Talib Kweli 'Gutter Rainbows' Track List And Press Release With Features & Production Credits

Gutter Rainbows Album Out January 25th, 2011 on Javotti Media/3D

Digital-Only in North America / All Formats in the rest of the world.

On Reflection Eternal’s 2000 album “Train of Thought,” Talib Kweli challenged fans, and himself, to “do what comes naturally.” After years of recording on mainstream labels, he now has the chance to produce exactly what he wants—and feels he needs—to produce: an album straight from his mouth to the ears of his fans. Invoking the true meaning of MC, Master of Ceremonies, Kweli brings incredible power to his live shows and feeds off the spontaneous energy of his audiences. Being able to interact directly with his audience and the musicians he most respects, he has created an album and a sound that best reproduces that ceremony for his fans. Finally, after serious urgency in the studio, Kweli presents ‘Gutter Rainbows,’ an album that takes a trip back to childhood while marking the newest stage in his long and dynamic career. This newest release, recorded on his time and with his talent as the driving force, proves Kweli is a complete and formidable musician—it presents the depth and breadth of his experience and ability, and sets a new bar for the cutting edge of hip-hop music.

Through Kweli’s various collaborations, he has been able to grow as an artist and expand his fan base. For over 15 years, Kweli has been a king of New York hip-hop who has an expansive international audience. Kweli’s work with Mos Def on “Black Star” (1998) still stands as one of hip-hop’s premiere expressions of truth. On “Train of Thought,” Kweli teamed up with Hi Tek to form Reflection Eternal, a virtuoso hip-hop duo that continues to wow audiences and critics alike. In 2007, Kweli and DJ/Producer/MC Madlib gave their fans “Liberation”—originally released free on the internet—an album that was filled with their joint love of the music they make and the respect their fans give them. Performing all over the world with unique style and an unequaled dedication to his music, Kweli has worked with artists as diverse as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, MF Doom, Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, Common, Nelly, The Roots, Quincy Jones, Gucci Mane, Norah Jones, KRS-One and many more. With a career filled with success and innovation, it comes as no surprise that both Jay-Z and 50 Cent, at the height of their stardom, both counted Kweli among their favorite rappers. On his “solo” albums, there is no question that his lyrical talent and unique musical drive rank up there with the best in the business. Recording with other world famous musicians or alone on the mic, Kweli gives both the long-time fan and the uninitiated an unforgettable experience.

“Gutter Rainbows” was recorded with the help of incredibly talented musicians from across the country. Eric Krasno, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, Iron Solomon, Outasight, Kendra Ross, Sean Price, 88-Keys, Marco Polo, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, S-1, E. Jones, Oh No and others make appearances. With this record, Kweli is able to make the music he knows and loves, play with the best musicians around, and bring it straight to his fans.

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Kweli saw gutters that ran with dirt, oil and water, revealing a shimmering rainbow to his child’s eyes. Drawing its title from this memory, this album puts at the raw center what his music has been doing for years: finding and preserving the beautiful in the hideous; the rainbows in the gutter. Weaving the lyrical and the gritty, the autobiographical with an honest, no-holds- barred hip-hop spirit; Kweli sticks fiercely to what feels true to him in creating the sound of this album. Without being tied to any particular label’s conception of what his sound should be or when his work should hit his fans, Kweli is free to build his most personal album yet in both content and motivation. Kweli’s true solo career has only just begun, and although the future holds more collaboration, “Gutter Rainbows” marks a new stage in the long and ever-evolving career of Talib Kweli.

Album Track Listing:

01. After The Rain (prod. by 88-Keys)
02. Gutter Rainbows (prod. by M-Phazes)
03. So Low (prod. by Shuko)
04. Palookas feat. Sean Price (prod. by Marco Polo)
05. Mr. International feat. Nigel Hall (prod. by S1)
06. I’m On One (prod. by KHRYSIS!)
07. Wait For You feat. Kendra Ross (prod. by S1)
08. Ain’t Waiting feat. Outasight (prod. by 6th sense)
09. Cold Rain (prod. by Ski Beatz)
10. Friends & Family (prod. by E. Jones)
11. Tater Tot (prod. by Nick Speed)
12. How You Love Me feat. Blaq Toven (prod. by Blaq Toven)
13. Uh Oh feat. Jean Grae (prod. by Oh No)
14. Self Savior feat. Chace Infinite (prod. by Maurice Brown)



To purchase 'Cold Rain' at iTunes HERE

Lupe Fiasco, Atlantic Records Mend Relationship And Gets A LASERS Release Date

Lupe Fiasco LASERS on Atlantic Records/1st & 15th arrives March 8th, 2011.

