The notion of “traditional hip hop” has changed forever. Whether you’re talking about genre bending projects from superstars like Kanye and Lil Wayne or new artists like Kid Cudi hip-hop has reached a tipping point and it’s followers are expanding their horizons.
MUSIC UP CLOSE, APRIL 2010
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Hello, Music Up Close readers, we are finally back up and operating once more. The construction to our virtual club is finally finished, and I’m ready to get this place hopping again. And what a way to reopen our doors and show our wider focus than with a full slate of world music artists!
JASON REEVES HITS THE ROAD FOR SPRING TOUR
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Singer and songwriter Jason Reeves will hit the road in April for a month-long spring tour throughout the East Coast and the Midwest. He will also perform “Terrified,” a song he co-wrote with Warner Bros. Records’ Senior Vice President of A&R and current American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, on George Lopez’s TBS show Lopez Tonight…
MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 15th, 2010
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JUSTIN BIEBER CLIMBS BACK TO NUMBER ONE Just one week after Justin Bieber’s mentor, Usher, topped the charts, the 16-year-old singer will climb back to the top of the Billboard album chart next week with his second album, My World 2.0. After falling down to number two to make room for the chart debut of…
Sonic Rebellion, Heads We Win…Tails You Lose
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Are you ready for a rebellion full of hard rock and jaw-dropping energy? If so, it’s time to get on board with Sonic Rebellion and their new record, Heads We Win…Tails You Lose. This NYC-based band brings to you a sound that is revved up, amped up and I would even say electrifying.…
SAVING ABEL USO PHOTOS
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Rock band Saving Abel re-teams with the USO and boards the USS Carl Vinson as part of a USO concert at sea April 11. Spreading cheer to sailors returning from a three-month deployment at sea, the band rocked out with troops and jump-started the ship’s return to the states. Atop 6-foot waves and 13…
THE LOVE LANGUAGE OFFER “HEART TO TELL” MP3
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On July 13, The Love Language will release their Merge Records debut, Libraries.
THEY’RE BAAAAACK!
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After a long hiatus, the boys from Houston, best known to us as H-Town, are back, with their forthcoming album, “Child Support”, set to release this month.
MUSIC & THE ILLUMINATI
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I am very excited to start my own column here at Skopemag.com called, “In My Opinion.” I plan on writing & exposing anything & everything that I find interesting going on in music & Skope today. My hope is to touch a nerve with Skope readers and I encourage all that want to leave comments…
DARRYL MOORE OFFERS “DREAM GIRL” MP3
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Soul crooner Darryl Moore is excited to announce the release of his debut album, Where I’m At. Following collaborative work with the likes of Gorilla Zoe, Cornell West, and Bobby Brown, Darryl’s May 4th release will serve as one of two initial releases for Georgia Anne Muldrow and Declaime’s brand new label, SomeOthaShip Connect.
CAROLE KING “YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN” VIDEO
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On April 27th The Essential Carole King will be available at both physical and digital retail outlets courtesy of Ode/Epic/Legacy Recordings.
SOUL SINGER ELI “PAPERBOY†REED MAKES CAPITOL RECORDS DEBUT
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Brooklyn-based soul singer Eli “Paperboy” Reed will make his major label debut with the August 10 release of Come And Get It on Capitol Records in the U.S.
