Memphis Bleek On The Jay-Z European BP3 Tour In Germany

While Jay-Z is taking a short breather, Memphis Bleek's crew post up some of his escapades while touring Germany on the BP3 Tour European leg.

Catch Memphis Bleek with Jay-Z at these upcoming live dates:
July 2 - Eurockeennes Belfort, France
July 4 - Wireless Festival, U.K.
July 9 - Oxygen, Ireland
July 10 - Frauenfeld, Switzerland
July 11 - T in the Park, Scotland
Sept. 2 - Comerica Park, Detroit, MI (with Eminem)
Sept. 13 - Yankee Stadium, Staten Island, NY (with Eminem)

Related:
Jay-Z European Festival Performance At Rock Am Ring, Germany

Eve VH1's Behind The Music

Last night, VH1 premiered Eve's Behind The Music episode. As with most BTM episodes, there is plenty of hardships and drama on the road to success which is why this Viacom franchise refuses to die.

about this episode via the press release:

Eve tracks her rocky rise to fame as one of rap's most successful female artists in this "Behind The Music." Her journey is plagued by bouts of depression, a stint working at a local strip club in the Bronx and painful reminders of her past. For the first time, Eve talks openly about her struggle with depression and her attempts to reconnect with her father who left her family when she was a child. She also discusses the attempts of others to dig up her past for profit, with private photos and a sex tape of her and her former boyfriend. After rough beginnings, Eve finally found fame in 1999 when she released her debut album, "Let There Be Eve ... Ruff Ryders' First Lady." The album was an unprecedented success, making Eve only the second female in hip-hop history to have an album enter the "Billboard" 200 at number one. This episode will highlight all of Eve's triumphs including her crossover success as a television and film star to her career in the present day with interviews from her mother Julie Wilch, Jason George, DMX and Queen Latifah.

Yelawolf L.A. Times Interview

L.A. Times: Being a white rapper is always going to engender Eminem comparisons even if you are half Native American. Have those grown tedious yet or have you just tried to take them in stride?

Yelawolf: I can't be mad at the comparisons because I'm still just getting my feet wet. I've got years to go before I establish a full concrete Yelawolf sound. Right now, I'm focused on saying what I have to say. I have to do Yelawolf right now and not worry about anything else. That said, I think it's a fair comparison. There haven't been many white artists in hip-hop, and there's only a handful that the average person knows about, so it is what it is.

L.A. Times: Your mixtape "Stereo" had a lot of recognizable classic-rock samples, which ostensibly would've brought you a lot of fans from people who were sucked in by the original source material. Yet it was "Trunk Muzik" that really got you traction. Why do you think "Stereo" didn't have that sort of success?

Yelawolf: Two things: The first is that not everybody in hip-hop [messes] with classic rock. The second is that there was no real element of surprise. I'm from Alabama, I'm into classic rock -- it was obvious and there was no shock-value to it.That said, I was really focused on making sure that people understood that I respected the craft and hip-hop. "Trunk Muzik" was dedicated to the trunk riders, with 808s and hard ass [stuff]. It had a dirty Southern sound, and it opened things up.

With "Stereo," we spent a lot of time digging around and trying to be really tasteful with the samples. I know a lot of people who [mess] with "Trunk Muzik" aren't into "Stereo," but I still love it -- it contains some of the favorite records I've ever done.

L.A. Times: Growing up in Gadsden and all over the South has obviously influenced your sound. Specifically, how do you think it affects your conception of the world and your music?

Yelawolf: My homies in Gadsden aren't as exposed as I am culturally, which is awesome -- that's why I love going home. I'm in the kitchen with people who don't know anything but the simple life, what's important to them, and what's dope. That's why like I'm so drawn to the culture of Alabama -- of rednecks and all that hardcore dirty South culture because I understand it. It's so simple -- it's really black and white. That's the way that life should be. We really complicate our situation.

L.A. Times: The South isn't known for its cipher culture, but you use a double-time speed rap flow that could be Midwestern were it not for your drawl. What were your experiences like learning to rap?

Yelawolf: It was always rapping in the car -- me and my boys -- freestyling and being horrible. The only time it ever became serious to me was when I would write and then flow to instrumentals in the car, and my friends would be like, "Whoa man, you got verses." It spawned from there, it eventually got more and more serious and I developed my own style.

L.A. Times: How frustrating was it when Rick Rubin came aboard at Columbia and dropped you? You'd think that the guy who produced the Beastie Boys and "Raising Hell" would have wanted to work with you.

Yelawolf: I was like, "You don’t get it, cool? Then I guess I must be extra special." I had to be arrogant because I could've been messed up thinking that if he didn't want me, I must have nothing to offer. But that's not like me. I refuse to be like that. I've always been stubborn. I have to learn things myself, but it worked out OK -- I ended up at Interscope only a few years later.

