Category Archives: Music

Music video: Kanye West – “Monster” (Featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z & Nicki Minaj)

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Monster. Kanye West released the track as part of his G.O.O.D. Friday free-song-of-the-week extravaganza in August 2010. It ended up being part of ‘Ye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. In December a preview for the music video leaked onto the ‘Net, and then a lengthier unfinished product surfaced. Last Sunday, finally, the completed “Monster” music video released to much fanfare.

The controversial, spooky video features Kanye West rapping among beautiful, dead models. The clip is very graphic–dead women hang like chandeliers from the ceiling, West poses the lifeless models in bed with him, and at one point he’s holding a decapitated head by brown strands of hair. This disclaimer lingers at the start of the video, so make no mistake: “The following content is in no way to be interpreted as misogynistic or negative towards any groups of people. It is an art piece and should be taken as such.”

A chainsaw wielding Rick Ross and dapper Jay-Z join West in the gory affair. But just like she did in the track itself, Nicki Minaj steals the show here as she faces off against her pink alter-ego Barbie. Watch it all unfold in the video above.

Single: Skylar Grey – “Dance Without You”

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By now you should know who Skylar Grey is. After helping Diddy-Dirty Money, Dr. Dre, Lupe Fiasco, and T.I. make hit songs, the mysterious Grey is ready to shine all on her own. Prior to dropping her official single later this month, she has released a standalone track for her fans called “Dance Without You.” She told AOL Music: “I wanted to release “Dance Without You” as a free download because everyone has been so patient waiting for my solo material. It is just a little teaser before my official single comes out later this month, and a taste of what’s on my album.”

Get your taste of the Alex Da Kid production below; preview it in the audio player, download it at the link. Anticipate the debut single “Invisible” coming this month. The album Invinsible is expected to drop this fall.

Download: Skylar Grey – “Dance Without You”

[audio: Dance Without You.mp3]

Update: Took me a few minutes, but the track starts in an eerily similar manner to Kanye West’s “Take One for the Team.”

[Via RapUp]

Single: Coldplay – “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall”

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Finally, something new from Coldplay. It’s been a long six months since Chris Martin and company dropped the standalone holiday single “Christmas Lights.” What’s great is that “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” is indeed the first single off the band’s upcoming fifth studio album. The yet-to-be-titled concept album is expected to release later this year. Preview the new thumping track below, and snag a copy at iTunes.

[audio: Coldplay – Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.mp3]

Playing For Change is back

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By filming and recording dozens of musicians from around the world, filmmaker, producer and PFC founder, Mark Johnson captures stunning musical collaborations that seamlessly blend diverse styles of music into powerful performances, expanding on the journey that made Playing For Change one of 2009’s most unusual cultural phenomenons.

And that it was. The culturally-infused rendition of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” still remains one of my favorites music videos of all time. And this version of “Gimme Shelter” is next in line. As you may already know, “Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.” Support the cause and purchase the brand new PFC collection. Playing For Change 2: Songs Around the World contains 10 tracks consisting of covers and original songs plus 10 music videos. And if you still haven’t introduced yourself to this phenomenal worldly mix, make sure to check out the original collection too.

[Via Playing For Change]

Music video: Kid Cudi – “Marijuana”

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This latest video from the lonely stoner is a cut off his sophomore record Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. “Marijuana” was directed, shot and edited by Transformers star Shia LaBeouf and produced by Lorenzo Eduardo. Tour Amsterdam with Cudi and his crew in the video floating above. And remember kids, despite how cool Cudder makes it all look, smoking is bad for you.

Update: Cudi updated his fans concerning the “MANIAC” short film. On his Tumblr he shared, “MANIAC is a short film inspired by the song. It is not a music video and it has no reference to the song content. It will be scored by Dot and I as a film with all new music. Directed By Shia LaBeouf for Grassy Slope and Ragin4Dayz Productions.” A short teaser is embedded after the break; expect the short to hit the ‘Net this Halloween. Continue reading Music video: Kid Cudi — “Marijuana” →

Single: 2 Be Continuum – “Perfect Is The Word”

