Monday, February 28, 2011

Pop Ace Producer Benny Blanco In The Studio



Along with Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco has that pop midas touch taking artists like Ke$ha, Taio Cruz, Katy Perry and others straight up the charts.

(video courtesy of Jared Gillam via Pop Justice & Music Radar)

Sunday, February 27, 2011

WC 'You Know Me' Ft. Ice Cube And Maylay (video)



WC Revenge of the Barracuda on Big Swang/E1 Entertainment in stores March 8th

Wiz Khalifa And Others Perform At BET's Upcoming Rip The Runway 2011



Fabolous, Keri Hilson, Miguel, Lloyd and more are slated to be seen on BET's Rip The Runway airing March 21st. Above video with Wiz Khalifa courtesy of The Source.

Photo Links:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2
Film Magic
Corbis Images

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Marsha Ambrosius 'Late Nights & Early Mornings' Washington D.C. Listening Session



DTLR and Unruly conducted a listening session with Marsha Ambrosius and previewing tracks for her upcoming album. Legendary producer and hip hop purveyor Busy Bee make a short appearance.

Marsha Ambrosius Late Nights & Early Mornings on J- Records arrives March 1st!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Beat Society NYC 2011 Showcase


Recap from the event repesented in press release below:

(February 21, 2011 – Brooklyn, NY) Following a five-year hiatus, Beat Society, the premier producer showcase, presented by Soulspazm Records and Native Instruments' MASCHINE, made its grand return Saturday, February 12th at Tammany Hall in New York City. The event brought out a who's-who of hip-hop, with fans and spectators packing the 400-person venue for a sold out show.

Beat Society veteran SlopFunkDust kicked off the evening with a DJ set, followed by producer Taurus Scott, who treated fans to a set of his own, combining both Native Instruments' MASCHINE midi-controller and TRAKTOR DJ software in a live performance setup. Original Beat Society hosts Stef Tatz & Sao led the evening's proceedings, while DJ Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz maintained a presence throughout the showcase as the resident DJ. Amid performances from the Low Budget Crew, Fortilive, Malcolm & Martin, and Danny Brown, featured producers Don Cannon, Nottz, Buckwild, DJ Revolution, !llmind, and Khrysis took the stage, each taking turns playing a variety of beats from the personal collections.

Joining the jam-packed roster of scheduled producers and performers, surprise guests Rah Digga and Muhsinah came out, treating the crowd to special round of performances. "I think it's great that Beat Society showcases are back in full swing because it's good visual exposure for producers," says Digga. "Producing a track is as fundamental as rapping, and it's nice to see these creative geniuses showcase their talent, as well as putting a face to the name."

In addition to the producers, special guests, and surprise performers that graced the stage at Tammany Hall, a number of respected members of the hip-hop community and talent scouts came out to celebrate the return of Beat Society and take note of the rising talent. Sprinkled throughout the capacity crowd were the likes of Sha Money XL, DJ Enuff, Rsonist, Peter Rosenberg, Sean C (of Sean C & LV), Young Guru, Oddisee, Chace Infinte, Torae, Marco Polo, Emilio Rojas, Hezekiah, Emeka Obi of Hypebeast, Set Free of HighSnobiety, Datwon Thomas of VIBE magazine, and more. "Beat Society had a great hip-hop vibe I hadn't seen in a while," remarked Sha Money XL. "We need more events like this for the art and love of production and new artists."

Photos from the event:
Photo By Tone
High Snobiety

Dr. Luke: See Music Producer In Action On ABC's Nightline



It’s true that the lines between today’s Pop and Urban crossover music are blurring. With rappers like Snoop Dogg jumping on a Katy Perry song or Andre 3000 grabbing a verse on the Ke$ha track Sleazy. No doubt it’s this guy’s fault Dr. Luke.

Also, check out the recent American Songwriter interview Dr. Luke HERE

Thursday, February 17, 2011

BMI "How I Wrote That Song" L.A. Industry Panel With Cee-Lo Green, Chad Hugo & More



via BMI

BMI staged the annual Grammy-infused installment of its popular “How I Wrote That Song” panel on Saturday, February 12 at the Key Club (9039 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069) in Los Angeles. Panelists included multiple Grammy-winning rapper/singer/songwriter/producer Cee Lo Green; multiple Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Seal; Grammy award-winning songwriter/producer Chad Hugo (of the Neptunes) ; Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Claude Kelly; hit songwriter Bonnie McKee; and hit songwriter BC Jean.

BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” participants discussed their roles in composing a jaw-dropping collection of contemporary smashes, including BeyoncĂ©’s “If I Were A Boy” (BC Jean); Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” and “Teenage Dream,” Britney Spears’ “Hold It Against Me,” and Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” (Bonnie McKee); Bruno Mars’ “Grenade,” Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Britney Spears’ “Circus,” Fantasia’s “Bittersweet,” Chrisette Michele’s “Blame It On Me,” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party In the USA” (Claude Kelly); Goodie Mob's“Cell Therapy,” Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy,” and Cee Lo Green’s “F**k You” aka “Forget You” (Cee Lo Green); Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Jay Z’s “Excuse Me Miss” and “I Just Wanna Love you (Give It 2 Me),” Ludacris’ “Money Maker,” Robin Thicke’s “Wanna Love You Girl” and Gwen Stefani’s “Holla Back” (Chad Hugo); and “Krazy,” “Love’s Divine,” and “Kiss From a Rose” (Seal).

Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, moderated the conversation, while Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin served as co-host. BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” was sponsored by TW Steel.

Photo Links:
Film Magic
Corbis Images

Farmville Online Game Maker Gets $50 Million Funded, Raises Company Value To $10 Mil



via All Things Digital

The fast-growing social gaming company, Zynga is close to completing a funding round of $500 million, valuing the company at $10 billion, said multiple sources.

The round includes big institutional investors Morgan Stanley, T. Rowe Price, Fidelity Investments, as well as a token investment from existing venture investor Kleiner Perkins, in order to establish the huge valuation.

The big funding is essentially a precursor to an initial public offering.

Zynga has already raised more than $500 million from a panoply of Silicon Valley VCs, such as Kleiner, Andreessen Horowitz, as well as Russia’s DST Global.