Why Album Come Out On Tuesday's, What's The Reasoning?

In case you wondered why, here are some reasons and theories as to why Tuesday are street dates for new releases in America.

via NPR

Honestly, no one seems to know for sure. It's more like a tradition with murky origins.

And it happens on Tuesday in the U.S. only — in the U.K. and France release dates are Mondays, in Germany it's Friday.

So if Tuesday isn't the universally accepted best day to offer new music to customers and there's no law or grand business wisdom about it, why does everyone put out albums on the same day?

One explanation is Billboard magazine, which publishes its charts on Wednesdays. If you release an album on a Tuesday, then you get the maximum seven days of sales counted toward your total (including a full weekend).

The other is inertia — distributors are all set up to shuttle stock out to stores over the weekend and on Mondays. Most only do runs a couple of times a week.

So "New Music Tuesdays" has seeped into popular culture.

We wanted clearer answers so we've been asking around this week — and everyone is giving us different answers. The one explanation people share is a hazy recollection of something happening before Billboard (so, pre-1950s). They just don't remember what that was.

From what we've heard, this is why every other day of the week doesn't work:

Monday: If stores are told to begin selling CDs on Mondays, distributors need to ship them by Sunday, and stores need to pay staff to unpack, inventory and stock over the weekend. That is a bummer. Also, Monday is a government holiday more than any other day of the week.

Wednesday: Stores and musicians can tell people the new CD is available to buy in the middle of the week, but it usually takes a bit for people to motivate themselves on over to their local record store. By Wednesday the week is almost over (I wish).

Thursday: For the reason above, Thursday is more too late.

Friday: Even more too late. But it is payday.

Saturday: It's harder to get press coverage that people see on the weekend.

Sunday: Who goes to record stores on Sunday?

Statik Selektah and Termanology '1982' Artwork And Tracklist

Statik Selektah & Termanology 1982 on Showoff Records arrives October 26th.

01. The World Renown
02. People Are Running
03. Things I Dream ft. Lil Fame of M.O.P.
04. Goin Back ft. Cassidy & Xzibit
05. The Radio
06. Wedding Bells ft. Jared Evan
07. You Should Go Home ft. Bun B & Masspike Miles
08. Tell Me Lies ft. Styles P
09. Life Is What You Make It ft. Saigon & Freeway
10. Freedom ft. REKS
11. Still Waiting
12. The Street Life
13. Thugathon 2010 ft. M.O.P.
14. The Hood Is On Fire ft. Inspectah Deck
15. Born In 82
16. Help

Rihanna Names New Album 'Loud'

via the L.A. Times

Although we can’t necessarily say Rihanna is back, since she didn't go anywhere -- she is making a comeback of sorts.

The self-proclaimed "good girl gone bad" is back to her dance roots on her new single, “Only Girl (In the World),” which she debuted Tuesday on Ryan Seacrest's morning radio show.

After taking a more macabre approach to her fourth disc, “Rated R,” she's gone in a decidedly more “sassy, fun, flirty [and] energetic” direction on her fifth disc, “Loud.”

“Get loud, everybody. Get crazy. Get excited. 'Cause I'm pumped. I'm just gonna be me,” she told fansite RihannaDaily.com during a live chat.

“I’m done recording the whole album ... I made sure not to let you down with my music! You guys are always defending me, so now you've got some great songs to justify it. I didn't want to go backward and remake [2007's] ‘Good Girl Gone Bad.’ I wanted the next step in the evolution of Rihanna, and it's perfect for us.”

The single was produced by Stargate, the same Grammy-winning producing team responsible for some of her biggest hits, including “Rude Boy,” “Unfaithful,” “Hate That I Love You” and the dance anthem “Please Don't Stop the Music.”

With its club ready bassline and Euro-pop influences, not to mention one heck of an epic chorus, the track is a surefire hit. “Want you to make me feel, like I'm the only girl in the world,” she sings. “Like I’m the only one that you'll ever love, like I'm the only one who knows your heart.”

“Loud” is slated to hit stores in November.

Listen to Rihanna's new song HERE

Michael Jackson New Album Coming In November

I've had a new Michael Jackson album locked in November on the Urban New Release Schedule for awhile, but now it's official. With that, let the Christmas selling season begin.

via Rolling Stone

An all-new Michael Jackson collection featuring 10 unreleased songs will be released this November, a rep for the Jackson estate exclusively tells Rolling Stone. At the time of his death Jackson reportedly left hard drives filled with unheard music, much of it recorded during the King of Pop's '80s peak. Jackson's manager Frank DiLeo told RS that he estimates that Jackson's vaults contain more than 100 completed and unreleased songs, including collaborations with Akon, Will.i.am and Ne-Yo. "There are a couple of songs we recorded for the Bad album that we had to cut that are just sensational," DiLeo said

Linkin Park 'A Thousand Suns' Artwork And Tracklisting Posted Online

Linkin Park A Thousand Suns on Machine Shop Recordings/Warner Bros arrives September 14.

