Sorry we didn't sugar coat that news for you but we thought we'd rather give it to you straight.

MNL is done for the day but you can scroll down for Annie Mac's staunch defence of rapper Dave's new track, Ariana Grande returning to Manchester, R Kelly is out of jail and 6 Music is off to Liverpool.

We'll leave you with a brand new Roy Orbison cover from Morrissey.

It's set to feature on his forthcoming covers album, California Son, which is out on 24 May and also sees Moz tackle Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Dionne Warwick and more.

See you tomorrow.

The Guardian

Image source, Getty Images

The Hips Don't Lie star has been called to court near Barcelona over allegations she ducked paying €14.5m (£13m) in taxes.

As The Guardian, external reports, prosecutors argue the 42-year-old Colombian avoided paying the money by claiming to live in the Bahamas, when she was a resident in Catalonia with her Barcelona footballer husband Gerard Pique and their two sons.

Shakira officially moved from the Bahamas to Spain in 2015 but it's alleged that she was in fact living there from 2012 and therefore should've been paying tax in the country.

Read more

Image source, Getty Images

JJ is launching her first Las Vegas residency in May.

Her Metamorphosis show will run for 15 nights from 17 May at Park Theater at Park MGM resort.

Apparently the show will "peel back the layers of the immensely private life of Janet Jackson, sharing her transformation from a young girl with issues of self-esteem to global Icon."

How that will be conveyed in a visual sense is anyone's guess.

The show will features a 30-year anniversary celebration of her album Rhythm Nation.

Other stars making stops in Sin City include Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Aerosmith and Robbie Williams.

Elbow, Jess Glynne and a DJ set from east London dance collective Rudimental will top the bill at Blur bassist Alex James' annual music and food fest in Oxfordshire.

They'll be joined by the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Nina Nesbitt and the Fun Lovin' Criminals at Alex's farm in the Cotswolds.

As is fitting with the event's name, there are loads of celeb chefs there as well.

They'll be cooking bass though, not playing it.

Image source, Getty Images

Cara even adds some vocals to Rudeboy Lovesong by Shy FX.

"The goal was to create something unpredictable and non obvious which is a persistent theme on the SoundTape," he says.

"Doing a video with a dystopian feel also fits that theme and was something I’ve wanted to do for a while."

Check out the stylish black and white visuals above.

Fun Fact: UK model Cara is no stranger to the music world having previously appeared on her ex girlfriend St Vincent's album, Masseduction.

Paul Glynn
Music News LIVE reporter

Image source, Julia Nala

What would you say are the top qualities that most new students are looking for in a potential housemate?

• Sociable

• Non-smoker / smoker
• Owns microwave

Well, for first year Brighton Uni' students William Murray and Harry Saunders - of what would become Fur - their demands were rather more musically focused:

• Must play bass or drums

Murray, who met fellow Home Counties musician Saunders online after the latter messaged him on the Uni's introductory Facebook page, takes up the tale.

"We quite quickly became really good mates and started sharing little bits of music we’d been writing," he tells MNL, "and realised it was sounding quite similar.

"We met up and wrote a couple of songs and then put them on Soundcloud for our own benefit, not as the start of anything as we didn’t even have a name at that point.

"By the time we’d found a name, it had started gaining a little bit of traction. So, we made the plan that once we got to Brighton, we'd find the other members and start as Fur".

He adds: "Tav [William Tavener] posted on the group saying 'my housing plan fell through and I need some housemates to live with'.

"Me and Harry were looking for an extra person and so we gave him a little 'do you play drums or bass? If so, yes you can live with us'.

"He said he played both! So we put him on bass."

With three of the Fur four in place, a filthy-sounding but fortuitous night out in their new seaside city led to the group's circle being complete.

"For the first month, we didn’t have a drummer," Murray goes on, "then we went out to the only Freshers' event I've ever been to and found ourselves going 'why are we here?'

"There was another guy standing at the bar looking like he didn’t want to be there and that ended up being [drummer] Flynn [Whelan].

Image source, Julia Nala

Several years on, the band who played at the recent BBC Music Introducing Live, external - have just released their self-titled debut EP, via the independent label Nice Swan Records.

It may have dropped in February 2019 but everything from the chords and melodies, to the trousers and haircuts screams swinging sixties.

Classic UK pop rock bands like The Kinks and The Hollies, as well as US counterparts like The Monkees are a clear influence on their music and aesthetic, having been played to singer/songwriter Murray by his dad from when he was a kid.

He's keen though to frame Fur in a modern setting.

"I fell into loving the 60s era," he says.

"The topics and themes and the way things were written just seemed so full of love and having fun.

"Nowadays in the singles age, it's about catching people’s attention with lyrics but it was quite carefree in them days and hopefully that’s something that resonates in our music.

"The amalgamation of both of those [old and new] feels really comfortable to us.

"It is quite a timeless sound."

There's no question that the band, who have opened up for Miles Kane, Brian Jonestown Massacre and Newbie Tuesday #2 Matt Maltese, all got A*s for their ongoing retro project, but did anyone from that most musical of student houses ever get their degrees in the end?