Their interest has been in Zynga’s explosive growth in social gaming, with such hits as FarmVille, CityVille and Mafia Wars.

The company grew virally, initially due to its close relationship with social networking giant Facebook.

Since then, it has tried to find other ways to distribute its games, although it still depends largely on Facebook’s audience.

The massive valuation for the San Francisco-based Zynga come after similar rounds by large Wall Street players in social media hotshots.

Facebook raised $1.5 billion from Goldman Sachs and others and social buying site Groupon raised close to $1 billion from T. Rowe Price, Fidelity and others.

The New York Times reported tonight the round was $250 million and named T. Rowe Price and Fidelity as possible investors. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal also had the round at $250 million.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Who, What, Where Weekly Photo Links 2/16



Ready, set , go. Pretty busy week with many events that are worth a picture link post for sure.

Tuesday, February 15th

Wyclef, Keri Hilson and others at the Diesel Black and Gold Fall 2011 Fashion Show during fashion week in NYC:
Patrick McMullan
Rex Features

Kanye West, Keri Hilson and others at V Magazine's launching of Vman21 at the Mondrian SoHo Hotel during Fashion Week in NYC:
Getty Images
Rex Features
Patrick McMullan

Travis Barker at Star and Straps - Magic Convention party with Bun B, Holly Madison and others in Las Vegas, CA:
Film Magic
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo

The Brit Awards with Rihanna, Cee-Lo Green and others in London, UK:
Getty Images
Rex Features 1
Rex Features 2
Rex Features 3
Corbis Images
PR Photos
WENN Photo

The Brit Awards EMI after party with Corinne Bailey Rae, Tinie Tempah and others in London, UK:
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo

Kanye West and others at RODARTE Fall 2011 Fashion Show during Fashion Week in NYC:
Patrick McMullan

Usher in concert and after show party Paris, FRA:
Getty Images
Rex Features
Wire Image

Swizz Beats and Reebok partnership in Las Vegas, NV:
Wire Image

Fugees member John Forte in concert NYC:
Wire Image

Rapper YG at "We The Party" movie screening in Santa Monica, CA:
Getty Images
Wire Image

Magic Convention PUMA And Undefeated concert party with N*E*R*D in Las Vegas, NV:
Wire Image
BBC blog

Monday, February 14th

Ne-Yo Valentine's Day Concert with Miguel, Monica and others in LA, CA:
Getty Images
Film Magic

Slip-n-Slide host Jagged Edge's new single in Miami, FL:
Film Magic
WENN Photo

Ginuwine, Bobby V. and Sean Garrett on BET's 106 and Park in NYC:
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2

Sunday, February 13th

Grammys at LA's Staples Center:
Getty Images
Film Magic
Wire Image
Corbis Images
PR Photos
Rex Features 1
Rex Features 2

Bryan Michael Cox's 7th Annual Pre-Grammy Brunch honoring Sean "Diddy" Combs in Beverly Hills, CA:
Film Magic

EMI Grammy after party in Los Angeles, CA:
Getty Images
Rex Features

Warner Music Group post-Grammy party in West Hollywood, CA:
Getty Images

Saturday, February 12th

Cash Money Party in West Hollywood, CA:
See coverage here

Gucci and Roc Nation Pre-Grammy brunch in West Hollywood, CA:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Film Magic
Corbis Images
PR Photos
Rex Features
Daily Celeb
WENN Photo

7th Annual Roots Jam in West Hollywood, CA:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Getty Images 3
Getty Images 4
Film Magic

BMI "How I Wrote That Song" music industry panel with Seal, Cee-Lo Green, BC Jean, Chad Hugo of the Neptunes and more in West Hollywood, CA:
Film Magic
Corbis Images

Tricky Stewart's RedZone pre-Grammy party with Ciara, Akon and others in Hollywood, CA:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Corbis Images
Star Traks Photo
Rex Features

Clive Davis annual pre-Grammy event in Los Angeles, CA:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Getty Images 3
Rex Features
Daily Celeb
WENN Photo

Melanie Fiona at RADD Grey Goose Party in West Hollywood, CA:
Getty Images

Friday, February 11th

Mary J, Blige Jennifer Lopez and others at First Annual UNICEF Women of Compassion Luncheon event in Los Angeles, CA:
Patrick McMullan

The Grammy Foundation hosts the 13th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon and Scholarship Presentation event with Will.i.am and others in Beverly Hills, CA:
Wire Image
Film Magic
Rex Features
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo

GRAMMY Awards - Social Media Summit with Chamillionaire and others in Los Angeles, CA:
See coverage here

Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop Producer Of The Year Polow Da Don Hosts "Behind The Beat" with artists Timothy Bloom, V and Keri Hilson in Santa Monica, CA:
See coverage here

Grammy prep Day 2 backstage, gift lounge, rehearsals with Wiz Khalifa, B.o.B and others in Los Angeles, CA:
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Friends N' Family pre-Grammy event with Jermaine Dupri, Mya and others in Los Angeles, CA:
PR Photo
Daily Celeb

Cee-Lo Green performs secret show in Hollywood, CA:
PR Photo

Jamie Foxx pre-Grammy aprty in Santa Monica, CA:
Wire Image

Thursday, February 10th

Trey Songz, Saigon, & Donnel Jones on BET's 106 & Park' in NYC:
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Kanye West, Kid Cudi and others at the GQ Celebrates Fourth Annual Best New Menswear Designers in America in NYC:
Patrick McMullan

Grammy prep Day 1 backstage, gift lounge, rehearsals with Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo and others in Los Angeles, CA:
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Cee-lo Green, Leona Lewis and others at the An Unforgettable Evening Benefiting EIF Women's Cancer Research Fund event in Beverly Hills, CA:
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Wire Image 3
Film Magic
Rex Features
Patrick McMullan
Corbis Images
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo

(BELVEDERE) RED launches with Usher in Los Angeles, CA:
See coverage here

Lil Mama, Jimmy Jam, MC Lyte, Christte Michele, Kid Capri, Musiq Soulchild, Marsha Ambrosius and others at the 13th Annual Music Preservation Project event in Los Angeles, CA:
Corbis Images

Ashanti, Kelly Rowland and others at BCBG Max Azria at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 in NYC:
Rex Features
PR Photos
WENN Photo 1
WENN Photo 2

