Indiana-based hip-hop artist Ripparachie recently opened up about being gay. The rapper puts his sexuality and experiences as an out man in the forefront on his album F.A.G. (Free and Genuine). Throughout F.A.G., the 20 year-old MC challenges the discrimination found in the hip-hop industry. The set's highlight is "Love Myself," where he addresses self-acceptance. Here, La Shonda sings on the hook, "Why do they gotta hate me and disrespect everything that I do?" A clothing line, Fly Ass Guys/Girls, is also underway. F.A.G. is available now on iTunes.
Astralwerks posted its second annual Pride-themed compilation, Hey Boy, Hey Girl!: Pride 2012 as a free download at astralwerks.bandcamp.com . This eight-track collection features electronic and dance impresarios like David Guetta, The Chemical Brothers and Air alongside noteworthy newcomers. Whether it is the old-school groove on "Treehouse" by Gold Fields or the pulsating beats on "Video Voyeur" by The Good Natured, Hey Boy, Hey Girl! is a perfect soundtrack for a summer cocktail soiree.
Cyndi Lauper unveiled the song "Sex Is in the Heel" from the upcoming musical Kinky Boots at New York's Pride festivities this year. A remix of the track is available for free download at www.kinkybootsthemusical.com . Lauper wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots, while Harvey Fierstein penned the story. The highly anticipated production is based on the movie and real-ife events, where a man tries to save his family's shoe factory with an unlikely helping hand from a drag queen. Kinky Boots is set to have a pre-Broadway run in Chicago starting in October. "Sex Is in the Heel" has a similar vibe to Lauper's 1999 version of "Disco Inferno" and would have fit nicely on her outstanding 2008 outing Bring Ya to the Brink. The vocal LGBT ally will headline Broadway in Chicago's free showcase Monday, Aug. 6, at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
The Broadway revival of Evita has a stellar cast, which is led by Grammy winner Ricky Martin, Tony winner Michael Cerveris and Olivier winner Elena Roger, who portrayed the titular character in the West End production of Evita. Broadway Masterworks released the original cast recording as a two-disc set. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote "You Must Love Me" for the 1996 film adaption. A beautiful rendition of the ballad makes its way into this revival.
Sir Elton John gave the green light to Australian dance duo Pnau to delve into his catalog for the upcoming project Elton vs. Pnau. Here, Pnau lifts John's vocals, loops them and in the process creates a brand new jam. The number "Sad" features bits from the "Rocket Man" singer's vaults including "Crazy Water," "Curtains," "Friends," "Nice and Slow" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word." The project's lead single, "Good Morning to the Night" features elements from "Funeral for a Friend," "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters" and "Tonight." Pnau vocalist Nick Littlemore is also in the acclaimed band Empire of the Sun. John is pegged to perform at the 123 Festival in Ibiza to plug his magical pairing with Pnau.
Chromatics came onto my radar with fantastic downtempo electronic versions of Kate Bush's "Running up That Hill" and Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire." The group from Portland, Ore., returns with Kill for Love, which opens with the incredible cover of Neil Young's "Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)" that is renamed here as "Into the Black." Ruth Radelet sings in a cool, unbothered manner, recalling Patty Donahue from The Waitresses and Sarah Nixey from Black Box Recorder. Performing at the official Pitchfork Festival aftershow, Chromatics will have a concert at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., on Saturday, July 14.
While waiting for Ruthie Foster to take to the stage a recent concert, I heard charming folk music playing over the sound system. I had no luck using my Shazam application to identify the material. It turns out it was a demo sampler by Birds of Chicago. The duo makes sweet music like the waltz-pace on "Galaxy Ballroom," the Americana-inspired opener "Trampoline" and the superb "Sans Souci." Birds of Chicago will come to Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, on Wed., July 18. A proper full-length album is due out in September.
This marks Kylie Minogue's 25th year in the music industry. She has a summer anthem on her hands with "Timebomb." This electro-pop ditty does not stray from the pint-sized pop princess's previous hits. She has a supporting role in the upcoming lesbian thriller Jack and Diane. The Best of Kylie Minogue is a new 21-track collection, which comes with a DVD filled with music videos that chronicle her evolution. This collection has the breast-cancer survivor's signature hits "Can't Get You out of My Head" "Better the Devil You Know" and "The Loco-Motion." Fan favorite "What Do I Have to Do" is a glaring omission, yet the cringe-worthy cover of Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" is included.
The Taste of Chicago hosts great artists with Chicago roots like Jennifer Hudson Wed., July 11, and Chaka Khan on Saturday, July 18. Raphael Saadiq, whose soulful, retro-flavored album Stone Rollin' was a delightful treat from last year, is on the same bill as Khan. Fitz & the Tantrums will be performing Friday, July 13. For a complete line-up, visit www.tasteofchicago.us.