Hip-hop duo is calling itself the Throne. By Rob Markman Kanye West and Jay-Z Photo: WireImage Throne watchers now have another date to focus on, this time an official one. It has finally been confirmed that on August 8, Jay-Z and Kanye West will release their highly anticipated joint LP, Watch the Throne, digitally on iTunes. Compact disc lovers will be able to purchase physical copies a few days later on August 12. But when searching for the CD at local retail spots, fans shouldn’t look under “J” for Jay or “W” for West, but rather “T,” as the duo has officially christened their group the Throne. Multiplatinum hip-hop supergroups cannot live by album sales alone, so on August 8 tickets for the Watch the Throne tour will also go on sale to the general public. The 24-date Live Nation-produced run will begin in Detroit on September 22 and wrap up on November 3 in Boston. Performing songs from the Throne album, as well as solo cuts from their respective catalogs, the duo will stop for two dates in Kanye’s hometown of Chicago, but none in Jay’s native New York. Instead the tour will hit the nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey, Izod Center on September 27 and 28. Starting July 28, fans who visit the Live Nation website will have access to pre-sale tickets; the next day, July 29, Citi Card members will get their chance to snatch up early seats. A press release sent out by Hov’s camp also confirms an official 12-song track list, with four bonus tracks slated for the LP’s deluxe version. RZA, the Neptunes and Kanye himself all contribute to the production side of things, while Beyonc
As if you couldn’t tell, Comic-Con fever has infected Movieline HQ worse than whatever Gwyenth Paltrow has in the trailer for Contagion . Only, instead of being fatal, Comic-Con fever is pretty awesome and totally nerdy in the best way possible. Of course, if you’re not at ‘Con, you could be feeling left out of the fun — and that’s why Movieline is here to help. Ahead, five options to bring the festival to your own home this weekend.
The heat wave bearing down on the United States has turned much of the eastern half of the country into a hellish furnace of death , despair and crisis . Today in New York the forecast calls for a high of 99, with the humidity pushing the heat index into triple digits with the likes of Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and scores of other towns along the Eastern Seaboard. But at least we’re all in this together — and with the movies, which are rich with tales of city folks sweating out the worst seasonal crap summer has to offer. Read on and recount nine of the best.
“Looking like Harry Potter means people discard every convention of social interaction to inform you that you look like Harry Potter. One time, in a bar in Philadelphia, an overweight bald man announced to the room, ‘Everybody, look! It’s Harry Potter! He looks like Harry Potter!’ I said to him, ‘You look like a fat asshole.’ It came to blows. I removed my glasses first. (Presumably, I looked less like Harry Potter as a result.)” New York Observer writer Michael H. Miller might want to invest in contact lenses. [ NYO ]
There are not that many singers who are on the same level as Patti Labelle, unless your name is Ledisi. If you missed last month’s BET Awards where they paid tribute to Patti, you missed Patti passing the torch to Ledisi. In this rare and touching interview Patti raves about the young singer, where the Grammy award artist is just beginning to receive widespread acceptance but Patti believes she is “the new her.” Check out the exclusive interview with the duo at theurbandailycom Patti LaBelle To Be Honored At 2011 BET Awards Celebrities Arrive On The Red Carpet At 2011 BET Awards [PHOTOS]
Despite what you’ve heard, Black people are the world’s taste makers. We are the ones who say what’s hot or not. Once it becomes popular in our community, mainstream picks it up and runs away with it. Think about it. Big lips weren’t in style until Angelina Jolie had them. You and I both know plenty of black people who been had those features. The same can be said about black music. Rock & Roll was originated by black musicians and then was snatched out of our hands. Though many mainstream artists jack elements of R&B for their pop records, some mainstream artists blend the two together, which brings us to our list of top 10 blue eyed soul singers. 