7th Annual Peapod Foundation Benefit Concert with The Black Eyed Peas in Hollywood, CA:
See coverage here

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hosts A Celebration of LA's Music Industry at Getty House with Cee-Lo Green, B.O.B, Chaka Khan and others in Los Angeles, CA:
Film Magic
WENN Photo

RETNA: The Hallelujah World Tour with Chris Brown, Angela Simmons and others in NYC:
Wire Image
Film Magic
Patrick McMullan
WENN Photo

Everlast, Naughty By Nature, MC Lyte, DJ Jazzy Jeff and others at the "Word Revolution: A Celebration of the Evolution of Hip-Hop" - the 13th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project in Los Angeles, CA:
See coverage here

Robin Thicke, Drake and others around town in Los Angeles, CA:
Rex Features
WENN Photo

Nicki Minaj on the Tonight Show in Burbank, CA:
Rex Features

Wednesday February 9th

2nd Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event Honoring Grammy nominated artist Janelle Monae and others in Los Angeles, CA:
Film Magic
Rex Features
Daily Celeb
Patrick McMullan
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo

Eve and others at the HEART TRUTH'S Red Dress Collection 2011 in NYC:
Rex Features
Corbis Images 1
Corbis Images 2
Patrick McMullan 1
Patrick McMullan 2
Patrick McMullan 3
Star Traks Photo 1
Star Traks Photo 2
WENN Photo 1
WENN Photo 2

Toni Braxton and others attend Icons Of The Music Industry: Clive Davis At The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, CA:
Film Magic

Solange Knowles, Angela Simmons and others at BAR III Pop Up Shop in NYC:
Rex Features
Patrick McMullan

Sean Kingston's Official 21st Birthday party in Hollywood, CA:
Film Magic
PR Photos

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Urban New Release Schedule 2/15/2011



All dates, titles, releases and time frames are subject to change.

February 15, 2011
Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told (Suburban Noize Records)
Beans - End It All (Anticon)
Ginuwine - Elgin (Notifi)
Elephant Man - Dance & Sweep...Adventures Of The Energy God (VP Records)
KRS-One & Showbiz - Godsville (Fat Beats) (digital)

February 22, 2011
Vast Aire – OX 2010 Street Odyssey (Man Bites Dog Records)
Diplo - Riddimentary (VP Records)
Nate Dogg - G-Funk Classics 1 & 2 (Thump)
Strong Arm Steady - Arms & Hammers (Blacksmith/Element 9)
Layzie Bone - The Definition (RBC Records)
Layzie Bone - The Meaning (RBC Records)

March 1, 2011
Marsha Ambrosius (fr. Floetry) - Late Nights & Early Mornings (J-Records)
DJ Revolution Presents Malcom & Martin - Life Doesn't Frighten Me (Soulspazm Records)
Apollo Brown - Clouds (Mello Music Group)
Shyheim & Dom Pachino - The Appetizer (Fat Beats)

March 8, 2011
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers (Atlantic/1st & 15th)
Raekwon - Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (Ice H2O/EMI)
WC - Revenge of the Barracuda (Lynch Mob/E1)
KRS-One & Showbiz - Godsville (Fat Beats) (physical)
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Crunkest Hits (TVT/The Orchard)
REKS – R.E.K.S. (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme) (Brick Records/Showoff)
March 15, 2011
Travis Barker - Give The Drummer Some (Interscope)
Doomtree - False Hopes Fifteen (Doomtree)
Sims - False Hopes XIV (Doomtree)
Curren$y - Muscle Car Chronicles (DD172/Island/Def Jam)

March 22, 2011
Kid Kid - The Reallionaire (The Orchard)
Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R. We Are Renegades (Duck Down)
Bobby Valentino - Fly On the Wall (EMI/Blu Kolla Dreams)
Crooked I – Million Dollar Story (?)
Baby Bash - Bashtown (Upstairs)
Jennifer Hudson - I Remember Me (J-Records)
Chris Brown - F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies) (Jive/Zomba)
Zion I & The Grouch - Heroes In The Healing Of A Nation (Hard Boiled)
Anthony David - As Above, So Below (E1)
Gucci Mane - the Return Of Mr. Zone 6 (Asylum)
Cunninlynguists - Oneirology (Bad Taste Records/RBC Records)
Horseshoe Gang - Firing Squad (digital release) (Gracie G Records)

March 29, 2011
Roscoe Dash - Ready Set Go! (Zone 4/Interscope)
Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers (Atlantic Records/Rostrum Records)
E-40 - Revenue Retrievin': Overtime Shift (Heavy On The Grind Ent./EMI)
E-40 - Revenue Retrievin': Graveyard Shift (Heavy On The Grind Ent./EMI)
Snoop Dogg - Doggumentary Music (EMI/Priority/Doggy Style)
Mary Mary - Something Big (Columbia Records)
Big Sean - Finally Famous / The Album (G.O.O.D./Island/Def Jam)
40 Glocc/Spider Loc - Graveyard Shift (Zoo Life)

March 2011 Reschedules - TBA
Joss Stone - Best of Joss Stone (Virgin/S-Curve) (was March 22)

April 2011
J-Live – S.P.T.A. (Said Person Of That Ability) (?)
Blitz The Ambassador – Native Sun (?)
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV (Cash Money/Universal)
Mean Doe Green – Mean Doe Green (IceWater Inc./iNDUSTRIAL WORKS)
Goodie Mob - TBA
Styles P - Master of Ceremonies (D-Block/Phantom/E1)
Diggy Simmons - TBA (Atlantic)
Jay Sean - Freeze Time (Universal/Republic/Cash Money)
Clyde Carson – To Speak About (Blackwallstreet)

April 5, 2011
Brotha Lynch Hung – Coathanga Strangla (Strange Music)
Statik Selektah – Population Control (Duck Down)
Ill Bill - Heavy Metal Kings (Psycho+Logical/Uncle Howie)
Jim Jones - Capo (E1)
Mint Condition - 7 (Shanachie)
Kelly Price - Kelly (Malaco)
Cormega - Raw Forever (Traffic)
Brian McKnight - Just Me (E1)

