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Chris Martin & Susanna Hoffs

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Earth, Wind & Fire, St. Vincent, Beck, John Legend, Common, The Time, The Revolution and more also brought purple power to "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince"

"To me, Prince is music. To love Prince is to love music," "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Tribute To Prince" host Maya Rudolph said as the GRAMMY special aired on Tuesday, April 21. "He said so much, so well, for so long, and then was gone too soon."

On the fourth anniversary of the seven-time GRAMMY winner and cultural icon's death, the Recording Academy and some very special celebrity friends celebrated his life and musical treasure trove. The shimmering Prince tribute concert, "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince," featured powerhouse numbers from Foo Fighters, Beck, Common, Earth, Wind & Fire, H.E.R., Mavis Staples, St. Vincent, John Legend, Miguel, Coldplay's Chris Martin, the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs and many more. The latter pair sang a stripped-down piano rendition of "Manic Monday," the Bangles' hit penned by Prince, while Dave Grohl led the Foo Fighters in a rocked-up covers of "Pop Life" and "Darling Nikki," the latter complete with growls and shrieks.

Mavis Staples and The Revolution perform at "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince" | Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS/Getty Images

Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Sheila E. served as musical directors for the show, and all performed during it. Jam and Lewis, who got their start as part of Prince-formed act the Time, brought the moves with that classic group, while Sheila served up her epic drumming during the majority of numbers, as the bandleader of the powerhouse backing band. Prince's very own GRAMMY-winning backing band The Revolution also served up major purple realness during the show, performing "Delirious" with Rudolph and her duo Princess, "Purple Rain" with Staples and a joyful, star-studded finale of "Baby I'm a Star."

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Tease Morris Day & The Time's Prince Tribute Medley For "Let's Go Crazy"

In case you missed its airing on CBS/CBS All Access, or in case you couldn't Shazam some of the deeper cuts quickly enough, let's take a trip back to a time filled with "Purple Rain," before the coronavirus crisis stopped us all in our tracks (the show was safely and miraculously taped before the pandemic rocked the States).

Opening the festivities were fellow GRAMMY winners and guitarists Gary Clark Jr. and H.E.R., who performed the night's titular bop, "Let's Go Crazy." The "Hard Place" singer rocked a fabulously shiny, iridescent white jumpsuit with a color-coordinating electric guitar, while the "This Land" artist stylishly contrasted her in a matte black suit and brown woodgrain guitar.

H.E.R. Celebrates Prince At "Let's Go Crazy" Tribute: "It's Gonna Be A Party!"

Miguel Praises Prince, Talks About Performing "I Would Die 4 U" For "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince"

Next up was R&B angel Miguel, who brought sexy, Princely swagger—complete with white lace and eyeliner—to Purple Rai n track "I Would Die 4 U."

"He set the stage for all of us who follow," said EGOT-winner Legend, who wore a fierce, fitted dark grey suit. He sang a rousing rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U," Prince's GRAMMY-nominated song originally performed by Sinead O'Connor.

GRAMMY-winning polymath St. Vincent followed, donning a lavender ruffled bodysuit and white go-go boots. Before she calmly slayed "Controversy," she told a story of Prince attending one of her shows, which "scared her to death." "Prince's music means so much to all of us," she added.

Juanes Takes Us Back To "1999" In Prince's Honor At "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince"

GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner Juanes, wearing a maroon crushed velvet top, rocked out with a lively rendition of "1999." The Colombian rock star was introduced by the Purple One's longtime friend, Naomi Campbell. He was followed by another song from H.E.R., this time with dancer and Prince collaborator, Misty Copeland. Her gorgeous dance moves brought a powerful energy to H.E.R.'s electric performance of "The Beautiful Ones." Sitting at a space-age white Roland piano, H.E.R. hit alll the high notes with a commanding, graceful power.

Naomi Campbell On GRAMMY Salute To Prince: "I Really Wanted Him To Have The Celebration He Deserved"

Next on deck during the show was another act featuring beautifully articulated choreography, this time by FKA Twigs and Usher, from their slick 2020 GRAMMY performance (watch above) of "Little Red Corvette," When Doves Cry" and "Kiss." Martin and Hoffs brought us back down to earth with lovely duet of "Manic Monday," with Martin playing the piano.