L.A. Times: Do you worry that Interscope will force you to write pop rap songs or else you'll be unable to get your album released?

Yelawolf: If you look at my discography of music, you'll know that I can go any direction – whether it's arena rap or bluegrass hip-hop. I would never assign myself one style. If I make a record that becomes a pop hit -- who [cares]. I'm always gonna have the darker edgy music in my pocket because it comes so natural to me. You’ll never stop getting records like "Pop the Trunk" and "Good to Go." The crunk South [stuff] will always be a part of what I do in some way. But I plan on evolving -- you have to.

The integrity of my music is always in mind. I'm out to make lifelong lasting records. I know what the underground is. I’ve been there for a long time. You never really know what will break or what won't. If "Pop the Trunk" had had huge marketing behind it to put it on radio and video channels, it might've become a hit.

L.A. Times: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Yelawolf: Willie Nelson. I really want to work with all the legends before it's too late.
(source)

Urban New Release Schedule 6/15

Hooked On That Urban New Release Schedule containing the upcoming Hip Hop and R & B releases, posted around the 1st and 15th of each month available here.

All dates, titles and releases are subject to change.

June 15, 2010
Nappy Roots - The Pursuit of Nappyness (Nappy Roots Ent.)
Pastor Troy - Attitude Adjuster 2 (Real Talk)
Drake - Thank Me Later
(Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)
Essence Music Festival 15th Anniversary - v.2 Various (Music World)
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Ocotea (SomeOthaShip)
B.G. - Holly Hood (RBC/Chopper City)
Crooked I - Hood Star (WIDEawake/Death Row)
Cool Nutz - Incredible (Jus Family Records)
Black C (fr. RBL Posse) - 70's Baby (Right Way Productions)
C-Murder - Tomorrow (Venti Uno)
Amp Live – Murder At The Discotech (Om Records)
Uffie - Sex Dreams & Denim Jeans (Atlantic Records)
Kevin Rudolf - To The Sky (Universal Republic/Cash Money)
Z-Ro - Life: Collector's Edition (CD/DVD) (KMJ Records)
Bossman - The Re-Up (One Up Entertainment)

June 21, 2010
Eminem - Recovery (Interscope/Shady/Aftermath)
Macy Gray - The Sellout (Fantasy)
Blaze Ya Dead Homie - Gang Rags (Psychopathic Records)
Reggae Gold 2010 - Various (VP Records)
The Roots - How I Got Over (Island/Def Jam)
Keith Sweat - Ridin' Solo (Kedar Entertainment)
Z-Ro - Heroin (Rap-A-Lot/Fontana)
RJD2 – Inversions Of The Colossus (RJ's Electrical Connections)
Orgone - Cali Fever (Ubiquity Records)
Wu Music Group Presents Pollen: The Swarm Part Three - V/A (Wu-Music/The Orchard)
Vinnie Paz – Season Of The Assassin (Enemy Soil)

June 22, 2010
Grits - Quarantine (Provident)
Madlib - Medicine Show No. 6 Brain Wreck Show (Stones Throw)

June 29, 2010
Marco Polo – The Stupendous Adventures Of Marco Polo (Duck Down)
Dwele - W.W.W. (W.ants W.orld W.omen) (E1/RTMG)
Hell Razah - Heaven Razah (Nature Sounds)
3OH!3 - Streets of Gold (Atlantic Records)
Naturally 7 - VocalPlay: A Work Of Mouth (Hidden Beach Recordings)
Lone Ninja - Fatal Peril (Holographic Pagoda Recordings)
The-Dream - Love King (Island/Def Jam/Radio Killa)
Eternia & MOSS - At Last (Fat Beats)
Cimer Amor - Taking Nowhere, Somewhere (Coalmine Records)
AG - Everything’s Berri (Fat Beats)
Jackson 5 - Live At The Forum (2 CD) (Hip-O Select)

July 6, 2010
Capleton - I-ternal Fire (VP Records)
Kelis - Flesh Tone (will.i.am Music Group/Interscope)
Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot: Son Of Chico Dusty (Island/Def Jam)
Despicable Me - Soundtrack (Interscope)
Lyrics Born - Overnight Encore: Lyrics Born Live (Quannum Projects)
Killah Priest – The 3 Day Theory (Wu-Music/The Orchard)
Crooked I - Planet C.O.B. v.1 EP (Circle Of Bosses)
LMNO & Mr. Brady – Banger Management (Up Above)