April 12, 2011
Plan B - The Ballad of Belmarsh (Atlantic)
Mack 10 & Glasses Malone - Money Muzik (Hoo Bangin' Records)
Swollen Members – Dagger Mouth (Suburban Noize)
Jessie J - Who You Are (Universal/Lava)
Atmosphere - The Family Sign (Rhymesayers)
Cam’ron & The U.N. – Gunz N’ Butta (E1)
Noel Gourdin - Fresh: the definition (E1)

April 19, 2011
Del The Funky Homosapien - Golden Era Triple Pack (The Council)
Killer Mike - PL3DGE (SMC Recordings)
Lloyd - King of Hearts (Interscope/Zone 4)
DJ Quik - The Book of David (Mad Science)
Kool G Rap – Riches, Royalty & Respect (Fat Beats)
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee-pt.2 (Capitol)
Daz Dillinger - D.A.Z.
Illmind - Behind The Curtain (Nature Sounds)
Les Nubians - Nu Revolution (Shanachie)
Slim Thug Presents Boss Hogg Outlawz - Serve & Collect 3 (E1/Boss Hogg)
Dorrough & DJ Drama - Dorrough Music Gangsta Grillz: Silent Assassin (Dorrough Music/E1)
Gorillaz - The Fall (Virgin)
Stephan Marley - Revelation Part 1: The Roots of Life (Universal/Republic)

April 26, 2011
Royce Da 5’9” – Success Is Certain
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday (Deluxe Edition) (Stones Throw)

Spring 2011
Wale - TBA (Maybach)
Eve - Lip Lock (EMI)
CyHi Da Prynce - TBA (Island/Def Jam/G.O.O.D.)
U.S.D.A. - The Afterparty (CTE/U.S.D.A./Island/Def Jam)
Smoke DZA - The Hustler's Catalog (Cinematic Music Group)
Random Axe (Guilty Simpson, Sean Price & Black Milk) - TBA (Duck Down)
J. Cole - TBA (Roc Nation/Columbia)
M-Phazes - Phased Out (Coalmine Records)

May 2011
Santigold - TBA (Downtown)
Curren$y -Pilot Talk 3 (DD172/Island/Def Jam)
Slaine – A World With No Skies (Suburban Noize Records)
Pitbull - Planet Pit (Mr. 305/J-Records/Polo Grounds)

May 3, 2011
Dangermouse & Daniele Luppi - Rome (Capitol)
Gorilla Zoe - King Kong (E1)
K' Jon - Oxygen (Universal/Republic)
Musiq Soulchild - TheMusiqInTheMagiq (Atlantic)
Smif N Wessun & Pete Rock - Monumental (Duck Down)

May 10, 2011
Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rolling (Columbia)

May 17, 2011
Jay Rock - Follow Me Home (Strange Music/Top Dawg Ent.)
Naughty By Nature - Anthem Inc. (Illtown Records)
Tinnie Tempah - Disc-overy (Capitol)

May 24, 2011
Lady Gaga - Born This Way (KonLive/Interscope)

May 31, 2011
Jadakiss - Top Five, Dead or Alive (Island/Def Jam/Roc A Fella)
Z-Ro - Z-Ro Vision (Rap-A-Lot)

June 2011
Fat Joe - TBA (E1/Terror Squad)
Jagged Edge - The Remedy (Slip N Slide/581 Muzik Group/EMI)

June 7, 2011
Snoop Dogg - Greatest Hits (Doggy Style/EMI/Priority)
Tech N9ne - All 6s And 7s (Strange Music)

June 21, 2011
Grieves - Together Apart (Rhymesayers)
Birdman & Lil Wayne - Like Father
Like Son pt.2 (Cash Money/Universal)

June 28, 2011
Lalah Hathaway - TBA (Concord)

July 2011
Monica - TBA (J-Records)
Ryan Leslie - Les Is More

August 2011
The-Dream – Love Affair (Island/Def Jam)
David Guetta - TBA (Astralwerks)

Summer 2011
Cormega - TBA (Traffic)
Nas - TBA (Island/Def Jam)
Big K.R.I.T. - TBA (Cinematic Music Group/Island/Def Jam)
Rick Ross - God Forgives, I Don't (Maybach/Island/Def Jam)
E-40 & Too $hort - The History Channel
(Heavy On The Grind Ent./Sick Wid It/Up All Night/EMI)
K. Michelle - Pain Medicine (Jive/Zomba)
The Wizard (Kid Cudi, Ratatat, Dot Da Genius) - TBA (Universal)
Canibus – Lyrical Law
Kardinal Offishall - Mr. International
(Black Stone Colleagues/Black Jays/KonLive/Geffen/Interscope)
Keith Murray – The Beauty Of It All (Sound Records)
Yelawolf – Radioactive (GhettoVision/Interscope/Shady)
Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity 3 (Interscope/Diplomats)
Blu - NoYork! (Warner Bros.)
Jae Millz - TBA (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)
Governor – A Touch Of Magic (G-Unit/Capitol Records)
Pac Div - Grown Kid Syndrome or Mania! (Universal)

Summer/Fall 2011
Trina - TBA (Slip-N-Slide/EMI)
Redman - Muddy Waters 2 (Island/Def Jam/Gillahouse)
Wish - TBA (Jive/Zomba)
Kanye West - TBA (Island/Def Jam/G.O.O.D)

Fall 2011
Big Boi - Daddy Fat Sax: Soul Funk Crusader (Island/Def Jam)
Jay Electronica - Act II (Roc Nation)
Drake - Take Care (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)
Raekwon - Only Built 4 For Cuban Linx...Pt. 3 (Ice H2O/EMI)
Curren$y - Covert Coupe (DD172/Island/Def Jam)
Phonte – TBA