The Time perform at "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Tribute To Prince" | Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS/Getty Images

Not wanting to keep the audience in their seats too long, Morris Day, Jam, Lewis and The Time brought the energy back up with a medley of some of The Time's biggest bops written by Prince: "Jungle Love," "Cool" and "The Bird." They all still dance like it's 1984 and Ice Cream Castle just hit the airwaves—apparently an active diet of Prince music keeps you young and fresh.

Morris Day Pays Tribute To His Friend Prince At "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute To Prince"

Dave Grohl, meanwhile, shared a story (watch the clip above) about the time he jammed with Prince in an empty L.A. Forum. He also spoke about how Foo Fighters used to perform "Darling Nikki" in their early days. Their hard-rocking slayage of the sexually explicit Purple Rain track was the first time they'd played it in over 20 years. Host Rudolph then kicked it over to the legendary GRAMMY winning-soul group Earth, Wind & Fire for a rolicking cover of Sign 'O the Times cut "Adore."

GRAMMY-winning rapper/actor/activist Common followed with a modern update on the 1987 album's socially charged title track, "Sign O' The Times."

Next, GRAMMY-winning alt-rock stalwart Beck sang ubiquitous Prince catalog classic, "Raspberry Beret," complete with the music video's cartoon clouds dancing in the background.

Clark Jr. returned to the stage for a special duet with Sheila E., of another Sign 'O the Times deep cut, "The Cross."

Gary Clark Jr. On His Admiration For Prince: "He's The Best Guitar Player In The World"

Comedian/actor/musician Fred Armisen then took the stage to introduce the evening's true star, Sheila E., who'd already changed into another bold ook. She then led a medley of "America," "Free" and "The Glamorous Life," tracks she recorded with the icon himself.

Sheila E. Honors Prince's Unmatched Musical Legacy: "There's Only One Prince"

Armisen returned to introduce one his "best friends," Maya Rudolph, who'd also changed into another look for her performance with her Prince cover band, Princess, who slayed "Delirious" with The Revolution, Prince's powerhouse backing band.

The Revolution stuck around to rock out with the one and only Staples for a incredibly moving rendition of "Purple Rain." Finally, they lead a packed stage for a very star-studded, lively take of "Baby I'm a Star," bringing out all the amazing performers who channeled Prince's royal energy during the show.

Dave Grohl Tells The Story Of Jamming With Prince, Talks Growing Up To His Records

Photo: Scarlet Page

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Foo Fighters are returning to the fray after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins with a new album, 'But Here We Are.' Ahead of its release, take a look at how Dave Grohl and co. rose to the status of America's biggest rock band.

"10 songs that run the emotional gamut from rage and sorrow to serenity and acceptance, and myriad points in between." Without knowledge of their recent history, Foo Fighters' summary of their forthcoming record sounds like the usual pre-release spiel. Yet, as with everything Dave Grohl has touched over the past 35 years, this statement is grounded firmly in authenticity.

But Here We Are is the Foos' 11th studio effort and first record since the untimely passing of Taylor Hawkins, just hours before they were due on stage at Colombia's Estéreo Picnic Festival in March 2022. The drummer had been the backbone of the constantly changing group for quarter of a century, and so his death at the age of just 50 inevitably threw their future into question. Following hugely affecting tribute concerts on both sides of the Atlantic, Grohl et al concluded, much to fans’ relief, that the show must go on.

Expectedly, the devastation of losing a bandmate permeates their first studio effort since; it takes just 12 seconds to position But Here We Are as something of a musical eulogy. "It came in a flash/It came out of nowhere/It happened so fast/And then it was over," an anguished Grohl sings on opener "Rescued," one of many attempts to make sense of the sudden nature of his bandmate's death. But while the album's words are often steeped in melancholy, its sound is lean and loud.

First taster"Rescued" harks back to the '00s triple whammy of lead singles ("All My Life," "Best of You," "The Pretender") by combining stadium-sized hooks with speaker-blowing guitar riffs and dynamic rhythms. Perhaps not in the right headspace to hire a permanent replacement, Grohl returned to his former day job by taking to the drum kit for all ten tracks. And the majority of this third consecutive collaboration with Greg Kurstin, the super producer best-known for his work with pop powerhouses Adele and Sia, shares a similar full-blooded energy.

