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.

[Via RyanSeacrest; EW-MusicMix]

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!

[Via EW-MusicMix]

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.

Download: Diggy – “Oh Yeah!” (Featuring Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell)

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[Via KanyeBlog]

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.”)

[Via DatNewCudi]

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.

Download: Sara Bareilles - “Uncharted”

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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.

[Via WSJ; EW-MusicMix] (Click here for more…)

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.

Download: “See Me Now” (Featuring Beyoncé & Charlie Wilson)

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[Via KWBlog; AngieMartinez]

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.

Download: “Right Above It” (Featuring Drake)

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[Via RapRadar]

After a three year absence Linkin Park is back.  Their fourth studio album A Thousand Suns drops 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.

[Via EW-MusicMix]

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..

Download: Kid Cudi – “Mojo So Dope”

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[Via KWBlog]

Ahh yes. Rapper Kid Cudi has brought the goods.  Check out the first two singles off his sophomore album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.  The first is “REVOFEV” (pronounced Rev Of Ev, short for Revolution of Evolution) which is produced by Plain Pat with strings by Larry Gold.  Cudder officially released the mastered track on his blog.  The second is titled “Erase Me” and it features vocals by Kanye West.  The version that’s been let loose into the wild is only a radio rip, but it sounds great for a recording.

In “REVOFEV” Cudi asks, “Where will you be for the revolution?”  Yeah, because this album is going to be that good.  The track has a slow tempo and reminds me of many songs from MOTM, especially “Solo Dolo”.  It’s not nearly as dark but I definitely hear similarities in sound and style.  “Erase Me”, on the other hand, is starkly different from anything I’ve heard Cudi produce lately.  It’s a very cheery, upbeat song that uses drums, guitars, and echoing vocals that results in an extremely catchy pop-rock vibe.  And the fact that Mr. West makes an appearence is just icing on the cake.

MOTMII is expected to drop on G.O.O.D. Music Day, September 14 that is.  But for now, take a listen and download the tracks at the links below.

Kid Cudi – “REVOFEV”

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Kid Cudi – “Erase Me” (Featuring Kanye West) (Radio Rip)

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Update: The dirty CDQ version of “Erase Me” is out now.  Download it here.

[Via KidCudiBlog; 5starhiphop]

We already know that “Power” is the first single off Kanye West’s forthcoming album Good Ass Job.  What you didn’t know is what exactly ‘Ye was thinking when he wrote the song.  Though it’s still up for interpretation, I think we can all deduce what was West takes away from his masterpiece single by looking at the George Condo album artwork that’s tagged with the track in iTunes.  At the end of the song West says, “You got the power to let power go.”  It appears as if this severed head belongs to Kanye, and the sword left in it plus the bloody residue represents the death of the old egotistic, power-hungry Kanye and the birth of a new man.  What kind of man that is we still don’t know; but there was no Taylor Swift type incident at the BET Awards last week, where Kanye performed a fantastic rendition of “Power”, and that’s a good start.

Head over to iTunes to download the “21st Century Schizoid Man”-sampled  track and start anticipating the rumored September release of Good Ass Job.

“King of Anything” is the first single off Sara Bareilles’ second studio album.  Kaleidoscope Heart is the followup album to 2008′s Little Voice that featured the break out hit Love Song.  You can pre-order the 14 track album right here.  And “King of Anything” is available to download today, as is the music video.  Sara Bareilles sounds great in this first single, and I have no doubt that Kaleidoscope Heart will please your ears.  It releases September 7.  (Don’t you just love this music video?  The hand clapping and multiple camera shots are fun!)

Gaga’s latest music video (or should I say short film) comes in at just under nine minutes.  It features a number of men with bowl-cuts and a half naked Lady Gaga for nearly the entire video.  Though there’s some story being told here, I really have no clue as to what’s going on.  At one point Gaga goes Madonna donning black slacks and a machine-gun bra.  I find this single to be one of her weaker hits to make it mainstream, and yet I still have the song stuck in my head after watching this.  So, uh, go on and watch it for yourself and see if you can make sense of it all.  Good luck.  Look after the break for a bonus video! (Click here for more…)

Here’s the music video for Eminem’s first single off his next album “Not Afraid.”  In it you see Eminem rap in a basement, push his way through a maze of mirrors, and fly above a destroyed city (with a not so subtle ad for Beats by Dre plastered in the background).  Does Eminem rise from the wreckage that he believes was his last album Relapse with this chart-topping single?  Download the song at iTunes.  Recovery drops June 22.

The wait is over.  Late last night a brand spankin’ new Kanye West track leaked on the Internet.  It’s called “Power” and it is phenomenal.  “Power”, featuring Dwele, tells a mean and gritty and dark tale of Kanye’s controversial life thus far, and he uses it to vent off the negativity that surrounded him previous to his much needed hiatus from the spotlight.  It’s a lengthy epic that incorporates heavy drums and guitars and a blasting, deep bass in unique style that Kanye has mastered over the years.  And for all you auto-tune/singing haters, Kanye the Rapper is back.