2011
Dr. Dre - Detox (Interscope/Aftermath)
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne (Island/Def Jam/Roc Nation)
Beyonce - TBA (Music World/Columbia)
Alicia Keys - TBA (J-Records)
Jay-Z - TBA (Roc Nation)
Maxwell - (Black) SUMMERS' (Night) (Columbia)
Akon - Stadium (Motown/Universal/Konvict/SRC)
Madvillain - TBA (Stones Throw)
Amy Winehouse - Yes, Please! (Universal/Republic)
Raheem Devaughn - A Place Called Loveland (Jive/Zomba)
Ludacris - Ludaversal (Island/Def Jam/DTP)
Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele 2 (Island/Def Jam)
Fabolous - Loso's Way 2 (Island/Def Jam/Desert Storm)
Young Jeezy - TM 103 (Island/Def Jam/CTE)
Pusha T - TBA (G.O.O.D./Columbia)
B.o.B - TBA (RebelRock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic)
Tony Yayo - TBA (G-Unit/Thisis50.com/EMI)
Wyclef Jean - If I Were President: The Haitian Experience (Columbia)
Willow Smith - TBA (Roc Nation/Columbia)
Common - The Believer (Geffen/G.O.O.D. Music)
Estelle - All of Me (Atlantic/Home School)
Range - No Strings (StarRoc/RocNation/Columbia Records)
Kelly Rowland - Kelly Rowland (Motown/Universal)
Esther Dean - TBA (Zone 4/Interscope)
Tiffany Evans – Ms. Tiffany (Columbia/Music World)
Pleasure P - Pleasure P Principles (Atlantic)
Rye Rye - Go! Pop! Bang! (Interscope/N.E.E.T. Recordings)
Ray J - Raydiation II (SRC/Universal/Knockout/Darkchild)
Betty Wright - TBA (S-Curve)
Three 6 Mafia - Laws of Power (Hypnotize Minds/Columbia)
Evidence - Cats & Dogs (Rhymesayers)
50 Cent - The Return of the Heartless Monster or Black Magic (Interscope/Aftermath/G-Unit)
Ja Rule - Renaissance Project (Mpire Records)
Birdman - Bigger Than Life (Cash Money/Universal)
Swizz Beatz - Haute Living (Everest Entertainment)
Rich Boy - Resurrected in Diamonds (Interscope/Zone 4)
Yo Gotti - Live From The Kitchen
(Inevitable/Polo Grounds/J-Records)
Lil Scrappy - TBA
(Island/Def Jam/Disturbing Tha Peace/G's Up)
K'naan - TBA (A&M/Octone)
Madlib - Miles Away (Stones Throw)
Sean Price - Mic Tyson (Duck Down)
Asher Roth - The Spaghetti Tree (Universal/Motown)
Bow Wow - Underrated (Cash Money/Universal Motown)
Kurupt - To The Next Level (Penagon Entertainment)
40 Glocc - N.W.A.: New World Agenda (Zoo Life Entertainment)
Triple C's - Color, Cut, Clarity (Maybach Music)
GZA - Liquid Swords 2: The Return Of The Shadowboxer (?)
DJ Kayslay - Rhyme Or Die (E1)
Obie Trice - Bottom's Up (Black Market Entertainment)
Mickey Factz - The New Museum (GFCNY/Battery/Jive Records)
Mario - TBA (J-Records)
Keke Palmer - TBA (Interscope)
BC Jean - TBA (J-Records)
Gucci Mane - The Final Verdict (Asylum)
DJ Khaled - We The Best Forever (E1/We The Best/Cash Money)
Pill - The Medicine (Maybach)
Lil Twist - Don't Get It Twisted (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)
XV - The Kid With The Green Backpack (Square Bound Music/Warner Brothers)
Redman/Method Man - Blackout 3 (Island/Def Jam)
Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles (Green Label Sound)
Tyga - Careless World (Bat Squad/Decaydance/G.E.D./Young Money)
YG - Fresh On Campus (Island/Def Jam)
Cory Gunz - TBA (Young Money/Universal)
Consequence - ConsTV (G.O.O.D./Motown/Universal)
Lil B - TBA
K'naan - TBA (A&M/Octone)
The Outlawz - Perfect Timing (?)
Diamond (fr.Crime Mob) - TBA (Battery/Jive Records)
Amerie - Cymatica Vol. 1 (Island/Def Jam/Feenix Rising)
Melanie Fiona - The MF Life (SRC Records/Universal)
Alexis Jordan - TBA (StarRoc/Roc Nation/Columbia)
Starshell - TBA (Matriarch/Interscope)
Talib Kweli - Prisoner of Consciousness (WB/Blacksmith)
David Banner - MTA3: The Trinity Movement (Motown/Universal/SRC)
Mystikal - TBA (Big Truck Records)
Missy Elliott - Block Party (Atlantic/Goldmind)
Kevin Cossum - TBA (N.A.R.S./Jive)
Syleena Johnson - Chapter 5: Underrated (?)
Yung Joc - Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood (RCA/Polo Grounds)
N.O.R.E. - S.U.P.E.R.T.H.U.G. (SMC Recordings)
N-Dubz - TBA (Island/Def Jam)
Mann - TBA (A2Z Ent/Beluga Heights/Mercury/Def Jam)
Liam Bailey - TBA (?)
Gym Class Heroes - The Papercut Chronicles II (Fueled By Ramen/Decadance/Atlantic)
Fashawn - The Ecology (The Orchard)
Donnis -TBA (Atlantic Records)
The LOX - New L.O.X. Order (Ruff Ryders)
A Tribe Called Quest
Beats Rhymes & Life: Michael Rappaport Directed DVD Documentary
Esoteric – Boston Pharaoh

