The Boombox Music Blog http://www.theboombox.com The Boombox Music Blog The Boombox Music Blog http://www.theboombox.com en-us Copyright 2013 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/T.I. Wants to Quit Rapping, Reveals He's Only Working Due to 'Obligations'http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/22/ti-quit-rapping/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/22/ti-quit-rapping/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/22/ti-quit-rapping/#comments
Ethan Miller, Getty Images Rapper T.I. has been in and out of prison recently but his return to free life doesn't necessarily mean he is excited to get back to his successful rap career. As a matter of fact, he shocked fans by claiming he wants to get out of the game but is contractually obligated to make more albums, ContactMusic reports. "I want out, man. What the game is going to and what has evolved... it goes against what I represent," he said on Power 105.1′s The Breakfast Club radio show last week. "What I embody, this game contradicts that," he continued. "I want out. I'm in it because I love music and I have obligations, contractually." ...

The southern rhymer voiced his opinion on artists who fake the life live in their lyrics. "At one time this music was about speaking to the people who felt like you feel. Now, the people I'm speaking to, they don't necessarily feel like how I feel. In my day, if you were rapping about something you weren't really living, that was a strike against you. You were held accountable," lamented the rapper, who was born Clifford Harris, Jr.

The star continued to explain, "Nowadays, nobody even expects you to live up to the things you rap about. That goes against what I represent, what I stand for. So if they outsell me, then that's just all the more better for me to fade to the back and cross my legs on my desk."

T.I. is prepping the release of his eighth studio album, Trouble Man, on Sept. 4. He debuted a new single, "Like That," from the project and previously put out "Love This Life." In addition to a new LP this fall, his VH1 docu-series, "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle," has been renewed for a second season. The reality show begins Sept. 3.

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]]>T.I.T.I. quitT.I. quit rapT.i.QuitT.i.QuitRapTITheo SpielbergTue, 22 May 2012 10:00:00 ESTBeastie Boys' 'Sabotage' Video Reenacted by Kids as Tribute to Adam 'MCA' Yauchhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/15/beastie-boys-sabotage-video-kids-mca/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/15/beastie-boys-sabotage-video-kids-mca/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/15/beastie-boys-sabotage-video-kids-mca/#comments
Vimeo The tributes to the Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch keep on coming. One of the better ones we've seen though is this awesome reenactment of their landmark video "Sabatoge," Spinner reports. Portlandian filmmaker James Winters conscripted his two children and his nephew to act in this faithful (for the most part) facsimile of the original video. Considering MCA only passed away 11 days ago, this undertaking is quite impressive. Take a look at the video below as well as the original and the all-Lego version, courtesy of Gothamist. ...

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]]>beastie boysbeastie boys kids videobeastie boys sabotagebeastie boys sabotage kidsbeastie boys sabotage tributeBeastieBoyskids reenact beastie boys sabotagekids reenact sabotageMCAmca sabotage tributeMCA tributesabotageTheo SpielbergTue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 ESTJay-Z, President Obama: Budweiser Music Festival Could Have Performance by Nation's Leaderhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/15/jay-z-president-obama-budweiser-music-festival/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/15/jay-z-president-obama-budweiser-music-festival/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/15/jay-z-president-obama-budweiser-music-festival/#comments
Getty Images for You Tube Jay-Z can do and get pretty much whatever he wants, so it came as no surprise to hear that he was curating the two-day Budweiser Made In America music festival. The festival will take place over labor day weekend in Philadelphia, our nation's first capital. However, even despite the patriotic tone of the event, Hova did have one very surprising guest in mind: our nation's president Barack Obama. When jokingly asked if President Obama would make an appearance, Jay-Z replied with trademark swagger. "[Laughs] Ah, yeah, that guy. I'm gonna try. I'm gonna tell you guys right now: I'm gonna give him a call and I'm gonna try to get him to perform - do a little rendition of Al Green - but I doubt it," Rolling Stone reports. ...

"I think that opens up the political season," he continued. "He'll be so far into helping the world that he probably won't have time, but I'm absolutely going to ask him.

Well, here's to hoping we get another musical surprise from our incumbent president.

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]]>Barack Obamabarack obama made in americabarack obama music festivalBarackObamaJay Zjay z barack obamajay z music festivalJay-Zmade in americamade in america music festivalTheo SpielbergTue, 15 May 2012 10:05:00 ESTBeastie Boys' Copyright Lawsuit: Band Sued Day Before MCA Diedhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/08/beastie-boys-lawsuit/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/08/beastie-boys-lawsuit/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/08/beastie-boys-lawsuit/#comments
Jason Merritt/Getty Images Timing, as the expression goes, is everything. And sometimes, timing can be inadvertently terrible, like the lawsuit leveled against the Beastie Boys that's rubbing salt on the still-fresh wound of Adam Yauch's passing, Spinner reports. On May 3, one day before Adam "MCA" Yauch died as a result of a three-year cancer battle, record label Tuf America hit the Beasties with a lawsuit for copyright infringement over their two most acclaimed albums: 1986 debut LP, Licensed to Ill, and 1989 sample-centric sophomore LP, Paul's Boutique. ...

As AllHipHop.com reports, the suit was filed in federal court in New York, claiming unauthorized use of D.C.-based group Trouble Funk's music. The Trouble Funk songs in question are 1982's "Drop the Bomb" and "Say What." The former is used on Licensed to Ill tracks "Hold It Now Hit It" and "The New Style" as well as on the Paul's Boutique song "Car Thief," while the latter was used on "Shadrach," also from the 1989 LP.

The label is looking for a trial in order to be compensated for earnings made by the Beastie Boys from using the samples, on both the original albums and reissues. Capitol Records have also been named as a defendant. Here's hoping that it goes away quietly with minimal grief to the surviving Beastie Boys.

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]]>Adam MCA Yauchadam yauchAdamYauchbeastie boysbeastie boys lawsuitBeastieBoysBeastieBoysLawsuitlatest copyright infringement lawsuitLatestCopyrightInfringementLawsuitMCATheo SpielbergTue, 08 May 2012 16:45:00 ESTShyne Visits Ukraine to Discuss Changing Roles of Religion in Musichttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/04/shyne-ukraine/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/04/shyne-ukraine/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/05/04/shyne-ukraine/#comments
LIOR MIZRAHI/AFP/Getty Images Rapper-turned-religious man Shyne is not just reformed, he's orthodox. As an Orthodox Jew, the former Bad Boy signee attended the "Global Winds of Change: Religion in Today's World" conference in the Ukraine last week, where he addressed the changing roles of religion in music and the media. Shyne joined a delegation of leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist communities from around the world when they communed in Kiev, Ukraine. The conference was organized by President of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee and member of Parliament Oleksandr Feldman. ...

"I use my music as a way to communicate a message of hope and determination," Shyne said to the audience. "My goal is not to preach to someone to behave in a certain way or observe a certain lifestyle. There are many paths to honor God and I try to speak in simple terms to be a good person."

"Shyne shows us how one can thrive in the professional arena without compromising one's personal value system," said MP Feldman. "His story is an inspiration to young people throughout the world."

The 33-year-old Belize native became a member of the Jewish faith while serving a 10-year prison sentence for his part in a 1999 shootout involving the man now known as Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez, who was in attendance at Club New York in New York City when the incident occurred.