KOTTONMOUTH KINGS POST NEW ALBUM ON MYSPACE
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Kottonmouth Kings are currently streaming their entire new album online at www.MySpace.com/KottonmouthKings. The group’s new album, “Long Live The Kings”, lands in stores on April 20th, 2010 through Suburban Noize Records. “When it came time to record our new album, ‘Long Live The Kings’, we decided to switch things up by adding our labelmate…
CYPRESS HILL NEW “ARMADA LATINA” VIDEO
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CYPRESS HILL has announced dates for a string of North American and European shows set to kick off May 11th at the Warehouse in Houston, Texas. Fans attending the shows will see the group (emcees B-Real and Sen Dog, DJ Julio G and percussionist Eric Bobo) tearing through a set list blending classic tracks with…
COHEED AND CAMBRIA PERFORM ON FUEL TV
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FUEL TV, the only network dedicated to the lifestyle of action sports, is excited to announce the upcoming appearance of Coheed and Cambria on its daily show “The Daily Habit.” In conjunction with the band’s appearance on the “The Daily Habit,” FUEL TV will post two songs on www.FUEL.TV/music April 16, 2010 at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm…
CONCORD MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES CELEBRATED AMERICAN ROOTS LABEL ROUNDER RECORDS
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The Concord Music Group today announced the acquisition of storied Massachusetts-based independent music label Rounder Records. Rounder, celebrating its 40th year as the world’s leading American roots music label, is a major force in a broad range of musical genres including bluegrass, Americana, singer-songwriter, Cajun & Zydeco and children’s music. Rounder possesses an extraordinary recorded…
GAME SET TO RELEASE R.E.D. ALBUM JUNE 15th
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Multi-platinum Grammy nominated rapper Game (Jayceon Taylor) is set to release his highly anticipated R.E.D. Album on June 15th. The album will be executive produced by Game and Pharrell Williams who jumped at the opportunity to collaborate. “Game is good kid…and I’m excited for the world to hear the many facets of his…
MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14th, 2010
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CHRISTINA AGUIERA’S SINGLE IS OUT! Christina Aguilera’s new single, “Not Myself Tonight,” is available for download at iTunes and other digital stores. The upbeat dance song is off of Christina’s Bionic album, which will hit stores on June 8th. It marks her first album since 2006’s Back To Basics. JUSTIN BIEBER TALKS…
White Denim, Fits
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This one should come as no surprise: it’s another genre-bending and altogether righteous rock and roll band out of Austin. Seriously, what are they putting in the water there? And why does it take so long for the rest of the world to get hip to these acts? White Denim, a dynamic three-piece that are…
My Silent Bravery, Are You Prepared?
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Formerly known as the Matt Shwachman Band, this group decided to get a complete makeover. The new image is now My Silent Bravery and the sound is more appealing than ever. New name and fresh start for Shwachman & company as they have you asking yourself Are You Prepared? I hope that…
PAUL COUTURE & LUDACRIS “SELF MADE MILLIONAIRE” AUDIO ON YOUTUBE
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One thing is for sure, when you listen to Artist /Producer/Songwriter Paul Couture, this kid’s got talent. “Self Made Millionaire”, his follow up single to his feel good party record “Johnny Vegas” not only features hip-hop heavyweight Ludacris but also features production from Houston’s own infamous Mr. Lee. Paul Couture feat. Ludacris “Self…
TED JOSEPH TAKES THE REINS OF LAS VEGAS BASED INDIE LABEL ODDS ON RECORDS
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In the nearly 35 years since Ted Joseph began his incredibly diverse 21-year-stint at Warner Bros. Records, the industry has evolved from a corporate-centered culture to a new digital age where indie labels and DIY bands thrive. While many of the top executives he has worked with over the years have shifted gears as casualties…
JONATHAN McHUGH APPOINTED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FILM, TV & SOUNDTRACKS
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Jonathan McHugh has been appointed Senior Vice President of Film, TV & Soundtracks, Island Def Jam Music Group, it was announced today by Steve Bartels, President & COO, Island Def Jam Music Group. McHugh will seek to create opportunities for the IDJ roster through music placements in films, TV and video games. He will…
THE LATEST ALBUM FROM NEW YORK CITY’S SCISSOR SISTERS SET FOR JUNE 29th
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Scissor Sisters return with their third album, Night Work, due out June 29th in the U.S. and on June 28th in all other countries. The band, which has sold over seven million albums worldwide, recorded it in London, the Bahamas and its hometown of New York City, working for the first time with an outside…
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS TOUR WITH BAYSIDE
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Heads up fans; Hawthorne Heights are coming your way! The band is about to kick off their first leg of the tour in Middletown, OH on April 24th, and will venture the U.S. ‘til the end of June. Along for the ride, Bayside, are set to join the Ohio natives starting in Baltimore,…
REPRISE RECORDS TO RELEASE THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING OF AMERICAN IDIOT
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Reprise Records will release The Original Broadway Cast Recording of American Idiot on April 20, 2010, the same day the show will open at the St. James Theatre in New York City. The official album features the 24-member cast accompanied by Green Day, marking another incredible collaboration between the band and the musical. Based…
MARY J. BLIGE SOULFULLY ROCKS COVERS OF THE LED ZEPPELIN CLASSICS
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A fearlessMary J. Blige is taking on rock icon–Led Zeppelin. Her covers of two of rock’s greatest songs, “Stairway To Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love,” will be available in the U.S. digitally on April 13 on iTunes.
