At the MTV Video Music Awards Kanye West debuted (what we can only assume is) the second single off his upcoming yet-to-be-titled album. It’s called “Runaway”, it features Pusha T (of the Clipse), preview and download it below. (FYI–this is CDQ, not the live televised version).
In related ‘Ye news.. During the VMA pre-show MTV aired a trailer for his “movie companion” to the album. It’s a brief look into what he’s been up to in Prague; there’s deer, a feathered woman, and a title card that reads “Runaway.” Things are still up in the air as to how it will tie into the LP, but I like what I see so far. Look after the break to watch the trailer.
Are you a fan of Rihanna’s music? If you answered “yes” in your mind (or out loud if you’re that enthusiastic) then you’ll more than likely dig her brand new single called “Only Girl (In The World)”. Ryan Seacrest debuted the track yesterday on his radio show. Stargate, who also helped Rihanna make “Please Don’t Stop the Music” and “Hate That I Love You” into smash hits, also produced this track. Though it’s not yet available to download on iTunes just yet, Seacrest has it streaming at his site. Take a listen and share your thoughts in the comments below. Rihanna’s upcoming fifth studio album Loud promises to take a detour from the sullen Rated R theme (think “Russian Roulette”) and head straight back into RiRi’s upbeat, fun roots (think “Umbrella” ella, ella). Loud‘s expected release date is November 16.
Update: Def Jam has released the cover art for the single. She’s totally nude under that dress! And look at that long red hair!
Update 2: Today (9/14) the single has landed on iTunes. And it’s already climbing the Top Ten chart (currently it’s at spot #4). Purchase and download it here.
Arcade Fire, the indie rock band from Canada, just pushed out their latest music video for the song “We Used to Wait” off their recently debuted third studio album The Suburbs. I’m gonna tell you right now, this music video is unlike anything you’ve seen before. The band and director Chris Milk collaborated with Google to design a “Chrome Experiment” that showcases the power of HTML5 inside a browser. Before the music video begins, you are prompted to enter the address of the home where you grew up. After submitting that information multiple browser windows open up and the music begins. These windows open and close at different intervals along with the music and at certain parts your childhood home and surrounding neighborhood become an integral part of the music video (thanks to the power of Google Maps and HTML5 rendering). There is more to the interactive experience, but I don’t want to spoil it for you. Head over to www.thewildernessdowntown.com (preferably within the Google Chrome browser) and check it out!
One mixtape (The First Flight, 2009), two freestyles (“Made You Look“, “Over“), and a prelude music video later, Diggy Simmons is readying his next mixtape Airborne by dropping the first track off it. It’s called “Oh Yeah!” and features verses from Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams. I’ve said it from the start–this kid is bringing a fresh sound to the rap community and his style of rap at such a young age (he’s only 15) is really impressive. Enjoy this track as we anticipate the sequel to his first mixtape due out sometime this year.
After dropping “REVOFEV” and “Erase Me” on his blog it turns out rapper Kid Cudi has decided to make the less edgy but more rocker track the official first single off his upcoming album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. “Erase Me” (Featuring Kanye West) is now available to download at iTunes. MOTM2 is due out October 26. (And don’t forget another track outted by Cudder called “Mojo So Dope.”)
The second single off Sara Bareilles’ sophomore studio record Kaleidoscope Heart has leaked onto the ‘Net. “Uncharted” shares a similar vibe to the first single “King of Anything” and her 2007 smash hit “Love Song” with a piano-infused, pop-tastic rhythm. Preview and download the new single below, and get ready for Kaleidoscope Heart; it hits physical and digital stores September 7.
Cee-Lo Green is a hip-hop/funk/soul artist whose been around since 1992; he is best known for his work with the Goodie Mob, but you will likely recognize his voice from his recent collab with Gnarls Barkley on the smash single “Crazy” off 2006’s St. Elsewhere. Cee-Lo has a new album to promote, so he let loose this extremely catchy and profane single titled, um, “F–k You”. In the song Cee-Lo curses out a girl who left him for a richer man. There is a high level of profanity used in the track, but that is balanced out with really creative and witty lines like, “I’m sorry I can’t afford a Ferrari/I guess she’s an Xbox and I’m more Atari.” This single could be an instant radio hit, but I don’t know how it would fare with the incessant bleeps.
Embedded above is the lyric video for the track (again, it’s filled with NSFW language). A standard music video for the track is expected to drop sometime this week. Cee-Lo’s third solo album Lady Killer hits stores October 4 December 7.
Update: 50 Cent has gone ahead and added a single new verse to the track. In the freestyle he assumes the role of the rich man who stole away Cee-Lo’s lady. Listen to 50’s addition after the break.
