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In the spring of 2025, thousands of fans from around the world will once again gather around screens and concert arenas for one of the biggest musical events on the planet — the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the event takes place in Switzerland, the very country where Eurovision began in 1956. Following Switzerland's victory in 2024, the nation now has the honor of hosting a symbolic return to the origins of the contest.
Why Eurovision Still Matters
Over the decades, Eurovision has evolved from a simple European song competition into a global cultural phenomenon. It’s not just about singers and scores — it’s a platform for:
- musical experimentation
- celebrating cultural diversity
- delivering social and political messages
- launching emerging artists onto the world stage
Eurovision influences trends, drives online conversations, inspires creatives, and gives audiences a rare sense of unity through music.
Switzerland — Back to the Roots
Hosting Eurovision in Switzerland carries special historical significance. This is where it all began nearly 70 years ago, and now the country will welcome over 35 participating nations (and possibly more). The host city has yet to be confirmed, but Geneva, Basel, and Zurich are top contenders.
Organizers have promised:
- a technologically advanced stage design
- eco-friendly transportation and lighting solutions
- a balance between honoring tradition and embracing the future
This year’s central theme is "Music Without Borders", highlighting Eurovision’s unifying role in a divided and conflict-ridden world.
What to Expect in 2025
- Over 35 participating countries, including the return of several past absentees
- New voting formats and interactive digital features via apps and streaming
- Possible appearances by virtual or AI-supported performers (on a trial basis)
- A grand final featuring past Eurovision winners as part of an anniversary tribute
It’s also expected that Switzerland will invite special guests, including artists from the original 1956 contest and countries that have never participated before.
What Eurovision Means for Artists
For many artists, Eurovision is a career-defining moment. ABBA, Céline Dion, Måneskin — all launched to global fame from this stage. Even those who don’t reach the top three often walk away with international fan bases, record deals, and lasting media attention.
The contest also fosters dialogue across borders, even when politics divide nations. On the Eurovision stage, creativity and performance rise above national differences.
Conclusion
Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland is shaping up to be more than just a musical celebration — it’s a symbolic return to the contest’s roots and a reimagining of what it stands for today. For fans and viewers alike, it offers a rare opportunity to feel that, for a few nights, music truly brings people together.
Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist are back—and this time, they’re taking us deeper into the world they created with their acclaimed 2020 album Alfredo. The highly anticipated sequel, Alfredo 2, drops on July 25 and promises to be another masterclass in lyrical precision and elite production. With a star-studded guest list including Anderson .Paak, Larry June, and JID, the album also arrives with a slick short film that takes the duo’s storytelling to new visual heights.
🌀 A Sequel Worth the Hype
The original Alfredo earned the pair a Grammy nomination and critical praise for its effortless blend of soulful beats and gritty, introspective bars. Alfredo 2 builds on that legacy but expands the soundscape. The Alchemist, known for his cinematic and sample-heavy style, crafts 14 moody yet magnetic tracks that serve as the perfect canvas for Gibbs’ unflinching delivery and razor-sharp storytelling.
The album opens with “1995,” a nostalgic but hard-hitting track that sets the tone with dusty loops and reflective lyrics. From there, it moves through playful titles like “Lemon Pepper Steppers” and “Empanadas,” before diving into collaborations that push the project into new territory.
🌍 Global Vibes, Local Truths
To accompany the album, the duo released a short film directed by Nick Walker. Shot entirely in Japan, it blurs the lines between art-house cinema and hip-hop storytelling. In the film, we find Freddie Gibbs in isolation in the mountains, seemingly retired and disinterested in the game. The Alchemist shows up, urging him to return to Tokyo for unfinished business.
Once back in the urban sprawl, Gibbs is pulled into a world of decisions, temptations, and reflection. It’s a metaphor for artistic evolution, personal struggle, and the weight of legacy — themes that Alfredo 2 explores track by track.
🎤 Guest Appearances That Deliver
Each featured artist on Alfredo 2 brings their A-game. Anderson .Paak appears on “Ensalada,” adding his signature groove and soul. Larry June joins Gibbs on “Feeling,” a track laced with West Coast flavor and smooth luxury talk. Meanwhile, JID brings his rapid-fire, acrobatic flow to “Gold Feet,” elevating the record’s energy with lyrical agility.
These collaborations don’t feel like filler—they expand the album’s emotional and stylistic range, offering lightness, introspection, and swagger in equal measure.
