performs at the BRIT Awards 2018.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

by Jay Gabler

February 21, 2018

On Wednesday, this year's BRIT Awards — commonly regarded as the British Grammys — were presented in London. The talk of the ceremony was Kendrick Lamar, who won the Best International Male Solo Artist award and performed "New Freezer." That song is a collaboration with Rich the Kid, who did his part by bashing a sports car with a baseball bat in a box onstage while Lamar performed above him. As NME reports,

Kendrick Lamar's BRIT Awards performance left some viewers confused after technical difficulties, extended muted periods and an intro where he laid on top of a box containing a car that eventually got smashed up.

Foo Fighters, who won Best International Group, brought their own roof to raise by literally performing on top of a house (technically, a ski chalet). "The Sky is a Neighborhood," indeed.

Dua Lipa, having set a record for most BRIT nominations in a single year by a female solo artist (five), won Best Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act. Stormzy was named Best Male Solo Artist and took British Album of the Year for Gang Signs and Prayer. Gorillaz (somewhat ironically) took the British Group Award, and Lorde was named Best International Female Solo Artist. (NME)

Matt Berninger headed to TV

In an interview with the Australian radio station Double J, Matt Berninger — frontman of The National — has shared some details about a TV series he's working on. It will be a series inspired by Berninger's life, and he'll play himself, with his brother Tom Berninger will also appear as himself, having costarred with Matt in the 2013 quasi-documentary Trouble Will Find Me.

Berninger's bandmates, though, will be played by musicians from other bands. The National's Aaron Dessner apparently helped cast the show, and will also appear in it...but not playing himself.

Confused yet? Well, you have a while to figure it out. "It won't see the light of day this year," said Berninger about the show. (Stereogum)

Dave Navarro assembles all-star charity show for mental health

An all-star lineup brought together by Dave Navarro and guitarist Billy Morrison will cover two complete albums at a charity concert to support mental health initiatives for musicians. The show takes place April 16 in Los Angeles.

The musicians — including Courtney Love, Billy Idol, and Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal) — will cover The Velvet Underground & Nico as well as Adam and the Ants’ album Kings of the Wild Frontier. (Rolling Stone)

Soft Cell to reunite for "last ever final show"

Soft Cell are reuniting for their first show in 15 years, one that will serve as their "last ever final show" and "the best ever ending." The British synthpop duo, best known for their 1981 hit version of the song "Tainted Love," will play the O2 Arena in London on Sept. 30. (Rolling Stone)

Vicky Cornell gives first interview since husband's death

Vicky Cornell has given her first interview since the death of her husband Chris Cornell last year. She told Good Morning America that the Soundgarden frontman went into a downhill slide after being prescribed a benzodiazepine to help him endure pain from a shoulder injury. "I don't think that he could make any decisions because of the level of impairment," said Vicky Cornell. "My husband was the furthest thing from a rock star junkie. He just wasn't. He was the best husband, the greatest father. I lost my soulmate and the love of my life." (Consequence of Sound)

Toto ready epic box set

How much Toto do you need? For some people, only four minutes and 56 seconds — the length of "Africa" — but others feel the need for ten studio albums, a rarities compilation, a Blu-ray, and two discs of unreleased material. Those fans will flock to buy All In, a career-spanning box set that will come out this fall.

"Each of the limited edition box sets," reports Rolling Stone, "includes an 80-page hardcover book and an 8" x 8" certificate of authenticity signed by band members" along with 17 vinyl LPs and 13 compact discs. All that Toto for the low, low price of $499.99.