Joan Jett

Joan Jett

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Watch The First Trailer For Joan Jett Documentary 'Bad Reputation'

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Take a sneak peek into the GRAMMY-nominated rocker's upcoming documentary
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 25, 2018 - 4:03 pm

Are rock stars born or made? In the case of Joan Jett, you could argue both. But the upcoming documentary, Bad Reputation, might get us closer to the answer by giving us a little more insight into the GRAMMY-nominated rocker's life and career.

A new trailer for the film, directed by Kevin Kerslake, covers Jett's rise as a musician, including navigating the boys club of rock and roll, her first band the Runaways, her solo work, and co-founding Blackheart Records. And it all started with her first guitar at age 13.

"I went and took a lesson and the guy said, 'Girls don't play rock and roll,'" she reveals. "And I said, 'Bull.' … Tell me I can't do something, you know I'm gonna be doing it."

The film will include archival footage as well as interviews with Jett and Billie Joe Armstrong, Iggy Pop, Pete Townshend, Debbie Harry, and Miley Cyrus who will paint their personal pictures of Jett.

You can get your hands on the full-length feature documentary starting Sept. 28. While it may be titled Bad Reputation, Jett's legacy has inspired all of us to shout from the rooftops right along with her: "I Love Rock 'N Roll."

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Kesha

Kesha

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

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Watch: Kesha Previews New Documentary 'Rainbow — The Film'

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The GRAMMY nominee readies film that chronicles her breathtaking comeback
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 30, 2018 - 10:52 am

It's been almost a year since Kesha released her breathtaking comeback album, Rainbow. A work of sheer perseverance, strength and resilience, the journey to get that album made was no small feat. It's an accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated time and time again. On Aug. 10, the GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter will do just that by commemorating the one-year anniversary of the album with the documentary, Rainbow — The Film.

Rainbow — The Film, which was directed by Kesha, her brother Lagan Sebert and Kevin Hayden, will present "psychedelic vignettes" that chronicle the making of her 2017 LP. Through never-before-seen film footage, viewers gain insight into Kesha's personal life and how she overcame impossible hurdle after hurdle to create a beautiful album that showcases self-love, courage and the power of music to heal.

"Making Rainbow the album was such a therapeutic process and given the opportunity to turn it into a three-dimensional piece of art has helped me find even deeper healing and catharsis," Kesha said in a statement. "I hope this film inspires others to never give up even if you feel full of hurt or lost, because after the storm comes a rainbow. Depression, anxiety and mental illness are things we all need to talk about more, and there is no shame in asking for help. Making the decision to work on yourself is the bravest thing you can do. I hope this film helps bring light and love to everyone."

Look for Kesha's documentary on Apple Music starting Aug. 10. In the meantime, paint those rainbows on your face like warpaint, because Rainbow demands it: "Just put those colors on, girl/Come and play along with me tonight."

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M.I.A.

M.I.A.

Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage.com

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Watch The First Trailer For M.I.A. Documentary 'Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.'

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Take an intimate look inside the life and career of the Sri Lankan rapper
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 19, 2018 - 2:55 pm

With a string of popular songs to her name, including "Paper Planes," "Bad Girls," "Borders", and "Born Free," rapper/singer/songwriter/activist M.I.A. has brought a much-needed perspective to the music world. And now we'll get a more intimate look into the Sri Lankan native's life and career thanks to the upcoming documentary, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

The official trailer for the documentary portrays M.I.A.'s career success juxtaposed with scenes from her civil war-torn homeland of Sri Lanka. She discusses leaving the country to live as a refugee in the U.K. and how music has been an integral part of her journey. Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. features a backdrop of M.I.A.'s own music in addition to a score from Paul Hicks and Dhani Harrison.

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A., which was directed and produced by Steve Loveridge, has already earned critical acclaim. It took home the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award during the 2018 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Fans will be able to see the documentary in full starting Sept. 28, a week after the release of the film in Britain.

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Dan Reynolds

Dan Reynolds

Photo: Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage.com

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Dan Reynolds' LGBTQ Documentary 'Believer' Arrives

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The Imagine Dragons frontman's film follows members of the LGBTQ community in the Mormon religion
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jun 26, 2018 - 1:55 pm

It feels like we've been waiting ages to see Image Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds' documentary on members of the LGBTQ community within the Mormon religion, but on June 25 that wait was over. Reynolds' documentary, Believer, is now streaming on HBO.

The documentary follows Reynolds as he explores what it's like to be an LGBTQ member of the Mormon religion through the lens of Reynolds' own journey from Missionary to GRAMMY-winning rock star and fierce LGBTQ advocate. The film focuses especially on LGBTQ youth, who have a higher rate of suicide than their heterosexual peers.

"It was a shaming experience that sent me into the first depression I experienced in my life," Reynolds told USA Today on his experience of being kicked out of his religious university for having sex with his then-girlfriend. "That, on a very small scale, is what our LGBTQ youth feel every single day, which is that within homes of faith, you have to choose between what you believe and who you love. No one should be forced to choose that." 

Believer follows the founding of Reynolds' LoveLoud Foundation, which raises awareness and funds to support LGBTQ youth through a yearly music festival. The 2018 installment of LoveLoud Fest will take place July 28 in Salt Lake City with Imagine Dragons, Zedd, Mike Shinaoda, Grace Vanderwaal, and more. All funds raised from the event will benefit LGBTQ organizations, including Encircle, Trevor Project and the Tegan and Sara Foundation.

You can catch Believer streaming now on HBO, and if you want to support Reynolds' work supporting the LGBTQ community, tickets are available to LoveLoud Fest via the organization's website.

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

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Dolly Parton, Linda Perry Team Up For 'Dumplin'' Film Soundtrack

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The powerful pair of singer/songwriters pen the soundtrack for upcoming film starring Jennifer Aniston
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
May 15, 2018 - 1:34 pm

When you need a film soundtrack, who better to call then GRAMMY-winning country legend Dolly Parton and singer/songwriter/producer extraordinaire Linda Perry?

Parton and Perry collaborated on the soundtrack for the upcoming film Dumplin', co-writing six new songs for the album that feature Parton with a number of other singers. It will also include several freshly recorded versions of previously released Parton hits. Parton executive produced the album, and Perry also wrote and produced the film's score.

Dumplin', which stars Jennifer Aniston and is directed by Anne Fletcher, is based on a best-selling book written by Julie Murphy. The book's protagonist, a plus-size girl, decides to enter a beauty pageant to spite her mother, who is a former pageant queen.

Murphy's book has a strong Parton tie, connecting to the artist throughout, right down to the main character's name: Willowdean, a close reference to Parton's sister Willadeene. So it makes perfect sense Parton herself would be instrumental in the film's soundtrack.

Details about the release of Dumplin' will likely be forthcoming as the film is currently in negotiations for distribution. Parton and Perry are also expected to talk more about the project during the Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out session at the Nashville, Tenn.-based Music Biz 2018 conference.

Of the film's message, Parton said, "It's really a wonderful and uplifting thing for young girls altogether."

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