Can music that’s given away for free win a Grammy? The answer is no, and Chance the Rapper wants to change that. The hip-hop star is one of over 15,000 people who have endorsed a petition asking the Recording Academy to change the policy stipulating that music be made “available for sale” in order to achieve Grammy…

M83's Anthony Gonzalez has spoken about attempting to resurrect bits of pop culture thought to be forgotten; his band's latest 'Junk', veers frenetically across a range of influences, giving the effect of an anthology of postcards from the past.

On Sunday, Radiohead released A Moon Shaped Pool, their ninth studio album and the successor to 2011’s King of Limbs. The 11-track album is now available for download, and will be released on vinyl and CD next month, with a special edition to follow in September. (Rolling Stone) The band also announced that their back catalog will be reissued…

This week at the Local Current, we’re looking back on Prince’s early career as we dedicate our next few history spotlights to stories behind his music. This time, we’re focusing our attention on “Just Another Sucker,” a 94 East song that 18-year-old Prince co-wrote with Pepé Willie. Recorded in 1977, “Just Another Sucker” came at…

fDeluxe, “Nothing Compares 2 U” Prince wrote scores of songs for the Family (now known as fDeluxe), including “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Following a Susannah Melvoin introduction, fDeluxe and Minnesota’s own STRINGenius ensemble perform the song in this video, offering it up as their heartfelt tribute. Janet Jackson, “Dammn Baby” Honorary Minnesotan Janet Jackson dropped a video…

Artist Chris Larson is creating a video installation called Land Speed Record, named after the 1981 Hüsker Dü album and inspired by the history of the 7th Street Entry. The installation, which will be on display at the Walker Art Center from June 9 to Jan. 8, features video exploring objects damaged in a 2011 fire at the childhood…

“Paisley Park,” the phrase, is everywhere in Prince’s past. It’s a song from his 1985 album Around the World in a Day; it’s also the name of Paisley Park Records, a label, active from 1985 to 1994, that signed artists such as Sheila E., Carmen Electra, and Mavis Staples. Most notably, the phrase serves as shorthand for Paisley Park Studios, which officially…

The list of rock performers who could have been considered Prince’s peers in terms of pure musical talent is very short, but near the top of it would surely be Paul McCartney. At McCartney’s Wednesday night show at Target Center — the first of a two-night stand — the former Beatle paid tribute to our…

Prince’s star on the wall of First Avenue has been painted gold — but not by First Avenue. “Somebody did a guerrilla paint job,” says club employee (and legendary music photographer) Dan Corrigan. (Bring Me The News) The U.S. Attorney for Minnesota and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration have joined the investigation into Prince’s death. “The…

As you can see, Oake & Riley are big Star Wars fans. Let's take May 4th, Star Wars Day, to listen to songs that make reference to outer space and this epic series.