Of course, the Foos were born out of a similar tragedy. Grohl only made that rare leap from drummer to frontman in the wake of Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide. The "nicest guy in rock" had initially considered joining Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers before heading into the studio to test out his singer/songwriter skills. Knocked out in just five days, the 15 tracks that emerged were distributed on cassette to friends, with the overwhelmingly positive feedback inspiring Grohl to pursue the Foo Fighters ("the stupidest f—ing band name in the world," he'd later concede) concept further.

Grohl quickly assembled a line-up that included drummer William Goldsmith and bassist Nate Mendel of the defunct Sunny Day Real Estate and Nirvana's brief touring second guitarist Pat Smear to help perform the self-titled debut he issued on his own Roswell Records label. Fans hoping for insights into Grohl's state of mind may have been left disappointed: Feeling pressured to address Cobain's demise, he opted for a stream-of-consciousness lyrical approach that resulted in gibberish.

First taster "Rescued" harks back to the '00s triple whammy of lead singles ("All My Life," "Best of You," "The Pretender") by combining stadium-sized hooks with speaker-blowing guitar riffs and dynamic rhythms. Perhaps not in the right headspace to hire a permanent replacement, Grohl returned to his former day job by taking to the drum kit for all ten tracks. And the majority of this third consecutive collaboration with Greg Kurstin, the super producer best-known for his work with pop powerhouses Adele and Sia, shares a similar full-blooded energy.

Of course, the Foos were born out of a similar tragedy. Grohl only made that rare leap from drummer to frontman in the wake of Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide. The "nicest guy in rock" had initially considered joining Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers before heading into the studio to test out his singer/songwriter skills. Knocked out in just five days, the 15 tracks that emerged were distributed on cassette to friends, with the overwhelmingly positive feedback inspiring Grohl to pursue the Foo Fighters ("the stupidest f—ing band name in the world," he'd later concede) concept further.

Grohl quickly assembled a line-up that included drummer William Goldsmith and bassist Nate Mendel of the defunct Sunny Day Real Estate and Nirvana's brief touring second guitarist Pat Smear to help perform the self-titled debut he issued on his own Roswell Records label. Fans hoping for insights into Grohl's state of mind may have been left disappointed: Feeling pressured to address Cobain's demise, he opted for a stream-of-consciousness lyrical approach that resulted in gibberish.

However, Foo Fighters' sound wasn't too much of a departure from the quiet/loud grunge-rock that had catapulted Nirvana to blockbuster success. And despite a deliberate lack of promotion, melodic singles such as "This Is A Call" and "Big Me" — the latter penned in honor of Grohl's then-wife Jennifer Youngblood — steered the record to nearly 1.5 million domestic sales and the first of many GRAMMY nominations. Interestingly, it lost Best Alternative Music Album to Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York.

1997 follow-up The Colour and the Shape also had ties to Grohl's previous day job. "February Stars" derived from a Nirvana recording session with bassist Krist Novoselic in early 1994, while producer Gil Norton had also worked with the Pixies — Cobain's biggest inspiration. And just like Nevermind, it's a sophomore that remains its band's commercial peak: despite charting no higher than No. 10 on the Billboard 200, it's still the Foos' biggest seller.

Although the group now sounded even bigger than before, their lyrics this time round were of a far more intimate nature. Propulsive lead single "Monkey Wrench" is one of several numbers inspired by the breakdown of Grohl's marriage, a period the rocker has described as the winter of his discontent, while "Everlong" (David Letterman's all-time favorite song) found him lauding new love, Veruca Salt's Louise Post. There was even talk of placing a therapist's couch on the album artwork to reflect the more confessional tone.

But The Colour and the Shape also kickstarted a personnel merry-go-round: Goldsmith left to be replaced by Alanis Morissette drummer Hawkins, while Smear followed suit soon after due to exhaustion. Within a year, his successor Franz Stahl, formerly of Grohl's early hardcore punk outfit Scream, had been given his marching orders over the age-old reason of creative differences.

By the time There Is Nothing Left to Lose hit the shelves in 1999, the Foos had been reduced to a three-piece. Nevertheless, what they'd lost in members they appeared to gain in melodies. Accompanied by an MTV-dominating video in which Grohl assumed multiple identities, "Learn to Fly" became the band's first Hot 100 hit. And the swoonsome college rock of "Next Year" proved the band could be compelling without turning things up to eleven. It was little surprise when they scooped their first-ever GRAMMY for Best Rock Album.

