The 55th Annual Grammy Awards have just about everyone in serious anticipation. From the recently revealed nominees, there were a few surprises, givens, and of course, scandals. But while we're making our predictions list before the show airs on February 10, we want to share some of our faves to remind us of what a year 2012 was for music!
1. M83- Midnight City (Eric Prdyz Private Mix)
2. No Doubt- Push and Shove (feat. Busy Signal, Major Lazer)
3. Fun.- We Are Young
4. Skrillex- Bangarang feat. Sirah
5. Kanye West- Mercy (feat. 2 Chainz, Pusha T, Big Sean)
6. Carly Rae Jepsen- Call Me Maybe
7. Nas- Daughters
Twenty-one year old singer Jojo kick slamed the "h-e-double hockey sticks" of all doubts that she could not make a comeback or shed her bubbly pop image seamlessly, with her new sexually charged single "Demonstrate."
The singer makes musical sex purring - "...Baby there's a lot of freaky sh*t, running through my mind that I can't say. But I know I can demonstrate & I can let my body explain" - against a heavy R&B beat.
Jojo teamed up with producer Noah '40' Shebib to create this comeback masterpiece. Shebib is known most famously for pairing up with musical powerhouses like Drake, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys and most recently Nas.
On the musical front, the spread is impressive (with performances numbering in the hundreds) and equally diverse. Offering acts across the genres—and truly focusing on the unknowns, up and comers’, and next big things’—SXSW highlights also include: Andrew WK, Asher Roth, Nas, Talib Kweli, Skrillex, and Set Your Goals. Six days (March13-18) of musical majesty await—ready yourself for aural nirvana!
Any gathering of techies, suits, musicians, and artists is guaranteed shenanigans. Enmeshed within this medley of existence, the possibilities are limitless. As sole arbiter of your experience, be sure to individualize your SXSW itinerary (via the appropriate badge) for optimal enjoyment.
When you think Skrillex, you probably think long, flowing hair, dizzying dubstep beats, and a sweaty, packed club filled with house-heads entranced by the sounds in the air. You likely don't associate the rising star with The Doors, a band your parents probably saw in that very same club before dubstep, and you, existed. For whatever it's worth, the artist also known as Sonny Moore collaborated with several members of the legendary classic rock unit, and the results? You'll just have to hear for yourself.
According to Spin, the mash-up (which you can listen to below) is part of an upcoming documentary titled RE: GENERATION, in which five of today's hottest DJs join forces with artists in other genres. The other team-ups include DJ Premier and Nas developing a classical track with The Berklee School of Music, as well as Pretty Lights trying their hand at country with Leann Rimes and Ralph Stanley.
Chelsea Market opened its doors to some of New York's most notorious music talents last night, as film and music buffs gathered to catch a sneak preview of Amir Bar-Lev's new toe-tapping documentary, "Re:Generation."
DJ Premier, listed by The Source as one of "the top 5 producers in hip hop history," appeared alongside the award-winning filmmaker Bar-Lev ("My Kid Could Paint That," "The Pat Tillman Story") in a Q&A before hitting the turntables himself. The invite-only crowd, featuring an eclectic mix of sleek scenesters, hip hop impresarios, and grungy music journalists, was treated to live performances by Premier, rocker and vice presidential nephew Jamie Biden, and DJ pair AndrewAndrew. Hyundai, who sponsored the film, supplied booze, Pop Burger sliders, and tricked-out cars complete with do-it-yourself turntables and video game systems.
I'm almost out of my pasta carb coma! One of my most beautiful friends had her birthday party at Box last night. I haven't been there in so long, but let me tell you….ignore all those ugly rumors…..the shows are still beyond normal mental comprehension. I couldn't take pictures, but I literally witnessed a fat lady stabbing her camel toe with a butcher knife. Now I'm sure this was hopefully staged…I at least tell myself that!!!! Beyond that crazy show, a few really talented people really showed that they need to be off the box stage and onto something much more.
Nasty Nas has been spitting out fire tracks lately, such as his collaboration with Common on “Ghetto Dreams,” boosting the promotional train for the release of his upcoming tenth LP, tentatively titled Life Is Good.
The album will feature notable artists such as Tyler, The Creator, winner of the Best New Artist award for ‘Yonkers’ at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, and fresh R&B sensation Frank Ocean.
Another unreleased track has surfaced called “You Don’t Know,” produced by the Trackmasters who were hot and heavy on Nas’ production back in the 90s.
The general consensus is that the cut has a straight up old school vibe to it. Perhaps Nas has breached his hip hop slump is finally resurrecting hip hop from the ‘dead.’
No confirmed release date for Life Is Good, which is evidently his last record with Def Jam.
When: August 22nd, 2011
Where: House of Blues
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Info:
Rock The Bells is an annual hip hop festival that orginally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert features a lineup of high-profile alternative hip hop acts, often headlined by a more mainstream artist. The first festival was held in 2004, featuring a re-united Wu-Tang Clan, who performed 4 months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death.
Entire tour schedule and tickets here!
40 years ago, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar took the stage in Madison Square Garden and put on an extraordinary event. The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that brought together an extraordinary group of major artists for a common humanitarian cause. This sold out concert included artists such as Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell.
During this month, all donations to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will benefit UNICEF's life-saving programs for children in the Horn of Africa. UNICEF is calling the situation in the Horn the "worst humanitarian emergency in the world," as it is facing unbelievable drought and famine.
This year (August 5-7) the most major musical event of the summer, Lollapalooza, will be taking place at Grant Park in Chicago. The headliners include Eminem, Foo Fighters, Cold Play, My Morning Jacket, and Deadmau5. Other epic acts like Cults, Lykke Li, The Cars, Crystal Castles, Damian Marley & Nas, and Arctic Monkeys will also take to the stage.