Kanye’s performance at the VMA’s has sparked some speculation as to if he is really working on an album, how the fu*k he has time to do so, and what it would be called. In news a few weeks back, Kanye was slated to produce the entire Blueprint 3, and word is he’s still doing that. At the same time, he’s working on new music for his own fourth album. The first single, “Love Lockdown,” was put up on the site earlier today, and sounds like very different territory for Kanye. The album is rumored to feature a bit more of the vocoder and a lot of love-themed tracks. Supposedly Kanye’s done four tracks so far, and he’s working on completing the rest.
The name of the album is rumored to be titled 808′s & Heartbreak. Maybe Ye’s still a bit sour after his breakup from his fiance a few months back. Either way, one thing’s for sure – Kanye’s innovative musical ear and knack for catchy lyrics will definitely make his fourth album a hit. And if anyone doubts that Ye puts in work, he just stuck a proverbial foot up your mouth. Look for the album to hit stores on December 16th on Def Jam/GOOD.
Not really feeling the facial hair on Kanye at all. Maybe he is hoping that some sponsor will see him as a worthwhile figure to endorse their shaving products or razors or something. This was him back stage at the VMA Awards last night in Los Angeles where all sorts of odd things took place, Brit getting 3 VMAs, T Pain making his entrance on the back of an elephant, Fatman Scoop turning up in his draws, the list goes on and on.
If you didn’t catch the MTV VMA’s last night – there were a few highlights you should catch on the rerun. Wayne performed with T-Pain, Travis Barker & DJ AM were the house band, Britney Spears won three awards, and Kanye absolutely shut the house down with his new single, “Love Lockdown.” Supposedly the new track is off his new album, set to drop by December. He had an enormous stage backdrop and had what seemed like a 30-piece drumline – clearly inspired by China’s Opening Ceremony for the Olympics.
Download “Love Lockdown” below and let us know what you think of Kanye’s new direction.
Kanye West – “Love Lockdown (Live)”
Format Magazine has made a replica of what they think Kanye’s personal diary would look like. Below are a few pages from the collection – and they just might have it right. I have to admit – they rip Kanye a little bit, and I’m a huge fan, but this is still really fun. On another note, Ye will perform the closing of the VMA’s next week.
Warner music pulled down Estelle and Kanye West’s American Boy down off ITunes this week, hoping that fans would go out and buy the English singers entire album as opposed to the track that sat on the top of various charts this Summer.
Since doing this the album Shine has dropped even lower and the single has gone from 11 on the Billboard chart to 37. Was this a wise move by the label? Is some money better than no money?
In a post from a few weeks ago, I mentioned Common was filming a video for one of his two new singles, and it turns out it was for “Announcement.” Check out the video below and enjoy the ridiculously heavy green-screenery. I’m still pretty iffy about the whole Common/Pharrell summer-y album, but we’ll see soon enough. Both singles are pretty average so far. Let us know what you think.
Common feat. Pharrell – Announcement Video
Clothing like Mishka has been making waves in NYC and about for a few years now. Originally started by three kids of Russian descent in New York, the line is now offered around the country in boutiques and has an extensive selection on KarmaLoop, WorkMens, and their own site. The focus is primarily custom tee’s and custom hats. Check out some photos below of some of my favorite stuff offered on their site, and check it out for yourself at MishkaNYC.com.
Looks like the leak of Swagga Like Us has maddened one of the four artists present. With a one year sentence on the horizon you can kind of understand why Tip is a lil heated about the track featuring himself, Weezy, Kanye and Jigga.
The track which has had mixed reviews from fans and the industry was not supposed to be available until late next month according to TI who had this to say on the subject ‘Wait till the cake comes out the kitchen before you eat it. That’s like a kid who sees his toys before Christmas; it takes away from me and from the fans as well.’
Ahh well as we all know the leak is more guaranteed that a hit is these days.
