Ever since Kanye West’s magnificent album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy released on November 22, things have been pretty quiet on the West front.  Besides downloading the holiday-themed G.O.O.D. Friday joint “Christmas In Harlem” and watching a leak of the upcoming “Monster” music video hitting the ‘Net, fans have been sitting idly by rocking out to “Dark Fantasy” in anticipation of another major release dubbed Watch the Throne. It’s a collaborative album between rap gods West and his mentor Jay-Z.  Originally ‘Ye billed it as a 5-track EP but after time he admitted enough tracks would be made to consider it a full-length album.  Sweet music to fans’ ears. So what’s all the hub-bub about it spreading around the Internets today?  Well… at a New Years Eve party in Las Vegas West (drunkenly?) announced, “Watch the Throne, coming in one week!”  So what does that mean?  One of two things, in my humble opinion: (1) The album will come out this week (highly unlikely since Ye’s Def Jam record label has not even confirmed its existence); (2) West was referring to a possible lead single called “Watch the Throne” (highly more likely).  I’ve heard whispers that case #2 is the winner, and the album is looking at a March drop.  Whatever the case, though, something is going down soon so be ready.

Update (1/6): Looks like I was right.  Today ‘Ye posted a Twitpic of the elaborately designed lead single artwork and it’s called “H-A-M.”  The track will drop 1/11/11, that’s next Tuesday.

Side note: The New Years Eve party I mentioned earlier… it took place at Las Vegas’ Marquee Nightclub and so many celebrities made an appearance.  Besides ‘Ye and Jay Z, Rihanna, Diddy, 50 Cent, J. Lo and many others enjoyed the night’s festivities. Click here to browse through a gallery of hi-res photos from the party.  And look after the break to watch some videos from it (one includes ‘Ye screaming the “one week” announcement).

Next up is an unreleased track featuring vocals from West and John Legend.  “Eyes Closed” made its rounds today, spreading like wildfire in an unfortunately tagged now tagless version.  Sources say the track was originally intended to be included on Twisted Fantasy but in the end it didn’t make the cut.  Rumor has it that the West-produced beat will be handed off to Snoop Dogg who will use it (with Legend in tact) for his upcoming record Doggumentary Music, due out March 8.  Preview and download the track below.  If the lyrics sound familiar to you that’s because you’ve heard that before in the BET Cypher video and West’s “Dark Fantasy” track.

Download: Kanye West – “Eyes Closed”

[audio: Kanye West – Eyes Closed.mp3]

This news bit is short but sweet.  Over at Amazon you’ll find a preorder page hyping a “G.O.O.D. Friday [Import]” audio CD.  Is West prepping an album to publicize his free G.O.O.D. Friday tracks?  There better be some bonus tracks or slick artwork and packaging or what’s the point?

Two more things.  Today two video cropped out that are West-related must-sees.  The first features classical vocalist Josh Groban belting out Kanye West tweets, and the other is a Muppets mashup of the Twisted Fantasy track “Monster”.  Yes, Piggie Minaj makes an appearance.  Watch the videos after the break.

Jay-Z talks at the New Years Eve Party at Las Vegas’ Marquee Nightclub

Kanye West announces Watch the Throne is coming in one week.

Josh Groban sings Kanye’s tweets. “Fur pillows are actually hard to sleep on” —  Ha!

The Muppets show off their vulgar side in this “Monster” video mashup.  (NSFW: language)