Damon Albarn attacked by angry Taylor Swift fans after claiming she doesn’t write own songs
BLUR frontman Damon Albarn had plenty of spats with Oasis but nothing could prepare him for his latest feud.
He has faced the wrath of Taylor Swift and her legion of fans — who have even sent him death threats — after he said: “She doesn’t write her own songs.”
Damon has been bombarded with insults on Twitter and more than 5,000 comments on one of his Instagram posts alone, attacking him with vile and frightening abuse.
Midzy4lifebae wrote: “I hope you know what’s coming for you,” while tayswift.outofthewoods commented: “I know your address, anyone want it DM (message) me.”
Piscesathame creepily warned: “Count your days.”
The British star gave an interview in the US in which he was asked about Taylor and said she “doesn’t count” as a songwriter because she writes with collaborators.
‘False and so damaging’
Taylor immediately fought back. In a barbed reply on Twitter, where she has 90million followers, she wrote: “I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this. I write ALL of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and SO damaging.
“You don’t have to like my songs but it’s really f***ed up to try and discredit my writing. WOW. PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering.”
Damon quickly backtracked, insisting his quote, posted in a tweet, had been taken out of context.
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He replied: “I totally agree with you. I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait.
“I apologise unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting. I hope you understand. Damon.”
While the Blur and Gorillaz singer should have been more careful with his words if he didn’t mean it — especially as Taylor is one of the finest songwriters in music — I am shocked she would target him over social media.
As someone who has been vilified online in the past, most notably during her feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, I thought she would have avoided such a public spat.
It was obviously going to lead to reems of abuse and him being “cancelled” by her fans.
Yesterday Ladbrokes offered odds of 3/1 for Taylor and Damon to record a song together in 2022.
Given the rollercoaster ride they have both been through in the past 24 hours, I hope they can make up and make that happen.
Wise ed on Tom's shoulders
TOM Grennan's success has brought him friends in high places, not least Ed Sheeran.
The singer-songwriter, who is up for two Brit Awards at next month’s ceremony, has revealed he formed a close bond with Ed in November, when an evening out in Liverpool turned into a late-night therapy session.
In an exclusive chat, Tom told me: “It wasn’t too boozy. We had a few and he gave me loads of advice.
“It was one of those nights where I was just listening. He said if I believe in what I’m doing then someone else will believe in it as well, and then it’s like wildfire.
“As soon as it starts being spoken about, then it catches fire.
“He’s one of the nicest people in the music industry and very genuine. He cares.
“He knows everything and what’s going on.
“That’s why he’s the best.”
Tom’s second album Evering Road went to No1 last year, when he also had three Top Ten singles.
But he still has some way to go to match the riches of his superstar pal.
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In fact, Tom says he still buys his clothes from Asda.
He added: “I’m on a budget. On tour, I just need my pyjamas.
“Some people can jump into bed in their tracksuit bottoms but I need a full PJ set – a comfy pair from Asda. On my first tour, we were f***ed most nights.
“But I can’t do that now. It’s a whole heap of anxiety. Now I like my home comforts. I bring my own pillow as well.”
Tom is nominated for Song Of The Year, for Little Bit Of Love, and Best Rock/Alternative Act at the Brits, which takes place at London’s O2 Arena on February 8.
He is hoping people back him to win the latter in the public vote on TikTok.
Tom added: “I’ve always dreamt of being recognised for a Brit. Now I’m up for two. It’s massive, innit?
“I can’t wait. It’s been a long time since everyone’s been together.”
Boys are model musicians
BOY Bleach have launched their music career off the back of their good looks.
JAMES Willis, from the East London boyband, was signed to Select Models, which has guided the careers of David Gandy and Irina Shayk.
He used the cash from that career to help start the band.
Also in the five-piece are his brother Nick, another set of brothers, Lou and Jimi Fisher, and their best friend JJ Goth.
The group have played a series of shows recently as well as putting together their single Bullet, out today.
They count Depeche Mode and Glass Animals as inspirations and have already gained a fan in JC Stewart. Expect big things.
