On April 7, the release of their full-length debut, Black Diamond, Buraka Som Sistema will unleash their hybrid of kuduro, hip-hop, grime and hard-edged dance music on North America. Ten days later, on Friday, April 17, their live show — with physics-defying dance troupes, serious percussion and rotating rapid-fire MCs — kicks off at Coachella.…
NEW ALBUM FROM THE BLACKOUT JUNE 9
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The hottest new rock act in the UK, the Blackout, will be releasing their addictive new album, The Best In Town, on June 9th via Epitaph. The Welsh six-piece will take the US by storm on the 2009 Warped Tour, where they will unleash their potent brew of massive rock riffs, soaring melodies and…
Beyond From Within, Beyond From Within
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The record industry has without a doubt become an industry in flux. The standard formula for making a record, marketing that product and reaping the benefits of its sale still apply, it’s just that these days it isn’t the only formula out there. Steve Andrews, the one-man entity behind Pennsylvania’s Beyond From Within, is testament…
UNIVERSAL TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM FROM RONI SIZE & REPRAZENT THIS MONTH
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Universal Records in the US is set to release the 10 year anniversary edition of Roni Size & Reprazent’s New Forms in April 2009. Originally released in the UK in 2007 by Universal, New Forms 2 will be available domestically for the first time to coincide with the band’s live appearances at this year’s…
KEELAY & ZAIRE OFFER NEW SINGLE “ALRIGHT WITH ME”
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In an effort to spread the message of uninfluenced and unconditional love, Keelay & Zaire bring us “Alright With Me,” the second official single from their debut album, Ridin High. Kee & Zee’s smoothed out keys and bouncy bass provide the perfect backdrop for Dminor to spread his wings and take off. A hip-hop/soul vocalist…
VIDEO FOOTAGE OF COLIN MUNROE & DJ BLAQSTARR
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The cameras were rolling at New York City’s Chung King Studios where Colin Munroe rehearsed songs from the mixtape. The latest video features Baltimore artist/producer/DJ Blaqstarr (M.I.A., Diplo) joining Colin on the track “As Much As You.” Colin Munroe – As Much As You feat. Blaqstarr – Live Footage [youtube r8JODezDPLM nolink] www.myspace.com/colinmunroe
LILY ALLEN TO QUIT MUSIC
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Is Lily Allen going to quit the music biz after she’s done touring for her latest record It’s Not Me, It’s You? Well if you believe British paper The Daily Record, then she very well might. The periodical said the singer-songwriter told them, “After this tour I have a business that I’m setting…
LADY GAGA TAKES OVER THE NUMBER ONE SPOT
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After six consecutive weeks at number one on the singles chart, Flo Rida’s “Right Round” drops to two while Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” takes over the top spot. This marks only the fourth time in the past 25 years that a female artist opened with two chart topping singles, Gaga’s first being “Just Dance,”…
CIARA SAYS “KISS MY SWAG”
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With a definite release date confirmed, it seems Ciara is really pushing the highly anticipated release of Fantasy Ride. New tracks are getting leaked left and right, with the latest being called “Kiss My Swag.” The Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins-produced-track is an up-tempo dance record that might appear on Ci Ci’s LP. However, the official tracklisting…
KANYE WEST RELEASING NEW SNEAKERS
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Say what you want about Kanye West, but one thing is for sure: he knows how to diversify himself as a brand! This Saturday, the rapper will debut his new sneaker line, Air Yeezys. XXLMag.com claims people should expect long lines at select retailers, like Foot Locker House of Hoops locations.
Kicksville, The Singles – Season 1
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Welcome to Kicksville. Your tour will last roughly an hour and will consist of an episodic journey into a genre-bending society. Before diving into Kicksville’s The Singles — Season 1, take a look at the art inside the CD booklet. Each track has a corresponding cover by illustrator Andy Ewen, with the recurring themes of…
MARILYN MANSON IS BACK WITH NEW ALBUM MAY 26
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Marilyn Manson’s anticipated reunion with longtime friend and foil Twiggy Ramirez inches closer with the release of “We’re From America,” the first listen from the forthcoming The High End of Low. Available as a free download March 27th, exclusively on MarilynManson.com, the song will be available as a digital single on April 7th and will…
STOLI IS “DEDICATED” TO INTRODUCING READERS TO EYE’Z / MP3
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So I was listening to Skope Radio as I always do when I am working. On comes this song and the voice just took over me. I saw it was an artist named, Eye’z. Her voice is like nothing I have heard before and I just had to learn more. I set up an interview…
NEW HEAVEN & HELL SINGLE “BIBLE BLACK” NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
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“Bible Black,” the first single from Heaven & Hell’s highly anticipated new album THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, is now available for download from all digital retailers. The epic tale was one of the first songs written for the new album and finds the quartet of Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny…
FATCAT SET TO RELEASE TOM BROSSEAU’S 3RD FULL-LENGTH RELEASE
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Tom Brosseau’s third full-length for FatCat, Posthumous Success (out June 23rd), marks a huge stylistic shift away from the spare, acoustic arrangements of his previous releases. Unchanged, however, is Brosseau’s earnest wit, near-unearthly emotional grasp, and captivating, vibrato-soaked voice. With Posthumous Success (named after a chapter from a biography of Albert Camus), Brosseau brings his…
SNOB DOODLE
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Snob Doodle is back and he is as opinionated as ever.