10. George Michael Before he became infamous for abusing the nose candy and soliciting sex in public restrooms, George Michael was the melanin free artist of choice. Michael crafted pop songs only to add soulful inflections with his voice. He’s recorded duets with two of Black music’s biggest divas. He and Aretha Franklin had a smash with 1986′s “I Knew You Were Waiting.” In 1999, Whitney Houston recruited him for “If I Told You That.” If you’re giving me side eye for putting him on the list, you should be aware his massive hit, “Careless Whisper” has been covered by everyone from Brian McKnight to Tamia . Careless Whisper 9. Joss Stone The talent and vocal prowess of this British import have recently been overshadowed by reports of a deranged man’s plot to end her life. On a lighter note, Stone was introduced to American audiences with the multi-platinum disc, The Soul Sessions . That was a collection of obscure soul covers with the leading single being a ?uestlove assisted cover of The White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With A Girl.” Her follow up album paired her with producers like Novel and Raphael Saadiq . Stone also has the distinction of being the first artist to get Lauryn Hill on a track after her self imposed hiatus. Don’t believe me, check out “Music.” Fell In Love With A Boy 8. Michael McDonald If there was any white musician who has broken down barriers in the soul music arena, it would be Michael McDonald. Starting out as a session vocalist, McDonald was recruited by The Doobie Brothers . He wrote and sang lead on their most successful song, “What A Fool Believes.” Michael won two Grammys for the ubiquitous single. Subsequently, Patti LaBelle and McDonald worked together on her 1987 hit, “On My Own.” Sensing soul music’s appreciation dwindling, Michael has been releasing soul cover albums since 2003. What A Fool Believes 7. Hall & Oates These two men had the eighties blue eyed soul movement on lock. Daryl Hall and John Oates made pop music but infused the soul of their hometown, Philadelphia, into every song. No matter what you say, “I Can’t Go For That” still gets heavy spins in the soul community. The title has even entered our lexicon. De La Soul sampled the duo’s work for “Say No Go” off of the seminal, 3 Feet High And Rising . Due to their hits and the samples, Hall & Oates were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition to the immense accolades, Billboard Magazine placed them a number 15 on their 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time. Can’t argue with that. Private Eyes 6. Jon B. This Rhode Island native sounded so much like a brotha when he hit the scene, many thought he was Puerto Rican instead of white. Babyface’s duet with him, “Someone To Love,” had fans comparing the two singers. Jon B.’s biggest it s came in 1997. “They Don’t Know” helped catapult Cool Relax to the top of the album sales charts for the year. After a few personal and professional setbacks, Jon took time off to regroup and be with his wife and family. He’s currently in the studio working on a new album. They Don’t Know 5. Robin Thicke Not only is he one of the most popular R&B singers of our time, he is married to one of the baddest chicks in the game. Paula Patton’s husband has crafted hits for Usher , Brandy , and Lil Wayne . Robin popped up on everyone’s radar when his song, “When I Get You Alone” was used in a Sprite commercial back in 2001. An album was released then, but sales were less than stellar. After securing a deal with Interscope Records , Robin Thicke dropped The Evolution of Robin Thicke . That set featured the smooth “Lost Without You” and then odd pairing of Thicke and Weezy on “Shooter.” Robin Thicke continues to write for other artists as well as crafting his next project. We’re sure it’s going to be the perfect soundtrack for sexy time sessions. When I Get You Alone 4. Bee Gees Don’t you even try to act like you haven’t bumped one of heir songs at least once! Matter of fact, you can’t say that. If you happen to enjoy Wyclef’s “We Tryin’ To Stay Alive,” thank the Bee Gees . Sing Destiny’s Child’s “Emotions” at a karaoke bar when you’ve had more than three drinks? Blame the Brothers Gibb. They wrote, arranged, and produced the original versions of the aforementioned songs. However, for every triumph, their family has experienced extensive tribulations. The youngest Gibb, Andy, died in March of 1988 due to an inflamed heart brought on by a viral infection. When member, Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly, the remaining members ended the group. In 2009, the two reformed the group. Cheers to starting over. How Deep Is Your Love 3. Amy Winehouse Say what you will about the alcoholism and ridiculous behavior, but home girl can sing. Amy Winehouse blended the techniques and vocal stylings of yesterday’s jazz singers and today’s in your face song writing to create a masterpiece. Back To Black is the album you put on when you’re feeling some type of way about a breakup. As depressing as Back To Black is, her first album, Frank , shows glimpses of hope when it comes to finding happiness. After her most recent live show debacle, Amy is back to recovering from her hard partying lifestyle. Get well soon. Tears Dry On Their Own 2. Adele Despite the fact Adele has a better voice than most singers out, I’m sure I’ll get people asking me why Adele is so high on the list when she only has two albums. The reason is because both of her efforts have been among the best selling of the year they hit shelves. The latest, 21 , has broken digital album sales records. Plus, Adele’s most recent album has been a