July 13, 2010
Roc C. - Scapegoat (ABB Records)
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul (Capitol)
Capone-N-Noreaga - The War Report II (Ice H2O)
Duck Down Music – 15 Years Of Duck Down (Duck Down Records)
M.I.A. - /\/\/\Y/\ (Interscope/N.E.E.T./XL)
Hidden Beach Recordings Presents: Unwrapped Vol. 7
Various (Hidden Beach Records)
Sam Adams - Boston's Boy (Mighty Loud) (Physical Version)
Juvenile - Beast Mode (E1)
Paul Wall - Heart Of A Champion (Asylum/Swishahouse)
MF Grimm - Digital Tears: E-Mail from Pugatory (Traffic)
MF Grimm - The Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera (Traffic)
PackFM - I Hate F*cking Rappers (Traffic)
Curren$y – Pilot Talk (Island/Def Jam/DD172)
Snoop Dogg Presents - My #1 Priority (Doggy Style/Priority/EMI/Capitol)
Stat Quo - Statlanta (The Orchard/Dream Big Ventures)
Lil Wayne - Rebirth - The Videos (DVD) (Universal/Motown)
J-Hood - $orry I Made You Wait (Affiliated)
Onra - Long Distance (Traffic)
Godfather Don - Diabolique (Traffic)
Moka Only - Airport 4 (Legendary)

July 20, 2010
Jamie Foxx - TBA (J-Records)
Rakaa - Crown of Thorns (Decon)
Gyptian - Hold You (VP Records)
Potluck - Greatest Hits With My Buds (Suburban Noize)
Step Up 3D - Sountrack (Atlantic Records)
Rick Ross - Teflon Don (Island/Def Jam/Maybach Music)
Major Lazer - Lazers Never Die (EP) (Interscope)
Esham - Suspended Animation (Aknu Media)
Shawn Lee - Sing a Song (Ubiquity Records)
M.I.A. - XXXO - The Remixes (EP) (Interscope/N.E.E.T./XL)

July 27,2010
Soulja Boy - Dre (ColliPark/Interscope)
Tech N9ne The Ollie Gates Mixed Plate (Strange Music)
Spose - The Audacity! (Universal Republic)
The Pack - Wolfpack Party (SMC Recordings)
Krayzie Bone – The Fixtape Vol. 3: Lyrical Paraphernalia (RBC)
DruHill - InDRUpendence Day (Kedar Entertainment)
Joe - Joe Live From Japan - DVD (Kedar Entertainment)
ZO! - Sunstorm (Foreign Exchange/Hard Boiled)
Slum Village - Villa Manifesto (E1)
St. Lunatics - City Free (Universal/Motown/Derrty)
Lyfe Jennings - I Still Believe (Jesus Swings/Asylum/Imani Ent)
Mike Phillips - MP3 (Hidden Beach Recordings)
Paper Tiger - Made Like Us (Doomtree)
Fat Joe - The Darkside: Volume 1 (E1/Terror Squad)
Street Sweeper Social Club - Ghetto Blaster (EP) (?)
Trek Life - Everything Changed Nothing (Mello Music Group)
Cut Chemist - Sound Of The Police (A Stable Sound/Soul Kitchen)
Exile - AM/FM (Traffic/The Orchard)
Chubb Rock - Bridging The Gap (Unruly)
Shawn Jackson - Brand New Old Me (Tres Records)
Madlib - Medicine Show No. 7: High Jazz (Stones Throw)

Summer 2010
Flo Rida - The Only One (Atlantic/Poe Boy)
Ja Rule - Vetti Vecci 2010 (Mpire Records)
Busta Rhymes - Extinction Level Event 2
(Universal/Motown/Flipmode)
David Banner & 9th Wonder - Death Of A Pop Star (Big Face)
Trae Tha Truth - Tha Truth (A.B.N.)
Vado - TBA (Diplomats/E1)
Fabolous Presents Street Family - Various (Paul Cain/Red Cafe/Fabo) (Island/Def Jam)
Ray J - Raydiation 2 (Knockout Entertainment)
Termanology - 1982 (Showoff/St. Records)
Daz Dillinger Presents: This Is Long Beach - Various (Gangsta Advisory Recordingz Inc)
Aaron Fresh - Fresh N Up (Island/Def Jam/NCredible)

August 2010
Quincy Jones - Q: Soul Bossa Nostra (Interscope)
2 Live Crew - Just Wanna Be Heard (Nu Focuz Entertainment/Lil Joe Records)
Mack 10 & Glasses Malone - Money Muzik (Hoo Bangin' Records)

August 3, 2010
El-P - Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3
(Gold Dust Media)
Bun B - Trill O.G. (Rap-A-Lot/Fontana)
Mike Posner - 35 Minutes to Takeoff (J-Records)
Lil Keke - The Don Ke Chronicles (Hustletown)
Pastor Troy - King Of All Kings (Mad Society)
Lil Boosie - Unbreakable (Camp Life)
Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa (Decon)
Lady Gaga - The Remix (Interscope/KonLive)