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]]>Shyneshyne jewishshyne orthodox jewshyne religionshyne religious conferenceShyneJewishShyneOrthodoxJewShyneReligionShyneReligiousConferenceShyneUkraineukraineTheo SpielbergFri, 04 May 2012 10:40:00 ESTSnoop Dogg, Willie Nelson & More Drop 'Roll Me Up' in Honor of 4/20http://www.theboombox.com/2012/04/20/snoop-dogg-willie-nelson-roll-me-up/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/04/20/snoop-dogg-willie-nelson-roll-me-up/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/04/20/snoop-dogg-willie-nelson-roll-me-up/#comments
rollmeup.willienelson.com Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to 4/20, the magical day where meteorologists all over the country are predicting a giant cloud of marijuana smoke that will engulf the continental states. In honor of the holiday (highliday? sorry) stoner Hall of Famers Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson have recorded a nice little country tune entitled "Roll Me Up," Spinner reports. ...

"Roll me up and smoke me when I die" intones Willie at the beginning of the track. At this point, out of editorial consciousness, we feel it is our duty to warn that given the smorgasbord of illicit substances Willie has likely consumed, ingesting him into your lungs would probably cause a very, very potent high.

Snoop Dogg also sings on the track. Yep, he's crooning his heart out in the Texas country stylings of Willie and company. Vibe to the track over at Nelson's website, where you can watch a digi-joint get smoked while you listen.

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]]>kris kristoffersonKrisKristoffersonroll me upRollMeUpsnoop doggsnoop dogg roll me upsnoop dogg willie nelsonSnoopDoggSnoopDoggRollMeUpwillie nelsonwillie nelson roll me upwillie nelson snoop dogwillie nelson snoop dogg roll me upWillieNelsonWillieNelsonMarijuanaWillieNelsonRollMeUpTheo SpielbergFri, 20 Apr 2012 11:25:00 ESTRihanna Interview: Love Life Questions Push Singer Over the Edge -- Videohttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/04/13/rihanna-australian-interview/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/04/13/rihanna-australian-interview/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/04/13/rihanna-australian-interview/#comments
Getty Images Rihanna, like all celebrities and public figures, must deal constantly with infringements upon her personal life. The Barbadian singer doesn't usually shy away from delicate topics, but she drew a line in the sand during one of her recent interviews. In interview with a reporter from the Australian talk show "Sunrise," during which she discussed her role in the upcoming movie "Battleship," the singer abruptly terminated the Q&A when she felt the line of questioning had gone way too far. At the start of the interview, Ri had no problem answering questions concerning the demands of both her movie and film career. "I don't see why I can't do both," she answered. "If I love both, then I'll do great at both. I love music, and after my first experience with movies, I can't wait to do more." ...

But when the reporter questioned Rihanna about rumors concerning her relationships with Ashton Kutcher and Chris Brown, the singer responded, "[It's] very frustrating, almost as frustrating as being asked about it."

"Yeah, you don't like going there?" the reporter continued.

"I mean, what's the point?" Rihanna shot back.

"Well people are interested in you, you're a big star," the reporter countered.

"They are,"she responded. "And they're interested in a lot of things -- a lot of things that don't matter, or shouldn't." It was at this point that the singer ended the interview, forcing the reporter to ad in voice-over commentary explaining her swift exit. Unfortunately, Rihanna's actions may end up triggering a whole new landslide of conjecture.

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]]>rihannarihanna ashton kutcherrihanna ashton kutcher datingrihanna battleshiprihanna chris brownrihanna ends interviewrihanna interviewRihannaAndChrisBrownRihannaAshtonKutcherRihannaAshtonKutcherDatingRihannaBattleshipRihannaChrisBrownRihannaEndsInterviewRihannaInterviewTheo SpielbergFri, 13 Apr 2012 10:05:00 ESTWhitney Houston Cocaine: Raffles Van Exel Removed Evidence From Singer's Hotel Roomhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/27/whitney-houston-cocaine-raffles-van-exel/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/27/whitney-houston-cocaine-raffles-van-exel/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/27/whitney-houston-cocaine-raffles-van-exel/#comments
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images An man named Raffles van Exel has confessed to sweeping the late Whitney Houston's hotel room of drugs after learning of her death. According to Idolator, van Exel is the same man who sold a photo of the singer in her casket to the National Enquirer as well as peddled photos of her hotel room to TMZ. Four days after Houston's death, Raffles van Exel admitted to Dutch newspaper The Telegraph of the post-mortem sweep, claiming, "the room had to be emptied" of illicit material and that "someone had to do it." Apparently he was one of three people with access to the room. He has not yet revealed the specifics of what he removed from the scene. ...

Van Exel refers to himself as a "highly respected entertainment consultant" and also had dubious ties to Michael Jackson.

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]]>raffles van exelraffles van exel hotel roomraffles van exel hotel room sweepRafflesVanExelRafflesVanExelHotelRoomRafflesVanExelHotelRoomSweepwhitney houstonwhitney houston hotel roomwhitney houston hotel room sweepwhitney houston raffles van exelWhitneyHoustonWhitneyHoustonHotelRoomWhitneyHoustonHotelRoomSweepWhitneyHoustonRafflesVanExelTheo SpielbergTue, 27 Mar 2012 10:05:00 ESTIggy Azalea 'Murda Bizness': T.I. Gives a Vocal Assist to Female Rapperhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/26/iggy-azalea-murda-bizness-ti/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/26/iggy-azalea-murda-bizness-ti/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/26/iggy-azalea-murda-bizness-ti/#comments
Robin Marchant, FilmMagic Australian rap upstart Iggy Azalea has dropped "Murda Bizness," the first single from her upcoming debut LP, The New Classic. The album is being released by Interscope Records though it doesn't have an official release date yet. The track is bursting at the seams with swag, and has Azalea rapping about how she's going to "merk bitches." "If you was on fire, I wouldn't piss on y'all hoes/ I'm cold," she rhymes on the track. The song features guest vocals by none other than southern MC T.I., who brought Azalea onto his Grand Hustle roster. Take a listen to the track -- produced by Bei Maejor -- below and tell us what you think of it. ...

Listen to Iggy Azalea's "Murda Bizness" Feat. T.I.

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]]>iggy azaleaiggy azalea murda biznessiggy azalea the new classicIggyAzaleaIggyAzaleaMurdaBiznessIggyAzaleaTheNewClassicMurda Biznessmurda bizness singleMurdaBiznessMurdaBiznessSinglet.i.the new classicTheNewClassictiTheo SpielbergMon, 26 Mar 2012 18:00:00 ESTB.o.B. 'So Good' Video: Rapper Has the World at His Fingertipshttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/21/bob-so-good-video/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/21/bob-so-good-video/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/21/bob-so-good-video/#comments
Joseph Coultice In his new video, rapper B.o.B. demonstrates that, given a sufficient amount of swag, the global economy can make being a "man of the world" seem effortless. In the opening to his bouncy new single 'So Good' he raps, "Drinking a German beer, with a Cuban cigar/ In the middle of Paris with a Dominican broad." The Justin Francis-helmed video was released today and shot on location in Argentina last month. The clip shows B.o.B. galavanting around Buenos Aires while giving shout-outs to various destinations and landmarks around the world. He also gives shine to several historical figures who have been dead for a while -- Caesar, Michelangelo and Picasso. The video is also being released in 3D format exclusively on Nintendo Video. ...

B.o.B.'s sophomore album, 'Strange Clouds,' is out this spring. Check out the 'So Good' video below.

