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Music News: Snapchat criticized for 4/20 Bob Marley filter

by Staff

April 20, 2016

A filter allowing Snapchat users to be made to resemble late reggae star Bob Marley created a firestorm of controversy on Wednesday, with users complaining that the filter amounted to blackface and saying that it reduced Marley's legacy to merely his association with marijuana (Wednesday being 4/20, a number commonly associated with the drug). In response, Snapchat said they developed the filter in collaboration with Marley's estate, and that the filter "gives people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music." (BuzzFeed)

Marian Anderson is so money

Singer Marian Anderson will be among the Americans depicted on new currency, the U.S. Treasury announced. The African-American contralto will appear on the back of the new five-dollar bill, likely depicted performing at the Lincoln Memorial. (YourClassical)

City Pages honors local bands

City Pages published their annual Best of the Twin Cities issue on Wednesday, and among the honors are numerous plaudits for local musiciansBruise Violet were named Best New Band, the Blind Shake won Best Live Artist, Lizzo was named Best Hip-Hop Artist, Strange Relations won Best Rock Band, Low’s Ones and Sixes was named best album of the past 12 months, and Babes in Toyland won Best Reunion.

Father John Misty to donate North Carolina concert proceeds

Father John Misty says that he will be donating the proceeds of his April 27 concert in Charlotte to a local LGBT support center — in protest of what he called the "bulls--t" HB2 bill compelling transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their sex at birth. Bruce SpringsteenRingo Starr, and Pearl Jam have all canceled North Carolina shows in protest over the bill, and other musicians including Cyndi Lauper have decided to play shows as scheduled but donate proceeds to charity. (Rolling Stone)

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