Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Split?

Supermarket tabloid In Touch is questionably reporting that actor/rapper Will Smith and actress/singer Jada Pinkett Smith have split after 13 years of marital bliss.
The likeable couple have two very successful, showbiz kids: Jaden, 13, and Willow, 10. The source of the story is someone who claims to have inside knowledge of the matter, which makes the story one of great speculation.
While there has been no official statement on the matter, the sleuths at TMZ did speak with Pinkett-Smith’s publicist Karynne Tencer, who said, “What? In Touch said that? I know nothing about this … Lord. I’m going back to bed.” Apparently, this gossip report is not enough to get Pinkett-Smith’s handler out of bed and into damage control mode! That reaction also makes us wonder if the story is completely false.
Both Smith, who is said to be working on a new album, and Pinkett-Smith have expressed their disdain for divorce. Smith told MTV in 2006 that when the couple got married on Dec. 31, 1997, “I stood up in front of God and said, ‘Til death do us part.’ So there are two possible outcomes. One, we are going to be together till death, or two, I am dead.”
His wife echoed those sentiments in Ebony in 2009, saying, “When Will asked me to get married, I said, ‘Understand this, there will be no divorce.’ So, you might be in one bedroom and I might be in another, but we’re gonna be under the same roof and we’re gonna be married.’”
Stay tuned for more information on this possible split.

Game, ‘The R.E.D. Album’ – Album Review

Rapper Game‘s new LP ‘The R.E.D. Album’ was long in the making. Originally due to hit stores in 2010, the album was plagued with delays and numerous album leaks. Now after several mixtape drops and a bubbling new single, ‘Pot of Gold’ (Featuring Chris Brown), the Compton, Calif. rapper is in beast mode with his new album.

