Deadmau5 performs at Austin City Limits in 2015.
Jack Plunkett/Invision/APProlific electronic producer Deadmau5 wanted a unique location for his next music video. Through the video game Core, he’s enlisting a legion of gamer fans to make it for him.
Deadmau5 announced today (July 15th) that he is partnering with Core and developer Manticore Games for the deadmau5 x Core Dystopian Worlds Art Collaborations, which will give fans the chance to make their own virtual world to host the producer in the music video for upcoming single “When the Summer Dies,” featuring the pop artist Lights. Core is a game and creator platform that allows players to make their own mini-games and worlds within the system.
“I’ve been blown away by the creativity I’ve seen on Core,” the artist said in a statement. “Some of my passions are game, experience, and world design, and Core’s capabilities as a platform and its creators who are capable of doing all kinds of cool stuff are the next level in user generated art and experiences. I’m looking forward to checking out what fans and artists will create for my new single with Lights.”
Contestants have from now until July 26th at noon P.S.T. to submit their worlds for the contest. Along with the chance for fans’ work to be featured in Deadmau5’s new music video, there’s a $50,000 prize pool, and Deadmau5 is giving away a meet-and-greet for a future show, lifetime VIP passes for his events and autographed merchandise.
Deadmau5’s partnership comes as video games are beefing up their status as partner to the music business. E-sports organizations like FaZe Clan and XSET are courting major stars for investments and brand partnerships, and games like Fortnite and Roblox have been prominent hosts for the likes of Travis Scott and Lil Nas X to host immersive livestream concerts. Scott’s show helped slingshot his single “The Scotts” featuring Kid Cudi to the top of the Rolling Stone 100 Songs Chart, and 33 million people “attended” Lil Nas X’s concert.
For the music business, video games are a relatively accessible tool to market new music, get more sync licensing placements and let artists interact more uniquely with fans — while for the video game industry, music and immersive musical events get press for games and are a means to helping develop richer metaverses for players to experience.
“We’re thrilled that deadmau5 shares our passion for putting the power of artistic expression in as many creators’ hands as possible,” Jordan Maynard, Manticore Games’s co-founder and chief creative officer said. “Core is more than just a place to play and make games; it has endless potential for new forms of social interactivity and artistry. We can’t wait to see the worlds our creators bring alive for the new video, and we look forward to working together with deadmau5 on future projects.”
NEWS
SZA will be joining Kendrick Lamar for his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show performance – find out more below.
In September, the NFL, Apple Music and Kendrick Lamar confirmed that the ‘Not Like Us’ rapper wold be headlining the Super Bow LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans on February 9.
Kendrick said in a trailer at the time: “What you doing everybody? My name’s Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX. Will you be pulling up? I hope so! You know there’s only one opportunity to win the championship, no round twos. Let’s get it!”
“I don’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans, February 9, 2025. Wear your best dress too, even if you’re watching from home. Let’s go.”
Now, Kendrick Lamar has revealed on of his set’s special guest performers. In a new ad to promote the performance for Apple Music, Kendrick is seen standing in a feel as people march around in the distance. Kendrick says while speaking on the phone: “You know this field a lot bigger than people think so that’s a must. Exactly. Nah, I been thinking about a guest performer.”
SZA then sneaks up behind him to douse him in blue Gatorade, a staple celebration seen during sporting events.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA have collaborated numerous times in the past, most recently linking up on his surprise album ‘GNX’ in November. She features on the song ‘Luther’.
Since then, the pair have announced a joint ‘Grand National’ North American stadium tour. The 19-date tour will commence at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on April 19. From there, the two musicians will make their way across the US with stops in Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, East Rutherford, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto, before wrapping up on June 18 at the Northwest Stadium in Washington D.C. – visit here to purchase tickets.
In a glowing five-star review of the LP, NME‘s Kyann-Sian Williams wrote: “Lamar channels what could be interpreted as hate and negativity into a teachable moment, leading you to draw upon the purest emotion known to man: love. In a year that started with so much venom, Kendrick Lamar shares the antidote on ‘GNX’.”
The rapper’s track ‘Not Like Us’ landed the coveted second spot on NME‘s 50 Best Songs Of 2024 list, writing that the single “packaged intelligent, intensely researched character assassinations into a fierce, booming DJ Mustard-produced club hit. Though his savage, accusatory wordplay grabbed the headlines, it was Lamar’s dissection of Drake as “coloniser” that truly underlined his pure vitriol.”
