Sad news to report hip-hop pioneer and producer Larry Smith has passed away. Smith, who was 63, was instrumental in the sounds of Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, among others reportedly died after complications of a stroke he suffered in 2007. The "King of the Beats" will be missed. Our thoughts go to his friends, family, and colleagues.
HBO has given details on the long awaited drama based on the 1970's music business in New York City. The series, which will be produced by Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger, and written by Terrance Winter will star Bobby Canavale, Andrew "Dice" Clay, Ray Romano, Olivia Wilde, and others. HBO says the show will be about the "drug and sex-fueled music business as punk and disco were breaking out." No word on when production will begin or when a premiere will happen.
HBO also ordered a series that David Fincher will directed about the music video boom and business of the 1980's. The series, Living on Video, will draw from Fincher's experiences as a music video director.
The long in-development Hip-Hop Hall of Fame and Museum has launched an IndieGoGo campaign to try and raise $1 million to open its first-ever location and a Youth Media Education center in Harlem, New York.
School of Rock is coming to the Great White Way. A musical based around the Jack Black film, will be adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and come to Broadway next year.
Foo Fighters fans in Cesena, Italy, are hoping to get the band to play their town by gathering 1,000 Foo Fans to perform "Learn to Fly." If they succeed, the plan is to craft a video and send it to the band and hope they perform in the town.