The 17-track collection (sans the Dr. Dre narration) is a good listen with only a few skippable tracks. The Game is still lyrically sharp and he name-drops constantly throughout the album. Some of the standout joints on the LP are his hardcore records including ‘Ricky,’ ‘The Good, The Bad, The Ugly’ and ‘Born in the Trap.’ While Game needs to have radio-friendly singles to sell the album — like ‘Pot of Gold’ — they slowed the LP down to a near halt.
Overall, Game’s ‘The R.E.D. Album’ shows that he still has enough lyrical “game” (excuse the pun) to compete with the young rap lions coming out of California right now including Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle and Jay Rock to just name a few.
You can listen to Game’s ‘R.E.D. Album in its entirety here (Thanks to Jus Hustle).
1. Dr. Dre Intro
Dr. Dre talks about Game’s upbringing in Compton, Calif.
2. ‘The City’ Feat. Kendrick Lamar
Game recounts his rise from the streets of Compton to now becoming one of the top rappers in the game. The Cool & Dre-produced track also features fellow Comptonite Kendrick Lamar on the chorus.
3. ‘Drug Test’ Feat. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Sly
A bumping club jam produced by DJ Khalil featuring Dr. Dre spitting some bars. Sadly, Snoop Dogg doesn’t get to shine on the track but still comes through with stellar rap quip. [Listen Here]
4. ‘Martians Vs. Goblins’ Feat. Tyler, The Creator & Lil Wayne
Game does his best to mimic the macabre lyrics delivered by featured guest Oddfuture madman Tyler, the Creator. It really doesn’t work for him. Of course, Tyler is weird as ever as he raps homoerotic lines about Bruno Mars, Mel Gibson and Tyler Perry all in the same breath. Sadly, Tunechi is relegated to chorus duties and doesn’t rap on the song. A big mistake on Game’s part.
5. ‘Red Nation’ Feat. Lil Wayne
The kick-off single from ‘The R.E.D. Album’ in which Mr. Chuck Taylor and Tunechi wave their red flags in the air. [Listen Here]
6. Dr. Dre (Narration)
Dr. Dre talks again.
7. ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ Feat. Drake
A standout track on the album with Game and Drake spitting rhymes about all the groupies they have met after rap shows. “I don’t hit on girls / I just hit on girls / Like, ‘Hey little momma’ / Come in Game and Drizzy’s world / Get busy, girl,” Game spits.
8. ‘Ricky’
Another hard-hitting track on the album as Game raps about the perils of street life over orchestral strings and a thunderous beat. The song is inspired by Morris Chestnut’s character in John Singleton’s classic ’90s coming-of-age film ‘Boyz ‘N’ the Hood.’
9. ‘The Good, The Bad, The Ugly’
One of the most interesting joints on the collection as Chuck Taylor resurrects Notorious B.I.G. and does a great job of mimicking the late rapper’s mush-mouth vocals and storytelling style. On the song, the rapper is being interrogated by police as he recounts his daily routine of dodging bullets, committing crimes and avoiding the police. It’s a phenomenal track, in our opinion, and for a few moments we actually felt Biggie’s presence on the record.
10. ‘Heavy Artillery’ Feat. Rick Ross and Beanie Sigel
Game enlists two of the biggest men in hip-hop — Rick Ross and Beanie Sigel. All three spit bullet-riddled rhymes over the somber, orchestral-sounding track.
11. ‘Paramedics’ Feat. Young Jeezy
A guitar-charging song with the Compton bomber and the Snowman rapping street rhymes about crime and death. Unfortunately, their lyrics are mundane, so we pushed the fast-forward button.
12. ‘Speakers On Blast’ Feat. E-40 and Big Boi
Bay Area rap legend E-40 and Atlanta rhyme-spitter Big Boi joins Game on this bouncy tune with blaring trumpets and repetitive chants.
13. ‘Hello’ Feat. Lloyd
The requisite rap ballad with Game in loverboy mode. The rappers promises his lover all of the finer things in life — money, traveling, cars and clothes. Apparently, he’s the Prince Charming of Compton.
14. ‘All The Way Gone’ Feat. Mario and Wale
Another rap ballad? ‘All the Way Gone’ sounds better than the previous song ‘Hello.’ Over a melodic piano groove and 808 drum kicks, Game and Wale boast about their bedroom prowess and how many girls they can catch. If you’re too thug to love, you can skip this track.
15. ‘Pot of Gold’ Feat. Chris Brown
Game and Brown follow the rainbow in search of radio gold and didn’t find it with this single. It’s not a bad song but it didn’t connect with pop audiences. [Listen Here]
16. ‘Dr. Dre 2′
Dr. Dre, again.
17. ‘All I Know’ Feat. Lu Breeze
Game raps over some live production, which is quite refreshing. Unfortunately, he doesn’t say much on the song. Skip it.
18. ‘Born in the Trap’
Game recovers nicely with this fantastic DJ Premier-produced track. There’s plenty of great one-liners on here, including this one: “S— deeper than The Roots band / 15′s drumming, Questlove in the coupe fam / Riding through Pittsburgh, Wiz got the Steelers / Born by the jungle so I came with gorillas.” This song will definitely get instant rewinds.
19. ‘Mama Knows’ Feat. Nelly Furtado
Hitmaker Pharrell Williams produced ‘Mama Knows,’ which is dedicated to all the ‘hood mothers raising their sons. Game gives props to his own mother for raising him through hard times and supporting his aspirations to be a rapper. Pop songbird Nelly Furtado (where has she been?) sings the chorus on the song, which is slightly reminiscent of Tupac‘s classic ode ‘Dear Mama.’
20. ‘California Dream’
The album ends with a song that will pull on your heartstrings. On the sentimental ballad ‘California Dreams,’ Game reflects on the final hours of his girlfriend giving birth to his baby daughter Cali Dream Taylor. Honestly, we got a little teary-eyed when Game let us hear the audio of the actual child birth. A nice way to end the album.
21. Dr. Dre Outro
Dr. Dre closes out the album.

Brett Easton Ellis Calls ‘Glee’ Cast ‘Talented’ Despite Past Negative Remarks

When ‘American Pyscho’ author Brett Easton Ellis made negative remarks about ‘Glee‘ back in April on his Twitter account, we never thought we would see the literary figure compliment the FOX series. However, that is just what he did — at least when it comes to show’s cast.

