music

Music News You Can Use: SXSW, Kanye Woes, Incubus Comeback

Friday, March 20th, 2009

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SXSW Music underway … Eager music fans and performers alike have begun their invasion of the SXSW music festival in Wednesday, and the overwhelming abudance of music has been accompanied by none other than tweets. Since 2007, Twitter and Austin festival have become an unlikely (yet powerful) match of community and interaction, helping those solo loners make friends quickly while helping the SXSW vets find the most crackin’ parties. To view some of the diverse crowds from this year’s fest so far, check here.

Kanye West charged not once, not twice … But three times for misdemeanors stemming from the LAX incident in September 2008 where he went buck wild on TMZ paparazzi. Kanye will be arraigned April 14 on the counts of battery, vandalism, and grand theft charged by the Los Angeles City Attorney. If convicted for all three charges, the 808s and Heartbreak rapper could face up to two-and-a-half years in prison. That just might make him as hard as T.I.

Incu-who? … Four years after their latest release Light Grenades, alt-rock band Incubus is back and has announced a greatest hits set and an accompanying tour for the summer. The two-disc release, Moments and Melodies, is slated to drop on June 16 and will include memorable songs like “Megalomaniac,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Nice To Know You,” while also featuring news songs “Black Heart Inertia” and “Midnight Swim.” The tour, which lasts seven weeks, kicks off July 9 in San Diego.

Fiddy and FOB-by… Fall Out Boy and 50 Cent are embarking on a tag-team tour this summer — enough to make any hipster, indie rocker, or plain ol’ pop hater gouge their eyes out. The rapper and pop-punk group will link up for the first time on April 14 for their “Believers Never Die” stint. But, like most of us “snooty” music appreciators, their own fans aren’t happy about the unlikely affair. One Fall Out Boy fan wrote, “I would rather eat my own crap literally than listen to 50 Cent.” You’re not the only one, dude.

Music News You Can Use: Prince and a Couple of Jackos

Friday, March 13th, 2009

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The artist formerly known as who? … Well, it’s Prince. The Purple Rain singer will be performing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno for three nights in a row on March 25-27 in effort to garner support for the March 29 release of not one, but two albums. The albums, LOtUSFLOW3R and MPLSoUND, will be available for purchase with a third album from artist Bria Valente exlusively at Target for $11.98.  And if you can’t get enough of the guy, catch Prince for a fourth night on March 28 for Leno’s Tonight Show retirement.

What about the real King of Pop? … Michael Jackson has announced 26 new dates for his comeback “This Is It” tour, all of which take place in London alone. The concert series, which includes 10 shows in July and an additional 18 in September,  is speculated to be part of a bigger world tour that has yet to be revealed. Tickets have been priced between 50 and 75 pounds ($70 and $105), a seemingly decent price range compared to today’s pop stars (ahem, Jo Bros). This will be Michael Jackson’s first tour in 12 years.

And the other Jack? … Jack White shows no sign of exhaustion as the White Stripes and Raconteurs frontman has developed a third band along with a new album. The new group, The Dead Weather, will be debuting their first album Horehound in June on White’s label, Third Man. The band also includes Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age, and Jack Lawrence of the Greenhornes. White reportedly says that the band will go on tour this year.

Speakin’ of new bands … Ben Harper and his new bluesy band Relentless7 have released the music video for their new single “Shimmer and Shine.” The track comes from their upcoming release White Lies For Dark Times, which is scheduled to drop later this year. Check out the video below.

All About Race: Sean Combs and the Secret to His Success

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

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Push past the “swagga”, the mind swirling name changes and the amped-up persona as the musical King of Bling, and you’ll that Sean Combs is brilliant. In a quietly riveting new interview pegged to the 12th Anniversary of the death of Notorious B.I.G., aka Christopher Wallace, blogger Barry Michael Cooper conducts a wide ranging interview that gives those of us watching an up close look at what excellence and creative vision looks like. We learn how Combs’ mind works and his process is illuminating. This segment on the Making of Ready to Die is getting the most hype because Combs confirms that on one of the interludes, Biggie is actually having sex. But I suggest you listen to how Combs guides Biggie’s music choices and why.

Again, in this segment listen to how Combs spends his spare time making beats, perfecting his ear and his producing skills. Combs closely studied how movies were put together and scored and the rules of storytelling. He says he didn’t want to wait for things to happen.


