VH1 is partnering with AOL to widely release director Alex Winter‘s new documentary film Downloaded, which covers the rise and fall of the infamous mp3 file sharing —some would say file stealing— application Napster, as well as the ramifications that this service had on the music industry at large. In addition to being shown in theaters, the documentary will be streamed online and made available through Video On Demand.
From L to R: Lumar LeBlanc, Bootsy Collins, Novena Carmel, Arthur Baker, George Clinton and Bernie Worrell.
One of our favorite things about SXSW —besides the abundance of Shiner Bock, natch— is that it’s the biggest musical melting pot in all of the United States. Over the course of a few days in Austin each and every March, acts from every conceivable genre of music come together for both performances and conversations, but more importantly, to bond with one another. Perhaps nowhere over the course of the weekend was that issue of “bonding” more relevant than at Saturday afternoon’s panel celebrating the upcoming release of the VH1 Rock Doc Finding The Funk, which saw former Parliament-Funkadelic members George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell putting aside rumors of alleged beef for one glorious hour of truly funky storytelling. Read more…
The world premiere of Downloaded, the latest entry in the Emmy award winning VH1 Rock Docs canon, went down at Austin’s Paramount Theater last night as part of the 2013 SXSW Festival. We were there on the red carpet, where we caught up with the film’s primary subjects, Napster co-founders Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker, and asked them each about the single biggest lesson they learned during this equally exciting and chaotic time.
Every so often, an artist is able to transcend music’s set genres and penetrate the hearts and minds of many. Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994 and considered one of the most prolific singer/songwriters to grace our eardrums, Bob Marley is one of these unique examples. Whether you’re an avid fan of Marley’s message or just receptive to the smile-inducing tracks that come on during a night out with friends, you’re likely to have been seduced by his music at one point or another!
Hitting television airwaves for the first time on Saturday at 9p.m. ET/PT, VH1 Rock Doc Marley will premiere on VH1. Filled not only with rare photos and never-before-seen footage of the star, the acclaimed documentary film also features music spanning Marley’s entire career. With the photo gallery and Spotify playlist below, follow along as you watch tomorrow night: in the order that they appear in the film, soak up the images and robust soundtrack that includes everything from recognizable Marley classics like “One Love” and “Three Little Birds” to lesser-known cuts like “Simmer Down” from his earlier days with the original Wailers, Bunny and Peter Tosh. Lighting up a spliff in the privacy of your own home is totally optional!
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Before opening in select theaters on 4/20, Marley was first unveiled in an intimate screening at SXSW back in March. Now, with unprecedented support from the music icon’s family and close associates, the documentary on reggae singer/songwriter Bob Marley makes its long-awaited on-air debut this Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on VH1. For the first time, Marley’s story —his lifestyle, career, political impact, influences, and tragic battle with cancer— will be televised in rich detail, and for music-lovers and fans of history, this film is an insightful must-see, proving to humanize a man who Rolling Stone places at #11 on their 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
The most recent addition to the Emmy award-winning VH1 Rock Doc arsenal, Marley opens in St. Ann, Jamaica where Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley was born. Fanatically drawn to music early on, Marley would soon team up with Neville “Bunny Wailer” Livingston and Peter Tosh to form their band, The Wailers, helping to usher-in upbeat-rhythm Reggae music as it evolved from Ska in the Jamaican music hub of Kingston. An array of archival photos help director Kevin Macdonald paint a picture of the legendary hit-maker’s humble youth; capturing the band’s creative process and Marley’s gradual ascent within the music industry, Marley also boasts rare-seen performance footage and insider interviews to shed light on the musician’s career spikes, spiritual vision and untimely death. As record producers, engineers, band-mates, and executives wax nostalgic on the dreadlock-donning international superstar, viewers are slowly immersed into Marley’s world; one where activism, the affections of women, and a competitive attitude all played a major role in the trajectory of his success.