Although Ellis compared watching ‘Glee’ to stepping “into a puddle of HIV” a few months ago, the writer is now giving kudos to the cast for their acting skills. Over the weekend, Ellis tweeted, “Whatever my problems with Glee have nothing to do with the incredibly talented cast itself. Have tastelessly bashed the show not the actors.”
If you know anything about Ellis, you have to appreciate his unapologetic honesty about the show itself. However, we have to wonder if Ellis posted this comment in hopes of back-peddling from his original statement about the “puddle of HIV,” especially since Darren Criss may be starring in the upcoming film ‘Downers Grove,’ which Ellis wrote the screenplay for.
Although it is a reasonable question to ponder, the author is assuring his followers that Criss’ rumored involvement in the film project has nothing to do with his latest, semi-sweet ‘Glee’ comment. “And no the producers of the script I wrote (Downers Grove) which Darren Criss might (or might not) star in didn’t make me write that tweet,” Ellis wrote on Twitter.
Ellis is known for his dark humor and his twisted plot lines, penning books like ‘Rules of Attraction’ and ‘Less Than Zero,’ but when he tweeted a message that some took as homophobic about ‘Glee,’ the backlash began. Back in April, Ellis wrote, “I like the idea of “Glee” but why is it that every time I watch an episode I feel like I’ve stepped into a puddle of HIV?” Later, he followed up with the message: “No, I wasn’t drunk last night. I was watching Chris Colfer singing, um, ‘Le Jazz Hot’ and felt like I had suddenly come down with the hivs.”

Amy Winehouse Toxicology Report Showed No Signs of Drugs

The toxicology reports are in and indicate that there were no drugs in Amy Winehouse‘s system when the ‘Rehab’ singer passed away exactly one month ago. Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her bed in her London home on July 23.

Due to the singer’s public battles with drugs and alcohol, it was almost a foregone conclusion that she had overdosed. But the Associated Press reports that the tests showed that no illegal drugs were present in her system.
While no drugs were found, there was alcohol present in her system but it has yet to be determined if it factored into her death.
A statement released by spokesman Chris Goodman on the Winehouse family’s behalf read as follows: “Toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy’s system at the time of her death.” A full investigation into the cause of death is set to begin in October.
There were many rumors and reports about what caused or could have caused the singer’s tragic death. Some reports stated she partied hard and bought illicit substances then night before, while others indicated she may have died of alcohol withdrawal, since she was said to be in the process of beating her alcohol addiction, but that the battle was fraught with relapses.
Mitch Winehouse told mourners at the singer’s July 26 funeral that she had said to him, “Dad I’ve had enough of drinking, I can’t stand the look on your and the family’s faces anymore.”
Mr. Winehouse is currently working on establishing the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which will assist others who struggle with addiction as Amy did. Those plans are on hold while he deals with wrestling the already registered name away from its owner.

Beyonce to Perform at Michael Jackson Tribute

Beyonce can’t be in Wales on Oct. 8 for Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert, but organizers have announced that the A-list diva will beam in via satellite with her own special tribute to the late Michael Jackson.

“A unique, never-before-seen performance by Beyonce of one of her favorite Jackson 5 songs will be shown at the concert on October 8th!,” organizers wrote on the event’s Facebook wall.
It was not clear from the announcement whether Beyonce will be singing live via satellite or if fans will simply be shown a taped performance. Billboard noted that Bey performed the Jackson 5 song ‘I Wanna Be Where You Are’ last week during one of her intimate New York City gigs and speculated that might be the clip shown during the tribute.
Beyonce has called MJ “my hero” and began dedicating performances of her smash hit ‘Halo’ to the King of Pop after his death in 2009. She joins previously announced ‘Michael Forever’ tribute performers Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson, Leona Lewis, Craig David and Alien Ant Farm. The event takes place at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Lauryn Hill Reflects on ‘Miseducation’ in New Interview [Video]

Lauryn Hill reminisces on her 1998 Grammy-winning solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in a rare interview for the film series “Classic Albums by Classic Artists” presented by Reebok Classics and Rock the Bells.

“I was excited about taking this music that I thought was beautiful—old school, doo-wop music, cats used to harmonize—just taking that and making something contemporary that my generation could get excited about,” explained the former Fugees member, who is headlining the Rock the Bells Festival.
“I acted as sort of a bridge between an older generation and younger generation and how to put those styles together,” she continued. “I think Miseducation was really what that was all about, being a bridge between generations that could very well have drifted off in separate directions. I made a piece of music from a sincere place. I think that sincerity has no choice but to resonate with people.”