TBA
Andre 3000 - TBA (Jive/Zomba/LaFace)
Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album (Atlantic)
Method Man - The Crystal Meth (Island/Def Jam)
Juelz Santana - Born To Lose, Built to Win: Regan Years
(Island/Def Jam/Skull Gang)
Christina Milian - Elope (Radio Killa/My Space/Interscope)
Aretha Franklin
A Woman Falling Out Of Love (Wal-Mart/QVC exclusive)
Shawty Lo - I Am Carlos (DFL/Asylum)
Teairra Mari - At That Point (Fo' Reel/Asylum)
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee-pt.1 (Capitol)
Kenna - Songs For Flight (Interscope/Star Trak)
Teyana Taylor - From A Planet Called Harlem
(Interscope/Star Trak)
T-Pain - rEVOLVEr (Jive/Nappy Boy/Konvict)
Game - The R.E.D. Album (Interscope/Black Wall Street)
Xzibit - MMX (Open Bar Entertainment)
Jennifer Lopez - Greatest Hits (Epic Records)
Anthony Hamilton - TBA (So So Def/Laface/Jive)
Jill Scott - The Light Of The Sun (Hidden Beach)
2 Live Crew - Just Wanna Be Heard (Nu Focuz Entertainment/Lil Joe Records)
Rocko - One Of One (?)
Aaron Fresh - Fresh N Up (Island/Def Jam/NCredible)
Chiddy Bang - The Swelly Life (Virgin)
Kat Deluna - Inside Out (Universal/Republic)
Glasses Malone - Beach Cruiser
(Blu Division/Hoo-Bangin'/Cash Money)
Busta Rhymes - Extinction Level Event 2
(Universal/Motown/Flipmode)
Maino - The Day After (Hustle Hard Entertainment/Atlantic)
Shawnna – TBA (Nappy Boy/Money Over Everyting Ent.)
Outasight - Brand New Sessions (Asylum)
Mike Jones - Expect The Unexpected (Asylum)
Sauce Money - TBA (Asylum)
Chamillionaire - Venom (Universal Republic/Chamilitary)
Jermaine Dupri - Room 52638 (So So Def)
Red Café - Red October (Bad Boy/Interscope)
Young Dro - P.O.L.O. (Players Only Live Once)
(Atlantic/Grand Hustle)
Ace Hood - Mr. Hood (We The Best/Island/Def Jam)
Explizit One - Out My Mama's Basement (Hall of Justus)
Trae Tha Truth - Tha Truth (A.B.N.)
Daz Dillinger Presents: This Is Long Beach - Various (Gangsta Advisory Recordingz Inc)
Playaz Circle - Supply & Demand 2 (DTP/Island/Def Jam)
Cory Gunz - TBA (Young Money/Universal)
Beanie Sigel - The Closure (Universal Republic)
Drag-On - My Life, My Legacy, My Melody
(Ruff Ryders/Hood Environment)
Izza Kizza – Saturday Morning (Decon)
Shanica Knowles - TBA (Music Mayhem Entertainment)
Olivia - Show The World (Universal Republic)
Verse - Stories Of A Bachelor (Darkchild/Interscope)
Brisco - Street Medicine (Poe Boy Entertainment)
Ghostface & (MF) Doom - Swift & Changeable (Nature Sounds)
Ruff Ryders Reunion: The Evolution - Various (Ruff Ryders)
DMX - Walk With Me Now (Bodog?)
DMX - You’ll Fly With Me Later (Bodog?)
Jack Splash - Technology and Love Might Save Us All (J-Records)
Spose - The Audacity! (Universal Republic)
Krayzie Bone - Chasing The Devil (ThugLine Records)
Junior Reid - Living Legend (ABB Records/Leak)
Beenie Man - The Legend Returns (Brookland/Universal/Republic)
Cassie - Electro Love (Bad Boy/Interscope)
Saigon – All In A Another Day’s Work (Amalgam)
D. Woods (fr.Danity Kane) - My Favorite Color
(Bonzi Records/Woodgrane Music)
Spice 1 - Home Street Home (?)
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Umculo (Groove Attack)
Kali - The Coast (Showoff West)
Duke Da God - More Than Music 3 (Diplomats/E1)
Quazedelic - AnuthaWorld (SomeOthaShip Connect)
Mia X-n-Scarface Present - Malory-n-Micky: Natural Born Killers 2010 (?)
Rick Ross & Birdman - The H (Universal)
Black Dada - F.L.A. (First, Love & Addiction) (Strictly Business/Universal Republic)
Sammie - Coming of Age (Star Camp/Street Love)
Bertell Young - Goin Hard (Capitol)
Ashanti - TBA (?)
Mia X - Betty Rocka Locksmith (?)
J*DaVey - New Designer Drug (Sire/Warner Bros.)
Bronze Nazareth - School For The Blind (Sound Records)
One Chance - One Chance (Nappy Boy)
Pretty Ricky - Bluestars 2 (Bluestars)
Theophilus London - Flying Overseas (Sire/Warner Bros.)
Blakroc - Blakroc 2 (Island/Def Jam/DD172)
Shyne - Guess Who (Island/Def Jam)
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels - Origins of Block Music (?)
Shareefa - The Secret (DTP/Geffen)
Johnta Austin - Love Sex Religion (So So Def)
MC Eiht - Which Way Is West (?)
Billy Blue - The Story Of My Life (Interscope/Poe Boy/Konvict/Mosley)
Hal Linton - Return From The Future (Universal/Motown)
Ozomatli - Ultimate Ozomatli (Concord)
Kabosh (Krizz Kaliko & Tech N9ne) - Amafrican Psycho
(Strange Music)
Scarface - The Habit (Facemob Music)
Strange Fruit Project - A Dreamers Journey (?)
Jody Watley - Chameleon (?)
B.G. & Lil Boosie - Bad Azz & Gizzle (?)
Immortal Technique - Middle Passage (Viper)
Chino XL - RICANstructuon (Machete)
DJ Webstar – TBA (E1)
Dead Prez – Information Age (Boss Up/Family Tree)
Black Milk & Melanie Rutherford - Searching For Sanity (?)
OJ Da Juice Man - Otis Williams Jr. Story (Mizay/Asylum)
Black Thought & DangerMouse - Dangerous Thoughts (?)
Project Pat - Play Me Some Pimpin (The Album) or Goon Hustlin
(Hypnotize Minds)
Blu - theGODleeBarnes LP (Sire/Warner Bros.)
Panacea - 12 Step Program (?)
Madvillian (DOOM & Madlib) - Madvillainy 2 (Stones Throw)

KHRYSIS Talks About Working With His Favorite Piece Of Gear



For music production geeks, to get geeked out on and music for music fans alike.

It's hard not to notice how North Carolina based producer KHRYSIS has made a name for himself working with the likes of Sean Price, Talib Kweli, just to name a few. Now see one of his secret music prodcution weapons - Native Instruments' Maschine.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Polow Da Don Receives Billboard's R&B and Hip Hop Producer Of The Year



Polow Da Don looks like a kid who got straight A's and the stunning teacher Keri Hilson hands Polow's Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Producer Of The Year award.

Photo link:
Film Magic

Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Drake Receive RIAA Award Plaques



Cash Money Records Annual Pre-Grammy Awards Party was held at The Lot on Saturday night in West Hollywood, CA. The whole Cash Money crew was on hand for the festivities.