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Nas & Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley “As We Enter”
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We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Nas & Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley “As…
TAKING BACK SUNDAY BEGIN WORK ON THEIR FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM
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Warner Bros Records artists Taking Back Sunday have begun work on their fifth studio album. The acclaimed New York rock band has reformed, returning to the original line-up from their 2002 debut Tell All Your Friends, which has sold over one million records worldwide, spawned breakthrough anthem “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from…
WOLFMOTHER RELEASE “FAR AWAY” VIDEO
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The wait is over for Wolfmother fans! The band’s music video for “Far Away” has finally premiered.
STOLI HEADS TO BALTIMORE TO KICK IT WITH YOUNG FAME
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This week we are heading down to Baltimore, MD to meet up with an emcee whose resume & rap sheet are all legit. My guest this week is an emcee who is not only cool but he defines real. I caught wind of Young Fame after listening to his debut single “My Star” and peeping…
MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 13th, 2010
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GAGA MAKES U-K CHART HISTORY Lady Gaga has made U-K chart history. The pop star’s album The Fame has returned to the number one spot for the fourth time, making her only the second female solo artist to so. According to ContactMusic.com, Gaga joins Dido, who did the same with her debut effort…
Bulletproof Messenger, Arm Yourself
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Prepare yourself for a fistful of heavy rock joints that will leave a lasting impression on you. Bulletproof Messenger (BPM) are setting aim to explode amongst the music community. This rock band asks you, the listeners, to Arm Yourself with good music and solid knowledge. Not too much to ask I think…
The Echo Falls, The Echo Falls
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The Echo Falls swoon with the kind of classic pop sensibilities that you can’t help but find endearing. In small doses. After all, overplaying The Echo Falls is a weighty risk. Too much exposure to surefire acoustic gems like “Hummingbird” is a threat to the track’s honest and precious sentiment. There’s no shortage of romantic…
ANTHONY SMITH RELEASES NEW SINGLE “LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVEâ€
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Krankit Records recording artist Anthony Smith is set to release his new single, “Love Is Love Is Love,” from his upcoming album, Sunshine, to radio on April 26, 2010. This song marks Smith’s debut single from the album and the first since launching his own record label, Krankit Records, earlier this year.
LA COKA NOSTRA MEMBER SLAINE TAKES ON SAM ADAMS
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Slaine, of the rap super group La Coka Nostra, has voiced his concerns about the success of rapper Sam Adams and his new EP “Boston’s Boy”. Earlier this year, Sam Adams came under fire after accusations that he bought his way to the top of the iTunes hip-hop charts. Slaine has released the following statement:…
THE TIME CAPSULE
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For a very long time now, the idea of a time capsule where someone puts objects and memories in a box and buries it so future generations can discover it seemed to me to be one of stupidest fads ever. In fact, I always thought a time capsule makes as much sense as such ridiculous…
STEVIE STONE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR 8 BARS
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The winning verse will be featured on the Stevie Stone Official Myspace and Facebook Fan pages. The winner will also receive a personal video message from Stevie Stone with their verse playing in the background and will be uploaded to Stevie’s YouTube channel. If Stevie Stone comes to the winners town in the future for…
Sonarpilot, Mothership
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Are you ready for a futuristic sound explosion for 2010 & beyond??? Well get ready because Sonarpilot and the new double CD, Mothership, are about to blast off! Sonarpilot is your captain and Mothership is your transportation, so strap yourself in and prepare yourself for one incredible ride full of wonder & excitement.…
THE BOSTON POPS ANNOUNCES STUDENT ART CONTEST
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The Boston Pops announces an art contest as part of a season-long celebration of its 125th anniversary season, May 4-June 20. Using the general theme of music as their inspiration, Massachusetts students, grades K through 12, are invited to submit an original drawing or painting to the Boston Pops Student Art Contest. Ten winners…
