In 2018, the worlds of politics, television, comics, movies, and music were forever changed by icons that passed away. This year we said goodbye to Senator John McCain, Stan Lee, Burt Reynolds, and Stephen Hillenburg to name a few.

The music world was shaken at the loss of several beloved artists young and old this year. While each musician lost will leave a hole that can never be filled, their passing has spawned benefit concerts, life celebrations, and feelings of hope and community among the family and fans that will miss them most.

Here are some of the musical artists that Red Roll remembers as 2018 comes to a close. Their music and personalities influenced millions, including us and our readers.

Avicii 

September 8th, 1989 – April 20th, 2018

Tim Bergling was only 28 when his life was cut short. He rose to EDM fame with innovative singles like, “Wake Me Up” and “Levels.” His music molded the EDM scene, pushing the limits of what dance music could be.

Bergling connected with millions of fans from all over the world. While he was reserved off stage, when he was in front of his fans, he made them feel great, bringing them together in ways that only one in a million artists is able to.

A new Netflix documentary, Avicii: True Stories, is set for release on Friday, December 28. The documentary is said to offer an intimate look at the highs and lows of Avicii’s life in the spotlight.

As Bergling’s profile rose, navigating the pressures that came with fame, proved to be overpowering. The documentary, which was released to limited audiences in Scandinavia this year, is said to be packed with a powerful message.

Director Levan Tsikurishvili said, “[The] Importance of looking out for one another has never been more important than now, and I do hope that we’ve changed something to the better in this industry, especially for the younger generation.”

Navid Izadi  

June 17th, 1986 – August 5th, 2018

Navid Hakimi was a producer and DJ who was known among fans in the San Francisco rave scene. With the collective music group Crew Love, Hakimi became more popular around the world. Hakimi was on the rise when the small plane he was riding in crashed near Santa Ana, California, killing him, his mother, and three others on board. 

According to an article at Mixmag, “Hakimi has leant his vocals to tracks by Deniz Kurtel, Soul Clap and close friends PillowTalk and released on labels including Soul Clap Records, Wolf + Lamb Music, Psychemagik, Crosstown Rebels, KD Music and Touch Of Class Records.”

While not as high profile as others on this list, Hakimi was a loved member of the global dance music community.

Listen to some of Navid Izadi’s work here

Aretha Franklin

March 25th, 1942 – August 16th, 2018

The Queen of Soul left the music world devastated when she succumbed to long-failing health and complications from advanced pancreatic cancer according to an article at CNN.

The pairing of Franklin’s powerful voice and bluesy soulful style moved audiences to tears and as former president Barack Obama said, “helped define the American experience.”

Franklin won 18 Grammy awards including the honor of best female R&B performance for eight consecutive years. She was the first woman admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and from 1967 to 1975 had more than two dozen Top 40 hits.

Accolades aside, her voice today is simply synonymous with the soul and pop music of the 1960s and 70s. While Franklin’s reign may have peaked before my time, her voice is still instantly recognizable.

Franklin’s legacy lives on through films, TV shows, and musicians that will sample her work forever.

Mac Miller 

January 19th, 1992 – September 7th, 2018

At just 26 years old, Malcolm McCormick, known to fans as Mac Miller, had received offers from well-known record labels, embarked on sold-out tours, founded his own record label REMember Music, and released four well-received studio albums.

“His first album Blue Slide Park was the first independently distributed debut to stand in the number one spot since The Dogg Pound’s 1995 album Dogg Food,” according to a biography about the rapper.

On October 31, a “Celebration of Life” concert was held to honor Miller. Many artists came by to celebrate, perform, and remember him together. Artists included, Travis Scott, SZA, Anderson .Paak, Miguel, Chance the Rapper, John Mayer, Vince Staples, and Schoolboy Q.

Online and in person, fans and families have come together to honor the artists we’ve lost this year. As 2018 ends, and the new year begins, we remember the music that got us here, while looking eagerly ahead at the music waiting to be discovered and loved.

The post 2018: In Memoriam appeared first on Red Roll.

Now, they have embarked on their next endeavor with the launch of their own bi-weekly satellite radio show, Playground Radio. The first episode premiered on, Monday, April 2nd, and included music from What So Not, Elohim, and more.

On April 16th, the second episode of Playground Radio aired to eager listeners. Subscribers to Sirius XM can tune in every other Monday night, to Dance/Electronic Channel 52 – Diplo’s ‘Revolution Radio’, to experience the show.