Whereas There Is... was created in idyllic circumstances ("It was one of the most relaxing times of my whole life," Grohl later enthused. "All we did was eat chili, drink beer and whiskey and record whenever we felt like it"), the recording of 2002's One by One was fraught with tension. Firstly, Hawkins had delayed proceedings when a heroin overdose left him in a coma for two weeks. Then Mendel and Grohl spent most of their studio time warring with each other, with new guitarist Chris Shiflett often left twiddling his thumbs as a result. The situation eventually got so bad their headline slot at Coachella was regarded as make-or-break.

Luckily, the band enjoyed playing together again on stage so much they decided to keep the Foos train running. And after re-recording much of the material Hawkins dismissed as "million-dollar demos" in Grohl's basement, One by One eventually saw the light of day. Despite such a difficult inception, the album spawned two of the group's most enduring songs: the turbo-charged ode to oral sex that is "All My Life" and the contrastingly sweet "Times Like These," a self-help anthem which has since been championed by everyone from Glen Campbell to George W. Bush (and taken to the UK No. 1 spot by a Grohl-led charity supergroup).

While Grohl later became disillusioned with One by One ("four of the songs were good, and the other seven I've never played again in my life"), he's remained positive about 2005 follow-up In Your Honor, a double album which allowed the Foos to showcase both their full-throttle and sensitive sides. Audiences appeared just as enthused about this separation of electrified and stripped-back material: it posted the highest first-week sales of the group's career. GRAMMY voters leaned into all the magnum opus talk, showering the LP with five nominations. However, the band still went home empty-handed on Music's Biggest Night.

A disappointing awards haul is far from the only notable thing about In Your Honor, though. Based on his experiences living with Cobain and Novoselic, "Friend of a Friend" originates from 1990, making it Grohl's first acoustic composition. "Cold Day in the Sun" gives Hawkins a debut on lead vocals, while Norah Jones collaboration "Virginia Moon," an unlikely detour into bossa nova, is the band's first duet.

2007's Echoes, Silence, Grace and Patience also boasted a Foo Fighters milestone: "Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners" was their first ever instrumental piece. But elsewhere, the band went back to basics, reuniting with Norton to produce what some considered to be a belated sequel to The Colour and the Shape. Once again, multiple GRAMMY nods followed, although on this occasion, the Foos got to add to their trophy cabinet, winning Best Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Performance for anthemic lead single "The Pretender."

A 2009 Greatest Hits compilation appeared to close the door of another Foo Fighters' era. Yet 2011's Wasting Light suggested the group still had one eye on the past. Not only did they invite Smear back into the recording fold, they also hired Butch Vig — the man behind Nevermind — as producer, asked Novoselic to guest and made the whole thing analog-style in Grohl's Encino garage ("Why go into the most expensive studio with the biggest producer and use the best state-of-the-art equipment?" he posited. "Where's the rock 'n' roll in that?")

The nostalgic approach paid off when Wasting Light became the Foos' first U.S. chart-topper and added three GRAMMY Awards to their collection. However, few fans would agree it achieved Grohl's goal to create the band's definitive album, its 11 tracks following the arena rock handbook just a little too closely to stand out.

Playing it safe is not an accusation you could level at 2014's Sonic Highways, an albumteased by Grohl as one made "in a way that no-one's ever done before." And he wasn't exaggerating. Accompanied by a same-named HBO documentary in which the rocker interviewed local musicians, engineers and producers, the highly ambitious project attempted to recapture the musical spirit of eight different American cities.

The Foos also roped in several hometown heroes on record, with country star Zac Brown representing Nashville, Cheap Trick frontman Rick Nielsen flying the flag for Chicago and, most unexpectedly of all, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band paying tribute to New Orleans. The Vig-produced affair was still very much a Foo Fighters album, albeit one steeped in classic rather than alternative rock.

The unpredictable collaborations continued on 2017's Concrete and Gold, a deliberately weird record featuring Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, saxophonist Dave Koz and Justin Timberlake, not to mention Paul McCartney on drums. The strangest aspect of the album for Grohl, however, was the location of its recording: "I thought, 'What's the strangest thing for this band to do at this point?' And then I realized it was just to go into a studio and make a f—ing album like a normal band," he told Rolling Stone.

