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Nicki Minaj Announces Album Release Date

Posted on 08 July 2010

‘Yes. It’s time. November 23rd,’ Minaj tweeted Thursday.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with MTV News staff

Nicki Minaj

Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Nicki Minaj promised MTV News recently that her debut album is coming this year, and that promise took one step closer to reality when she tweeted the album’s release date on Thursday (July 8).

“Yes. It’s time. November 23rd,” she wrote.

Minaj talked with MTV News about the LP, which is the most hotly anticipated hip-hop debut since Drake’s, earlier this week.

“The album is coming along just spectacular,” Minaj said. “I been doing a lot of work with Swizz [Beatz], and the stuff that we been coming upon is magical. When people hear the album, they’re going to get to know Onika [her birth name is Onika Maraj]. And no one knows Onika. I really didn’t think I would be this excited about the songs that I’m coming up with. I’m really, really proud.”

The Lil Wayne protégé had previously said that she’s in no rush to complete the LP.

So far, she’s released the song “Massive Attack,” and the rapper is currently prepping the video for “Your Love,” an accidental single that landed atop the Billboard Rap Songs chart.

In addition to opening up about her life, Nicki Minaj will be introducing another alter ego on the project: Roman Zolanski. But the animated femcee was hush on any details about that.

“I’m gonna let the album do that,” she demurred. “As of now, you’ll know Nicki and you’ll know Roman, my crazy alter ego Roman Zolanski. But you’ll meet Onika before the year ends.”

What do you think about Nicki Minaj’s album plans? Let us know in the comments!

Nicki and 19 other up-and-coming MCs are in the running to become MTV News’ “Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010″ — and the winner will be decided by you!

Cast your vote for the “Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010″ right here. The top five will be revealed beginning July 19, and the winner will be announced on the “Sucker Free Summit” July 25!

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Tags: album, christin turner, dum-dum-girls, featured video, girls, gum mix, mp3, press, sorry-britney, video, voicesvoices

Dum Dum Girls – “Bhang Bhang, I’m A Burnout” Video (Stereogum Premiere)

Posted on 09 June 2010

You might notice some similarities, aesthetic-wise, between this video and the one for “Jail La La.” Both were made by Christin Turner, who will direct clips for every song on the album. Front woman Dee Dee cheerfully declares the titular line over the song’s snaking guitar line, so the accompanying video feels a lot more carefree and impromptu than “Jail La La.” For some of the video, they dance on the beach dressed inappropriately in all black, like they skipped school to drive down there. The graininess of the video and extra bright colors sometimes makes Dee Dee look like a panel in a comic book (a badass version of Veronica, perhaps) or a Warhol print.

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Tags: album, indie, mp3, music, opium, opium warlords, reverend bizarre, time, work

Haunting The Chapel No. 12

Posted on 27 May 2010

When I was in Finland a year or so ago, I asked a few people about the most exciting, eccentric, and individual work in the country’s metal scene. Music that hadn’t already made it over to the States because, it goes without saying, Finland exports a ton of great above/underground metal. I received a number of suggestions, a bunch of them good: Opium Warlords, the “occult ambient rock” project of Sami Albert Hynninen, aka Albert Witchfinder, aka Ancient Fisherman, aka etc., was my favorite. S.A.H. handles all the instruments and Opium Warlords’ total concept. Last year he released the mesmerizing, sprawling doom-on-DeSade debut Live At Colonia Dignidad: In The Black Year 2136 Of The Earth Ox. What’s it sound like? Hynninen suggests “psycho-sexual breakdown, “Klaus Kinski making love with Hedi Lamarr,” “Black matter oozing from the Mariana Trench,” “Arvo Pärt’s ‘Gnostic Mass’ performed at Dulce base,” and a “self-made black magician next door singing a lullaby through your wall,” etc. Fans of Finnish doom, black or extreme metal in general should recognize his name from any of his various bands — longstanding trio Reverend Bizarre, founding fathers Spiritus Mortis, the Puritan, raw black metallers Armanenschaft, suicidal BM group Azrael Rising, etc. He’s a smart, complex guy with a lot of passions. In the following exchange, we talk about Opium Warlords, “the intellectual limitations of what is the human body and the symbolism connected to it,” Chilean cults, man-made UFO’s, hallucinations, going further than Bataille, Tibet (David and the place), the Ramones, “Suck My Spear, Servant Of Satan,” pleasure and humiliation, quantum physics, 1976-1985, Candlemass, and his “private torment,” among other things. Hynninen is one of the most intelligent, compelling musicians I’ve interviewed, his music clearly an outgrowth of his everyday, not a cheap put-on or Halloween pose. (Note he’s armed with both a book and a guitar in the accompanying photo.) (Also note: Talking to him reminded me of my Q+A with David Tibet a few years ago.) (Or Peter Sotos, who we discuss.) Track down Live At Colonia Dignidad if you haven’t heard it. But first, read.