major component of helping records sales head in an upward trend. As for her debut, 19 , that disc garnered Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. If that isn’t isn’t enough, you need to seek professional help. No, seriously. Seek professional help if you don’t vibe with Adele’s music. Turning Tables 1. Teena Marie Nothing really needs to be said in defense of Teena Marie being number one. After all, we gave her the title of the Ivory Queen of Soul . The partnership of her and Rick James yielded one of the best duets ever created. “Fire and Desire” still sounds fresh in this day and age. Her solo hits like “Square Biz” still possess the power to make people gravitate towards the dance floor. Although she passed at closing of last year, Teena Marie’s music lives on and will continue to move the crowd for our children and their children. Lovergirl Related Posts: Top 10 Hood Beverages Top 10 Controversial Music Videos By Female Artists Top 5 Worst Album Sequels
What the hell is wrong with all these sick people that torture and abuse children. This week, police said that a 3-year old boy died after being tortured by the adults in his care. Jaquinn Brewton’s death was ruled a homicide when he was taken off life support. Police say that he was kicked, punched and had his hands, feet and rear end burned with a blowtorch. The boy’s god mother, 22-year old Nadera Batson was arrested and charged with murder. She was accompanied by her boyfriend, Marcus King, who has also been implicated in the boy’s death. Capt. James Clark of the Philadelphia Police Department says that the investigation revealed that Jaquinn was left by his mother with Batson and King in March when she went to a homeless shelter with her other five children. Jaquinn was found unconscious by police on June 29 when they were told that a child fell out of a window of a home in West Philadelphia. He was then taken to the hospital and left on life support until he died. “The little boy took all the pain that he could until he couldn’t take it anymore,” Clark said. He also noted that the abuse took place every day, in a systematic fashion. The Department of Human Services was not involved in the case. “It’s just unconscionable to think that someone would do this to a 3-year-old,” Clark said. “I have 22 years in the police department and this is one of the saddest cases I’ve seen.” Lock ‘em up, throw away the key. Source
‘I would cry for a minute, I was dancing, I was happy,’ Sigel says on ‘RapFix Live’ of last weekend’s show. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Beanie Sigel Photo: MTV News As far as rap crews go, Philadelphia’s State Property were emerging as one of hip-hop’s most promising collectives until they were torn apart by business tiffs and legal drama. Signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, State Property and group leader Beanie Sigel lost steam after label co-CEOs Jay-Z and Damon Dash parted ways and Beans went on to serve a 10-month stint in prison that ended in 2005 . But this past weekend, SP reunited onstage in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a show that Beanie said brought tears to his eyes. “The whole State Property was there, everybody: Chris, Neef, Oschino, Sparks, Freeway, Peedi Crack and me, all seven of us. That was love,” Sigel said during his visit to “RapFix Live” on Wednesday. “They all went out and I came out last. I was in the back. I didn’t know how to feel. I would cry for a minute, I was dancing, I was happy and then it was like, ‘My boys, man.’ ” Sigel told Sway that the SP reunion is now in full swing and, in addition to music, he’s working on a movie script for “State Property 3.” The first two “State Property” films were theatrical releases that became cult favorites and helped the group cement its brand in the mid-2000s. “I’m working on a script, ‘State Property 3,’ it’s about time,” Beans revealed before touching on the group’s musical plans. “When we got together, we had our meeting, our initial conversation about doing what we thought was necessary for us and for music, for everybody’s careers as State Property the group and solo careers.” As Sigel sees it, State Property would function as a collective, with each individual act pulling double duty as solo artists. To make his point, Beanie singled out Young Chris, who recently signed a deal with producer/songwriter Rico Love’s Division 1 label. “Everybody can do their own individual thing that they doing. Like Chris doing his thing with Division 1, he got a lot of good music that’s about to come through. “We make beautiful music together, all of us State Property,” Beans added. “We can stay out on our own and we can do us.” Are you looking forward to new music from State Property? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Beanie Sigel Related Artists State Property Beanie Sigel