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The debut single from Kid Cudi’s rock band 2 Be Continuum is here! Cudder has been teasing the track since yesterday on Twitter. First he warned his fans, “Tomorrow, be ready.” Next he hinted, “10pm, the debut.” And after a minor delay (“Delay delay!!! Workin on some last minute fixes, sorry to leave you guys in suspense all day but i gotta make sure everything is right first. Gimme a few. Update soon!!!”), he dropped a MediaFire link into his feed and “Perfect Is The Word” was let out into the wild. The lonely stoner introduced it like this: “KiD CuDi & Dot Da Genius “Perfect Is The Word”.” Formally known as Wizard, 2 Be Continuum is the spin-off band Cudi and friend/producer Dot Da Genius formed earlier this year. The track definitely sounds like it came from the same mind that created the Man on the Moon records, but you’ll notice more guitar and less rapping. Sample the first slice of wizardry below.

Download: 2 Be Continuum – “Perfect Is The Word”

[audio: Perfect Is The Word.mp3]

Update: Cudder hopped on Twitter to announce a second new track is on the way. It’s called “No One Believes Me” and it will be featured in the upcoming vampire flick Fright Night. Cudi says, “Look out for the soundtrack and video soon.”

[Via Twitter]

Listen to Death Cab For Cutie’s ‘Codes and Keys’ in its entirety today

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Ben Gibbard and his Death Cab have teamed up with NPR to stream their seventh studio album in its entirety for free online. If you enjoyed the first two singles off the record “You Are a Tourist” and “Home is a Fire” head over to NPR’s music portal to taste all of what Codes and Keys has to offer. It releases later this month on May 31; it’s already up for preorder at iTunes.

Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ out now

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After dropping four singles–count ’em “Born This Way,” “Judas,” “The Edge of Glory,” and “Hair“–Lady Gaga’s second studio album is finally in stores now. Two versions exist. The standard version contains 14 tracks, while the bonus track version tacks on an additional eight. On the whole Born This Way is receiving positive reviews. RapUp’s put together a nice review roundup, if you’re so inclined.

Update: Amazon is selling the album for 99 cents. What are you waiting for? This is a steal!

Update 2 (5/30): And just like that the special offer is gone. Still, Amazon is selling the album for less than iTunes at a low $6.99.

The Lonely Island’s ‘Turtleneck & Chain’ now available for hearing

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The Dudes are back. In anticipation of their second studio album (the followup to the incredible Incredibad), the Dudes of the Lonely Island (Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer) released wickedly hilarious SNL Digital Shorts like “Motherlover,” “Threw It On the Ground,” “I Just Had Sex,” “Shy Ronnie 2,” “The Creep,” “We’re Back,” and their most recent creation “Jack Sparrow.” You’ll find all of these tracks and more on Turtleneck and Chain, available in stores now. The guest list is insane: Justin Timberlake, Akon, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Michael Bolton, Beck, Snoop Dogg, and Santigold all make memorable appearances.

Two versions of the album exist. The standard version (iTunes) contains 19 tracks. The deluxe version (Amazon/iTunes) packs the 19 songs, adds the bonus track “Reba (Two Worlds Collide) featuring Kenan Thompson,” and nine videos. All but one of the included videos are Digital Short fare, a never-before-seen video for “We’ll Kill U.”

Oh, and there’s one more thing. Should you opt to purchase the album at a local Best Buy make sure you bring this coupon with you. With it for $15.99 you’ll get the CD/DVD package and a super cool and exclusive Lonely Island-branded t-shirt. Or you can use it to get the album itself for a low $7.99.

Now check out a bunch of the album photos in the gallery below, then jump after the break to sing about the adventures of Jack Sparrow with Michael Bolton! It doesn’t get any better than this.

Continue reading The Lonely Island’s ‘Turtleneck & Chain’ now available for hearing →

Matthew Morrison’s solo debut album out now

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Believe it or not, we’ve been following the release of this album since mid-January. And now it’s finally out on store shelves! Everyone’s favorite Spanish teacher has a freshly minted record to call his own. All kidding aside, Mr. Schuester’s Matthew Morrison’s pop-with-substance self-titled album is here and it includes three duets. Morrison collaborated with personal inspirations Elton John and Sting for the tracks “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters / Rocket Man” and “Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot” and Glee guest star Gwyneth Paltrow in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Snag a copy of the 11-track Matthew Morrison at iTunes.