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Tags: album, artists, dates-on-erykah, europe, news article, pharrell, pharrell-williams, release, shows, steven-roberts, stuff

N.E.R.D. Excited About ‘Positive Aspects’ Of Touring

Posted on 06 May 2010

‘It’s particularly rewarding to just go out and express this stuff live,’ Pharrell says of trek for Nothing.
By Steven Roberts

N.E.R.D.’s Pharrell Williams and Shay Haley

Photo: MTV News

N.E.R.D. have been touring relentlessly in the two years since the release of their last album, Seeing Sounds, playing alongside the likes of Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. So, with the release of their fourth album, Nothing, on June 15, you would think they’d take a break. But when N.E.R.D. stopped by MTV News on Tuesday (May 4), Pharrell explained that their new work was partially inspired by their constant interactions with fans, and vice versa.

“For me, it’s particularly rewarding to just go out and express this stuff live and to see the reaction. To see your wishes confirmed that someone was touched by it, that someone got hired because of what they heard on this album or somebody had a better day or someone was assisted through a grieving moment from listening to this album. All the positive aspects — that’s a good thing,” he offered. “And, of course, when there are babies made to the N.E.R.D. music — responsibly.”

The guys don’t plan to rest anytime soon. They are set to join select dates on Erykah Badu’s Out My Mind, Just In Time tour and are also planning to visit various festivals throughout Europe and stage a few shows at home here in the States. Pharrell urged fans to be prepared.

“Go online, go to N-E-R-D.com so that you understand the things that you need. You’ll need more than just a water bottle for our shows, at least in the festivals overseas. … Get your stretches in — the EMTs are always on the side, because people pull muscles and stuff. And not bragging at all, I’m just telling you, dude — fat, black, white, skinny, gay, straight, I don’t know how they treat you elsewhere at their shows, I don’t know how they treat you in streets, [but] I know how you feel when you’re going to leave that N.E.R.D show. And trust me, when they ask you what it was like, and could you describe it, could you ever put it into words — you’re going to say, ‘Nothing.’ ”

Are you looking forward to seeing N.E.R.D. live? Let us know in the comments below!

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Tags: album, artists, britney, darkchild, direction, larry, MTV, news article, photo, video

Britney Spears’ Leaked ‘Telephone’ Demo Confirmed By Producer Rodney Jerkins

Posted on 04 May 2010

‘It was an early demo stage of the version. It wasn’t even a mixed version,’ Darkchild says on Ustream.
By James Dinh

Britney Spears

Photo: MTV

Over the weekend, music blogs all over the Internet went into a frenzy over a supposed Britney Spears version of Lady Gaga’s “Telephone,” but many were unsure whether it was actually the singer on the track. Last night, the producer of the song, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, took to Ustream to clarify that while he had no part in leaking the track, it is indeed Ms. Spears.




	If Britney Spears Was In The ‘Telephone’ Video

“As ya’ll know, it’s been an overwhelming day today. I want to say to all the people on Twitter, all Britney’s fans, all the Darkchild fans, I was caught off guard last night with this ‘Telephone’ leak of Britney,” he said.

“I’ve been asked to leak the version, and I haven’t leaked the version, and then last night, there was a version leaked. I really don’t know who leaked the version. It was an early demo stage of the version. It wasn’t even a mixed version. I would never leak something without Britney’s approval, without Larry Rudolph, without Jive Records,” Darkchild continued.

While the producer made sure he cleared the air about the leak, he also spilled a few details about a recent visit he had with Britney’s manager Larry Rudolph. “On Saturday evening, the night of the fight, Larry Rudolph, Britney Spears’ manager, came to my house to watch the fight and we had an incredible conversation about Britney Spears’ new album. And we talked about the direction of her album, he gave me some insight into the direction and he wants me to work on stuff for the album,” he said.

The producer went on to reveal he couldn’t be any more focused on the pop singer, and he’s determined to “write an international smash for her new album.”

And when it comes to delivering top-notch songs, Darkchild admitted that he’s studied the singer’s most recent albums in preparation to serve up something greater.

“I think the fans deserve it, I think Britney deserves it and I can’t wait to get back into the studio with Britney. I’m about to go crazy on making something that’s so crazy. Since I’ve had conversation with Larry Rudolph, I’ve studied some stuff from her last album and the Blackout album, and that was great stuff, but I think I’m going to bring something a little bit greater. I’m gonna give it my all to deliver something that’s crazy, crazy amazing for Britney.”

