If one were to sculpt sound into soulful landscapes, the sculptor might resemble Carlos Santana. From his mystical riffs to the timbre of musical tradition resonating from his guitar, Santana is a virtuoso whose artistry transcends simple genre classifications. Whether you hear the opening bars of “Black Magic Woman” or the spellbinding collaborations in Supernatural, you’re hearing the heartbeat of an artist whose contributions to music are, frankly, immeasurable. Speaking of measurements, though, the monetary yardstick hovers at an impressive $50 million in 2023, according to IdolNetWorth.
The world first felt the full force of Santana’s artistry at Woodstock in 1969, and, boy, did it resonate. His eponymous band’s debut album Santana would follow shortly, unleashing hits like “Evil Ways” that gained instant acclaim. Through the 1970s and beyond, his virtuosity only continued to blossom. Take Abraxas, the album that gifted us “Oye Como Va,” or the aforementioned Supernatural, which won nine Grammy Awards and delivered the iconic track “Smooth” featuring Rob Thomas. This is not a curriculum vitae; it’s a tapestry of culture and emotion woven into sound.
The man behind the music is intriguingly spiritual, influenced by metaphysical philosophies and Eastern spiritual practices. He’s been happily married to drummer Cindy Blackman since 2010, and he fiercely advocates for educational efforts through the Milagro Foundation, which he established with his then-wife Deborah in 1998.
One might think that Santana’s business repertoire would strictly be musical, but the man’s a maestro in diversification. There’s a line of women’s shoes, a chain of upscale Mexican restaurants called Maria Maria, and a range of Santana-branded musical instruments. He’s also a philanthropist of note, with the Milagro Foundation contributing millions to underprivileged children for their education, health, and welfare.
Carlos Santana’s life is not merely a tale of musical excellence; it’s an ode to diversity, a tribute to spirituality, and a testament to the richness that results when one remains committed to both craft and community.
MGK has unveiled his high energy new single “Fix Ur Face” featuring Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst.
The intense collaboration sees the rapper turned rocker dive deeper into the hard hitting sound he has been refining over the past few years.
Fusing the raw edge of 90s nu metal with Machine Gun Kelly’s modern alternative style, the track stands out as one of his most aggressive releases so far.
The song dropped alongside a bold black and white video, which premiered across MTV Live, MTVU, and the Paramount Times Square billboards.
Directed by frequent collaborator Sam Cahill, the visual was shot in several cities during mgk’s lost americana tour, including Berlin, Dublin, Düsseldorf, London, Prague, Cologne, Nashville and Los Angeles. It highlights the intensity and intimacy of touring, from packed venues and sweat drenched crowds to the blurred line between performer and fans.
The track was created with his close knit creative team, including SlimXX, BazeXX, RookXX, Nick Long, and No Love For The Middle Child, giving it a gritty and multi generational energy that sets it apart from today’s mainstream rock and rap.
Durst brings a high powered performance, channeling the same raw intensity that shaped Limp Bizkit’s early era.
The video’s look was further developed by street artists Lugosis and Strato, who painted a large mural in Berlin, while Slawn Olaolu designed the character face and jackets featured throughout the clip, adding a distinct DIY feel.
MGK first previewed “Fix Ur Face” during the European run of the lost americana tour, then later shared a snippet during shows in Australia, building strong anticipation among fans.
His relationship with Durst stretches back over a decade, with the two having performed together on multiple occasions, including mgk’s 2014 tour alongside Limp Bizkit.
The lost americana tour is now set to return to the United States, resuming on May 15 with Wiz Khalifa joining as support.