Olly stripes a pose
OLLY Alexander looked like he’d turned up in his pyjamas to appear on ITV’s Lorraine yesterday.
He’s no doubt aiming to put his fierce chart battle to bed.
His Years & Years album Night Call is leading the race for No1, having shifted 12,110 copies since its release on Friday.
But Leeds post-punk band Yard Act are hot on his heels with debut The Overload, selling 11,732 copies.
In a desperate plea on Instagram Live yesterday, Olly said: “Buy the album, please.
"And if you could buy it before Thursday that would be very helpful.”
But two albums from Meat Loaf are also just behind them, meaning the US rocker could leapfrog them by Friday following his death last week.
Brandi on menu for Elton do
BRANDI Carlile is the star guest who will perform at Elton John's annual Oscars party in March.
Elton confirmed the booking in the official invite sent to celebs lucky enough to have a seat at the star-studded bash in LA.
He and Brandi became close after the US singer appeared on Elton’s No1 album The Lockdown Sessions.
She will follow in the footsteps of stars including Ed Sheeran and The Killers by performing at the legendary bash.
Even the cheapest seats at the event, which helps raise funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation, will set you back more than £4,000.
The costliest option, which gets 20 guests a prime table, is going for upwards of £220,000.
Brandi said of her friendship with Elton: “He was this huge influence on me and now we’re friends.
“I am getting less nervous. If he is your hero, he is every single thing you would hope he would be.
“That includes how he is great at dirty jokes and curses every word.”
Paris: end of nights on the town
PARIS Hilton looked amazing in this green dress with her chihuahua Diamond Baby while out in New York — but she won't have to keep getting dressed up before long.
The newly married socialite reckons the future of partying will be in the metaverse — a completely virtual reality space.
Paris. who has been a big supporter of NFTs — a form of digital-only art — says wild nights out clubbing will soon be replaced with virtual events.
Acting as the biggest cheerleader for the metaverse, Paris insisted the "future of partying cling out, Interacting with people and being social" is online only.
Paris sold her Iconic Crypto Queen NFT last year for a staggering £815,000.
While I'd appreciate that kind of money in my bank account right now, after 24 months of Zoom-only Interview and quizzes, I really hope she's not right on this one
Gig is go for Gayle
FRESH from going to No1 with her single Abcdefu, teenage US singer Gayle has announced her first headline show over there, performing at London’s Omeara on May 30.
But sadly, another newcomer has had to cancel their European gigs due to Covid.
Maneskin, the Italian rock band who won last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, have axed a run of shows because of changing guidance across the Continent.
Camila's growing Familia
CAMILA Cabello has enlisted a YouTube sensation to help boost her number of fans.
I’ve learned the Havana singer asked Argentinian vlogger Maria Becerra, who has 3million subscribers on YouTube, to collaborate on a new single.
A source told me: “Camila and Maria recorded the song last year. It is a Latin track but has a commercial feel and will no doubt be a huge hit.
"2022 is going to be a great year for Camila with her album also due out in the coming months.”
Newly single Camila, who split from Shawn Mendes in November, had been expected to drop her third album Familia last year, but got back into the studio when her romance fell apart.
With a few more emotional tracks on the record, I am sure there will be plenty to please fans once it is released.
Dua's on track after reboot
DUA Lipa put her best foot forward as she headed for a meal with pals in New York in chunky high-heel boots and a Balenciaga leather jacket.
After a few weeks relaxing in Barbados and the Cotswolds, Dua is back – and is well on her way with her third studio album.
Dua, whose postponed Future Nostalgia finally starts in Miami on February 9, told The Wall Street Journal: “I’ve got a lot of it recorded.
“It has a vision. It has a name. It has just been fun experimenting.
"It has its own unique sound, which is exciting and something that feels like a movement from Future Nostalgia.
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"It’s still in baby form, so we’ll see as it progresses.”
Dua also confirmed her first podcast guests on her new Service95 venture would include Elton John and Russell Brand.