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]]>b.o.bb.o.b so goodB.O.B.b.o.b. so good videoB.o.b.SoGoodVideoB.o.bSoGoodbobbob music videobob rapperbob so goodbob so good music videoBobMusicVideoBobRapperBobSoGoodBobSoGoodMusicVideoso goodso good music videoso good video b.o.bSoGoodSoGoodMusicVideoSoGoodVideoB.o.bTheo SpielbergWed, 21 Mar 2012 18:50:00 ESTHip-Hop Rocks: Rappers Get Into the Groove of Indie Rock -- Listenhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/15/hip-hop-indie-rock-crossover/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/15/hip-hop-indie-rock-crossover/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/15/hip-hop-indie-rock-crossover/#comments
Getty Images In the last several years, an abundance of hip-hop artists have begun to sample their indie contemporaries. Perhaps it's because the hip-hop community is only so large, and its compulsively collaborative spirit could only stretch so far before it dried up the well. Whatever the reason, rappers of all ilks have dipped into the catalogs of a wide range of indie artists -- from the quiet and plaintive Justin Vernon to psychedelic rockers MGMT. Most recently Kid Cudi's rock-oriented album WZRD sampled Canadian electro-poppers Desire. Here The BoomBox recounts some of our favorite hip-hop and indie rock collaborations. ...

Kid Cudi Taps Desire

Facebook | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kid Cudi has always been a little hard to pin down stylistically. His half-sung half-rapped verses aren't afraid to stay just adrift of a melodic anchor, and his stoned-out rhythm is often at home right behind the beat. His new rock project, 'WZRD,' is no exception. The first single, 'Teleport 2 Me, Jamie,' samples Desire's electro pulser 'Under Your Spell,' which is featured on the indie soundtrack favorite of the year, 'Drive.'

Listen to Kid Cudi's 'Teleport 2 Me, Jamie'


Azealia Banks Taps Peter Bjorn & John

Brian Ach/Getty Images for DeLeon Tequila | Jim Dyson/Redferns via Getty Images

Though new on the scene, Azealia Banks has been cultivating a very respectable indie pedigree, covering Interpol's 'Slow Hands' and sampling Peter Bjorn and John's 'The Chills' on her similarly titled homage 'The Chill$.' Banks employs the song's signature bassline and beat and splices some of the vocals into the chorus. The driving presence of the original provides a perfect counterpoint for Banks' laidback flow in her reworked tribute.

Listen to Azealia Banks' 'The Chill$'




Lupe Fiasco Taps Modest Mouse

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Lupe Fiasco's 'The Show Goes On' references several musical touchstones outside the world of hip-hop, most notably Modest Mouse's 'Float On,' which is interpolated into the melody and guitar line. The tune also uses Pachelbel's 'Canon' as its low-end foundation. Though Fiasco claims ignorance, crediting his producer Kane with the song's musical lineage, he did land a well-placed barb directed at his record label. Paraphrasing Johnny Rotten's famous quotation during the final Sex Pistols show, "Have you ever had the feeling that you were being cheated?" Lupe opens up his first verse asking, "Have you ever had the feeling that you was being had?"

Listen to Lupe Fiasco's 'The Show Goes On'




Drake Taps Peter Bjorn & John

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Following in the footsteps of Azealia Banks, Drake cribbed from Peter Bjorn and John, paying homage to the Swedish trio by recycling the song title 'Let's Call it Off,' which appears on their 2006 album 'Writer's Block.' The song, reborn on Drake's 2009 smash-hit mixtape 'So Far Gone,' helped establish his identity as an MC with indie leaning tendencies. It appears pretty much unadulterated until Drake's single verse kick in at two minutes in.

Listen to Drake's 'Let's Call It Off'




Childish Gambino Taps Grizzly Bear

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Grizzly Bear released their 2009 album 'Veckatimest' to widespread critical acclaim and the hip-hop world took notice. All of a sudden, the bouncy instrumental of their standout single 'Two Weeks' became a favorite sample because, shockingly, the band that made a name for itself by shelling out quiet, inscrutable tunes had stumbled upon a fantastic hip-hop beat. Among the various mashups and remixes, Childish Gambino's 'B---- Look at Me Now (Two Weeks)' stands out. Featured on a mixtape sampling other indie artists like Neon Indian and Sleigh Bells, Gambino raps, "I'mma try to make my street cred stack up/ I mean I'm rapping over Grizzly Bear, what the f---."

Listen to Childish Gambino's 'B---- Look at Me Now'




Kanye West Taps Justin Vernon

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Long before Justin Vernon was known as Bonnie Bear, he was snatched from the woods of Wisconsin, flown out to Hawaii, and asked to lay down vocals on "at least 10 songs" by none other than Kanye West. The fruits of that session resulted in two of the best tracks on 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' -- 'Lost in the Woods,' which samples Vernon's auto-tuned 'Woods,' and 'Monster,' which makes use of Vernon's delicate croon. Speaking in reference to working with his 'Monster' collaborator Rick Ross, Vernon recalled, "I was literally in the back room rolling a spliff with Rick Ross talking about what to do on the next part of a song. It was astonishing." Indeed.

Listen to Kanye West's 'Monster' Feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Jay-Z




Chiddy Bang Taps Passion Pit

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Rap trio Chiddy Bang have made a name for themselves by sampling artists like Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens and Grizzly Bear -- 'Two Weeks' -- since they released their first mixtape, 'The Swelly Express,' in 2009. Featured on that mixtape is the song 'Truth,' which samples 'Better Things' by electro-poppers Passion Pit. The already-buoyant track is sped up significantly, lending the song a driving, frenetic pace -- don't listen to it if you're trying to relax.

Listen to Chiddy Bang's 'Truth'




T.I. & Jay-Z Tap M.I.A.

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T.I.'s song 'Swagga Like Us,' released off his sixth studio LP, 'Paper Trail,' took the radio world by storm when it hit airwaves in late 2008. The song sampled M.I.A.'s lines, "No one on the corner has swagger like us," from her ubiquitous track 'Paper Planes. That effort in turn sampled the Clash's 'Straight to Hell' and features a cocktail of heavy-hitting rappers: Jay-Z and T.I. share the spotlight with Auto-Tuned guest verses from Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

Listen to T.I.'s 'Swagga Like Us' Feat. Jay-Z & Lil Wayne




Frank Ocean Taps MGMT

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Downtempo crooner and member of OFWGKTA Frank Ocean made waves with his debut mixtape 'Nostalgia, Ultra.' The collection sampled tracks from the likes of Coldplay and Radiohead, but the standout sample is the album closer 'Nature Feels.' Ocean puts his own spin on MGMT's single 'Electric Feel,' delivering warmly sung lines over the original's electro swirls, evolving the song into an R&B original.
Listen to Frank Ocean's 'Nature Feels'


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]]>azealia banksAzealiaBanksChiddy BangChiddyBangChildish GambinoChildishGambinoDesireDrakeFrank OceanFrankOceanGrizzly BearGrizzlyBearJay-ZJustin VernonJustinVernonKanye WestKanyeWestKid CudiKidCudiLupe FiascoLupeFiascoM.I.A.MGMTModest MouseModestMousePeter Bjorn and JohnPeterBjornAndJohnT.I.Theo SpielbergThu, 15 Mar 2012 13:55:00 ESTJohn Legend, 'Jimmy Fallon': Singer Covers Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark' -- Videohttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/01/john-legend-jimmy-fallon-singer-covers-springsteens-dancin/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/01/john-legend-jimmy-fallon-singer-covers-springsteens-dancin/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/03/01/john-legend-jimmy-fallon-singer-covers-springsteens-dancin/#comments
Lloyd Bishop, NBC Bruce Springsteen Week continues on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.' Following a Kenny Chesney cover of 'I'm on Fire' and a performance by the man himself, John Legend and the Roots took the stage last night to perform a cover of 'Dancing in the Dark,' Spinner reports. 'Born in the U.S.A.' seems to be the album of choice for cover songs this week. The tune gets the same slow-jammed, jazzed-out treatment that the Roots and Justin Vernon gave to Bon Iver's 'Perth.' Rather than the propulsive angst of the original, this rendition will make you want to kick off your shoes, sit in your favorite easy chair, and calmly enjoy a nice glass of wine. ...