My constant frustration with so many high profile black entertainers and athletes is that they don’t emphasize the hard work, focus and discipline it takes to achieve success. Cooper’s interview is a great step in the right direction. I left a comment for Mr. Cooper and this is what I said: “This is a remarkable post and interview. This is what success looks like when the lights go down. I hope this interview inspires countless young people to hunker down and become excellent at something they love to do. Peace” Do yourself a favor, head on over and watch this entire interview. I found it inspiring on my own road to excellence, I hope you find the same.

Check It OutOnce Upon A Time in America: Sean Combs

This post originally appeared courtesy of Carmen Dixon’s All About Race.

Music News You Can Use: DepMod Gets Apple Savvy, T-Pain Gets Threats

Friday, February 27th, 2009

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DepMod and Apple in business love … Depeche Mode are debuting their comeback album Sounds of the Universe with an Apple twist – they’ll be testing out the new iTunes Pass, which allows buyers to receive “extended singles, remixes, videos, and more,” in addition to the regular album. What’s the cost? While the actual album is priced at the regular $9.99, the deluxe iTunes Pass edition will be bumped up to $18.99. However, the perks, which extend until June 16, are never explained in detail, nor does it guarantee any exclusive material. Ha, there is a catch! Sounds of the Universe is expected to be released April 21.

The Beastie Boys and “weird” sound about right … In an interview with Entertainment Weekly last weekend, Beastie Boy rapper Adam Yauch (MCA) described their upcoming album as a “pretty weird record.” Unlike their 2007 record The Mix-Up, their upcoming and eighth release will feature rhymes, among other aspects like “playing” and sampling. The rappers will also be performing at this year’s Bonnaroo festival.

No Doubtamore dates … As promised, No Doubt will be headlining a summer reunion tour, releasing dates that begin May 3 at the Bamboozle Festival and ending August 1 in their native area of Southern California (Irvine). Other acts supporting them throughout the tour include Paramore, Janelle Monae, Bedouin Soundclash, and the Sounds. While fan club pre-sales begin today, tickets will be available to the public on March 7 through Live Nation.

Nappy Boy cancels gig (gulp) … Everyone’s favorite Autotune/Vocoder user, T-Pain, has canceled a South American show due to what his promoter says are “credible death and kidnapping threats.” The performance, which was part of a festival celebrating Guyana’s independence from Great Britain, was called when the singer received unidentified phone and e-mail messages. The threats are currently being investigated by the local authorities of Guyana.

Music News You Can Use: Ozzfest Canceled, Jacko’s Garage Sale

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

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Ozzy holds Ozzfest … It looks like this year will not be blessed (or cursed) with an Ozzfest, as the big man himself, Ozzy Osbourne, has decided to spend the time working on his upcoming album instead. Though the fest has lasted for the last 12 years, a statement was released saying that the cancellation is only temporary and the fest will return in 2010. The untitled album will be produced by Kevin Churko and is slated for a Thanksgiving 2009 release

Who wants rhinestone-trimmed socks? … Someone is sure to find them worthy, as it is one of Michael Jackson’s items up for grabs in a five-day auction beginning April 21. The king of pop has decided to let go of over 2,000 of his personal items, including his American Music Award for “Thriller,” a basketball signed by Michael Jordan, a customized Harley Davidson, and even his own original artwork. Dibs on the socks!

She’s back, and better than ever … After suffering the tragic loss of her mother, brother, and nephew in a triple homicide last fall, Jennifer Hudson has announced that she is back at work and ready to tour this spring. Teaming with hottie pop-soul sensation Robin Thicke, Hudson will be kicking off her tour in Albany, NY March 31, and will end the month-long gig in Houston, TX on May 8.

Luda says sorry … Ludacris made amends to Senator John McCain and his wife Cindy at the All-Star Game Sunday, apologizing for any offense taken by the lyrics in his song “Politics (Obama Is Here).” The song takes a sharp turn in one line where Luda says, “McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed.” The senator appeared to have accepted the rapper’s apology, as they reportedly “spoke pleasantly for several minutes” afterward. My bet is Johnny boy didn’t know what Luda was referring to, that is, until a quick Google search after the game.