August 10, 2010
Bizzy Bone - Crossroads 2010 (Sumerian Records)
Eli 'Paper Boy' Reed - Come & Get It (Capitol)
RydazNRtist - Soulful Warfare (Island/Def Jam)
Ayatollah – Cocoon: Live From The MPC 60 (3-CD) (Green Streets)
KRS-One & True Master – Meta-Historical (Fat Beats)
DJ Screw – Forever (?)
The Budos Band - The Budos Band III (Daptone)
Roscoe Dash - Ready Set Go! (Zone 4/Interscope)
Messy Marv & Berner - Thizz City (SMC Recordings)
Redman - Reggie (Island/Def Jam/Gillahouse)

August 17, 2010
T.I. - King Uncaged (Atlantic/Grand Hustle)
Yelawolf - Trunk Muzik 0 To 60 (Interscope)
Insane Clown Posse - Big Money Rustlas (DVD)
(Psychopathic Records)
Tha Dogg Pound - 100 Wayz (Dogg Pound Records)
Young Buck - The Rehab (Real Talk)
Dondria - Dondria vs. Phatfffat (SoSo Def)
Kem - Intimacy (Universal/Motown)

August 24, 2010
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream (Capitol)
DJ Muggs vs Ill Bill – Kill Devil Hills (Fat Beats/Angeles)
J-Love - Endless Angles (?)
J-Love & Meyhem - Acknowledge Greatness (?)
Michael Franti - The Sound of Sunshine (Capitol)
Hezekiah – Conscious Porn (Soulspazm)
Beyonce - Beyonce: The Ultimate Performer (DVD) (Music World Entertainment)
Game - The R.E.D. Album (Interscope/Black Wall Street)
Cam'ron Presents The U.N. - Gunz N' Butta (E1)
Blu - Her Favorite Colo(u)r (Nature Sounds)
Dorrough - Get Big (E1)
Shontelle - No Gravity (SRC/Universal)
Ciara - Basic Instinct (Jive/Zomba)
Wino-O - Wine-O (Worldwide)
Fantasia - Back To Me (J-Records)

August 31, 2010
Eric Benet - TBA (Warner Brothers)
Greg Nice (fr. Nice & Smooth fame) - Popcycle
(One Haven/Industry Rule 4080)
Nipsey Hussle - South Central State of Mind
(E1/Epic/Cinamatc)
New Boyz - TBA (Asylum)
Cymarshall Law & The Beatnikz - Freedom Express Line
(XOXO Records)
Boss Hogg Outlawz Present J Dawg (E1/Boss Hogg Outlawz)
Slaughterhouse - The EP (E1)
Chiddy Bang - The Swelly Life (Virgin)
Pitbull - Armando (Sony Discos/Mr.305)
Gucci Mane - The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted (1017/Asylum)
Kane & Abel - Back On Money (E1/Most Wanted)

September 2010
Jennifer Hudson - TBA (J-Records)
Evidence - Cats & Dogs (Rhymesayers)
Birdman - Bigger Than Life (Cash Money/Universal)

September 7, 2010
Duke Da God - More Than Music 3 (Diplomats/E1)
Kid Rock - Born Free (Atlantic Records)
Estelle - All of Me (Atlantic/Home School)
N.E.R.D. - Nothing (Star Trak/Interscope)
¡MAYDAY! – Stuck On An Island (¡MAYDAY! Music/Latchkey Records)
Stevie Joe - 80's Baby (SMC Recordings)
Slim Thug - Tha Thug Show (Boss Hogg Outlawz/E1)
Q-Unique - Between Heaven & Hell (Psycho+Logical Records)
Sauce Money - TBA (Asylum)

September 14, 2010
Krizz Kaliko – Shock Treatment (Strange Music)
Trey Songz - Passion, Pain & Pleasure (Songbook/Atlantic)
Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R. We Are Renegades (W.A.R. Media/Duck Down)
Huey - Ride With Me (Que Records/EMI)
Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (Universal/Motown)
Rah Digga - Classics (Raw Koncept/Traffic)
Marques Houston - Mattress Music
(Musicworks Inc./EMI/ Capitol Records)
MF Doom - Expektoration (Live) (Gold Dust Media)
Chromeo – Business Casual (Vice Recordings)
Joe Budden - The Great Escape (?)
Bilal - Airtight’s Revenge (Plug Research)
Black Milk - Album of the Year (Fat Beats)
Faith Evans - Somethin’ About Faith (E1)
Cali Swag District - TBA (Checkmate Music Group/EMI/Capitol)
Big Sean - Finally Famous (G.O.O.D./Island/Def Jam)
Kanye West - Good A** Job (Island/Def Jam/G.O.O.D.)
Consequence - ConsTV (G.O.O.D./Motown/Universal)
Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone (ANTI-)
Big Bad 40 (formerly 40 Glocc) - Welcome To California (Zoo Life Entertainment)