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Tags: album, black, born-free, celestiial, flying-lotus, great-storms, haunting the chapel, indie, major-lazer, mp3, music, springs-eternal, stereogum, videos

Haunting The Chapel No. 10

Posted on 28 April 2010

Celestiial is the “forest doom” project of Minnesota’s Tanner Anderson, who used to play guitar for area atmospheric black metallers Azrael. On his second full-length Where Life Springs Eternal he’s joined by Agalloch’s Tim Glen (percussion) and Jason Walton (bass). It was recorded by Fog’s Andrew Broder and mastered by Walton. Spring Eternal takes the dark naturalist elements of 2006’s Desolate North — and album I wrote about a couple of times, once referencing Flying Saucer Attack, Brightblack Morning Light, and Burzum in the same breath — to a headier, heavier, more towering, and even more compelling space, while keeping in the delicate sounds of streams, rain, birds, rustling leaves. As you might’ve noted via the updated approach on the 2008 split with cohorts/labelmates Blood Of The Black Owl, there are additional textures, a larger dynamic scope. It’s an album to listen to with the windows open — something I’ve been doing regularly this Spring. I spoke with Anderson about Where Life Springs Eternal, Azrael, the past, the future, and the Minnesotan forests that inspire his work.

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Tags: album, artists, christian, collaboration, finds-the-miami, kill-the-rumors, killed-the-show, maybach-music, music, photo, push-the-button, savor-the-music

Rick Ross Calls Teflon Don Jay-Z Collabo ‘An Atomic Bomb’

Posted on 28 April 2010

The Bawse denies rumors that the new Jay duet is ‘Maybach Music 3.’
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Kelly Marino

Rick Ross

Photo: MTV News

Swizz Beatz-designed Christian Louboutin white shoes, a black motorcycle jacket specially made by Fubu and a white tank top you could find at any swap meet or flea market — Rick Ross had his swagger up on the set of his F. Gary Gray-directed video for “Super High.”

The clip plays off the film “Easy Rider” and finds the Miami native scooping up sexy Stacey Dash like ice cream from Cold Stone. Ross woos her from her biker beau.

During some downtime on the set, Ross explained that he’s trying to keep a lot of the ins and outs of his June 29 LP Teflon Don on lock until it drops, but the Bawse did disclose more about his collaboration with Jay-Z.

“The majority of the details of the album I’ve been trying to keep under wraps so the fans can savor the music that much more,” Ross said. “I most definitely have confirmed Jay-Z being on the album. [The song] is like an atomic bomb. I’m just waiting to push the button. Shout-out to Roc Nation. Shout-out to Kanye West.”

Ross said he and Jay recorded the song in Sin City as Jigga’s tour was coming to a close.

“The funny thing is the way the record was done,” Ross said. “I followed him to a few Blueprint 3 Tour dates. I was chillin’ in the back, smoked out. As soon as he gets offstage, we was chillin’, vibing. His last date, which was in Vegas, he killed the show. We left the show, went to Tao for the afterparty. It was 30 bottles of Ace of Spades [champagne]. He left there, went and killed the craps table, the poker table. Then we got in the studio, and he laced me. It was the most phenomenal verse.

“It’s not ‘Maybach Music 3,’ ” Ross revealed. “You could kill the rumors. This is something totally unexpected, and we talking that talk. I’m just excited, man. I’m expecting big things from this Teflon Don project.”

Are you excited to hear new music from Rick Ross? Let us know in the comments below!

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Tags: adventures, album, country, eminem, hayley-williams, MTV, name-changes, news article, photo, relationship, speak-on-behalf, think-the-fans

B.o.B Says Debut Album Has Some ‘Surprising Factors’

Posted on 27 April 2010

‘You can’t just understand me with one song,’ he says of B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray.
By Steven Roberts

Photo: MTV News

B.o.B has forged quite a path for himself during his brief time in the music industry. The promising young MC is set to release his debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, on Tuesday (April 27) after a year that included announcements of alleged retirements, label squabbling and two name changes (Bobby Ray and then back again to B.o.B). Now B.o.B finds himself with the #2 record in the country and his collaboration with Paramore’s Hayley Williams following close behind. B.o.B said that he and his fans are finally ready for his full-length effort.

“Getting to this point and finally getting an album out — I know I speak on behalf of all my fans — it’s been a very long wait and I feel like everybody’s finally ready for it,” he explained. “Even though I’ve had a lot of music in the past, I feel like now it’s timing, because timing plays a huge role in the success of things — especially me, and getting here really took a lot of online presence, a lot of performing. It took a lot of shows.

“It took a lot of building relationships,” he continued. “Even with the fans, you have to build the relationship with the fans. Someone may just like one song, but that’s just one song. You really have got to build and grow. My music has a wide variety to it, so you can’t just understand me with one song.”

B.o.B joked that it would probably take the average listener 10 songs to get to know him — his album is eclectic and not short on guest appearances, featuring T.I., Lupe Fiasco, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and Eminem.