The first LP since keyboardist Rami Jafeee became a permanent member took a little longer to make than expected: Grohl was forced out of action for six months after breaking his leg during an on-stage fall in Sweden. The timeout, which occurred during Donald Trump's rise to power, allowed the frontman to take stock of America's future, resulting in the Foos' most politically charged effort as well as their poppiest.

Foo Fighters doubled down on the big hooks for 2021's Medicine at Midnight, resulting in their first ever consecutive No.1. Grohl even compared it to Let's Dance, the David Bowie record which briefly reinvented the musical chameleon as the ultimate party-starter. GRAMMY voters obviously approved, awarding the band Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song for "Waiting on a War" and Best Rock Performance for "Making a Fire." Of course, just over a year later the feel-good vibes dissipated in the most heartbreaking way imaginable.

Whereas Grohl completely avoided the subject of Cobain's passing on Foo Fighters’ debut LP, almost every song on their 11th album alludes to Hawkins'.

Under You" finds Grohl looking at "pictures of us sharing cigarettes and songs," going through the various stages of grief via a punchy piece of power pop. And on the cathartic title track, the frontman unleashes the kind of fierce, throat-busting howls more suited to his extracurricular forays into death metal.

And then there's the behemoth named "The Teacher." Surpassing "Come Back" as the Foos' longest song, the 10-minute epic is also one of their most powerful, encompassing themes of existential despair and extolling various life lessons ("Try to make good with the air that's left/Counting every minute, living breath by breath") while segueing from riotous post-grunge to bittersweet folk-rock and back again.

But Here We Are does have other quieter moments of introspection. Violet Maye Grohl — teenage daughter of the Foos’ leader — lends her cooing tones and a reassuring presence ("I'll take care of everything from now on") to the gorgeously ethereal melodies and dreamy crystalline guitars of "Show Me How." And there's unlikely to be a dry eye in the house as a hushed Grohl Sr. bids a final farewell on the closing stripped-back bars of finale Rest, ("Waking up, I had another dream of us/In the warm Virginia sun/There I will meet you").

The recent appointment of Josh Freese, the journeyman drummer who appears to have played with every notable rock band of the past 30 years, appears to confirm this won't be the last we hear from Foo Fighters. Indeed, Grohl and company have described But Here We Are as "the first chapter of the band's new life." This heartfelt yet utterly emphatic tribute suggests it will be just as compelling as those gone by.

Foo Fighters Are An Indestructible Music Juggernaut. But Taylor Hawkins' Death Shows That They're Human Beings, Too.

Photos: Alberto Tamargo; Xavi Torrent/WireImage; Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for REVOLVE; Rachpoot Bauer-Griffin/GC Image; Scott Dudelson/Getty Images; Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns; Jim Bennett/WireImage; Jim Bennett/Getty Images

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From highly-anticipated debuts to long-awaited returns, check out 15 albums dropping this June from Kim Petras, Amaarae, Foo Fighters and many more.

June is an important moment in the year, as it brings us Pride Month, Black Music Month and Juneteenth. It also marks the official start of summer, where rising temperatures invite late afternoons enjoying good music — whether it's outdoors at one of the season's many festivals or in the comfort of your own home.

As for the good music, this month brings us plenty of new releases by queer artists, like Kim Petras' long-awaited debut, Feed The Beast, and the Aces’ I’ve Loved You For So Long. Black musicians have much on offer in June as well, including Janelle Monáe (who is also queer) The Age of Pleasure, house music DJ and producer Jayda G's Guy, and Ghana-born singer Amaarae's Fountain Baby. Last but not least, June also marks the return of both Foo Fighters and Lucinda Williams after life-altering events, and the ultimate release of Bob Dylan's 2021 concert film soundtrack, Shadow Kingdom.

To inspire you further with their bold artistry and moving stories, GRAMMY.com compiled a guide to the 15 must-hear albums dropping June 2023.

Release date: June 2

In dark times, humans often turn to art. Even if they have no answers for what the future holds, the transmuting power of expression reminds us that, sometimes, existing is enough. But Here We Are, Foo Fighters’ 11th studio album, does just that.