September 20, 2010
Diddy: Dirty Money - Last Train To Paris (Interscope/Bad Boy)

September 21, 2010
Ninja Tune XX - Box Set (Ninja Tune)
Maroon 5 - Hands All Over (Octone/Interscope/A&M)
Ne-Yo - Libra Scale (Island/Def Jam/Compound)
Pleasure P - Pleasure P Principles (Atlantic)
Kelly Rowland - Kelly Rowland (Motown/Universal)
John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up Sessions
(Columbia/G.O.O.D. Music)
Prospect - First Blood (Fat Beats)
Pimp C - The Naked Soul of Sweet James Jones
(Rap-A-Lot/Fontana)

September 28, 2010
Jagged Edge - Lay You Down (Slip N Slide/581 Muzik Group/EMI)
Smif N Wessun & Pete Rock - Monumental (Duck Down)
Cassidy – C.A.S.H. (Cass A Straight Hustla) (?)
Ice Cube - I Am The West (Lynch Mob/EMI)
Twista - The Perfect Storm (Get Money Gang/EMI)
Mark Ronson - Record Collection (J-Records/AlliDo)

October 2010
LMNO - Box Set (Up Above/LRG)
YG - Fresh On Campus (Island/Def Jam)
Red Café - Red October (Bad Boy/Interscope)
Tank - Now or Never (Atlantic)
Kardinal Offishall - Mr. International
(Black Jays/KonLive/Geffen/Interscope)
J. Cole - Cole World (Roc Nation/Columbia)
Scarface - The Habit (Facemob Music)

October 5, 2010
Fefe Dobson - Joy (Island/Def Jam)

October 12, 2010
Bobby Valentino - Fly On the Wall (EMI/Blu Kolla Dreams)
9th Wonder & Buckshot – The Solution (Duck Down)
The Foreign Exchange – Authenticity (Foreign Exchange/Hard Boiled)

October 19, 2010
Ozomatli - Ultimate Ozomatli (Concord)
Kabosh (Krizz Kaliko & Tech N9ne) - Amafrican Psycho
(Strange Music)

October 26, 2010
Skyzoo & Illmind – Live From The Tape Deck (Duck Down)
Outasight - Brand New Sessions (Asylum)

Fall 2010
Triple C's - Color, Cut, Clarity (Island/Def Jam/Maybach Music)
Jennifer Lopez - Greatest Hits (Epic Records)
Nicki Minaj – TBA (Young Money/ Universal)
Cee-Lo - Lady Killer (Elektra)
Anita Baker - TBA (EMI/Blue Note/Angel)
Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles (C.A.K.E./XL Recordings)
Wyclef Jean - Wyclef Jean: The Haitian Experience (Columbia)
Keyshia Cole - Truth (Geffen/Imani Ent.)
GZA - Liquid Swords 2: The Return Of The Shadowboxer (?)
Obie Trice - Bottom's Up (Black Market Entertainment)
Linkin Park – TBA (Warner Bros.)
Range - No Strings (StarRoc/RocNation/Columbia Records)
Kandi Burruss - Fly Above (Asylum/Kandi Koated Ent.)
Mickey Factz - The New Museum (GFCNY/Battery/Jive Records)
Nas - TBA (Island/Def Jam)
Lupe Fiasco - L.A.S.E.R.S. (Atlantic/1st & 15th)
Alexis Jordan - TBA (StarRoc/Roc Nation/Columbia)
Mario - TBA (J-Records)
Juelz Santana - Born To Lose, Built to Win: Regan Years
(Island/Def Jam/Skull Gang)
Nelly - 5.0 (Derrty/Motown/Universal)
Jill Scott - The Light Of The Sun (Hidden Beach)
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels - Origins of Block Music (?)
Jay Sean - TBA (Cash Money)
El Debarge - Second Chance (Geffen Records)

November 2010
Michael Jackson - TBA (Epic/Sony)
Tron Legacy - Soundtrack (Walt Disney Records)
Fabolous - Loso's Way 2 (Island/Def Jam/Desert Storm)
Common - The Believer (Geffen/G.O.O.D. Music)
Ludacris - Ludaversal (Island/Def Jam/DTP)
Mariah Carey - TBA/Christmas Album (Island/Def Jam)
Rihanna - TBA (Island/Def Jam)
Jadakiss - Top Five, Dead or Alive (Island/Def Jam/Roc A Fella)

December 2010
2Pac - TBA (WIDEawake/Death Row)
Akon - Stadium (Motown/Universal/Konvict/SRC)
Mike Jones - Expect The Unexpected (Asylum)
Anthony Hamilton - TBA (So So Def/Laface/Jive)
Amy Winehouse - Yes, Please! (Universal/Republic)