Chris Brown Lives It Up in Las Vegas with Swizz Beatz

Chris Brown invaded Las Vegas with Swizz Beatz for Reebok Classics’ PROJECT kick-off concert for over 500 friends and tastemakers at the Moorea Beach Club at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino last night. Joined by Funkmaster Flex and “America’s Best Dance Crew” contestants, Swizz had patrons going wild with tracks off his upcoming album Haute Living including “International Party,” “Everyday (Coolin’),” and other crowd pleasers. Chris Brown even made a surprise appearance during “Dance Like a White Girl.”
“Me and swizz rocked the hell out of the stage tonight and the REEBOK party! Performed dance like a white girl! Epic,” tweeted Breezy following the performance.

Rihanna Sets Date for ‘Cheers’ Video Premiere

Say “Cheers”! Rihanna has announced a date for the premiere of her latest music video.

The visuals for the pop star’s celebratory single “Cheers (Drink to That)” will debut on Wednesday, August 24, via iTunes. She broke the news on Twitter, informing one fan, “WEDNESDAY!!!!! Premiere on Itunes.”
The video was partially shot during her concert at Kensington Oval in Barbados earlier this month and is expected to feature footage of her homecoming and live performance clips.
“Cheers” is the sixth single off Rihanna’s fifth album LOUD. The Runners-produced song is currently No. 25 on the

Nickolas Ashford of Ashford and Simpson Dead at 69

Nickolas Ashford, one half of songwriting/production team and performance group Ashford & Simpson, died Monday afternoon. The 69 year old Ashford was battling throat cancer before succumbing to the disease.


Ashford along with with his creative partner Valerie Simpson's career started to emerge in the 1960s as the pair wrote and/or produced "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Your Precious Love," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "You're All I Need to Get By."

By 1966 the music production duo signed to Berry Gordy's Motown records working with Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles amongst others.

In 1974, Ashford & Simpson were married as they continued to work together for their musical careers. The couple birth two daughters, who were by their father's bed side as he passed away.

Nickolas Ashford May 4, 1942 – August 22, 2011(RIP).

Beyonce Added to Michael Jackson Tribute, Fans Pressure Promoters to Cancel Event

Beyonce will pull another BET Awards stunt for the upcoming Michael Jackson tribute concert. Due to scheduling conflicts, the “Party” singer will perform one of her favorite Jackson Five songs via satellite during the event, which takes place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on October 8.


Writing on their Facebook page, promoters of the concert confirmed: “BEYONCE Beams Into Michael Forever Tribute!! A unique, never-before-seen performance by Beyonce of one of her favorite Jackson 5 songs will be shown at the concert on October 8th! A lifelong Michael fan, Beyonce really wanted to be involved in this tribute concert. Due to scheduling issues she can’t be there in person, but this performance is not to be missed!”

The Beyonce announcement came on heels of fans urging event organizers to cancel the tribute in an open letter.

"Please understand that this concert is doomed to fail now," said the letter from the 80,000 strong members of MJJ Community, and more than 30 other fan clubs. "Do the right thing for Michael Jackson and cancel this tribute."

The fans continue: "From the timing of this tribute, in the middle of Dr. Murray's trial, to the ticketing prices, to the obscurity over what charities will be receiving the donation, to the no-guarantee policy of performers, the addition of Gene Simmons and dishonoring, thus tarnishing Michael Jackson's legacy was simply the last straw."

Simmons and his band KISS was removed last week due to a plethora of complaints, which called their participation an insult to the King of Pop due to Gene's statement back in 2010, which degraded the late singer.

Attorneys for Jackson's estate also expressed concerns last week about the planned concert, which is supported by the singer's mother Katherine and several of her children, but not by Jackson brothers Jermaine and Randy Jackson.

Also confirmed to perform at "Michael Forever Tribute Concert" are Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson, Cee-Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Craig David and Alien Ant Farm — who had their own hit with a rock cover of MJ’s “Smooth Criminal” in 2001. Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Kanye West and Beyonce’s husband Jay-Z have also been asked to perform at the event.

Ne-Yo, Jessie J and Company Added to 2011 MTV VMAs, Plus Lil Wayne Commercial

Ne-Yo, Jessie J, Pitbull and Joe Jonas are the latest stars to be added to the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, which already holds Adele, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga on the bill.



Ne-Yo will join rapper Pitbull and Nayer for a performance of their smash single “Give Me Everything, while Jessie J will be the awards show's house artist, a duty previously held by stars such as Wale and Mark Ronson.