‘Ye starts it off with: “I’m living in the 21st Century, doing something mean to it/ Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it/ Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it/ I guess every superhero need his theme music.”  On the Taylor Swift incident: “F— ‘SNL’ and the whole cast/ Tell ‘em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass/ More specifically they can kiss my a–hole/ I’m a a–hole?/ You n—as got jokes/ You short-minded n—as’ thoughts is Napoleon/ My furs is Mongolian/ My ice brought the goalies in.  On his hiatus: “I just needed time alone with my own thoughts/ Got treasures in my mind/ But couldn’t open up my own vault …/ Reality is catching up with me/ Taking my inner child/ I’m fighting for custody.”  To the haters: “They say I was the abomination of Obama’s nation/ Well, that’s a pretty bad way to start the conversation/ At the end of day, goddammit I’m killin’ this sh–/ I know damn well y’all feelin’ this sh–.”  Then there’s the chorus that features a sample from King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man”: “No one man should have all that power/ The clock’s tickin’, I just count the hours/ Stop trippin’, I’m trippin’ off the power/ (21st century schizoid man).”  The song closes with a verse from Dwele (who was featured on Graduation‘s “Flashing Lights”): “Now this would be a beautiful death/ Jumpin’ out the window/ Lettin’ everything go .. You got the power to let power go.”

So is this the first single off Kanye’s forthcoming album tentitively titled Good Ass Job?  No one knows for sure since this was in fact a leak.  ‘Ye’s A&R Plain Pat had this to say about the leak via Twitter: “So waaaack. Working on a record for all those months to see an unfinished leak hit the Net.”  OK, so what you’re listening to here is not the final version, but it sounds damn near close to completion.  Though Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam has not announced a release date for Good Ass Job, sources peg a late summer drop.  After listing to “Power” I pray this album does not get the delay treatment.

Update: Yesterday mid-afternoon Kanye West promised fans that a “mixed and mastered” version of “Power”, the confirmed lead single off his next album, would be released shortly.  And here it is.  I’ve updated the download link and audio clip below.  The mastered track is subtly superior to the original leak and should be replace it in your music library.  So what are you waiting for?  Have at it!  (And look after the break for a freaky ”Power portait” created by artist George Condo.)

Download: Kanye West – Power (Featuring Dwele)

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[Via Savagebeatz; MTVNews] (Click here for more…)

Single #3 off Drake’s Thank Me Later, due out June 15.

Download: Drake – “Miss Me” (Featuring Lil Wayne)

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[Via Savagebeatz; DrakeBlog]

So we all know T.I. is “Back.”  But is he bringing the goods?  With fresh singles “Got Your Back” and “Yeah Ya Know (Takers)” released into the wild, I can answer that question with a resounding yes.  “Got Your Back” features a classic T.I. beat behind a catchy chorus provided by the talented and sexy Keri Hilson.  “Yeah Ya Know (Takers)”, produced by Smash Factory and DJ Toomp, doubles as a promotional track for T.I.’s new feature film Takers which hits theatres August 20.  In it, Tip proves that prison didn’t change him, it made him better.  A medley of heavy drums, synth, guitar riffs, and fast lyrics makes the track an instant hit.  Preview and download the two singles below.  King Uncaged is expected to drop August 17.

Download: “Got Your Back” (Featuring Keri Hilson)”

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Download: “Yeah Ya Know (Takers)”

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Update: The “music video” for “Yeah Ya Know (Takers)” is out now.  I put music video in quotes because it’s more like an extended theatrical trailer for T.I.’s new movie Takers, starring Matt Dillion, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez,Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, and Tip himself.  It’s due out in theatres August 20.  Find the video after the break.

[Via Dajaz1; TheSmokingSection] (Click here for more…)

Big Boi of OutKast fame is finally ready to move forward with his solo album titled Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty, due out July 6.  “Shutterbug” was released about one month ago, and today a music video for it has hit the ‘Net.  And man is it out there.  Disembodied heads, puppets with vocoders, Tron-like figures in neon jumpsuits.  The visuals are nasty, the girls are pretty, and the beat is poppin’.  Me likey.  I’m very much looking forward to Big Boi’s long-awaited solo debut.

[Via EW-MusicMix]

“Rockstar 101″ is the fourth single off Rihanna’s latest album Rated R.  In the music video we find Rihanna, well, living the life of a (sexy) rockstar.  At one point she even dresses up as Slash (who lends guitar licks to the track), top hat and all.  Also, look out for drummer Travis Barker.  The video was directed by Melina Matsoukas who also headed the videos for “Hard” and “Rude Boy.”  The visuals, per usual, are slick.

“Second Go” is the fourth single off electro-synth artist Light’s debut album The Listening.  It follows “Savior”, “The Listening”, and “Ice.”  The messy, colorful, paint-splashed music video was shot in one take.  Like what you hear?  Download the track and preview the album.  Learn more about Lights here.

[Via EW-MusicMix]

Single? Check. Music video? Check.

This Anthony Mandler-directed music video finds Drake stuck in the middle of a dangerous love triange between a gang leader and his prized possession.  The video is consumed by its opening phrase: “the worst thing about crossing a line, is when you know you don’t have…”  It was filmed in Kingston, Jamaica.

“Find Your Love” is the second single off Drake’s upcoming album Thank Me Later, due out June 15.

[Via DrakeBlog]

Lupe’s baaaack.  After dropping two singles off his upcoming album Lasers rapper Lupe Fiasco made a music video for one of ‘em.  And it’s a really fun video, so check it out.  Lasers is expected to release sometime this year, but in the meantime take a listen to “I’m Beamin” and the other single “Shining Down“ (featuring Matthew Santos).