"A Thousand Suns" track listing:

01. The Requiem
02. The Radiance
03. Burning In The Skies
04. Empty Spaces
05. When They Come For Me
06. Robot Boy
07. Jornada Del Muerto
08. Waiting For The End
09. Blackout
10. Wretches And Kings
11. Wisdom, Justice, And Love
12. Iridescent
13. Fallout
14. The Catalyst
15. The Messenger

(source)

John Legend & The Roots 'Wake Up!' Artwork & Tracklist Posted Online

John Legend & The Roots Wake Up! on G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia set to arrive September 21.

Tracklist:

01. Compared to What
02. Hard Times
03. Little Ghetto Boy
04. Wake Up Everybody feat. Common and Melanie Fiona
05. Our Generation
06. Love the Way It Should Be
07. Hang On in There
08. I Can’t Write Left Handed
09. Wholy Holy
10. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
11. Shine

as seen on Rap-Up

Trek Life Announces 'Everything Changed Nothing' New Album Out July 27

via the press release

(July 13, 2010 – Brooklyn, NY) California bred emcee Trek Life is excited to announce the release of his latest album, Everything Changed Nothing. Produced entirely by Oddisee, the album will be released July 27th via Mello Music Group.

The album is the culmination of years of collaboration between Trek and producer Oddisee that began with the remixes of Price I've Paid, Trek's debut LP. Undaunted by the thousands of miles separating them, the pair have crafted yet another example of how a producer and an artist with the right chemistry can maintain a winning streak. "We both knew exactly what we were trying to do from the beginning," explains Trek. "Oddisee is a producer in every sense of the world. He had a direction and it was my job to manifest it lyrically." Oddisee's sonic backdrop invoked a verbal assault from Trek that remains raw, and unapologetic throughout the album as Trek sheds light on the "ugly nature of the world" with his gritty but poignant lyricism.

"So Supreme", the album's lead single has generated a powerful buzz. The track was featured on ESPN recently for the network's coverage of the Stanley Cup and NBA Playoffs. The track was a perfect fit for video clips that thrive on ideas of competition and perseverance; with a hard-hitting beat and aggressive rhymes complimenting the action on screen. In regards to Trek's original intent of the track, he says, "This song is really just re-establishing my footing as an emcee. Strictly raw rhymes." Certainly having the lead single of your new album catch the attention of the world's premier sports broadcasting network is a good early indication of the album's merit.

The album's title stems from the emcee's role as a father. Speaking affectionately of his daughter, Trek says, "I was thinking how much she means to me and how she's literally everything I ever wanted, but the reality is life, in general, goes on." The album speaks to the real life of nearly everyone. The personal struggles, trials and tribulations quite simply don't act as roadblocks to the freight train that is life. It’s a sobering fact that Trek seems to have a good handle on. On tracks like "So LA" and the soul-scorching "Jump Out There" Trek makes clear his reality-to-fantasy ratio is stacked well in favor of the former. Gritty tracks of urban reality cross-pollinate with songs that deal with romantic desire such as the Bootsy Collins inspired "I'd Rather Be".

Much as rock groups had classic line-ups lending to their defining sound, many of hip-hop's classic recordings were a result of the pairing of producers and emcees that simply shared an undeniable chemistry. From the legendary DJ Premier and GURU of Gangstarr to Pete Rock and CL Smooth, duos with a history of building towards developing a distinct sound have often won out in the long run. Oddisee and Trek Life carry on the tradition of keeping a close-knit group dynamic together resulting in the production of a coherent and consistent effort.

Trek Life Everything Changed Nothing, produced entirely by Oddisee, drops July 27th via Mello Music Group.

Hear "So Supreme" lead single from 'Everything Changed Nothing'

Purchase the single "So Supreme" from iTunes.

Bilal 'Airtight's Revenge' Cover & Tracklist With Production Credits Posted Online

Bilal Airtight’s Revenge on Plug Research arrives September 14th.

Tracklist:

01. Cake & Eat It Too – prod by Bilal Oliver & Steve Mckie
02. Restart – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Steve Mckie
03. All Matter – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Steve Mckie
04. Flying – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Nottz
05. Levels – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Shafiq Husayn
06. Little One – prod. by Conley “Tone” Whitfield
07. Move On – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Steve Mckie
08. Robots – prod. by Bilal Oliver
09. The Dollar – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Steve Mckie
10. Who Are You – prod. by Bilal Oliver & Steve Mckie
11. Think It Over – prod. by 88 Keys

(spotted on Y2K)

Reggae Gold 2010 Tracklist

Reggae Gold 2010 on VP Records arrives June 22.