Jessie J tweeted: "So it was announced that I'm this year’s entertainment at the MTV VMAS while I was on the plane :) it was supposed to be a surprise... Lol. *SURPRISEEE*"


The ceremony will take place at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre on August 28, and will see celebrity presenters such as Nicki Minaj, Drake, Taylor Lautner, Kim Kardashian and Joe Jonas.


In related news, a new VMAs commercial featuring rapper Lil Wayne was recently revealed. In the clip, Weezy spits likes from his Rick Ross-assisted single "John," while talking about emotions that inspire him to make music.



"Emotion is a great inspiration for my music," Wayne said. "We all have a billion emotions bottled up inside of us, so I try to find risky at times and catchy ways to get those emotions out." The rap mogul added, "I have this crazy drive inside of me that's never die and never lose. And I breathe that."

Jessie J to Serve as VMA House Artist

Jessie J is headed to the U.S. for her first MTV Video Music Awards. The British pop export will serve as the house artist at this Sunday’s big show.

The “Price Tag” singer will perform hits off her debut Who You Are plus more during the live event. She follows in the footsteps of Wale, Mark Ronson, deadmau5, and the late DJ AM, who have all held down house band duties.
Pitbull has also been added to the lineup. Mr. Worldwide will perform his smash “Give Me Everything” with Ne-Yo. Other previously announced performers include Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, and more, while Nicki Minaj, Drake, Rick Ross, and Odd Future are scheduled to present.
The VMAs will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. EST.

Eminem, Royce da 5’9″ + Bruno Mars See the Light in New Video for ‘Lighters’

Bad Meets Evil consists of rap duo Eminem and Royce da 5’9″ who are pretty much two of the fiercest rappers to come out of Detroit. They just released a new video for ‘Lighters,’ which is from their celebrated EP ‘Hell: The Sequel.’

The Rich Lee-directed clip features Em chilling on the couch writing raps for a new song with intercuts of him rapping in a dark tunnel. Meanwhile, we see Royce wandering in his jail cell when he notices a secret panel in the wall and decides escapes through it. While both men are walking through a dark tunnel, they spit acidic lyrics to the haters and vow to become the best rappers in the game. “This rap game’s nipple is mine for the milking / Till nobody else even f—— feels me, till’ it kills me / I swear to god I’ll be the f—— illest in this music,” Em raps. Royce follows suit with his line: “Life is wacky now / Used to have to eat the cat to get the p—- / Now I’m just the cats meow / Ooww / Classic now / Always down for the catch / Weight like Pacquiao.”
Singer Bruno Mars simply plays the piano belting out the yearning chorus, “Until lighters are in the sky.” In the end, we eventually see a sky full of lights as Em, Royce and Bruno look on in amazement. With ‘Lighters,’ Em and Royce — as Bad Meets Evil — are finally getting some shine on the pop charts.

Watch the Bad Meets Evil ‘Lighters’ Video Feat. Bruno Mars

Brandy Signs Deal with RCA Records; Sixth LP Due in 2012

It looks like Brandy‘s music career is back on track. The R&B songbird has inked a pact with RCA Records. The agreement brings her back to the Sony Music family as a recording artist under Breyon Prescott’s label Chameleon Records. In 2008, Brandy released her one album for Sony, ‘Human,’ but left the label in 2009 after it sold miserably in the marketplace.

The 32-year-old singer is currently in the studio working on her sixth album, which is slated for an early 2012 release.
“Throughout her career Brandy has consistently won the vote as everyone’s favorite female vocalist,” said RCA CEO Peter Edge in a press release. “I am sure that in her next chapter at RCA and in partnership with Breyon Prescott, we will record her most exciting music to date.”
Likewise, Brandy is thrilled to be back recording music again. “This is truly a blessing,” she said. “Breyon Prescott, Peter Edge and Tom Corson [RCA Music Group’s CEO and chief operating officer] believe in me and have introduced me to a home that also believes and knows exactly what to do with the type of music I’m doing. Breyon and the team at RCA/Chameleon are creative and forward-thinking and I am thrilled to be working with them.”
As we previously reported, Brandy is documenting her journey back into the music scene in a new reality series ‘On My Own.’ In a trailer for the show, the Grammy-winning singer was adamant about making the hottest R&B album possible. “This is my last opportunity, I’m bringing everything I have to this project,” she says. “I really feel like this is my last chance.”
This may not be Brandy’s last chance but it’s certainly her third go-around at being relevant in the music game. We hope she will make this one count and show us that you can still hang with the rest of the R&B divas. Good luck!