LOWOOD RELEASE NEW SINGLE & LIVE VIDEO “CRASH”
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Hailing from rural Sweden, Lowood take the same qualities that Bruce Springsteen turned into American trademarks – wide-eyed yearning, desolate longing and a ravenous hunger for beauty in all its imperfect forms –and reveal them as universal human impulses that span oceans and generations. Lowood write and record in Stockholm, but when you listen to…
UMPHREY’S MCGEE AMONG FIRST TO EMBRACE NEW HDMP3 FORMAT
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Umphrey’s McGee are among the first bands to make their content available in the new HDMP3 format. The new format allows for the creation and playback of a new type of audio file using lossless compression.
PHOTO: PITBULL SIGNS WITH POLO GROUNDS MUSIC/RCA MUSIC GROUP
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With two singles quickly climbing the charts, Pitbull has signed with Polo Grounds Music/RCA Music Group through his “Mr. 305, Inc” imprint. The relationship will not only involve recording, but also touring and branding opportunities. Pitbull’s current Ultra Records single “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” is presently No. 13 on the Rhythm charts…
DARLA FARMER LIVE ON VANCAR.TV
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A short time ago, Darla Farmer joined forces with Magic Hat Brewing Company and Vancar.tv to put on a full-blown theatrical music show for the launching of Magic Hat’s Beer. Initially only viewable to the drunken crowd in attendance, Vancar.tv has now officially released the live HD footage of the show in all is glory.…
MEREDITH MEYER RELEASES ‘IT’S SPOOKY TO BE YOUNG’
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Songwriter and musician Meredith Meyer will be releasing her 2nd full length album, It’s Spooky To Be Young, on April 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. The album was produced by Bill Racine, who has been known for his work with Rogue Wave, Mates of State, Mark Gardener (of Ride), and his work alongside…
LIVE CD AND DOUBLE DVD RELEASE FROM MINISTRY
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While MINISTRY’s studio albums certainly show why the group is considered a stylistic trailblazer, it is on the concert stage that Ministry takes things to a whole other level. And as evidenced by fans that packed venues to catch the group one final time on their worldwide “C U LaTouR 2008,” the Al Jourgensen-led band…
ASSASSIN RESPONDS TO ABRUPT REMOVAL FROM STAGE DURING RED STRIPE LIVE PERFORMANCE / VIDEO
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FROM ASSASSIN, IN HIS OWN WORDS: “On Saturday March 28, 2009, my performance at the Red Stripe Live concert was ended prematurely and abruptly, as I was stripped of my microphone and escorted off stage. I have spent many years of hard work and sacrifice building my reputation and brand as an artist, with a…
COMPANY OF THIEVES NEW VIDEO FOR “EVEN IN THE DARK”
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Check out a new video from Company of Thieves, a live (outdoors, on top of a mountain?) acoustic version of “Even in the Dark,” one of the bonus tracks off their debut album ‘Ordinary Riches.’ [youtube O8PDoHU5mN0 nolink]
DIPLO’S MAD DECENT PARTNERS WITH DOWNTOWN MUSIC
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Downtown Music is pleased to announce its newest joint venture with Philadelphia impresario Diplo’s label, Mad Decent. Grammy-nominated DJ & producer Diplo was first recognized as one half of the genre-defining DJ Crew Hollertronix and the mastermind behind his now legendary mixtape with M.I.A., Piracy Funds Terrorism. In 2006, Mad Decent opened its…
CD BABY PAYS MORE THAN 100 MILLION DOLLARS TO INDEPENDENT MUSIC ARTISTS
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CD Baby, the largest seller of independent music in the world, is thrilled to announce it has now paid over 100 million dollars to indie artists. 2008 marked the company’s 10th consecutive year of increased CD sales (up 2% over 2007), despite an industry wide drop of almost 14% and global economic slowdown. …
RECORD STORE DAY REISSUE ALBUM
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Record store day is almost upon us, and no one is a bigger supporter of record stores than the labels who rely on vinyl fanatics to go and search out their releases. With this in mind, some of the most impressive names in vinyl releases and reissues have put together an incredible new vinyl-only compilation…
ELECTRIK RED RELEASE TRACKLISTING
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Electrik Red are currently promoting their How To Be A Lady Volume 1 album and recently got Lil Wayne to jump on their second single, “So Good.” The-Dreams’ first all-girl group on Radio-Killa Records will now release How To Be A Lady set on May 26th. Below is the LP’s official tracklisting. 1. “Devotion”…
NOW 30 TOPS DEBUT ALBUM CHART
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Now That’s What I Call Music 30 tops the Billboard album chart selling over 146-thousand copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan numbers. The compilation features hits from Lady GaGa, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Nickelback, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and others. The soundtrack for Hannah Montana: The Movie bows in at number…
LADY GAGA HAS TROUBLE ON STAGE
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Lady GaGa prides herself on her stage show, but it seems that something went a little wrong on Tuesday night. According to NME.com, the singer was doing her usual thing when she unintentionally hit one of her back-up dancers with her microphone, causing her to lose three teeth. British paper The Sun reports…
KING MAGAZINE SHUTS DOWN
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The men’s magazine that once boasted covers with shots of hip hop giants like 50 Cent, T.I., Lil Wayne and many others has unfortunately come to an end. King magazine printed its very last issue, which will hit stands April 21st.
