Stories untold achievements

When Quality Control co-founders Pee and Coach K watched the new Showtime documentary Hitsville , which tracks the rise of Motown Records, they were struck by the similarities to their own story. Over the last few years, they’ve proved it’s still possible for a little record label to shake the culture, bringing the world Migos , Lil Yachty , Lil Baby , and many others. Coach K and Pee — who just released new compilation album, Control the Streets Vol. 2 — joined host Brian Hiatt for an episode of our podcast, Rolling Stone Music Now, to tell the entire story of Quality Control, from the long path of breaking Migos (including having Drake jump on “Versace” and leaking “Bad and Bougie”) to guiding Lil Baby from a non-rapper to a hit artist. To hear the entire discussion, press play below or download and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify. Download and subscribe to our weekly podcast, Rolling Stone Music Now , hosted by Brian Hiatt, on iTunes or Spotify (or … [Read more...] about Hear Untold Stories of the Rise of Migos, Lil Baby and More

For fans of Coming to America, one of the biggest joys of Craig Brewer’s recently released sequel, Coming 2 America , was seeing the multiple nostalgic nods to the original hit . Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway, last seen hopping on one foot as Eddie Murphy ’s bride-to-be, was still hopping. Peaches and Sugar Cube, two rappers who made a brief yet memorable club appearance 33 years ago, re-emerged here for the climax. But with Eriq La Salle not returning to portray the Soul Glo heir Darryl Jenks, one planned scene never made it past the ideation stage. “I’m sorry that Eriq didn’t want to take part in the sequel, because we had a plan for him,” the film’s co-writer David Sheffield tells Rolling Stone . “We wanted to do a new commercial that would be seen in the background somewhere in a scene, and it was gonna be called ‘Soul Gro.’ The joke was going to be that Eriq is now selling a baldness cure and he was also a customer. The ad called for Eriq to be bald and for hair to … [Read more...] about ‘Coming 2 America’ Creators Reveal ‘Soul Glo’ Joke That Didn’t Make the Film

The 15 shortlisted films vying to become one of the five Best International Feature nominees at the 2021 Academy Awards are a surprising and creatively engaging bunch. Their stories often are drenched in history — much of it tragic and disturbing — and turbulent social and political currents course through any number of them. Just four of the 15 were directed by familiar names so, for the most part, the filmmakers behind these works are in the early stages of their careers, which can only create optimism and excitement about what these up-and-comers will do in the future. Oscar nominations will be revealed on March 15. I’ve now seen all of the contenders and must say that it was, for the most part, stimulating to encounter so many fresh voices from some often little-heard-from realms of the cinematic world. Fewer than half of the semi-finalists come from countries typically thought of as regularly representing the cinematic front-rank — France, Iran, Denmark, Mexico, … [Read more...] about Oscars: Todd McCarthy’s Top Picks For Best International Feature Nominations

The Directors Guild of America on Monday revealed its nominations for the 73rd annual DGA Awards in the fields of TV, commercials and documentary. The guild, which will unveil its theatrical feature film and first-time feature film nominees tomorrow, will announce this year’s winners April 10 during a virtual event. Among the notable nominees today was Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso , the Golden Globe and Critics Choice winner. It snagged two noms today for directors Zach Braff and MJ Delaney in the Comedy Series category. It is joined there by HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm which also pulled off the double, for helmers Erin O’Malley and Jeff Schaffer. Jon Favreau was nominated for two separate projects: for Disney+’s The Mandalorian in Dramatic Series and Netflix’s The Chef Show in Reality. CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert director Jim Hoskinson also scored two noms. Related Story 'Bridgerton' Director Julie Anne Robinson On Filming Balls, Horses & Those … [Read more...] about DGA Awards TV Noms Include ‘Ted Lasso’, ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Bridgerton’ And ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Helmers

There’s perhaps no one in the music industry more well-positioned for leadership than Ethiopia Habtemariam, who became chairman and CEO of Motown Records last week. Habtemariam, 41, has worked in music since she was a teenager, interning for LaFace and Elektra. She forwent a college education and worked up the ranks in music publishing at Universal before becoming Motown’s president in 2014, where she ushered in a renaissance for the historic record label — securing major partnerships with Quality Control and Blacksmith and bringing in a roster of prolific hip-hop artists. Motown’s place in the industry shifted from housing legendary R&B acts like the Jackson Five and the Supremes to pushing new chart-toppers such as Lil Baby, City Girls, and Migos. Related Stories Lamont Dozier Remembers Mary Wilson: 'She Was the Glue That Kept the Supremes Together' Mary Wilson, Co-Founder of Supremes, Dead at 76 Related Stories Jerry Jeff Walker's … [Read more...] about Ethiopia Habtemariam, Motown Records’ New CEO, on Recentering Black Music in Culture