“I think now people know what they should expect, and even still, playing the album for people they’re still like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know it was going to be that,’ ” he said of fans’ reactions. “I think the fans know to expect decent music. I don’t think anybody’s expectations will be low for it, but I feel like it will definitely have some surprising factors to it.”

What do you think of B.o.B’s debut? Let us know in the comments below!

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Tags: album, flying-lotus, lead story, national, nico muhly, rock, the arcade fire, top stories, videos

Premature Evaluation: The National – High Violet

Posted on 20 April 2010

We talk a lot about “anticipation” when it comes to new releases, but it feels like folks have been awaiting the National’s High Violet with a special excitement, one that’s picked up with each leaked (or officially released) track or live performance. The band’s longer, slower climb from their 2001 self-titled debut to their fifth album has been steady and snowballing, too — Over the past decade, Matt Berninger, Aaron And Bryce Dessner, and Bryan and Scott Devendorf have refined and expanded their sound without losing their way or succumbing to of-the-moment aesthetic/genre trends. That hard, careful work has given the band a sturdy assuredness, even when Berninger’s singing about being a mess.

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Tags: album, eminem, his-website, news article, olympics, related, since-the-album, track

B.o.B’s ‘Airplanes (Part II),’ Featuring Eminem And Hayley Williams, Hits The Net

Posted on 19 April 2010

‘Since the album is leaking, I want this one to come from ME,’ B.o.B tweets about posting song.
By Steven Roberts

B.o.B

Photo: MTV News

There’s been much hype surrounding B.o.B’s debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which is slated to drop April 27. The album’s lead single and surprise hit, “Nothin’ on You,” featuring Bruno Mars, currently sits at #1 on iTunes’ songs chart. But once the album’s track listing was released, anticipation began to grow even more, thanks in large part to the Eminem feature on “Airplanes (Part II).”

B.o.B decided to unleash the track Monday afternoon (April 19) via his website, and it lives up expectations. The song features Em spitting another song-stealing verse, rapping hypothetically about what could have been failed opportunities.

“Let’s pretend Marshall Mathers never picked up a pen/ Let’s pretend things would’ve been no different/ Pretend he procrastinated, had no motivation, pretend he just made excuses that were so paper thin.”

Em continues, listing off scenes from his now-famous narrative of a tortured childhood and his tumultuous relationship with his mother.

“Now pretend they ain’t just make him angry with this sh–/ And there was no one he could even aim [at] when he’s pissed at/ And his alarm went off to wake him, but he didn’t make it to the Rap Olympics/ Slept through his plane and he missed/ He’s going to have a hard time explaining to Hailey and Laney this food stamps and this WIC sh–/ Because he never risked sh–/ He hoped and he wished it.”

The retrospective track also features Paramore’s Hayley Williams on the hook, who was as surprised as anyone by the Eminem collaboration.

“I only found out about Eminem getting on the track like a month ago,” she told MTV News. “As if the song couldn’t get any better. He just slays me, he’s such a genius.”

B.o.B told MTV News
last week that it was a gift to work with one of his heroes. He said Em’s manager Paul Rosenberg grabbed Slim Shady’s attention with B.o.B’s first mixtape, Cloud 9, and he kept Em abreast of B.o.B’s work. He tweeted Monday that he wanted to share the song first, since his album was leaking.

“Since the album is leaking … I want this one to come from ME. Hear ‘Airplanes Pt. 2′ ft. EMINEM & Hayley Williams of Paramore.”

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Tag Archive | "album"

Tags: album, breakthrough, life, MTV, news article, related, running, video, winner, year

Posted on 08 July 2010

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Tags: album, christin turner, dum-dum-girls, featured video, girls, gum mix, mp3, press, sorry-britney, video, voicesvoices

Posted on 09 June 2010

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Tags: album, indie, mp3, music, opium, opium warlords, reverend bizarre, time, work

Posted on 27 May 2010

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Tags: album, artists, dates-on-erykah, europe, news article, pharrell, pharrell-williams, release, shows, steven-roberts, stuff

Posted on 06 May 2010

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Tags: album, artists, britney, darkchild, direction, larry, MTV, news article, photo, video

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Tags: album, black, born-free, celestiial, flying-lotus, great-storms, haunting the chapel, indie, major-lazer, mp3, music, springs-eternal, stereogum, videos

Posted on 28 April 2010

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Tags: album, artists, christian, collaboration, finds-the-miami, kill-the-rumors, killed-the-show, maybach-music, music, photo, push-the-button, savor-the-music

Posted on 28 April 2010

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Posted on 27 April 2010

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Tags: album, flying-lotus, lead story, national, nico muhly, rock, the arcade fire, top stories, videos

Posted on 20 April 2010

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