Tonedeff, CunninLynguists, PackFM Rock QN5 Megashow 2011: Evolution

The QN5 crew and many others were in full effect this past Friday live at their latest Megashow event

Over the past decade, Tonedeff’s QN5 Music imprint has transformed from a small, under-the-underground independent label to one of Hip Hop’s most critically acclaimed musical families. Now, ten years into QN5’s collective career, the collective decided to give their fans a look into its extensive discography with this year’s QN5 Megashow 2011: Evolution.


This past Friday August 19, hundreds of QN5’s most ardent supporters pack in to the Highline Ballroom on West 16th Street for four hours of indie Hip Hop history. With a set list covering a decades worth of boom-bap hits, this year’s QN5 Megashow proved was a testament to the label’s legacy.
In a departure from previous performances, the show was organized more as a musical narrative chronicling the label’s rich history. Although the show kicked off with the label’s head honcho Tonedeff, the rest of the label’s line-up moved fluidly on and off stage. QN5 balanced its past and present history, as Tone, the CunninLynguists, PackFM, Mr. SOS, Substantial and Kokayi jumped on stage to rock hits with one another.
The show also saw the QN5 crew give blue schoolers a number of surprises. In addition to performances from iCON the Mic King, PH, Sheisty Khryst, Cashmere, Anna Wise, IAmMany, and Steph, Session joined his former group the Extended Famm for a performance, while former CunninLynguist SOS rocked with partners Kno and Deacon to perform hits from their ’03 album Southernunderground.
The music wasn’t the only thing that kept fans’ attention, however. QN5 kept the stage show live with a series of hilarious puppet show videos, while Tonedeff crowd surfed during “Optimist,” DJ JS-1 scratched records with his foot and PackFM tagged a canvas live on stage during his performance of ‘04s “Clik Clak Spray.”
In addition, Tonedeff and Kno gave fans a look into the future of the label by premiering the video to the song “One Thousand Ships,” off their upcoming project together as Chico and the Man (they also announced that evening that the project would drop this December 13).
The trailer for the QN5 Megashow can be viewed below.

Jay Electronica And Jeymes Samuel Plan "Mos Eisley" Joint EP

In addition to working together as part of The Bullitts, Samuel and Jay Electronica are also working on a five-song EP together entitled, "Mos Eisley."

After a calendar year that has seen Jay-Z and Kanye West collaborate on Watch The Throne as well as Eminem and Royce Da 5’9 reform Bad Meets Evil, Jay Electronica is also looking to put out a collaborative project. Jay and Jeymes Samuel will record their Mos Eisley EP after working together with the likes of Lucy Liu and Idris Elba on The Bullitts album, They Die By Dawn And Other Short Stories. After a live performance at the Chill Festival, Samuel and Jay Electronica explained how they work together to SoulCulture TV.


“The only person that is equally non-linear as me is Jay Electronica,” Samuel offered. “So we’d argue over particular tracks. ‘Run And Hide’ is a track that Jay Electronica produced. He’ll make a track like that, and we’ll both record it. But secretly, I want it for my album. Jay would sample stuff from Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory or Superman II. We have the exact same train of thought.”

Jay Electronica, who has announced that his Act II album was completed in July, co-signed the idea of he and Samuel being kindred spirits.

“What comes out of him musically and where he goes and pulls…it gives me satisfaction to see somebody doing that,” Jay Electronica added. “The end result was something that I liked, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

The pair jokingly described the proposed five-song EP as a “hive of scum and villainy.” Samuel went on to call it an audio-equivalent of the movie Being John Malkovich, due to the fact that listeners would get a look inside both he and Jay Electronica. While there was no scheduled release date, the songs “Weirdo” and “Run And Hide” are currently available and expected to be on the EP.

Juelz Santana Speaks On "Reagan Era" Mixtape, New Album

The Dipset member explains that he will release a music video for every track off his new mixtape.

Juelz Santana plans on releasing his new album Born to Lose, Built to Win by December, but he plans on dropping his Reagan Era mixtape ahead of time. Speaking with RealHipHopDaily, the Dipset member explained that he’s putting the “finishing touches” on the mixtape at the moment and that he plans to drop it on a holiday.