2010
Dr. Dre - Detox (Interscope/Aftermath)
Beyonce - TBA (Music World/Columbia)
Prince - 20Ten (?)
Blakroc - Blakroc 2 (Island/Def Jam/Roc A Fella/DD172)
Nottz - You Need This Music (Raw Koncept Records)
Jeezy - TM 103 (Island/Def Jam/CTE)
Shyne - Guess Who (Island/Def Jam)
Jeremih - All About You (Island/Def Jam)
Keri Hilson - TBA (Zone4/Mosley Music/Interscope)
Musiq Soulchild - TBA (Atlantic)
Beanie Sigel - The Closure (Universal Republic)
Gucci Mane - The Final Verdict (Asylum)
Birdman & Lil Wayne - Like Father
Like Son pt.2 (Cash Money/Universal)
Lloyd Banks - H.F.M. 2: Hunger for More 2 (G-Unit/Thisis50.com)
Tony Yayo - TBA (G-Unit/Thisis50.com)
Maino - The Day After (Hustle Hard Entertainment/Atlantic)
DJ Quik - The Book of David (Mad Science)
Ace Hood - Mr. Hood (We The Best/Island/Def Jam)
Pill - The Medicine (Asylum)
Waka Flocka Flame - I Am Flocka! (So Icey/Asylum)
Jazmine Sullivan - TBA (J-Records)
Joell Ortiz - Free Agent (E1)
Chamillionaire - Venom (Universal Republic/Chamilitary)
Rye Rye - Go! Pop! Bang! (Interscope/N.E.E.T. Recordings)
Jay-Z - The Hits Collection Volume One
(Roc A Fella/Island/Def Jam)
Three 6 Mafia - Laws of Power (Hypnotize Minds/Columbia)
Yo Gotti - Live From The Kitchen
(Inevitable/Polo Grounds/J-Records)
Naughty By Nature - Anthem Inc. (Illtown Records)
K'naan - TBA (A&M/Octone)
N-Dubz - TBA (Island/Def Jam)
Madlib - Miles Away (Stones Throw)
Sean Price - Mic Tyson (Duck Down)
7L & Esoteric - 1212 (Fly Casual Records)
Asher Roth - The Spaghetti Tree (Universal/Motown)
Jody Watley - Chameleon (?)
B.G. & Lil Boosie - Bad Azz & Gizzle (?)
Esther Dean - TBA (Zone 4/Interscope)
Big K.R.I.T. - TBA (Cinematic Music Group/Island/Def Jam)
Bow Wow - Who Is Shad Moss? (Cash Money/Universal Motown)
Mann - TBA (A2Z Ent/Beluga Heights/Mercury/Def Jam)
Immortal Technique - Middle Passage (Viper)
Method Man - The Crystal Meth (Island/Def Jam)
Andre 3000 - TBA (Jive/Zomba/LaFace)
Amerie - Cymatica Vol. 1 (Island/Def Jam/Feenix Rising)
Miquel - State of the Art (Jive Records)
Crooked I – Million Dollar Story (?)
Mikkey Halsted - Chicago: The Photo Album (?)
Chino XL - RICANstructuon (Machete)
Shawnna – TBA (Nappy Boy/Money Over Everyting Ent.)
DJ Webstar – TBA (E1)
Kenna - Songs For Flight (Interscope/Star Trak)
Dead Prez – Information Age (Boss Up/Family Tree)
Freeway - Freedom of Speech (Freemoney/Cash Money)
Mystikal - TBA (Big Truck Records)
AZ - Doe or Do 2 (Quiet $$/Fastlife/E1)
Lil Scrappy - The Grustle
(Island/Def Jam/Disturbing Tha Peace/G's Up)
Random Axe (Guilty Simpson, Sean Price & Black Milk) - TBA (Duck Down)
Black Milk & Melanie Rutherford - Searching For Sanity (?)
OJ Da Juice Man - Otis Williams Jr. Story (Mizay/Asylum)
Diamond (fr.Crime Mob) - TBA (Battery/Jive Records)
Black Thought & DangerMouse - Dangerous Thoughts (?)
Pac Div - Grown Kid Syndrome (Universal)
Theophilus London - Days Before You Left (Sire/Warner Bros.)
Webbie - Webbie's Web (Asylum/Trill Entertainement)
Project Pat - Play Me Some Pimpin (The Album) or Goon Hustlin
(Hypnotize Minds)
Xzibit - MMX (Open Bar Entertainment)
50 Cent - Black Magic (Interscope/Aftermath/G-Unit)
Blu - theGODleeBarnes LP (Sire/Warner Bros.)
Panacea - 12 Step Program (?)
Madvillian (DOOM & Madlib) - Madvillainy 2 (Stones Throw)
David Banner - MTA3: The Trinity Movement (Motown/Universal/SRC)
Krayzie Bone - Chasing The Devil (ThugLine Records)
Junior Reid - Living Legend (ABB Records/Leak)
Beenie Man - The Legend Returns (Brookland/Universal/Republic)
Knoc-turn'al - Knoc’s Ville (Hoopla Media Group/LRT/Universal)
Cassie - Electro Love (Bad Boy/Interscope)
Tyga - Careless World (Bat Squad/Decaydance/G.E.D./Young Money)

