Queen: Death On Two Legs

Remembering Benjamin Curtis and Phil Everly, White Lies' album art, Afrika Bambaataa and more in music this week

This week’s #PrivateJam comes from London-based duo Crispin Finn, who chose Queen’s “Death On Two Legs,” which for them is “a driving and work/print harder song” full of “all these amazing backwards silenced crash symbol sounds.” The creative pair tells us that, beyond their current obsession with Brian May, they love this track because not only is it “one of the best put down/two fingered …

5. Kris Kross: Totally Krossed Out

The top songs, albums and artists influencing an incredible year in music

A never before released concert film and audio recording of Thelonious Monk’s late-career concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris will finally be made available to the public on 25 November from Blue Note Records. Monk, a self-taught musician, was 52 years old at the time but balanced the quartet with two new young members—17-year-old drummer Paris Wright and student bassist from Berklee College of …

6. Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay-Z: Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe (remix)

The top songs, albums and artists influencing an incredible year in music

When Kris Kross “jumped” onto the scene in ’92, they inspired young people everywhere to get Totally Krossed Out with their Jermaine Dupri-produced debut album. They also ignited a major fashion moment when it was suddenly acceptable to wear an entire ensemble backwards—jeans, baseball jersey, belt and all. Their ephemeral reign as the daddy macs of teen rap left an indelible mark on music, and …