Springsteen Week carries on Wednesday night (March 1) when Elvis Costello will take on 'Brilliant Disguise.' Tomorrow Bruce and the E Street Band will return to close out the festivities. Until then, watch John Legend and the Roots perform 'Dancing in the Dark.'

Watch John Legend & the Roots perform 'Dancing in the Dark'


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]]>bruce springsteenbruce springsteen weekBruceSpringsteenDancing in the Darkjimmy fallonJimmyFallonjohn legendjohn legend dancing in the darkjohn legend late night with jimmy fallonjohn legend the rootsJohnLegendJohnLegendLateNightWithJimmyFallonLate Night with Jimmy FallonLateNightWithJimmyFallonRootsthe rootsTheo SpielbergThu, 01 Mar 2012 14:40:00 ESTLimp Bizkit, Cash Money Records: Fred Durst & Crew Sign With Rap Labelhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/24/limp-bizkit-cash-money-records/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/24/limp-bizkit-cash-money-records/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/24/limp-bizkit-cash-money-records/#comments
Jim Dyson/Getty Images Fred Durst, where have you been? Have you been plagued by a series of days where you don't want to wake up? Apparently his nu-metal rap-rock outfit Limp Bizkit has recently inked a deal with Cash Money Records, as reported by Noisecreep. The news was linked by rapper extraordinaire and rock dilettante Lil Wayne during an interview with New York's 98.7 Kiss-FM. "It's like every other day I hear about somebody new signing to Cash Money," the rapper said. "The other day, I heard about Limp Bizkit signing with Cash Money," said the rapper. ...

"The game is missing danger, electricity, and rock n roll!!!! Cash Money Limp Bizkit," Fred Durst tweeted, confirming the story. Yes, that is exactly what the game was missing, Mr. Durst.

Durst will be joining the ranks of Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne.

Watch the 'Nookie' Video


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]]>birdmancash moneycash money recordsfred durstlil wayneLilWaynelimp bizkitlimp bizkit cash moneyLimpBizkitTheo SpielbergFri, 24 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST'Safe House' Trailer: Jay-Z, Kanye West's 'No Church in the Wild' Playshttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/10/safe-house-jay-z-kanye-west-no-church-in-the-wild/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/10/safe-house-jay-z-kanye-west-no-church-in-the-wild/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/10/safe-house-jay-z-kanye-west-no-church-in-the-wild/#comments
Getty Images Like Kanye West once famously observed, "No one man should have all that power." So the movie and music industries have sagely chosen to divide the power among three modern giants: Denzel Washington, Jay-Z and West himself. When these three guys are harnessed in the same moment on-screen, they create a force so powerful that it drives audiences to the theaters in droves. Separately, these guys are great, but together they're a mighty triumvirate, which is assisted by the rappers' lyrics. ...

The combination was first beta-tested with 'American Gangster,' Denzel Washington's 2009 crime thriller. The trailer featured Denzel looking like a boss and was backed by Jay-Z's track 'Heart of the City.' The only thing missing was Kanye.

The formula has been perfected in the trailer for the film 'Safe House,' out Friday (Feb. 10.) The clip features the song 'No Church in the Wild,' from Hov and 'Ye's 'Watch the Throne' LP in addition to fast car chases, explosions and Denzel being, well, Denzel. It also doesn't hurt to have a little Frank Ocean vocals in there either.

Click over to Moviefone here for a rundown of nine more movie trailers featuring the music of Jay-Z and Kanye.

Watch the Trailer for 'Safe House' Feat. 'No Church in the Wild'

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]]>denzel washingtonDenzelWashingtonJay-ZJay-Z KanyeJay-zKanyekanye westKanyeWestwatch the throneWatchTheThroneTheo SpielbergFri, 10 Feb 2012 15:20:00 ESTEarl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New Song, 'Home'http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/09/earl-sweatshirt-returns-releases-new-song-home/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/09/earl-sweatshirt-returns-releases-new-song-home/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/02/09/earl-sweatshirt-returns-releases-new-song-home/#comments
YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members of OFWGKTA when the group catapulted to fame a year ago, simply because he was fully off the radar at the time. His absence was well chronicled -- most notably by the New Yorker -- and while Tyler the Creator was off being a lunatic, and Frank Ocean was chillin' with Jay-Z and Kanye West, rumor had it that Earl's mother had sent him off to some sort of youth camp in Samoa, which truth be told, doesn't sound so terrible. Regardless of whether Earl was soaking up rays in the South Pacific, or in his room serving a marathon grounding, the kid is now back in action and has released a new song. ...

Earl announced his return by creating a Twitter account and a Tumblr. He also posted a YouTube video teasing a snippet of his track, accompanied by a tweet which read:


Well lo and behold, he reach 50,000 followers and then he released 'Home,' which can be heard here, for everybody.

]]>Earl Sweatshirtearl sweatshirt homeearl sweatshirt odd futureEarlSweatshirthomeOdd Futureodd future wolf gang kill them allofwgktatyler the creatorTylerTheCreatorTheo SpielbergThu, 09 Feb 2012 18:30:00 ESTObama's 'Let's Stay Together' Leads to Huge Sales Increase for Al Greenhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/01/27/obamas-lets-stay-together-leads-to-major-sales-increase-for/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/01/27/obamas-lets-stay-together-leads-to-major-sales-increase-for/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/01/27/obamas-lets-stay-together-leads-to-major-sales-increase-for/#comments
AP Photo/WireImage Calling all musicians! Here is a great, outside-the-box sales technique: Get President Barack Obama to slip in a couple lines of your song during one of his speeches. As Spinner reports, last week, Obama delivered several lines from Al Green's classic 'Let's Stay Together' at a fundraising event in Harlem, and the song has now enjoyed a 490 percent sales increase after the video of the President/crooner went viral. According to Nielsen Soundscan (via Billboard), Green's 1972 classic sold 16,000 digital downloads in the week ending January 22. If only singing about boosting the economy or bettering public education had the same way of "making it rain." ...

However, tying your music to a political figure doesn't always pay off in spades like it did for Al Green. After Kelly Clarkson's unofficial endorsement of Republican Candidate, sales of her album 'Stronger' reportedly shot up 442 percent on Amazon, according to CNN. Alas, this was not the case. The singer actually suffered a 40 percent loss in weekly sales, Billboard reports, proving Ron Paul doesn't have the same magical musical powers as Barack Obama.

The moral of the story? Support a President who can sing. It will pay off massively.


Watch 'Obama Sings Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together'
Raw Video: Obama Sings Al Green
]]>al greenal green lets stay togetherBarack Obamabarack obama al greenbarack obama lets stay togetherBarackObamalets stay togetherobamaTheo SpielbergFri, 27 Jan 2012 14:15:00 ESTNAACP Image Awards 2012: Adele, Chris Brown Nominatedhttp://www.theboombox.com/2012/01/20/naacp-image-awards-2012-adele-chris-brown-nominated/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/01/20/naacp-image-awards-2012-adele-chris-brown-nominated/http://www.theboombox.com/2012/01/20/naacp-image-awards-2012-adele-chris-brown-nominated/#comments
Steven Lawton, FilmMagic | Kevin Mazur, WireImage As Spinner.com reports, last year, 2011, will forever be known as the time that everybody went friggin' nuts for Adele. The singer has spent a record 16 weeks at the top of the charts, tying the record for the 'Titanic' soundtrack -- her heart will go on, and on, and on, and on -- adding to a long list of accolades far to lengthy to name right now. Most recently, Adele's tearjerker, 'Someone Like You,' off her sophomore album, '21,' has been nominated for for Outstanding Song at the NAACP Image Awards, where artists like Beyonce, Chris Brown, Cee Lo Green, Anthony Hamilton, Wynter Gordon, Common and Lupe Fiasco, among others, are nominated. But we'll say that again, Adele has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, according to Billboard. ...