LIL WAYNE EXPLAINS WHY HE SWTICHED TO ROCK
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In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Lil Wayne explained why he switched to rock music. The rapper told the magazine that’s he’s grown as a person and “got tired” of doing rap music. His all rock album, Rebirth, is due in June. You can check out the full article when the latest issue of…
NEW SINGLE FROM AARON BARNHART DEBUT ALBUM
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Bonded Records/Fontana/Universal Music Group, has officially announced the street date of the Aaron Barnhart debut album, MISSING PIECES, which will be released on May 26, 2009 and his single, DAY IN DAY OUT, which will be released nationwide USA, March 23rd, 2009.
DIESEL CREATES NEW ROCKER JEANS
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Diesel is always exploring the next revolution in denim treatments and silhouettes and this Spring 2009 is proud to introduce the most innovative collection yet, the Bastonati Denim Collection. Bastonati is an Italian term that literally translates to “beyond recognition” which explains the transition this denim goes through from start to finish. The Bastonati Collection…
RESCUE SIGNALS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM THIS SUMMER
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Dallas, Texas-based band Rescue Signals plans to release their new album, “Indecisions,” on July 21, 2009, via Rock Ridge Music. Says lead vocalist and guitarist Beau Tyler about their new label and forthcoming record: “As for the record, my favorite part of the process was to be able to finish recording it ourselves.…
RANCID SIGNALS RAUCOUS RETURN WITH ESSENTIAL NEW ALBUM
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Seminal punk band Rancid – Tim Armstrong (guitar/vocals), Lars Frederiksen (guitar/vocals), Matt Freeman (bass/vocals), and Branden Steineckert (drums) – have set June 2nd for the release of Let The Dominoes Fall (Hellcat/Epitaph), their first studio album in six years. The platinum-selling band recorded at George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound Studio, with production by Epitaph Records founder/Bad…
JASON LYTTLE ON NPR.ORG VIA SXSW
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On April 7th, Grandaddy singer and principle songwriter Jason Lytle will release a digital single for “Yours Truly, the Commuter” off his forthcoming solo debut full-length also titled Yours Truly, the Commuter, out May 19th on ANTI- Records. Video: Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle At SXSW: SKOPE IT HERE!
RICK ROSS WON’T LET 50 CENT, HIS PAST, OR TIA GET HIM DOWN
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Still hustlin’ and ready to blow, Def Jam recording artist Rick Ross is prepping the launch of his new Maybach Music label on April 21st with DEEPER THAN RAP.
EL MICHELS AFFAIR CHANNELS WU-TANG VIA ‘ENTER THE 37th CHAMBER’
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New York based vintage soul instrumental group, El Michels Affair are proud to announce the release of their highly anticipated upcoming studio LP, Enter The 37th Chamber. The album, full of adaptations of classic Wu-Tang Clan songs, will be available April 21st via Truth & Soul / Fat Beats Records.
NOW, NOW EVERY CHILDREN TO RELEASE DEBUT LP
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Afternoon Records is proud to announce the debut LP from Twin-Cities duo, Now, Now Every Children, due out July 9th. This full length marks the third release from Cacie Dalager (Vocals, Guitar) and Brad Hale (Drums). It follows their acclaimed EPs Not One, But Two and In the City. Dalager and Hale began the…