“It’s been about four years since my last album, so I really want to just roll this out the right way. I got my mixtape coming, Reagan Era, long-awaited, better late than never, well worth it. I apologize, but when you get it, you’re definitely going to be satisfied,” he said. “No specific date, but I want to make it something, so I’ma definitely pick a holiday or something, drop it on a special day. So probably whatever the next good, decent holiday is to gear up. But you’re definitely going to know, there’s going to be a whole bunch of commercials and shit leading up to that.”
He also announced his ambitious plans to film a music video for every song on the mixtape, which includes unreleased material as well as newly recorded tracks. “I’m going to shoot a video for every song on the mixtape. My mixtape is going to pretty much like an album. A lot of songs, a lot of unreleased music. I’ma put a lot of freestyles out and I’m going to get back to the radio.”

New Music: Gloria Estefan f/ Pitbull – ‘Wepa (Remix)’

Pitbull adds some flavor to Latin superstar Gloria Estefan’s spicy single “Wepa.” The hip-shaking rhythm, which was originally produced by Pharrell and remixed by Holland DJ R3hab, contains English and Spanish lyrics plus a verse from Pit, who will perform “Give Me Everything” with Ne-Yo at Sunday’s VMAs. Gloria has been working closely with The Neptunes producer on her 11th studio album, due later this year.




[Ryan Seacrest]

Beyoncé to Perform Via Satellite at Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

Beyoncé will pay tribute to her idol Michael Jackson during a star-studded tribute concert in October.

The singer will appear via satellite at “Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert,” promoters announced on Facebook. She will perform one of her favorite Jackson 5 records in what’s being billed as a “unique, never-before-seen performance.”

She was unable to appear live due to a scheduling conflict. “A lifelong Michael fan, Beyoncé really wanted to be involved in this tribute concert,” read the statement. “Due to scheduling issues she can’t be there in person, but this performance is not to be missed!”
The concert, sanctioned by Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson, will take place on October 8 in Cardiff, Wales, with members of the Jackson family taking the stage including the King of Pop’s brothers and 3T, which consists of Tito Jackson’s three sons.
Previously announced performers include Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Cee Lo Green, Smokey Robinson, JLS, Alien Ant Farm, and Craig David.
[TMZ]

Chris Colfer Says He’d Like Kurt Hummel to ‘Go Crazy’ on Third Season of ‘Glee’

Chris Colfer — Kurt Hummel, as most Gleeks know him as — revealed some details about Season 3 of ‘Glee,’ as well as his dream storylines for his well-dressed alter ego in a chat with Huffington Post.

He also said that one of his preferred “storylines” would involved Kurt losing his cool. “I’d love for Kurt to go crazy, maybe go Norma Desmond,” he said, referencing the old Hollywood film ‘Sunset Boulevard.’
Season 3 has been in production for about two weeks and being back on set is like being back to school for Colfer, except without that whole three month vacation sprawl! “We really didn’t have a summer off, so it doesn’t really feel any different, it feels like we’re continuing to do what we were doing,” Colfer said. “I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted the back lot, the huge back lot right behind our sound stage that I still get excited to walk through. It feels exactly the same, like we never left. I guess we never really did.”
Colfer said he’d love for guest stars Gwyneth Paltrow or Kristin Chenoweth to return this season so he could act with them. He doesn’t want Kurt to tone down his ensembles this season, acknowledging that “it wouldn’t be Kurt if he didn’t have something ridiculous to wear. But it’s definitely changed a bit. He’s getting older, he has a boyfriend now, so I think he’s kind of stepping up his game a bit.”
Colfer lifted the lid on a dream storyline he’d love for Kurt to be involved in, and it’s one he’s been pitching to show creator Ryan Murphy since the middle of last season. Colfer described the storyline as “controversial” and that Murphy kept saying, “Maybe Season 3, maybe Season 3.”
Well, by our clock, it’s Season 3, Ryan Murphy! Colfer said, “It is controversial but it does happen every day in school. I’m still pitching that one, and I don’t want to give that one away. But it’s really good. People always ask, ‘Does it involve Blaine and Kurt?’ I’m like, yes it does, but not in the way that they would think.”