It's no secret that 'Someone Like You' is an undeniable, transcendent force of nature, able to pry the tears from even the most stoic pair of eyeballs -- as evidenced by a spot-on parody given on 'SNL.' Even so, that doesn't change the fact that Adele is unquestionably white and nominated for an award meant to celebrate the achievements of African Americans.

The award has honored white folk in the past -- Eminem and Justin Timberlake to name a couple. But, yeah, that song is so, so good.

Aside from Adele's nomination this year, RollingStone.com gives a rundown of the other nominees, including Jennifer Hudson, Diggy Simmons, Bruno Mars and Mary J. Blige. The NAACP Image Awards will be broadcast on NBC on Feb. 17 at 8PM EST.

Check the artists receiving nods below.

Outstanding Song
'Best Thing I Never Had,' Beyonce
'Fool for You,' Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona
'I Smile,' Kirk Franklin
'So In Love,' Jill Scott feat. Anthony Hamilton
'Someone Like You,' Adele

Outstanding Album
'4,' Beyonce
'F.A.M.E.,' Chris Brown
'I Remember Me,' Jennifer Hudson
'Lasers,' Lupe Fiasco
'The Light of the Sun,' Jill Scott

Outstanding New Artist
Committed
Diggy Simmons
Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
Mindless Behavior
Wynter Gordon

Outstanding Male Artist
Anthony Hamilton
Bruno Mars
Cee Lo Green
Chris Brown
Common

Outstanding Female Artist
Beyonce
Jennifer Hudson
Jill Scott
Ledisi
Mary J. Blige

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
Boyz II Men
Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona
Mary J. Blige feat. Drake
Sounds of Blackness
The Roots

Outstanding Music Video
'25/8,' Mary J. Blige
'Hear My Call,' Jill Scott
'I Was Here,' Beyonce
'Someone Like You,' Adele
'Where You At,' Jennifer Hudson

Outstanding Jazz Album
'Chano y Dizzy,' Terence Blanchard and Poncho Sanchez
'Friends,' Stanley Jordan
'Guitar Man,' George Benson
'Legacy,' Gerald Wilson
'Road Show Vol. 2,' Sonny Rollins

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
'Becoming,' Yolanda Adams
'Church on the Moon,' Deitrick Haddon
'Hello Fear,' Kirk Franklin
'Something Big,' Mary Mary
'The Journey,' Andrae Crouch

Outstanding World Music Album
'Afrodiaspora,' Susana Baca
'Carnival Fever,' Brother B
'Live at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,' Boukman Eksperyans
'Sounds of Blackness,' Sounds of Blackness
'The First Grader,' Alex Heffes

Watch Adele's 'Someone Like You' Video
'


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]]>adeleadele naacpadele naacp awardsanthony hamiltonAnthonyHamiltonbeyoncebruno marsBrunoMarscee locee lo greenCeeLoCeeLoGreenchris brownChrisBrowncommondiggy simmonsDiggySimmonseminemjennifer hudsonJenniferHudsonNAACPnaacp image awardsnaacp image awards 2012NaacpImageAwardsNaacpImageAwards2012Theo SpielbergFri, 20 Jan 2012 17:25:00 ESTEtta James Leukemia Diagnosis Is Incurablehttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/16/etta-james-diagnosed-terminally-ill/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/16/etta-james-diagnosed-terminally-ill/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/16/etta-james-diagnosed-terminally-ill/#comments
Jeffrey Ufberg, WireImage Soul, gospel and blues legend Etta James has been pronounced terminally ill by her live-in doctor, our colleagues at The Huffington Post report. James, who is best known for her classic rendition of 'At Last,' was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, and the illness was declared incurable by her physician two weeks ago. The 73-year-old singer has been suffering from various ailments in recent years. In May, the iconic singer was hospitalized with a urinary tract that led to sepsis. She has sought out treatment for substance abuse several times and, in January 2010, her husband revealed that she was suffering from leukemia and dementia. ...

Her doctor, Elaine James -- no relation -- asked that concerned fans pray for the singer in her time of need. "I am Southern and Christian and would just ask for the prayers of her fans and friends," the doctor told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "They know she's been sick, but not how sick."

James, who was born Jamesetta Hawkins, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, won four Grammys and left an indelible mark on music history.

Etta James Performs 'At Last' in 2009


]]>Etta Jamesetta james illetta james illnessetta james sickEtta James terminally illEttaJamesTheo SpielbergFri, 16 Dec 2011 15:05:00 ESTDoug E. Fresh's Son Arrested for Drunk Drivinghttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/16/doug-e-freshs-son-arrested-for-drunk-driving/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/16/doug-e-freshs-son-arrested-for-drunk-driving/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/16/doug-e-freshs-son-arrested-for-drunk-driving/#comments
Mike Coppola/Getty Images Doug E. Fresh apparently made waves in the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Thursday (Dec. 15), according to DNAinfo. The old school rapper wasn't there to face disciplinary action on his own behalf, but rather to perform his duty as a father. Fresh's 23-year-old son, Dayquan Davis, had been arrested and taken into custody Wednesday (Dec. 14) for drunk driving. Following the incident, Fresh flew up from Florida to attend the arraignment and to post the $2,000 in bail. "He's a nice guy, just caught in an unfortunate set of circumstances, that's all, " Fresh said while he waited for his son's release. "Growing up, that happens." ...

Davis was allegedly pulled over for reckless driving and refused a breathalyzer after the officer noticed he had watery and bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and alcohol on his breath. Davis then began flailing his arms erratically to avoid being handcuffed, adding resisting arrest to his list of charges.

Fresh's son apparently took the wheel after a friend became too intoxicated to drive. He declined to comment except to clarify that his arm was in a sling due to injuries he sustained after he fell while being arrested. He is due to appear in court again next month.

"I'm definitely going to have a conversation with him and to make him look at it and make him understand," Fresh said of his parenting strategy. "When kids are growing up there's always something."

Watch Dayquan Talk About His music

]]>Dayquan DavisDayquanDavisDoug E Fresh sondoug e fresh son arresteddoug e. freshDougE.FreshDougEFreshSonDougEFreshSonArrestedTheo SpielbergFri, 16 Dec 2011 14:00:00 ESTThe Hit Squad Reunion Planned for 2012, Erick Sermon Inhttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/15/the-hit-squad-to-reunite-in-2012/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/15/the-hit-squad-to-reunite-in-2012/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/15/the-hit-squad-to-reunite-in-2012/#comments
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Hip-hop collective the Hit Squad are gearing up for a reunion on Feb. 24 at the Best Buy Theater, Brooklyn Vegan reports. The group, which was comprised of EPMD members Erick Sermon and Parish Smith, and rappers like Redman, K-Solo, Keith Murray and Das EFX, was active between the years of 1990 and 1993. The Hit Squad disbanded due to tensions within EPMD. Details on the reunion have the aforementioned artists uniting one stage, however, former members Hurricane G or Knucklehedz won't join the event. Sermon will still take part in the rap spectacle despite the recent heart attack he suffered in November. ...