Photo links:
Wire Image
Getty Images
Film Magic
Corbis Images

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Black Eyed Peas At Their Pea Pod Foundation Benefit Concert in Hollywood



7th Annual Peapod Foundation Benefit Concert with The Black Eyed Peas took place at the Music Box in Hollywood, CA Thursday, February 10th. Celebrities in attendance included Bobby Brown, Ciara, David Arquette, Kathy Griffin, JoJo and among others. Besides the BEP as the headliners, John Legend, LMFAO, Cali Swag District and Mix Master Mike held their own as the night's other performers.

Photo links from the event:
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2
Wire Image 3
Getty Images
Film Magic
Rex Features
PR Photos
Star Traks Photo
WENN Photo

More red carpet video coverage at Pop Candies TV.

(video courtesy of jumpman5923)

Usher At (BELVEDERE)RED Vodka Special Edition Bottle Concert In Hollywood, CA







Usher performed a private show to launch the new (BELVEDERE)RED Vodka Special Edition Bottle Thursday, February 10th at the Avalon in Hollywood. Celebrities on hand included Mark Ronson, Dallas Austin, LeToya Luckett, Tocarra Jones, Mya, Melyssa Ford, Brandon T Jackson, Anthony Hamilton, Estelle, Adrienne Bailon, Jay Sean and of course brawler Jamie Foxx.

Photo links from the event:
Red Carpet -
Wire Image
Film Magic
Rex Features
Getty Images
Patrick McMullan
WENN Photo
Concert -
Getty Images
Wire Image - Concert
Patrick McMullan

(video courtesy of MelissaJoSong)

A Celebration Of The Evolution Of Hip-Hop Grammy Event Coverage



The 13th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project pulled out all the stops with a who's who in hip hop featuring performances by Naughty By Nature, Paul Wall, MC Lyte, Everlast and others took place Thursday, February 10th at Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles, CA.

Photo links from the event:
Film Magic
PR Photos
Rex Features

Friday, February 11, 2011

Cee-Lo Green Performs His Hits At A One Off Show In San Diego, CA





Cee Lo Green performed live at FLUXX Live nightclub in San Diego, CA Thursday 2.10.2011 and the crowd ate it up.

Photo link:
Flickr - Owl and Bear

(video courtesy of rosey928 and BiondaSD)

Chamillionaire Is Succumbed By Adam Lambert Army At Grammy Social Media Event







The panel discussion with Adam Lambert, Chamillionaire took place today (Friday, February 11th) at the Conga Room at L.A. Live.

Chamillionaire: “You spill your guts in this music, and someone comes along and demeans it in 140 characters.” Sometimes you have to step away from it. It can desensitize you.

Other highlights from the discussion via On the Meaning of Adam Lambert

Pandora, the internet personalized radio service, announced plans to go public and raise $100 million in an initial public offering. That was the real news from the event. Now numbering 80 million listeners, Pandora’s audience is has grown large enough to let the company think about how it can impact an artist’s career, said Westergren. In other words, we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Social media is changing the music industry by putting artists directly in touch with fans. Chamillionaire noted that when you’re an artist, “you become public property. If your fans feel vested in what you do, that’s a good thing. You can’t be mad at that. The future is going to be direct to consumer. No one in a suit and tie is going to stand in front of me telling me what to do.”

The economic impact on the music industry has been disastrous to date, with large losses of revenue to illegal downloading. Internet radio could change that. Artists collect royalties from internet play, unlike with broadcast radio. (OK, everyone, run to Pandora and create your Adam Lambert/Chamillionaire station.)

Interacting directly with the audience requires a balancing act. “I’m entertaining an audience. It’s for them. So their opinion and satisfaction is most important,” said Adam. “But part of the reason I’m an artist is that I’m the one making decisions about what I’m going to put out there.” Westergren observed, “The artists who survive are the ones who are really authentic.”

Twitter gives Adam “a sense of control, which I like.” But it comes with a warning label: don’t tweet under the influence. Chamillionaire shared his experience when he tweeted praise of the Black Eyed Peas performance at the Super Bowl and was blasted by his Twitter followers. But, he is unfazed: “I like to be authentic with my feelings.”

Social media provide artists with insight into how fans are reacting to their creative choices. “I lurk to see what people are saying,” said Adam. He said he has used suggestions from fans on Twitter, but wouldn’t specify. “I’m not going to tell you my secrets!” he said, to laughter. “The informative aspect is the best part of Twitter.”

Adam noted (yay!) that social media connects fans with one another.

Foursquare enables people to tag a geographic location, with the aim of getting people to visit favorite restaurants, concerts and other gathering places. This raised immediate flags about privacy and stalkers. Not sure we’ll find too many celebrities on Foursquare, although Adam said he would check it out. (OK, do NOT race to Foursquare so you can stan Adam…)

Pandora’s Music Genome Project is an algorithm to find new music that a listener would like based on their favorite artists. As listeners get older, they are less likely to discover new bands (yeah, life happens), so a service like Pandora might help people stay engaged with current music. I decided to test this. I created a Pandora station with Robyn, Adam Lambert, Goldfrapp and a few others, and Pandora came up with Anna Nalick, who I do like. So far so good. But I already have a very effective channel to get me to listen to music again: Adam’s tweets.

“At a concert, everyone’s got a camera and video,” Ethan Beard marveled. “That’s really powerful.” John Norris concurred, saying “I’m in favor of anything that gets people to be more aggressive in their discovery of music.” Asked how artists feel about the unrelenting recording, Adam expressed ambivalence. “It puts more pressure on the artist,” he said. And he also had more of a spiritual concern that with all the recording technology, audiences are cheating themselves of experiencing the moment. “There’s something to be said for putting your phone in your pocket and just watching.”

Mobile is the most important way people are going to be consuming social media. And I’m sorry Blackberry, but you just don’t cut it as a social media interface. By the time Adam embarks on his next tour, I’m going to have to upgrade to an iPhone.