Last year, Kanye’s Can’t Tell Me Nothing Mixtape featured some of his own material and some quality songs from cohorts like Common, Kweli and 88-Keys. One track was entitled “Stay Up,” and featured a verse from Yeezy and a poem from Malik Yusef. Now, as I said in a recent post, 88 is prepping his debut album, and what seems to be the first single has been dropped – “Stay Up.” Download the full version below and tell us what you think about the collaboration.
Download: 88 Keys feat. Kanye West – “Stay Up (Viagra)”
To Preview Track Click Here
Crooner T-Pain has been making a run this year that’s been very reminiscent of last year’s – he’s been on several hit singles and is starting to make his own waves with his single. Now, his album Thr33 Ringz is just a few weeks away, and Pain wants his fans excited, so he dropped a mixtape today called Pree Ringz with DJ Lil Boy. Check out the mixtape, which features Young Cash, Gorilla Zoe, and a whole lot of DJ Khaled production. Tracklist and Download link below.
01. Intro (Feat. DJ Khaled)
02. What U Need
03. Cocky (Feat. DJ Khaled)
04. Somebody Tell Em
05. I Know (Feat. Young Cash)
06. Like I Outta
07. Don’t Stop The Party (Feat. Young Cash)
08. Freakin’ (Feat. Tay Dizm & Gorilla Zoe)
09. This Dat Shit
10. Got To Go
11. Reborn
12. Ain’t No Love (Feat. Young Cash)
13. Up & Down
14. I’m Madd (Feat. Tay Dizm)
15. Superman (Feat. DJ Khaled)
16. Dig That
17. Young Cash – I’m A Freak (Feat. T-Pain)
18. Nappy Boy Or Die (Feat. Young Cash)
19. Let’s Go
20. We Got Love
21. Tha Truth (Outro)
Download: T-Pain – Pree Ringz
Andre 3000 and crooner John Legend teamed up a few months back to bring the world a poppy and bubbly hit “Green Light.” Like Andre said in an interview, John brings a different side of himself and changes up his sound and brings Andre along for the ride. 3-stacks absolutely kills it yet again, thus reassuring the world he never learned how to do a bad feature verse. This track is somewhat similar to Fonzworth’s “Everybody,” but much quicker and dance-ready. Check out the video link below and let us know what you think!
John Legend feat. Andre 3000 – “Green Light” Video
Four of the most relevant and popular hip-hoppers out have come together for a classic track – entitled “Swagger Like Us.” Kanye West, TI, Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne! This track is ridiculous. Download link below, and let us know what you guys think of this collaboration over an M.I.A. sample.
perspective edit: I updated the link, so that you can snag this track. Plus I tossed in a preview link. I’m going to have to disagree with Dan, and say this track is a little dissapointing. I think my expectations were to high after hearing about the existence of this track. Still worth snagging.
“S.L.U. (Swagger Like Us)”- T.I. ft Kanye West, Jay-Z & Lil Wayne
To Preview Track Click Here
Producer 88-Keys is prepping his album The Death of Adam, and after a long, long wait it is finally set to drop. I heard the first drop from the album on Kanye’s Can’t Tell Me Nothing Mixtape, entitled “Stay Up.” About 6 weeks back, 88 then dropped his very own mixtape in preparation for the album’s release, entitled Adam’s Case Files, which featured Kid Cudi, Grafh, Serius Jones, and Tanya Morgan, among others. His tracks are really soul-inspired and very different from the hip-hop we’ve heard. By making his lyrics comical and utilizing some of the best artists in hip-hop right now (Kanye, Bilal, Redman, Kid Cudi) 88 is bringing the world some quality, quality music. And, with a executive producer co-sign from Kanye, this album seems destined to be a hit.
Check out snippets from the album here, and look for the release in October.
Rapper Mos Def is known for a lot of things – acting, music, a ridiculous live show and an eclectic sense of style. The latter has helped him launch his own clothing line, called Too Black Guys. For the Fall 2008 collection, Mos has thrown in some sweats, denim, crew sweaters and really cool hoodies. Check out the photos below. And by the way, really creative presentation of the line, I like the use of the mirrors. Mos is getting down with modeling too, I suppose.