"I actually didn’t," confesses Murray, "I dropped out.

"Flynn’s still there in some capacity at the moment and Tav and Harry have both graduated.

"The accomplishment of the EP is my graduation."

Read Newbie Tuesday #65 - Kodie Shane: The young rapper and growing hero of the LGBT community

Fresh off the back of collecting his Brits Critics' Choice award last week, Sam Fender headed into Radio 1 today for his Live Lounge debut.

He performed his track Play God and a cover of Ariana Grande's Break Up With Your Girlfriend (that's BUWYG to those in the know).

You lot out there in listener-land liked it. You liked it a lot: Two '"incredibles" and at least one "amazing".

It also got one listener all "hot and bothered".

Strong debut then from the Geordie rocker. You can check out a snippet above and we'll bring you the full video as soon as we have it.

The video for I Get No Joy is a film within a film and shows the singer getting ever more bashed up as she films a scene driving (and crashing) a sports car.

They say some people suffer for their art - here's one of those occasions*.

*We're pretty sure she's okay really.

Jade releases her debut album in April and is supporting Brit-winner Tom Walker on his UK tour.

Image source, Getty Images

Ukraine's entrant for this year's Eurovision Song Contest has been dropped in a row related to tensions between her country and Russia.

Maruv's Siren Song won a public vote on Saturday, but the singer later fell out with the country's national broadcaster.

The 27-year-old - whose real name is Anna Korsun - was given 24 hours to sign a contract that temporarily barred her from playing in Russia.

Talks stalled on Monday and the broadcaster revoked Maruv's nomination.

Maruv said she was prepared to cancel her next tour of Russia, but that other stipulations in the contract amounted to "censorship".

Read more and hear her song below.

The grime superstar will be honoured by the Music Producers Guild Awards at their awards this week, when he is presented with the 2019 Inspiration Award.

It's handed out to an artist who "is responsible for a body of work that has significantly inspired others".

Previous recipients include Imogen Heap, Nile Rodgers and Damon Albarn.

Bruno Ellingham, exec director of the MPG, said: “Skepta has been at the forefront of the grime scene for some time, his influence now crosses genres and is felt not only in music but in the art and fashion worlds too."

This summer, Skep will headline the Field Festival in London.

At last year's MPG Awards, Catherine Marks was crowned UK producer of the year and declared that a new generation of female producers were about to break through.

Image source, Getty Images

As it nears its 20th anniversary, the rapper admits he struggles to live up to the legacy of his third album.

Released in 2000, the Marshall Mathers LP features tracks like The Real Slim Shady and Stan.

"I know that that captured a moment," he says in a new interview with rapper and presenter Sway Calloway.

"It's kind of like a time capsule, when I look back at it. The times that it was back then and the turmoil in my life that was happening.

"I had a lot of rage," he added.

"When people say they miss the old Eminem, I feel like it's probably that. You miss the rage. I don't have the rage anymore that I used to have but I still have the exact same passion."

The 19-minute interview, which you can watch on YouTube (warning, the language is graphic) originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and shows Eminem talking as he's driven through his hometown of Detroit.

Image source, Getty Images

The frontman of the British group who had hits with songs like It's My Life and Life's What You Make It has died aged 64, one of his bandmates has confirmed.

Bassist Paul Webb paid tribute to the singer-songwriter on Instagram, external, writing: “Musically he was a genius and it was a honour and a privilege to have been in a band with him.

He added "many musicians of our generation... have been profoundly influenced by his trailblazing musical ideas.”

The band recorded five albums before disbanding in 1992.

Hollis returned to music in 1998 with a self-titled solo album but following its release retreated from the music industry.

Prefab Sprout's Wendy Smith posted a video of the band's track I Believe in You, saying; "one of my most favourite songs ever. The most enigmatic, elusive and brilliant songwriter, singer and musician. A huge loss."

Andy Bell of Ride and Oasis thanked Hollis for "some of the greatest music ever made."

Producer Paul Epworth, Doves, Tim Burgess and many more also posted glowing tributes, some of which you can read below.

Read more

Underground Portland, Oregon rapper Aesop Rock has still come out top of a list, external, first published five years ago, as the most loquacious artist in hip hop.

The study, by website The Pudding, has analysed how many new words an artist has used within their first 35,000 words in their catalogue.

It was first published in 2014 but at the end of January, another 75 artists including the likes of Migos, Lil Uzi Vert and Brit-nominees Brockhampton were added.

Rock, whose track Rings is above (be warned it's a bit unsettling), has used nearly 7,900 new words while Lil Uzi Vert has used just under 2,600.

Brits are represented by Dizzee Rascal and Kano - who comes out around the middle of the graph with over 4,000 unique words used.

Sadly no sign of Scatman John, external. We can only assume that's as 'Ski-bi dibby dib yo da dub dub' is not in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac has hit out at listeners complaining about the station playing the provocative new track by rapper Dave.

The piano-playing wordsmith, who last year won a coveted Ivor Novello award for his political anthem, Question Time, addresses issues surrounding race and identity in his latest powerful performance.