2010 - TBA
T-Pain - rEVOLVEr (Jive/Nappy Boy/Konvict)
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee-pt.1 (Capitol)
Young Dro - P.O.L.O. (Players Only Live Once)
(Atlantic/Grand Hustle)
Cory Gunz - TBA (Young Money/Universal)
Yung Joc - Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood (RCA/Polo Grounds)
Beanie Sigel - The Closure (Universal Republic)
Marsha Ambrosius (fr. Floetry) - Late Nights & Early Mornings (J-Records)
Jack Splash - Technology and Love Might Save Us All (J-Records)
Kevin Cossum - TBA (N.A.R.S./Jive)
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)
Glasses Malone - Beach Cruiser
(Blu Division/Hoo-Bangin'/Cash Money)
Ghostface & (MF) Doom - Swift & Changeable (Nature Sounds)
Drag-On - My Life, My Legacy, My Melody
(Ruff Ryders/Hood Environment)
Ruff Ryders Reunion: The Evolution - Various (Ruff Ryders)
Eve - Lip Lock (?)
DMX - Walk With Me Now (Bodog?)
DMX - You’ll Fly With Me Later (Bodog?)
Jim Jones - TBA (E1)
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)
Jay Rock - Follow Me Home (Warner Bros./Top Dawg Ent.)
Teairra Mari - At That Point (Fo' Reel/Asylum)
Missy Elliott - Block Party (Atlantic/Goldmind)
Bertell Young - Goin Hard (Capitol)
Shawty Lo - I Am Carlos (DFL/Asylum)
Ashanti - TBA (?)
Mia X - Betty Rocka Locksmith (?)
Billy Blue - Real Talk (Interscope/Poe Boy/Konvict/Mosley)
WC - Revenge of the Barracuda (Lynch Mob)
BC Jean - TBA (J-Records)
J*DaVey - New Designer Drug (Sire/Warner Bros.)
Talib Kweli - Prisoner of Consciousness (WB/Blacksmith)
Christina Milian - Elope (Radio Killa/My Space/Interscope)
Tiffany Evans – Ms. Tiffany (Columbia)
Keith Murray – TBA (Sound Records)
Bronze Nazareth - School For The Blind (Sound Records)
One Chance - One Chance (Nappy Boy)
Teyana Taylor - From A Planet Called Harlem
(Interscope/Star Trak)
Swizz Beatz - Life After The Party (Motown/Universal)
Reks – R.E.K.S. (Showoff/Brick Records)
Saigon – All In A Another Day’s Work (Amalgam)
D. Woods (fr.Danity Kane) - My Favorite Color
(Bonzi Records/Woodgrane Music)
Gorilla Zoe - King Kong (Block Entertainment)
Spice 1 - Home Street Home (?)
Aretha Franklin
A Woman Falling Out Of Love (Wal-Mart/QVC exclusive)
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Umculo (Groove Attack)
Kali - The Coast (Showoff West)
Lord Infamous – Futuristic Bounty Hunter (Oarfin)

2011
Liam Bailey - TBA (?)
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee-pt.2 (Capitol)
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV (Cash Money/Universal)
Kurupt - To The Next Level (Penagon Entertainment)
Gym Class Heroes - The Papercut Chronicles II (Fueled By Ramen/Decadance/Atlantic)
Fashawn - The Ecology (The Orchard)
Ginuwine - Elgin (Notifi)
Donnis -TBA (Atlantic Records)
Maxwell - (Black) SUMMERS' (Night) (Columbia)
Pitbull - Planet Pit (Mr. 305/J-Records/Polo Grounds)
The LOX - New L.O.X. Order (Ruff Ryders)
A Tribe Called Quest
Beats Rhymes & Life: Michael Rappaport Directed DVD Documentary
Diggy Simmons - TBA (Atlantic)

Miguel – All I Want Is You ft. J.Cole (video)

Hip Hop And R&B New Releases 6/15

The following physical and digital new releases are available from Amazon, iTunes and your local retailer.

June 15, 2010


Drake - Thank Me Later
(Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)


Nappy Roots - The Pursuit of Nappyness
(Nappy Roots Ent.)