Tickets to the event will go on sale this Sat., Dec.r 16. It is unclear at this point whether the reunion will be extended beyond this one show. However, things have been smoothed over within EPMD and the duo has been functionally reunited since 2006, so that is one hurdle cleared.

Watch EPMD's 'Headbanger'

]]>erick sermonErickSermonhit squadhit squad reunionHitSquadHitSquadReunionTheo SpielbergThu, 15 Dec 2011 18:35:00 ESTJay-Z Carnegie Hall Concerts Will Feature Rhymes & Charityhttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/08/jay-z-carnegie-hall-concerts-will-feature-rhymes-and-charity/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/08/jay-z-carnegie-hall-concerts-will-feature-rhymes-and-charity/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/08/jay-z-carnegie-hall-concerts-will-feature-rhymes-and-charity/#comments
Andy Kropa, Getty Images On Feb. 6, 2012, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter will headline the first ever hip-hop focused concert series at Carnegie Hall. The two-night event is the result of a partnership between the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation and United Way of New York City. The two organizations are hosting the performances as a fundraising initiative to benefit New York City public schools. John Meneilly, Jay-Z's business manager, says the performances look to raise a sum "hopefully in the millions of dollars," though he declined to give a specific estimate. Private ticket packages will go on sale Mon., Dec. 12, with prices ranging from $500-$2,500. A limited number of single tickets will later be made available for public purchase on Mon., Jan. 30. The partnership between the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation and United Way of New York City has been a long time in the making. "Steven Dannhauser, who is on our board, is also the chair of the Police and Fire widows fund from 9/11," Gordon Campbell, President and CEO of United Way, tells The BoomBox. "Jay-Z was talking to him about doing a concert to benefit the Police and Fire Widows Fund in Madison Square Garden, and that happened a couple years ago." Mr. Dannhauser went on to make the connection to Jay-Z and John Meneilly, on behalf of United Way. The resulting concert will take place in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium over the course of two nights. Jay-Z took the time to talk to AOL/Huffington Post about the momentous occasion. Check out his conversation about the event, the performers he'll bring along and the spirit of charity below. ...

Why did you choose to partner with the United Way and how?

It actually came about with this whole thing, it was like these three parties coming together: my scholarship program, Carnegie Hall and United Way all came together in this weird way. It's a brilliant idea.

Was it important for you to do a show in Carnegie Hall's more intimate space after this bombastic Watch The Throne tour?

No it didn't come about like that. It just really happened, it didn't happen as a strategy of going after Watch The Throne. The opportunity just presented itself and it was just perfect. Getting to play a legendary venue, getting to do it for a good cause, getting to do it with someone who has been doing good for so long. Now my scholarship will have conversations with the United Way about furthering our cause and it all just worked on multiple levels.

Watch the press conference
You teamed with your mother for your scholarship foundation. What role do you think family plays in education?

Oh well, it's very important. That's where you get your ideals and your motivation. My mom told me I could do anything. I didn't know it was a cliche when I was younger. I really believed her. I believed her up until I was an adult and I was like, "Wait a minute." I really, really believed her, that's how much respect I had for her. It's very important, she motivated me in a way that I believed that I couldn't fail. So family is very important, it's who you are. The first thing the psychiatrist asks you -- I'm guessing because I've never been -- when you sit down on the couch it's, "How is your home life?" It's those important formative years that create the foundation of who you are.

The concert is in February and you are expecting a child in February. Are you trying to start your child's life off with the spirit of charity?

Yeah, you just hope to raise a good person. A good person of high character and integrity and morals. From there it's really their life. You're almost a god, and then after that it's out of your hands.

You said that you aren't going to bring Kanye West along for these concerts. Do you have any other possible performers in mind?

No, I haven't really thought about it. I just wanted to separate it from 'Watch The Throne.' I may bring Kanye. I just haven't put together a set list or the structure of how the show will go.

You have 13 Grammy awards. With so many awards do the Grammys still feel exciting for you?

Yeah, it's great. What's really exciting to me is that you make an album and it connects with people in a certain way. These awards, we watch the stars before us on TV and we've all dreamed of being at these awards shows but the real award is really just the connection with people. You know, going to the concert and watching the people connect with this music that you've made. That's where the best album award is given away and the best new artist is given away. So its cool, it's always cool to be recognized, but for me the real joy is the connection with the people all the time.
Watch 'The Life and Career of Jay-Z'
]]>Jay ZJay Z carnegie halljay z shawn carter scholarship foundationJayZjayz showsJayZCarnegieHallJayZShawnCarterScholarshipFoundationJayzShowsshawn carter scholarship foundationShawnCarterScholarshipFoundationTheo SpielbergThu, 08 Dec 2011 15:45:00 ESTStevie Wonder: 'Dancing With the Stars' Finds Him Competinghttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/01/stevie-wonder-says-hell-compete-on-dancing-with-the-stars/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/01/stevie-wonder-says-hell-compete-on-dancing-with-the-stars/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/12/01/stevie-wonder-says-hell-compete-on-dancing-with-the-stars/#comments
Francois Durand/Getty Images Stevie Wonder is a wildly talented man, and has accomplished things that most of us could only dream of doing, his handicap notwithstanding. However, it shocked us when Wonder announced on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' that he intends to compete on 'Dancing With the Stars.' Apparently, the singer's lifelong impairment is not at all an obstacle in his quest to boogie down on live television. In fact, the only obstacle he faces is his waistline. When Ellen asked him, "Is there any truth to the rumor? Are you thinking about doing 'Dancing With the Stars'?" he responded, "I'm losing weight. When I get to where I feel like I'm gonna look good enough for what I wanna do, I'll do that." ...

DeGeneres went on to say that the lauded crooner and songwriter didn't really need to lose weight to get on the show. But Wonder -- who considered joining the show in 2008 -- retorted, "I'll look good in the beginning and I'll look even better in the end."

If this all happens, the 'Superstition' singer will be the first blind celebrity to appear on 'Dancing,' though he wouldn't be the first contestant with a disability: deaf actress Marlee Matlin competed in 2008, and amputee Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's ex-wife, performed in 2007. Both finished in seventh place.

Watch Stevie Wonder Discuss Dancing on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'

Stevie Wonder Discusses His Upcoming Projects

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]]>dancing with the starsStevie Wonderstevie wonder dancing with the starsstevie wonder ellenStevieWonderTheo SpielbergThu, 01 Dec 2011 13:30:00 ESTLudacris Debuts His Songs to Make Love to, R. Kelly on Listhttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/14/ludacris-debuts-his-songs-to-make-love-to-r-kelly-on-list/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/14/ludacris-debuts-his-songs-to-make-love-to-r-kelly-on-list/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/14/ludacris-debuts-his-songs-to-make-love-to-r-kelly-on-list/#comments
Cameron Krones As autumn turns slowly into winter, we all have our own little secrets to keep the melancholia at bay. Today, we turn to Chris "Ludacris" Bridges on how to keep warm in the coldest of seasons. Who better to trust than the writer of 'Southern Hospitality' and 'What's Your Fantasy' with matters of the heart like these? Probably no one. In a recent interview with Bullett, Luda divulged several close-to-the-chest secrets, including his fear of open water, belief in psychic powers and love of 'The Devil Wears Prada.' Now in a BoomBox exclusive, Ludacris shares his awesomely named playlist 'Songs to Make Love to in Front of the Fireplace When it's Snowing.' ...

From Boyz II Men to the Isley Brothers, it's all there. Though it looks like Weezy may have gotten the axe, you can let your imagination run wild where Luda gives us a blank -- our money is on 'Lollipop.' Check out the handwritten tracklist below. Read the full Bullett article here.