The second episode started with the sound of school bells and children laughing before launching into, “Kick, Push” by Lupe Fiasco. The episode included tracks from, Alison Wonderland & Blessus, Medasin, and more. Near the end, Hauldren and Kennett shared their new song, “Better Not (featuring Wafia)”.

The complete track-list for the second episode can be found below:

• Kick, Push – Lupe Fiasco (0:46)
• Genghis Khan – Mike Snow (4:43)
• Beach 77 – B77 (7:43)
• Just A Stranger – Kali Uchis (11:06)
• Shedontknowbutsheknows – Tove Lo (13:52)
• About You – G Flip (16:19)
• Hunnybee – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (20:24)
• Faceshopping – SOPHIE (24:00)
• Disco – Towkio (27:53)
• Plaques – Stephanie 1993 (30:11)
• Kurupt – Tchami & Malaa (33:47)
• OKRA – Tyler, The Creator (37:55)
• Cooks – Still Woozy (40:23)
• Don’t Tell Me – Ruel (43:21)
• Here 4 U – Alison Wonderland & Blessus (47:13)
• Better Not – Louis The Child (feat. Wafia) (50:27)
• I Fall Apart (Medasin Remix)  – Post Malone (53:51)

Going back to April 2nd, during the first episode, Hauldren and Kennett gave listeners insight on what was to come of the show. The duo told listeners to look forward to “feature tracks, some of our favorite songs from the past and present as well as new and exclusive music from us”.

The track-list from the first episode is featured below:

• Shake Something (ft. Joey Purp) – Louis The Child (0:46)
• Boredom – Tyler, The Creator, Rex Orange County, Anna of the North (4:13)
• Rental – Brockhampton (8:31)
• Diddy Bop – Louis The Child & Jacob Banks (10:42)
• Be Like You – Whethan, BROODS (13:40)
• I Fall Apart (Medasin Remix) – Post Malone (16:07)
• MyBoi (Troyboi Remix) – Billie Eilish (17:54)
• Stand Still (wave racer remix) – Flight Facilities (21:06)
• Fuck Your Money – Elohim (23:35)
• All Night (Louis The Child remix) – Chance (26:59)
• 2 Da Moon – Towkio, Teddy Jackson, Grace Weber (30:04)
• Happy Birthday – Louis The Child & Whethan (33:32)
• Cola – Camelphat, Elderbrook (36:04)
• Wavey – CLiQ & Alina (39:56)
• Alien Boy – Oliver Tree (42:55)
• Pancake Feet – Tennyson (45:39)
• Warlord – What So Not & Slumberjack (47:52)
• No Basic – HERO (50:43)
• Go fuck yourself – two feet (55:11)
• Last To Leave (ft. Caroline Ailin) – Louis The Child (56:54)

After the first episode, Hauldren and Kennett reached out to fans, via Twitter, and asked their opinions of the show. Fans commented their praises of love and wishing the show aired every week instead of bi-weekly. The latest episode of “Playground Radio” launched on April 30th, listen to it here! Tune in this Monday, May 7th, on Channel 52 from 10pm – 11pm Eastern Time Zone.

The post Playground Radio – Louis The Childs’ Newest Endeavor appeared first on Red Roll.

Get ready for four days of music, art, and all the dancing your feet can handle. Between three stages and a variety of electronic, there’s something for everyone. Whether you like it hard hitting, soft and soundcloudy, tight and techy or even a little bit entrancing or amorphous – Dancefestopia has you covered. Check out the lineup and schedule here: http://dancefestopia.com/set-times/

Festivals are for the people. You’ll be reminded of that once you make it on the grounds – top fans will be leading meetups and introducing the artists as they take the stage.

Extended campgrounds run behind the stages and throughout the venue, along with a special Bass Camp area with a full fire pit, art installations, and a secret peninsula cove along the river that is open to camping and non-campers alike.

Elite VIP ticket holders will have access to backstage viewing platforms, Flow artists and fans alike should take note – the three meetups will focus on Gloving, Hooping, and Shuffling! Get your crews together and show em what you got.

Ready to plan your trip? Here’s the ticket link. http://dancefestopia.com/tickets/

DON’T FORGET: Bring lots of water (you can leave the festival at any time to make a run too), real food (combos + bananas aren’t going to cut it), and don’t forget your towel. Here’s a playlist to get you pumped:

The post Dancefestopia: 25 Songs to Get You Pumped appeared first on Red Roll.