After "a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances," as they state in their website — referring to the sudden loss of longtime drummer, Taylor Hawkins, and of frontman Dave Grohl's mother, Virginia — they find both grievance and strength in what has been called "the first chapter of the band's new life."

In support of this change, Foo Fighters have announced over 25 performances across the U.S. and Europe in the upcoming months. But Here We Are drops on June 2, and features ten new tracks, including promotional singles "Rescued," "Under You," "Show Me How," and "The Teacher."

Release date: June 2

For most of his life, the Uruguay-born, New York-raised singer Juan Wauters was a rover — never for too long in one place. But as he sings on the upcoming titular track of his new album, Wandering Rebel, "During COVID I discovered/ that I like stability."

In a statement, Wauters reflected about moving back to his home country because of the pandemic, and the personal changes that came with it: "New York was the place I always came back to, but I never really had a 'home.' My parents left Uruguay, their home, when I was young. Now, [in Montevideo], I have a place to come home to, and people that are waiting for me."

The 12 songs on Wandering Rebel are defined as "candid reflections on subjects like career, romantic commitment, mental health, and the personal toll of touring," some of which can be seen through singles "Milanesa al Pan (ft. Zoe Gotusso)" and "Modus Operandi (ft. Frankie Cosmos)." As to not lose sight of his itinerant roots, Wauters will embark on a lengthy U.S. tour starting this month.

Release date: June 2

When the COVID-19 pandemic stalled Bob Dylan's illustrious Never Ending Tour, he decided to baffle the world with something entirely different.

First released in 2021 as a concert film directed by Alma Har'el, Shadow Kingdom sees Dylan perform 14 tracks from the first half of his career in an acoustic, intimate atmosphere. In the setlist, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" from 1965's Bringing It All Back Home marks the earliest composition to be featured, while "What Was It You Wanted" from 1989's Oh Mercy is the latest.

With little-to-no prior information, the film originally premiered on livestream platform Veeps, and swiftly disappeared 48 hours after. On June 2, an official soundtrack release will revive the experience for all those who missed it.

Release date: June 2

Breaking a six-year absence of new music, California's boisterous Rancid are back. Tomorrow Never Comes, the band's tenth album, proves that the verve from one of punk rock's biggest acts in the mid-1990s is still alive.

Produced by longtime collaborator and Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz, the record holds 15 tracks, but runs just short of 29 minutes — Rancid's briefest album yet. But judging by singles "Tomorrow Never Comes," "Don't Make Me Do It," and "Devil in Disguise," quick-paced or not, the quality remains the same.

Right after the release, Rancid will kick off an European tour for the rest of the month, before hitting Canada and a few cities in the U.S. starting September.

Release date: June 2

Pride month celebrations have just gotten the perfect soundtrack: I’ve Loved You For So Long, the Aces’ third studio album, comes out on June 2.

Preceded by the title track and singles "Girls Make Me Wanna Die," "Always Get This Way," and "Solo," the album marks the Utah quartet's first release since 2020's LP Under My Influence. According to a press release, I’ve Loved You For So Long is "rife with songs that celebrate their queer identities, juxtaposed by tracks that reflect on their early relationships with Mormonism."

The 11-track collection is also described as "a nostalgic look back at the formative experiences that shaped who they are as a band today, like pages straight from their diaries that will leave their listeners feeling seen and critics wanting more."

Release date: June 9

Marking her return to music five years after 2018's Dirty Computer, the chameleonic singer and actor Janelle Monáe ushers in The Age of Pleasure. Her fourth studio album features 14 tracks, including collaborations from Grace Jones, Amaarae, Seun Kuti, and others.

During an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Monáe said all the songs "were written from such an honest space," with the goal of being "so specific to this Pan-African crowd who are my friends. I want it to be a love letter to the diaspora."

If its two delightful singles "Float" and "Lipstick Lover" are any indication, it looks like Monáe has nailed her target — while also providing us a much-needed new era for the summer.

Release date: June 9

"Coming back after so long, I had a lot of time to think and reflect on what I wanted my message to be. Last time it was about confidence, this time it's about love and faith," said Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae in a statement about her single, "Reckless & Sweet."

The mystifying track gives a taste of her upcoming sophomore album, Fountain Baby, set to release on June 9. Following her acclaimed 2020 debut The Angel You Don't Know, the album also features last month's cheeky "Co-Star," and points to an expansion of the singer's avant-garde Afro-pop sound, as well as a celebration of Black women all over the world.

