NEWS
The Eminem-produced docuseries How Music Got Free has finally received a release date from Paramount+.
The docuseries, which also has LeBron James as an executive producer, will debut in the United States and Canada on the streaming giant on June 11. Fans everywhere else in the world will get to see it the next day.
How Music Got Free was first dropped at SXSW this year, and it “details the fascinating, and often funny, inside story of the technology-driven disruption that changed music during the late-’90s and early-2000s. File sharing technology, combined with the insatiable demand for new music, created both the means and the motive for millions of young people to participate in outright theft — and be celebrated for it,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Notably, Em was not a fan of the music piracy discussed in the series when it was happening, as HipHopDX reported back in 2002.
As part of a campaign against it that year, Em said: “I’m sorry; when I worked 9-to-5, I expected to get a paycheck every week. It’s the same with music; if I’m putting my heart and all my time into music, I expect to get rewarded for that. I work hard and anybody can just throw a computer up and download my music for free. It could kill the whole purpose of making music.”
Check out the first trailer for the series below.
Back in February, Variety reported that the 51-year-old MC was preparing to co-produce a documentary titled Stans, which is a reference to his fictional song about a devotee of his music who ends up killing himself and his girlfriend after Em doesn’t respond to his letters.
“Stan” has since become a recognized term (both noun and verb) used to convey obsession, typically for artists and celebrities.
Directed by Steven Leckart and set to be released later this year via Shady Films, the film’s synopsis describes it as a “revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of superfandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic and enduring artists, Eminem, and the fans that worship him.”
The “Lose Yourself” hitmaker’s manager Paul Rosenberg said that the upcoming movie “will be the opportunity for us to turn the camera around and ask the audience about being fans — and in some cases, fanatics.”
Last month, the Detroit native issued an open call to his social-media followers by sharing a link to a questionnaire that will presumably be used to shortlist participants for Stans.
The form consists of questions such as “What are some things in your life that you’ve accomplished thanks to Eminem/his music?” and “Do you remember when Eminem took a break from touring/releasing albums circa 2005? If so, how did that impact you?”
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