From the blizzard of real-time tweets during the event, it appears that 99% of the viewers were Adam’s fans, as were the throngs that waited outside. Chamillionaire’s has 700K+ twitter followers. Where were they? On the bright side, Chamillionaire just gained a pocketful of Adam’s fans. He was insightful and charming, and the inner geek in me melted when he talked about analytics. He coined a great new word, “Twota” = daily quota of tweets, which I’m sure I exceed all the time.

Photo links from the event:
Wire Image

Mann: Beluga Heights Artist Live Performance of 'Buzzin' in Hollywood



Mann - "Buzzin" Live @ KeyClub 01-26-2011

Featuring cameo's from JR Rotem, DJ Quik & Shawn Chrystopher

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Will.i.am Talks Brands, Tech And The Future In Video Interview



(via Signal L.A.)

Grammy Museum Celebrates Hip-Hip: A Cultural Odyssey Book Launch & Exhibit



The legendary Afrika Bambaataa spinning at the event above.

via Variety

Hip-hop is receiving its first major exhibition at the Grammy Museum, as "Hip-Hop: A Cultural Odyssey" opened this week in the L.A. Live facility.

The show, which runs at the Recording Academy's facility through May 4, is especially timely this Grammy Week. Rapper Eminem is this year's top Grammy nominee, with 10 nods including recognition in the top categories of album, record and song of the year. Earlier this week, hip-hop was feted in the Grammy Foundation's annual preservation event at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

The Grammy Museum exhibit was timed to coincide with the Feb. 8 publication of Aria Multmedia's like-titled tome, an overview of hip-hop history edited by Jordan Sommers with contributions by such well-known observers as Dan Charnas (author of the well-reviewed new book "The Big Payback"), Cheo Hodari Coker and Greg Tate.

Read the full story HERE

Photos from the event:
Patrick McMullan

Interviews with Money B, DJ Z-Trip and DJ Quik from the event below courtesy of SeanBourgoisWebb.





The Buck Stop Here: Grammy Party Cutbacks



via Showbiz 411

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since record or CD or download sales are literally at a fraction of what they used to be: on Grammy night, the two biggest record companies are not having after parties. As of now, Universal Music–the leader–has nothing scheduled. It’s unclear where their artists-like Lady GaGa, Justin Bieber, and Eminem will go to celebrate. Of course, as one UMG insider pointed out, Bieber is nowhere drinking age and Monday is a school day. Right.

Meanwhile Sony Music–second in the business–is having a small gathering for what they say will be 150 people including execs, nominees, and people like Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett. Sounds like fun. Exec wise, Sony is in a muddle over trying to get 72 year old Doug Morris extricated from his UMG contract to come run their company.

R&B artist NeYo has cancelled his annual late night brunch that usually starts at 2am on Sunday after Clive Davis’s Saturday night NARAS backed gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Also not happening: LA Reid’s annual party, even though the Def Jam chief is celebrating his producer’s credit on the Justin Bieber 3D movie (which is not called Leave it to Biever).

The Davis event is still on, honoring David Geffen, with rumors of a Dionne Warwick tribute featuring her cousin, Whitney Houston. The Davis night is one of two big soirees on a weekend that’s incredibly diminished from what it used to be. The other is Friday night’s MusiCares Person of the Year dinner honoring Barbra Streisand, a hot hot ticket at the Convention Center.

At the same time that Sony and UMG have skipped spending big bucks, there’s word that EMI–a company in financial jeopardy and recently seized by Citigroup–his having a “big” party in town. Well, they do have artists to entertain like Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum, so it’s not totally nuts. Past EMI parties have always been fun. And there’s a rumor of a Lyor Cohen after party hosted by the Warner Music exec.

There’s also the NARAS Governor’s Ball right after the show, although it’s not usually a place to see stars. But what a difference in a business that used to live on lavish parties. The heyday is really over.

Raekwon 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang' NYC Listening Session Report



Raekwon Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang on Ice H20/EMI arrives March 8, 2011

via The Boombox

On Wednesday night, Raekwon mingled with media while previewing his latest project 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang,' due everywhere on March 8. Originally positioned as Wu-Tang Clan's RZA-less followup to '8 Diagrams,' Raekwon, who takes credit for the name of the project, grabbed his title and ran with it. Good thing, too.

Listening to the 17 cuts (not including the bonus tracks) on the album, Rae does justice to the kung fu theme with soundbites from vintage martial art films and theatrical beats that segue songs titled 'Chop Chop Ninja,' 'Butter Knives' and 'The Scroll.' While Rae is the clear star, he isn't scared to share the stage with a laundry list of guests, including Nas, Rick Ross, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones, Lloyd Banks, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Black Thought and, as expected, Wu's Ghostface and Method Man. Ghost teams up with Rae on four tracks begging the question: When will we see a Chef and Ghost collaborative album?

As the room of bloggers and journalists chatted among themselves, took notes and tweeted, Rae stayed close to the speaker, eyes closed at times, and rapped his verses while bobbing his head to each track.

"We were tryna show y'all a little movie," Rae says of 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang.' The emcee succeeded. The conceptual project seems to work best through Rae's eyes making it easy to forgive the Clan for not releasing this as a group effort.

Tracklisting:
01. Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (prod. Scram Jones)
02. Every Soldier In the World ft. Method Man (prod. Erick Sermon)
03. Silver Rings ft. Ghostface Killah (prod. Cilvaringz)
04. Chop Chop Ninja ft. Ghostface Killah & Estelle (prod. Bluerocks)
05. Butter Knives (prod. Bronze Nazareth)
06. Snake Pond (prod. Selasi)
07. Crane Style ft. Busta Rhymes
08. Rock N Roll ft. Ghostface Killah & Jim Jones (prod. DJ Khalil)
09. Rich & Black ft. Nas (prod. Sean C & LV)
10. From the Hills ft. Method Man & Raheem DeVaughn (prod. Kenny Dope)
11. Last Trip to Scotland ft. Lloyd Banks (prod. Scram Jones)
12. Ferry Boat Killaz (prod. Alchemist)
13. Dart School (prod. Allah Mathematics)
14. Molasses ft. Rick Ross & Ghostface Killah (prod. Xtreme)
15. The Scroll (prod. Evidence)
16. Masters of Our Fate ft. Black Thought (prod. Tommy Nova)
17. Wu Chant (Outro)

(video courtesy of The Urban Daily)