Amp Live – Murder At The Discotech
(Om Records)

Also available:

Kevin Rudolf - To The Sky
(Universal Republic/Cash Money)

Z-Ro - Life: Collector's Edition (CD/DVD)
(KMJ Records)

Bossman - The Re-Up
(One Up Entertainment)

Uffie - Sex Dreams & Denim Jeans
(Atlantic Records)

Pastor Troy - Attitude Adjuster 2
(Real Talk)

Essence Music Festival 15th Anniversary (CD/DVD) - v.2.1 Various
Essence Music Festival 15th Anniversary (Regular) - v.2 Various
(Music World)

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Ocotea
(SomeOthaShip)

B.G. - Holly Hood
(RBC/Chopper City)

Crooked I - Hood Star
(WIDEawake/Death Row)

C-Murder - Tomorrow
(Venti Uno)

Cool Nutz - Incredible
(Jus Family Records)

Black C (fr. RBL Posse) - 70's Baby
(Right Way Productions)

For the full list of upcoming New Releases:
Urban New Release Schedule June 2010 & Beyond

Murs L.A. Times Interview

L.A. Times: Presumably, one of the things that attracted you to a major label like Warner Bros. was their ability to get you on the radio. Yet you had songs with Snoop Dogg and will.i.am. "Can it Be" was great and had a Jackson 5 sample, but you still couldn't get on Power 106? What happened?

Murs: They weren’t happy with what I was saying or where the album was when it was released. My management was able to force their hand into releasing it. "Can It Be" was supposed to be for the underground heads and the Snoop and Will singles were supposed to be the radio hits. They didn’t want to take the chance on what I was saying and it also came out at the end of 2008 when the economy was in a downturn. The head of the black music department at Warner had been fired and the new guy didn’t agree with what the old guy had told me.

There were lots of changes, but I didn’t get caught up in them. I was able to say, "This isn’t working for me. You promised we would go to radio. I expect you as a gentleman to let me go." Six months later, I was let go. It was ... with my business. I took a pay cut to come to a major label who only gave me an $85,000 advance, when I was grossing $200,000-$300,000 on my own. I still was able to make that, but only because I put on a festival and a national tour. They were holding me in limbo and it was like, if you aren't going to make me famous or put me on the radio, then why am I here? I went to a major to make a positive contribution and help stop the killing of the music that I love. Six months later, I was gone.

L.A. Times: Your career has been characterized by lots of change, whether it's your collaborators or labels or just different ideas you want to express. However, you've now put out four albums with 9th Wonder. What keeps on drawing you back to work with him?

Murs: I think I work with him because the fans want me to. People seem to love when we're working together -- they're always asking when the next album is coming out. In this business, there aren't many responsible people, but 9th always gets things done. We're very close -- every Thanksgiving our families get together. Whether we're recording an album or not, we're always in touch. He's a committed dude and he works as fast as I do.

I tell him what I want to say, and then I let him produce and pick the music. We have a formula that works and makes people happy.

L.A. Times: How did you end up working with Suga Free? Did he come into the studio to work with you guys?

Murs: That was a last-minute addition. We usually don't add anyone who doesn't come through the studio, but my manager also manages DJ Quik, and wanted him to do "West Coast Cinderella," but he couldn't do it in time. So they mentioned Suga Free and I was like "Suga Free and Quik are back together?" I'd always wanted to do a song with Suga where he talks about girls the way he does, and I talk about girls the way I do.

L.A. Times: It was reported earlier this year that you were planning on releasing 10 records. What's the status of all that music?

Murs: Basically, I had a lot of records done when I was at Warner Bros. -- songs that didn’t make "Murs for President" for whatever reason. Over 100 of them -- there was a lot of downtime because I wasn't touring for two years. A lot of people thought I was rushing to record music, but that wasn't the case. Unfortunately, my computer was stolen with a lot of the songs. Thankfully, there' a couple projects already finished, and a comic-book project that I'm almost done with.

L.A. Times: How was the computer stolen?

Murs: The night before Paid Dues, someone broke into my car and stole me and my wife's computers. We were driving by a club and stopped to get out and promote and hand out fliers.

L.A. Times: What are the next releases you have planned?

Murs: There's the soundtrack to the comic book [MerchGirl: The Curse of Yumiko Morales] that I'm doing with the producer Foundation. I've got a record coming with producer Terrace Martin -- it's like DJ Quik meets 2 Live Crew meets Steve Aoki. It's just nasty sex raps. I also have a record with my punk rock band called the Invincibles, done with the members of a Florida punk band called Whole Wheat Bread.

L.A. Times: Who are your favorite punk rock bands?

Murs: Definitely Rancid -- I've always wanted to remake "Time Bomb. " Green Day. Bad Brains. I really like the Deftones too, but they're more of a rock band. (source)