01. Gyptian - Hold You
02. Ding Dong - Holiday ft. Chevaughn Clayton
03. Vybz Kartel - Clarks ft. Popcaan & Gaza Slim
04. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas - As We Enter
05. Serani - Skip To Ma Lu ft. Ding Dong
06. Vybz Kartel - Slow Motion
07. Shaggy & Tessanne Chin - Never Let Me Go
08. Busy Signal - Sweet Love (Night Shift)
09. Tarrus Riley - Love's Contagious
10. Etana - Happy Heart
11. Sean Paul - Hold My Hand
12. Konshens - The Realest Song
13. Wasp - Cry Fi Dem
14. Michael Franti & Spearhead - Say Hey (I Love You) ft. Cherine Anderson
15. Major Lazer - Hold The Line ft. Mr. Lex & Santigold
16. Mavado - House Cleaning
17. Romain Virgo - Live Mi Life
18. Beres Hammond - No Apology

Q-Tip Jumps On Board Mark Ronson's Upcoming 'Record Collection'

Mark Ronson is putting quite a casts of characters on his upcoming album Record Collection and Q-Tip is a nice addition. Expect Record Collection to arrive in September on AlliDo Records.

via the Digital Spy

Mark Ronson has announced details of his first single in more than two years.

'Bang Bang Bang', which features vocals from rapper Q-Tip and electropop singer MNDR, will be released in the UK on July 11.

The track, which also includes a songwriting contribution from Kaiser Chiefs drummer Nick Hodgson, will receive its first play on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show this evening.

Describing the song's origins in a press statement, Ronson said: "When we played all those festivals in 2007, we'd end up in the dance tent.

"And I got so jealous when Justice or Soulwax or Pendulum would go into their double-time breaks, and all the kids would start jumping up and down. And we never had that tempo in our set. So I just wanted that in one of our songs."

'Bang Bang Bang' is the lead single from Ronson's upcoming third album Record Collection.

Nappy Roots 'The Pursuit Of Nappyness' Album Cover And Tracklist

Nappy Roots The Pursuit Of Nappyness on Nappy Roots Entertainment Group/Fontana arrives June 15.

01. Welcome To The Show
02. Do It Big
03. Be Alright
04. Fishbowl
05. Infield
06. How I Do
07. The People
08. Ride
09. Live & Die
10. Back Home
11. Know Bout Me
12. Right Place, Right Time
13. Winner Takes All
14. Paint A Picture
15. P.O.N.
16. All For You

Nas and Damian Marley Add Lil Wayne & Reggae Great Dennis Brown On 'Distant Relatives' Tracklist

via XXL

Last night (Wednesday, March 10), XXLMag.com previewed the collaborative project from Nas and Damian Marley, Distant Relatives, and it seems as if is the long awaited album is almost ready to see the light of day.

The disc, set to come out through Universal Republic in either May or June, features cameos from Lil Wayne, Joss Stone, K’NAAN and Jamaican music legend Dennis Brown, as well as a bonus track with Junior Reid. All 14-songs, which were dedicated to the hoods in America and Africa, were produced by Marley, who seamlessly merges the worlds of hip-hop and reggae.

Distant Relatives singles, “Strong Will Continue” and “As We Enter,” have already made their way online.

Nas and Damian previously worked together on “Road to Zion” for Marley’s 2005 solo effort, Welcome to Jamrock.

Nas and Damian 'Distant Relatives' official track listing below:

01. As We Enter
02. Tribal War ft. K’NAAN
03. Strong Will Continue
04. Leaders
05. Wisdom (Sabali)
06. Count Your Blessings
07. Disappear
08. The Promised Land ft. Dennis Brown
09. Nah Mean
10. Angola (Friends)
11. My Generation ft. Lil Wayne and Joss Stone
12. Africa Must Wake Up ft. K’NAAN
13. BONUS TRACK Ancient People ft. Junior Reid
+
"In His Own Word" will also be included on the album

Musiq Soulchild Making Plans For New 2010 Album

and Singersroom adds a little more info.

According to Atlantic Records, the Grammy Award-nominated singer has been working with noted producer Jack Knight, with plans for a release sometime next year.

"I'm extremely excited about the things that I'm coming up with for this next project. I'm sure everybody out there is going to enjoy it," says Musiq Soulchild.