Release date: June 9

Canadian producer and DJ Jayda G was only 10 years old when she lost her father, William Richard Guy. However, his memories shaped her life in significant ways, and now she is ready to share them with the world through her upcoming studio album, Guy.

Through a press release, Jayda said that she wanted the album to be "a blend of storytelling, about the African American experience, death, grief, and understanding." The singer also added that "it's about my dad and his story, and naturally in part my story, too, but it's also about so many people who wanted more for themselves and went on a search to find that. This album is just so much for people who have been oppressed and who have not had easy lives."

The first single of the project, "Circle Back Around," features archival footage of Jayda and her father — an endearing portrait that ultimately delivers an uplifting message. As she explains further in the press release: "I think it's just a testament that it's never too late to look at yourself and try to understand why you are the way you are, and strive to be better. Understanding the Black man's experience, Black people's experience in terms of America, and rising above what society tells you you’re supposed to be."

Release date: June 9

British singer King Krule was inspired by "the space between" his London and Liverpool commutes — both places he considers home — to craft Space Heavy, his fourth studio album.

Written throughout 2020 to 2022, the record was produced by Dilip Harris, and recorded alongside bandmates Ignacio Salvadores, George Bass, James Wilson, and Jack Towell. In April, the hazy "Seaforth" was released as the album's first single.

King Krule, whose real name is Archy Marshall, will soon embark on a summer tour spanning North America, Europe, and the UK. The first stop is in Minneapolis on July 21.

Release date: June 16

It's been more than a decade since Killer Mike released a solo album (2012's R.A.P. Music), but June brings forward new, exciting material from the Atlanta rapper and member of Run the Jewels. Upcoming LP Michael is said to be his "most autobiographical" work so far, and features 14 tracks that depict "an origin story," according to a statement.

2022 singles "RUN" and "Talkin Dat S—!" are also included in the album, as well as this year's "Don't Let The Devil" and "Motherless" — whose two music videos form a short film paying homage to Mike's late mother, Mama Niecy. The rapper is also set to perform a 19-stop tour in the U.S. this summer.

Release date: June 16

Florida emo band Home Is Where built a reputation for delivering catharsis through their gloomy lyrics and angry melodies. Their upcoming sophomore LP, the whaler, takes that up a notch: It was defined as a project about "getting used to things getting worse" in a press release.

Produced by Jack Shirley and containing 10 interconnected songs, the whaler "paints a bleak picture of a world in an endless state of collapse — of ruined utopias and desperate people faking normalcy — [but] there's a humanity-affirming undercurrent throughout that screams to break free."

Ahead of the release, the band shared the lead single "yes! yes! a thousand times yes!," and is currently gearing up for a U.S. tour through the East Coast and Midwest in July and the West Coast in September.

Release date: June 23

The much-awaited debut LP of German singer Kim Petras, Feed the Beast, finally has a birth date: June 23. After struggling with the leaking and eventual scrapping of would-have-been album Problématique, Petras compiled 15 tracks for this new effort — including last year's mega hit "Unholy" featuring Sam Smith, which earned them both a GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

In an interview with Vice, the singer said Feed the Beast marks "a transition from being an independent artist to being at a major label now. Spearheaded by singles "If Jesus Was a Rockstar," "Brrr," and lead single "Alone" featuring Nicki Minaj, Petras will celebrate the release with a performance at NBC's TODAY Citi Concert Series, as well as live sets at Governor's Ball in NYC and Life is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas.

Release date: June 23

Described as a project that "focuses on the natural human ability and behavior of intuition, instinct, openness, flexibility, and adaptation," and also as "a bizarre ride through the Montreal underground," OPEN is the sophomore album by Canadian producer and TNGHT member, Lunice.

Following up his 2017 acclaimed solo debut, CCCLX, the new record aims to be even more dynamic, with every track conceived to be performed live. Featuring collaborations with Cali Cartier, Zach Zoya, Yuki Dreams Again, DAGR and GRAMMY-winning producer DRTWRK, OPEN drops on June 23.