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It was a sad day when Yo! MTV Raps ended after a remarkable seven year run. Tonight we’re indulging in a healthy dose of nostalgia by watching the debut of Yo: The Story of Yo! MTV Raps, which includes Tupac’s unforgettable “thug life” rant against the Hughes brothers and Mike Tyson punching host Ed Lover. And what would a look at the story behind Yo! MTV Raps be without a classic freestyle farewell from countless emcees? It’s only right that the likes of Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, KRS-One, Redman, Method Man, Flavor Flav and others send off the show properly. Read more…
VH1 Rock Docs is back with another documentary, and this time it takes a look at the story behind the classic show Yo! MTV Raps. In this sneak peek of Yo: The Story of Yo! MTV Raps Tupac blasts the Hughes brothers for firing him from their movie Menace II Society. What made Yo! MTV Raps great was hosts Ed Lover and Doctor Dre’s connection with the artists that made them feel comfortable enough to be themselves. Unfortunately for Pac, being himself landed him in a whirlwind of legal troubles after the Hughes brothers filed charges against him for assault. Read more…
Uprising: Hip-Hop & The L.A. Riots premieres on VH1 tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and is the latest entry in VH1′s award-winning Rock Docs series. The documentary film, narrated by Snoop Dogg, takes a look back at the riots that occurred in the wake of the Rodney King verdict exactly twenty years ago this week, and the role that hip-hop played in both predicting and ultimately chronicling the tension between the residents of South Central and the police.
The film premiered in Los Angeles last week, and our colleagues over at VH1 News got some 1:1 time with Arsenio Hall before the film began. He detailed for us a story of how Ice Cube passed along a cassette tape to him with an early version of “F*** The Police” on it, which led Arsenio to (ultimately unsuccessfully) lobby his corporate bosses to book N.W.A. on his eponymous talk show. It’s a fascinating anecdote, and one that reflects a time that’s increasingly hard to remember, a time when hip-hop hadn’t yet fully made its way into mainstream American culture.
We also put together a Spotify playlist for you below, Music from Uprising: Hip-Hop & The L.A. Riots, which contains most of the music that you’ll hear in the documentary film tonight, songs like N.W.A.’s aforementioned “F*** Tha Police,” Ice Cube’s “We Had To Tear This Mothaf***a Up” and Dr. Dre’s “The Day The N***** Took Over,” among others.
Ten years ago today, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was taken from the world far too soon in a tragic car accident in La Ceiba, Honduras. She lived a vibrant life in her short 30 years. Left Eye was the eclectic rapper in the influential trio TLC with members Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins. Selling over 50 million records worldwide, TLC is the second best selling American female girl group of all time. Outspoken and incredibly cool, the tattooed bad girl was captivating from the moment we laid eyes on her. She was among the new wave of female artists who determined for herself what identity she wanted in the industry. And we loved her for her unapologetic authenticity.
In 2002, Left Eye traveled to Honduras for a spiritual retreat away to take a break red carpets, media and her troubled relationship. Surrounded by close friends, Left Eye recorded the journey of what would be her last days. Lopes’ family granted VH1 her personal film archive, which was used to make the Last Days of Left Eye documentary in May 2007. For her musical contributions, accomplishments and fearlessness to be herself, we honor her. Gone too soon but never forgotten.
[Photo: Getty Images]
For all you proud weed heads, today is puff puff pass day, also known as 04/20 (see our playlist of the top 25 songs about weed). Perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, the latest addition to VH1′s award-winning Rock Docs series, Marley, is opening in select theaters today. The documentary tells the story of the revolutionary and legendary musician Bob Marley, who was definitely known to smoke a joint or two in his day.
Directed by Bob Marley’s son Ziggy and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, the project is special because it has the unprecedented support of the Marley family. The film contains rare footage, photos, interviews and performances by the people who knew him best.
VH1 Presents Mixtape Festival: Train, NKOTB, TLC, The Script + more! Tickets on sale now at MixtapeFestival.com!