The lyrics to the track - which we can't bring you here due to some strong language - include the following:

Black is so confusin', 'cause the culture? They're in love with it / They take our features when they want and have their fun with it / Never seem to help with all the things we know would come with it / Loud in our laughter, silent in our sufferin'

After a number of "negative comments from listeners", about the track, Annie tweeted to say that Dave has every right to speak his mind.

"Let me get this straight", wrote the DJ, "if you are genuinely offended by a man talking about the colour of his skin and how it has shaped his identity then that is a problem for you."

She added: "It's not just okay to talk about race. It is crucial.

"Listen to the song with open ears."

Dave made the BBC Sound of 2017 list and releases his debut album, Psychodrama, in March.

The musician - aka Santan Dave - announced his biggest UK tour to date for April.

Check out the details below, tickets are on sale on Thursday morning.

Looks like Lady G enjoyed her night, after bagging one of the big musical awards on Sunday in Los Angeles.

And why not?

The singer, whose track Shallow took the best original song award, was found - by Time magazine's well placed photographer - sharing a loving snuggle with the Queen of Pop, Madonna.

According to Rolling Stone mag, the pair have previously endured a frosty relationship due to claims Gaga has borrowed some moves and looks from Her Madge but that all seems to be water under the bridge now.

"Don't mess with Italian girls," warned Madonna with reference to their shared heritage in the caption to the above picture.

Fun fact: Singer/actress Madonna has never won an Oscar.

Check out more backstage images, external including Gaga with Shallow co-writer Mark Ronson, as well as Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Ibeyi and Swae Lee enjoying a cigar.

As well as earning her a nifty gold statuette to place in her bathroom, the Academy Awards have also given Gaga a considerable sales boost., external

According to US chart analysts Nielsen Music, Shallow sold nearly 21,000 downloads on Sunday (up 121 percent).

Another man with reason to celebrate was Rami Malek who bagged best actor for his portrayal of late Queen singer Freddie Mercury in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

Let's hope that wasn't a hired suit he was wearing as he sprayed Champagne everywhere (especially after falling off stage).

If we hadn't reached peak Queen already, then fans might be interested to note that a new documentary entitled The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story, will debut on ABC on Monday 29 April.

BBC 6 Music

Image source, James Stack

Liverpool will host the 6 Music Festival 2019, taking place in venues across the city from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 March.

Lauren Laverne announced the details and full line-up today on the BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show.

The line-up features The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Anna Calvi, Idles and Jon Hopkins, as well as Hot Chip, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Ex:Re.

Also on the bill will be Little Simz, Bodega, Gang of Four, Villagers, BBC Sound of 2019 star Slowthai and recent MNL Newbie Tuesday act Fontaines D.C.

Local acts She Drew the Gun, Bill Ryder-Jones and Stealing Sheep are also set to perform.

6 DJ Mary Anne Hobbs will broadcast her show live from the city's Bluecoat centre for contemporary arts from 10.30 GMT today, where she'll be joined by Wirral psych rockers The Coral.

Mary Anne said: “Ever since The Beatles came together as teenagers in 1957 and changed the musical landscape for all time, Liverpool has been a city that has inspired generations of musicians.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday, check out details of how to get your hands on them.

Ariana Grande is to play in Manchester for the first time since 2017, when she headlines Manchester Pride in August.

Twenty-two people died in a suicide attack outside her show at Manchester Arena in May 2017.

She returned within weeks to perform at the hastily-arranged star-studded benefit gig, One Love Manchester (above).

Now, the US pop star will head back to the city to headline the LGBT+ event at a new 9,000-capacity outdoor venue at an old railway depot on Sunday 25 August.

Ari is currently at both number one and two in the UK singles chart and also has the number one album, with Thank U, Next.

The 25-year-old had previously said she would play a "a special show" in Manchester as part of her forthcoming world tour, but hadn't confirmed details.

"Manchester babes, I'm so thrilled to be headlining Pride, my heart," she tweeted, followed by a subsequent post of a bee emoji; the symbol of the city.

"I can't wait to see you and I love you so so much."

Read more

The first night of Manchester Pride on Saturday 24 August will be headlined by Years & Years, while 1980s pop group Bananarama will support Ariana on the Sunday.

R&B star R Kelly has been released from a Chicago jail after posting $100,000 (£76,000) bail, a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said.

Earlier on Monday he pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against four women, three of whom were minors at the time.

The 52-year-old, dressed in a blue coat, did not speak to media as he was escorted from jail by his lawyer.

He had turned himself in to police on Friday and spent the weekend in jail.

The singer has faced decades of sexual abuse claims and has denied all previous allegations.

Read more

Image source, Getty Images

Morning all and Happy Tuesday!

Coming up in tody's MNL:

• Ariana Grande set for emotional Manchester return to Manchester

• R. Kelly released from prison on bond
• Lady Gaga and Madonna enjoy the Oscars after-party
• The rapper with the largest vocabulary in hip hop is revealed
• Plus a Newbie Tuesday act straight from the swinging 60s - via Brighton Uni

It may well be Tuesday but let's kick-off today with Sunday, from Foals' forthcoming new album; Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Part 1.

A great title and good reminder to log off your work computer properly.