The Atlanta native is currently prepping a new mixtape, '1.21 Gigawatts,' set to drop this week. Maybach Music Group's Meek Mill assists on the forthcoming effort's track, 'Say It to My Face,' for which a video is being shot.

Tracklist for 'Songs to Make Love to in Front of the Fireplace When it's Snowing'
]]>ludacrisTheo SpielbergMon, 14 Nov 2011 12:40:00 ESTYelawolf Debuts 'Throw It Up' With Eminem & Gangsta Boohttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/11/yelawolf-debuts-throw-it-up-with-eminem/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/11/yelawolf-debuts-throw-it-up-with-eminem/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/11/yelawolf-debuts-throw-it-up-with-eminem/#comments
Theo Wargo/WireImage Yelawolf debuted a new song from his upcoming album, 'Radioactive,' last night (Nov. 10) and on it appears two veteran lyricists. The track, entitled 'Throw It Up,' features guest spots from Eminem and former Three Six Mafia rapper Gangsta Boo. Produced by Will Power, the track begins with a sparse piano line before it is fleshed out and the beat drops. Over the course of the song, it builds into a frenetic, fast-paced workout, reminiscent of the mile-a-minute rhymes Catfish Billy's Shady Records boss Eminem has come to be known for. As for the LP, Yelawolf is confident in the material he's prepped for the masses. "Everything is the perfect juxtaposition, everything is perfectly mismatched and makes sense somehow," he told MTV News. "The melody of the music is soft and pretty but the drums, the bass line and the drive of the record nails hard--like southern gritty bounce." ...

'Radioactive' is set for a Nov. 21 release date, after having been pushed back from Oct. 25. It will be the Georgia native's first studio album.

Listen to Yelawolf's 'Throw It Up'

Watch 'The Life and Career of Eminem'

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]]>YelawolfTheo SpielbergFri, 11 Nov 2011 12:15:00 ESTAlicia Keys Makes DJ Debut at New York City's Yotel Hotelhttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/10/alicia-keys-makes-dj-debut-at-new-york-citys-yotel-hotel/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/10/alicia-keys-makes-dj-debut-at-new-york-citys-yotel-hotel/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/10/alicia-keys-makes-dj-debut-at-new-york-citys-yotel-hotel/#comments
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello Alicia Keys is going by a new name these days -- Mrs. DJ AK47. The Grammy award-winning singer, pianist and actress made her debut as a DJ at New York City's Yotel on Oct. 29, trying her hand on the ones and twos. Keys took over for her husband Swizz Beatz to spin a quick set and was joined by him and Busta Rhymes at various intervals. Keys took to her Twitter account on Wednesday (Nov. 9) to post a video of the occasion and to give a holler to her DJ alter ego saying, "Big shout to my girl @MrsDJAK47." In the clip, she kicks off her set with Black Moon's 1994 track 'I Got Cha Opin.' Keys wore a fitted cap and military inspired jacket decorated with pulsing lights as she switched to Gangstarr's 'DWYCK' then 'T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You)' by Pete Rock and CL Smooth, among other throwback hits. ...

"I learned how to DJ at 9:45[PM] tonight," AK47 said with a grin.

In related news, 'The Songs in A Minor' songstress recently hosted her annual Black Ball benefit concert in New York for children in India and Africa who are affected by HIV and AIDS. The concert, which took place at Hammerstein Ballroom, raised $3 million dollars for the cause according to Firstpost. Musical performers of the night included Usher, will.i.am, Norah Jones, Jay Sean and Richie Sambora.

Watch Alicia Keys DJing as AK47

Watch 'An Interview with Alicia Keys'


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]]>alicia keysAliciaKeysTheo SpielbergThu, 10 Nov 2011 14:35:00 ESTBetty Wright Releases 'Grapes on a Vine' With Lil Waynehttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/10/betty-wright-grapes-on-a-vine-lil-wayne/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/10/betty-wright-grapes-on-a-vine-lil-wayne/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/10/betty-wright-grapes-on-a-vine-lil-wayne/#comments
Toby Canham/Getty Images Betty Wright's latest LP, 'Betty Wright: The Movie,' sees her teaming with the Roots on her first solo effort since 2001. Her newest single, featuring Lil Wayne, traverses great stylistic distances, moving from heartfelt soul to crunchy rock to rap verses with seamless integrity. The Roots prove to be more than a competent backing band, handling the transitions with ease and grace. "My daddy always told me to be real/ Daddy always said that I should say just what I feel/ People they will judge you because they just don't understand," she sings. Wright's range is as impressive as ever, covering sultry low-ends to Mariah Carey-esque, glass-busting highs. ...

Weezy does his part, delivering his customary quality verses, replete with cleverness and an easy flow: "Money bring problems, the funny thing about it/ Everybody want it, want it till they got it/ Sometimes I forget and put my trouble in my pockets/ Then hang up my pants, now I got monsters in my closet."

The album will be released Nov. 15 on Curve Records/Ms. B Records. It will feature 14 tracks, each one co-written by Wright.

Listen to Betty Wright's 'Grapes on a Vine'


Watch Angie Stone's 'Baby' Feat. Betty Wright
%VIRTUAL-globalVideoEmbed-{"videoIds":"517605543","width":"476","height":"357"}%


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]]>Betty WrightBettyWrightLil WayneLilWayneTheo SpielbergThu, 10 Nov 2011 10:10:00 ESTNas Duets With Amy Winehouse on 'Like Smoke' -- Listenhttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/03/nas-duets-with-amy-winehouse-on-like-smoke-listen/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/03/nas-duets-with-amy-winehouse-on-like-smoke-listen/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/11/03/nas-duets-with-amy-winehouse-on-like-smoke-listen/#comments
Amywinehouse.com While the much-anticipated follow-up to Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' was never to come to fruition, some of the late-singer's unreleased songs will see the light of day as part of a new compilation. And now, two tracks from 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' have been made available in advance of the album's Dec. 5 release. The first, 'Like Smoke,' is a collaboration with Nas, originally recorded in 2008, by producer Salaam Remi. The track debuted Wednesday night (Nov. 2) on New York's Hot 97 radio station. Though Winehouse's vocals were recorded several years ago, Nas' verses were recent additions, as he eulogizes the songstress and references Occupy Wall Street. ...

In addition to 'Like Smoke,' the reggae track 'Our Day Will Come' appeared on BBC's Radio 1 on Wednesday. A reworking of an early 1960s hit made popular by Ruby and the Romantics, it finds Winehouse exploring familiar soulful territory that is right in her wheelhouse.

The album, which was compiled by Winehouse's longterm producers Remi and Mark Ronson, contains 12 tracks hand-selected by the pair along with input from her family. Hear the first two released tracks below.

Listen to 'Like Smoke'

Listen to 'Our Day Will Come'

Watch Nas' The World Is Yours'

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]]>albumamy winehouseAmyWinehouselike smokeLikeSmokelioness hidden treasuresLionessHiddenTreasuresnasTheo SpielbergThu, 03 Nov 2011 12:40:00 ESTInterscope Records Used as Drug Headquartershttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/09/16/interscope-records-used-as-drug-headquarters/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/09/16/interscope-records-used-as-drug-headquarters/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/09/16/interscope-records-used-as-drug-headquarters/#comments
Ray Tamarra, Getty Images According to federal prosecutors, the Los Angeles offices of Interscope Records were being used as a drug hub, serving as the site for deliveries and pickups of large amounts of cocaine and upwards of $1 million in cash, AllHipHop reports. The powerhouse record label is home to some of music's biggest stars including U2, Lady Gaga, M.I.A. and Eminem. The discovery came as part of the ongoing investigation of James "Jimmy Henchmen" Rosemond, the CEO of Czar Entertainment and manager of rapper Game. The DEA alleges that Rosemond used the offices as a point of transit for the shipment to transport large music cases full of cocaine to New York. The drugs were then unloaded, distributed and the cash was shipped back across the country in the road cases. ...