🧠 Themes & Tracklist Highlights
Lyrically, Gibbs moves fluidly between past and present—reminiscing on his days hustling while meditating on his current place in the industry. On “I Still Love H.E.R.,” he pays homage to hip-hop culture itself, while “Shangri La” and “Lavish Habits” explore the tension between peace and materialism.
The Alchemist, as always, delivers beats that feel dug from vinyl crates in alternate universes—gritty, textured, and hauntingly beautiful. His production here is not just a backdrop but a co-narrator of the album’s story.
🏔️ Still Climbing Mountains
The closing track, “A Thousand Mountains,” feels like a summation of the entire Alfredo saga. It’s cinematic, introspective, and raw—a quiet thunderstorm of bars and beats that suggests this might not be the end, but rather another step in a longer journey.
Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist aren’t just revisiting old territory—they’re elevating it. Alfredo 2 is a rare sequel that actually enriches its predecessor, giving fans both continuity and evolution.
🎶 Full Alfredo 2 Tracklist:
- 1995
- Mar-a-Lago
- Lemon Pepper Steppers
- Ensalada (ft. Anderson .Paak)
- Empanadas
- Skinny Suge II
- Feeling (ft. Larry June)
- I Still Love H.E.R.
- Shangri La
- Gas Station Sushi
- Lavish Habits
- Gold Feet (ft. JID)
- Jean Claude
- A Thousand Mountains
Few bands have left as lasting a mark on punk and grunge culture as L7. Now, four decades since their formation, the iconic all-female group is preparing to celebrate their 40th anniversary with a blowout show in their hometown of Los Angeles. Mark your calendars: on Friday, October 3, the Belasco Theater will transform into a riotous celebration of punk, power, and persistence — with help from fellow legends Lunachicks and the Brazilian dance-punk force CSS.
⚡ Four Decades of Defiance
Formed in 1985 by vocalist Donita Sparks and guitarist Suzi Gardner, L7 quickly carved out a space for themselves in the male-dominated rock scene. Their raw sound, politically charged lyrics, and unapologetic stage presence made them not just a band, but a movement. Albums like Bricks Are Heavy and Smell the Magic captured a unique fusion of punk grit and metal muscle, inspiring a generation of riot grrrls and alt-rock rebels.
Though they disbanded in 2001 after years of pushing the envelope, L7 returned in the mid-2010s, proving their fire hadn’t dimmed. Their 2019 comeback album Scatter the Rats was a loud declaration that they still had something to say — and weren’t afraid to shout it.
🧨 A Lineup Full of Attitude
Curated personally by Donita Sparks, the anniversary show will feature not just L7, but two other explosive acts: Lunachicks and CSS. “I think all three of our bands share a certain sense of humor, political right-on-ness, and bombastic energy,” Sparks said in a statement. “So, look out, mellow ones… you will be rocking!”
The Lunachicks — notorious for their wild performances and irreverent spirit — are a perfect fit for the event. Emerging from the late ’80s NYC punk scene, they’ve long embodied feminist rage and satire in equal measure. Meanwhile, CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) brings a Brazilian twist to the night, known for their danceable blend of indie rock and electroclash, paired with a mischievous, DIY ethos.
🔥 The Belasco Will Burn (Metaphorically)
Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, The Belasco is an intimate yet grand venue — the perfect place to host a celebration that honors four decades of underground music defiance. The date: Friday, October 3. Fans can expect a night of unfiltered rock, defiant fashion, and sisterhood-driven chaos.
More artists are expected to be added to the bill, making this a must-see event for lovers of punk history and high-octane live shows. Whether you’ve been a fan since the ’80s or discovered L7 through their recent revival, this is a moment worth experiencing.
💬 Why It Still Matters
L7 has always been more than music — they’ve been about pushing back. Against norms. Against silence. Against being told to sit down and shut up. Their legacy is one of empowerment and noise, and in 2025, they’re still turning up the volume.
In a world where the cultural conversation around gender, power, and resistance is still evolving, their music feels as necessary as ever. Celebrating 40 years of L7 isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s a reminder that the punk spirit lives on, loud and proud.
🎟️ Tickets are expected to sell out fast. So dig out your Docs, spike your hair, and get ready to scream along with three generations of rock icons. This isn’t just a concert — it’s a celebration of attitude, rebellion, and 40 years of making noise.