Update 2: In an interview with EW, Cee-Lo said that Lady Killer will drop later than expected on December 7. He also revealed that a profanity-free radio edit is in the works. “It’s called “Forget You,”” he says. “It’s pretty close to the original, but not as effective. But it’s politically correct.” So I guess that catchy tune (minus its naughty bits) will make its way to the radio at some point.
The Kanye West headlines just won’t stop. But I’m not complaining. Today Mr. West stopped by Hot 97’s Angie Martinez Show to play a brand new track that may or may not be off his next yet-to-be-titled album. It’s called “See Me Now” and features beautiful vocals from the talented Beyoncé and R&B/soul singer “Uncle” Charlie Wilson. Unknowingly we had heard a preview of this track when Kanye paid a visit to Facebook HQ two weeks ago; he rapped “I’mma need you to kill all the hypocrisy / This is an aristocracy / I’m Socrates, but my skin more chocolatey.” The track literally is brand new; it was completed this morning at 5am! Though Wilson’s vocals were recorded about two weeks ago, Kanye met with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Consequence this morning and rushed to write Beyonce’s part so that it could be recorded and played for us today on the radio. The final package is nothing short of excellent. Big shout-out to Lex Lugar and No I.D. for helping Kanye produce the light-hearted track. “See Me Now” falls on the other side of the spectrum when compared to “Power.” It’s got the stylistic drums and synths banging in the background, but it is not nearly as dark and brooding. It’s more uplifting, very reminiscent of “Through the Wire” and other The College Dropout tracks. It’s good to see Kanye having some fun in the studio again. Preview and download the song below.
During his four part interview with Angie Martinez, Kanye mistakingly let loose an expected album release date of November 16. So mark your calendars and let the anticipation begin continue. Click here to stream the entire interview. Kanye is surprisingly candid at the mic.
Update: Kanye just used Twitter to point out that this version of “See Me Now” is not the final mix. When the mastered version is available I’ll post it here. Also, a “Power” remix is on the way.
Before tonight’s episode of The Jersey Shore, MTV premiered the music video for Eminem’s chart-topping single “Love the Way You Lie.” Not only does it include Eminem spitting his game and Rihanna belting out the catchy hook, but Charlie from Lost and the hot chick from Transformers lend their acting chops to the powerful lyrics. Domestic violence is the theme, something that Eminem and Rihanna have experienced in their own personal lives. Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox make for an attractive couple in an over-the-top love/hate relationship. One second punches are thrown and in the next lips and tongues are interlocking. It all plays out very theatrically and I commend the effort put into it. Check out the music video above and share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Rapper Lil Wayne might be in jail but that’s not stopping him from releasing new music. A track from his upcoming EP I’m Not A Human Being hit the ‘Net the other day and I’ve got it streaming down below along with a download link. Wayne doesn’t pull any surprises in “Right Above It”, but it proves he’s ready to bring his music back into the spotlight. The crazy cool beat and the feature by fellow Young Money pard’ner Drake really make the track shine. The EP drops on Weezy’s birthday September 27 in digital form only. He’s expected to leave jail in October, and you can anticipate production on Tha Carter IV to ramp up thereafter.
After a three year absence Linkin Park is back. Their fourth studio album A Thousand Sunsdrops on September 14. The first single off the album is called “The Catalyst”. The band decided to take a non-traditional route in promoting the track in collaboration with the upcoming video game Medal of Honor. The video, directed by Linkin Park’s Joe Hahn, mashes together live and gameplay combat footage; the result is pretty stellar.
Kid Cudi recently performed his first single “REVOFEV” off his upcoming sophomore album Man on the Moon: The Legend of Mr. Rager at the BAPE clothing store in NYC. He teamed up with YouTube to have a VEVO crew follow his journey to the store. The best part of the collaboration is that the video is in HD and the audio is perfectly audible. Don’t have much time? Scrub to timestamp 1:37, that’s when the song actually starts. Remember you can download the track here.
Moving on to some important news regarding the release of MOTM II… According to Rap-Up, Cudder’s new album has been delayed twice in the same week. Last Thursday it broke that the album would not drop on September 14 (aka G.O.O.D. Music Day) but instead be pushed back two weeks to September 28, the same date T.I. and Young Jeezy are expected to drop King Uncaged and TM 103, respectively. Then two days ago it was reported that his label Universal Motown decided to delay the record by nearly another month. Though this is all up for speculation, sources say that MOTM II is now expected to drop October 26. Bum-mer.
In the meantime, you have “REVOFEV”, “Erase Me”, and now “Mojo So Dope” to enjoy. “Mojo” found its way onto the ‘Net a few weeks ago in snippet form, but early this morning the full, tagless version was let loose into the wild and it’s hella good. Its got this hazy, retro, dream-like vibe to it–Cudi’s signature stamp if you ask me. Take a listen below and click the download link for keeps. The wait is worth it, the wait is worth it. You gotta keep saying that to yourself..