Investigators claim that in addition to using Interscope Records as a front, Rosemond also used Rock It Cargo to disguise the drugs as legitimate musical freight. According to MTV, Rosemond and his crew also used mustard to conceal the smell of cocaine from drug-sniffing dogs.

Rosemond has been charged with 18 felony counts and is being held in Metropolitan Correctional Center without bail. Even in the face of a failing music industry, drug trafficking is still a bad idea.

Watch Game's'How We Do'
]]>Jimmy Henchmen RosemondJimmyHenchmenRosemondTheo SpielbergFri, 16 Sep 2011 12:55:00 ESTEminem Crowned 'King of Hip-Hop' by Rolling Stonehttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/08/16/eminem-king-of-hip-hop-rolling-stone/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/08/16/eminem-king-of-hip-hop-rolling-stone/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/08/16/eminem-king-of-hip-hop-rolling-stone/#comments
Getty Images For The Recording A Using a variety of criteria, Rolling Stone has crunched some numbers to instate Eminem as the "King of Hip-Hop." Several factors were considered in their rubric to crown the monarch, including: album sales, chart rankings, YouTube views, concert grosses and more. All of these categories were only measured during the period spanning from 2009 through the first seven months of 2011. Despite their claims that "king" is a gender-neutral term (it clearly isn't), only one woman, Nicki Minaj, appears on the list. Slim Shady also beat out Lil Wayne and Drake, who finish at second and third respectively. Top earners and 'Watch The Throne' hitsmiths Jay-Z and Kanye West come in at four and five. Especially with the duo's royal connotations, readers are sure to have a comment or two addressing the rankings. ...

Rolling Stone's last coronation, which crowned Lady Gaga the Queen of Pop, didn't go over too well. Their decision was overruled after the readers staged a coup and gave the title to Madonna by larger than a 2 to 1 margin. Check out their rankings for 'The King of Hip-Hop' here.

Watch 'The Life and Career of Eminem'

]]>eminemTheo SpielbergTue, 16 Aug 2011 10:00:00 ESTBeastie Boys Debut 'Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win' Videohttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/19/beastie-boys-dont-play-no-game-that-i-cant-win-video/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/19/beastie-boys-dont-play-no-game-that-i-cant-win-video/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/19/beastie-boys-dont-play-no-game-that-i-cant-win-video/#comments
Phil Andelman What happens when the Beastie Boys, Santigold and a Yeti fight bad guys in that snow level from the 'Goldeneye' video game (or, alternately, that chilly dreamscape from 'Inception')? Well, you can find the answer in Spike Jonze's new video for 'Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win,' a song off 'Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2.' The video features the Beasties as action figures doing cool action-hero stuff that is essentially every kid's dream. The trio is thrown into action after a couple of bad guys sabotage their concert and, with some help from Santi, they pull off some maneuvers that Special Ops would be proud of. ...

Coming in the shadow of the star-studded 'Fight for Your Right Revisited' short film, we'd say the Beasties and Jonze have added another triumph into their videography. Watch both the extended 12-minute and short versions below.

'Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win' Long Version

'Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win' Short Version
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]]>Beastie BoysBeastieBoysSantigoldSpikeJonzeTheo SpielbergTue, 19 Jul 2011 12:30:00 ESTJay-Z Offers Preview of 'Watch the Throne' in New York Cityhttp://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/08/jay-z-watch-the-throne-preview/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/08/jay-z-watch-the-throne-preview/http://www.theboombox.com/2011/07/08/jay-z-watch-the-throne-preview/#comments
Kevin Mazur/WireImage The lobby of the Mercer Hotel was crowded with industry types on Thursday night (July 7): various members of the press, music journalists, bloggers, magazine reps and then two teen boys, who sat with their parents conspicuously. The miniature mob, at the behest of a publicist, crowded into an elevator -- thick with the smell of marijuana smoke -- in two tightly packed shifts. Everyone in attendance was there to listen to Jay-Z's most recent collaboration with Kanye West -- the hotly anticipated and oft pushed-back dual album 'Watch the Throne.' ...

The previously mentioned teenagers were the first two to pre-order the album, thus receiving an invite to the exclusive listening party. The boys as well as the crowd filed into Hova's hotel room in neat single file to find him sitting alone on a chair and, in the most literal sense of the phrase, "straight chillin'."

The Brooklyn MC -- without West due to his attendance at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture -- had a makeshift studio set-up in the room, also pervaded by the smell of pot. The Mercer Hotel is the most recent in a list of recording destinations that includes L.A., Paris, Bath (England), Australia and assorted other locations in New York City. The industry whisper in the small elevator was that Jigga and West recorded in a hotel room because, after every studio session, tracks were "mysteriously" leaked.

Jay switched on some afro-pop for mood music as alternate people around the room took turns yelling, "Swag!" He quieted the room and singled out the second teenager to pre-order the album. "Yo, this is the first time No. 2 won anything," Jay-Z mused. He then invited the stragglers in the doorway to come sit on the floor campfire style, as people introduced themselves in a clockwise fashion, all while the rapper popped a cork on a bottle.

The only way to describe the music heard is maximalist, everything all the time. We're talking finger tapping and NASA samples here. Remember that Swizz Beatz track, 'On to the Next One' from 'The Blueprint 3'? Well, that is essentially the jumping off point for this new batch of tracks. The hard, unrelenting wall of sound that was 'H.A.M.' serves as a rough blueprint for 'Watch the Throne,' though Jay-Z is quick to qualify the song as the technical peak of his and Kanye's combined musical experience, yet dismissing it with the sober wisdom of "You definitely don't want to go 'H.A.M.' in the house." Nonetheless, it seems both artists have hit their baroque period.

'H.A.M.,' the only official release from the 'Watch the Throne' sessions, has served as something as a yardstick by which they have measured the rest of the album. According to Jay, they started out huge, in the hard-as-a-motherf----- vein. They have since then continued to dial-down the intensity and are on the third incarnation of this much-delayed album. The philosophical posed by 'H.A.M.' and dealt with by the rest of the album is this: "Can something be artistically brilliant and yet unenjoyable?"

The songs that hit the hardest on 'Watch the Throne' are those that are comparatively of medium to soft intensity -- meaning they are still pretty intense. He channels the '70s soul of Otis Redding, on a song tentatively entitled 'Otis,' a la 'The Blueprint,' to great effect. Beyonce and Frank Ocean, among others, make appearances on the 15-plus tracks Jay-Z played during the night.

Lyrically, the album is incredibly rich, including a song where Kanye goes down the laundry list of his less-than-savory qualities that he urges his unborn son to steer clear of. Musically, the true standout track samples the famously transcendent 'Ave Maria' over speedy quarter note triplets to astounding effect.

All the while, Jay-Z sat in his chair vibing to his tracks. Say what you will about the album title, Jay-Z isn't watching the throne, he's sitting in it comfortably.

Watch Jay-Z's 'Big Pimpin''

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]]>albumH.A.M.Jay-ZKanye WestKanyeWestlistening sessionListeningSessionsongWatch the ThroneWatchTheThroneTheo SpielbergFri, 08 Jul 2011 10:55:00 EST