"No Commas," the pulsating first single off the project, sets the mood to the upcoming folly. "This track is the result of multiple natural occurrences where the melody, drums, and vocal performance coincidentally fit with each other in the moment of creation without any prior motive behind it," Lunice said in a statement. "I find these instinctual moments of creativity beautiful and inspiring."

British singer/songwriter Maisie Peters calls herself The Good Witch — the "keeper of the keys and the holder of the cards" to her own universe, soon on display through her upcoming second album.

Written last year while she was on tour, Peters explains that its 15 tracks represent a time when she was "searching for balance between career highs and personal lows," a quality that can be seen through "Body Better," the album's acutely honest lead single.

"This is my heart and soul, my blood on the page, the collection of stories that I’ve managed to capture in the past year," said Peters. "A true chronicle of my life in recent history, it is my own twisted version of a breakup album and it all draws upon the same couple of months’ worth of experiences and inspirations."

The singer is also set to tour 27 cities in the U.S. and Canada from August to October.

Release date: June 30

Lucinda Williams is living proof that getting older doesn't mean getting duller. The Americana legend just celebrated her 70th birthday in January — and the last three years of her life have been some of the most tumultuous yet.

In 2020, her Nashville home was damaged by a tornado. Then, came the COVID-19 pandemic. And lastly, a stroke that affected her ability to play the guitar, therefore changing the way she writes songs. But Williams didn't let any of that stop her — Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart, her 15th studio album, comes out on June 30, and shows that she's only getting better.

The project already has three singles out: "New York Comeback," "Stolen Moments," and "Where the Song Will Find Me," and counts on backing vocals from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, and Angel Olsen.

Listen To GRAMMY.com's LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2023 Playlist Featuring Demi Lovato, Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Frank Ocean, Omar Apollo & More

Photo: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

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The second annual Lovers & Friends festival in Las Vegas will see some of the biggest R&B and rap legends take the stage on May 6. Whether or not you'll be there, bump this 50-song playlist — and try not to jam.

As Jagged Edge and Nelly asked in 2001, where the party at? On May 6, it's at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds thanks to Lovers & Friends.

The star-studded festival largely celebrates the R&B and hip-hop stars of the '90s and 2000s, with a lineup that boasts Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Nelly, and 50 Cent, among countless other hitmakers. With a jam-packed roster, it's hard to believe the fest is only one day. But one thing is guaranteed: it's going to be a day full of bangers.

There's also a good chance that there will be some viral moments from the second annual Lovers & Friends fest. Several of the stars on the bill have delivered some smash hits together, and they may just take the stage together to perform them — whether it's Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes for "Look At Me Now," Frankie J and Baby Bash for "Suga Suga," or, yes, even Jagged Edge and Nelly for "Where The Party At."

Even if you didn't get a ticket to this year's sold-out fest, that certainly doesn't mean you can't get in on the nostalgia. GRAMMY.com has curated a 50-song playlist to highlight all 50 performers on the Lovers & Friends 2023 lineup (which also includes current stars like Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller and Partynextdoor), and it will undoubtedly get you pumped up.

Below, jam out to GRAMMY.com's Lovers & Friends 2023 playlist, or listen to it on Apple Music, Amazon Music or Pandora.

Photos (L-R): Dasom Han, Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images, Gabriel Chiu, Rick Kern/Getty Images, Ethan Miller/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management, Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

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Spotlighting artists of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, GRAMMY.com honors AAPI Heritage Month this May with 44 songs by Japanese Breakfast, NewJeans, Keshi and many more.

As spring blossoms and May rolls around, AAPI Heritage Month reminds us to recognize and reflect on the talents of Asian American and Pacific Islander artists — across the music industry and beyond.

It's vital to celebrate diversity year-round, and May sparks additional dialogue about reshaping spaces to be more inclusive, especially within industries that are traditionally difficult to break into. Today, the music community views difference not as an obstacle, but an opportunity to celebrate individual and collective identity.

While 2023 marks 60 years since the first Asian American GRAMMY winner, AAPI creatives have been making waves in the music community for centuries. Whether you're raging to Rina Sawayama's enterprising electropop or vibing out with NIKI's soulful indie musings, AAPI artists are continuing to shape contemporary genres like never before.

In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, GRAMMY.com compiled an original playlist to honor AAPI musicians' creativity and novelty. Take a listen to the playlist featuring more than 40 trailblazing creatives on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Pandora.

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