Philly MC concedes Hov ‘gave me an opportunity,’ but said press mistook his gratitude as an apology for dis tracks lobbed at Jay. By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Sway Calloway Beanie Sigel on “RapFix Live” Photo: MTV News Despite the lyrical vitriol Beanie Sigel shot Jay-Z ‘s way beginning in 2009, the Philadelphia MC is still grateful for the opportunity the rapper-turned-mogul gave him when he was just a budding Roc-A-Fella Records artist. However, during Beans’ visit to MTV News’ “RapFix Live” on Wednesday (July 6), he stopped short of saying he had apologized for his sharp words. XXLMag.com previously reported that the “The Truth” rapper expressed contrition after his Hov comments. But Beans, without specifically naming the outlet, said he felt the interview focused more on the controversy than his current projects, so much so that he still hasn’t bothered to read it. “I had a interview with somebody and we were supposed to talk about the music and what I was doing with myself and my music and my plans for the future, and what me and you have been sitting here on this couch conversating about kept coming up,” Beanie told host Sway. “I didn’t want to talk about that stuff no more. So if anybody read the article or the interview — I never even read it after I did the interview with [the reporter].” Sitting on the “RapFix Live” couch, Beans and Sway talked extensively about the rapper’s feelings on the demise of Roc-A-Fella, specifically, his falling out with its co-founders Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Beans alleges he never got a phone call from Dash or Jay saying that the Roc-A-Fella he knew was no more, and that left a sour taste in his mouth. And though Beans acknowledged that during his run with the label, most everything was all good, he just refuses to gloss over the bad. “I’ll reiterate today and tell you everything that we discussed and talked about out of all that was going on and the feelings that I might have had, whether they were good or bad, whether I was truthfully in my speech or wrong in my speech,” Beans said. “What we did together and what Jay did for me … he gave me something a lot of people don’t get in this music business for a life period. He gave me an opportunity. … We’ve been around the world together, people knew who I was, they embraced me, they wanted to wear the clothes we wore.” Despite Beanie’s grievances with Hov, the fiercely loyal Philly spitter admitted he owes the man his career. And Jay-Z has been steadfast in saying he always supported Beans the best he could. But Jay probably shouldn’t hold his breath waiting for an official apology. “At the end of the day, yo, all that don’t matter,” Beans said. “That opportunity supersedes my personal feelings. And he gave me that [opportunity]. You can’t deny he gave me that. So at the end of the day it’s about just growth and everything. It wasn’t no formal apology. I didn’t apologize. People took it that way. But it is what it is. At the end of the day, like I said, he gave me an opportunity.” What do you think of Beanie and Jay’s past conflict? Tell us in the comments. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Beanie Sigel Related Artists Beanie Sigel Jay-Z
Philly MC concedes Hov ‘gave me an opportunity,’ but said press mistook his gratitude as an apology for dis tracks lobbed at Jay. By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Sway Calloway Beanie Sigel on “RapFix Live” Photo: MTV News Despite the lyrical vitriol Beanie Sigel shot Jay-Z ‘s way beginning in 2009, the Philadelphia MC is still grateful for the opportunity the rapper-turned-mogul gave him when he was just a budding Roc-A-Fella Records artist. However, during Beans’ visit to MTV News’ “RapFix Live” on Wednesday (July 6), he stopped short of saying he had apologized for his sharp words. XXLMag.com previously reported that the “The Truth” rapper expressed contrition after his Hov comments. But Beans, without specifically naming the outlet, said he felt the interview focused more on the controversy than his current projects, so much so that he still hasn’t bothered to read it. “I had a interview with somebody and we were supposed to talk about the music and what I was doing with myself and my music and my plans for the future, and what me and you have been sitting here on this couch conversating about kept coming up,” Beanie told host Sway. “I didn’t want to talk about that stuff no more. So if anybody read the article or the interview — I never even read it after I did the interview with [the reporter].” Sitting on the “RapFix Live” couch, Beans and Sway talked extensively about the rapper’s feelings on the demise of Roc-A-Fella, specifically, his falling out with its co-founders Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Beans alleges he never got a phone call from Dash or Jay saying that the Roc-A-Fella he knew was no more, and that left a sour taste in his mouth. And though Beans acknowledged that during his run with the label, most everything was all good, he just refuses to gloss over the bad. “I’ll reiterate today and tell you everything that we discussed and talked about out of all that was going on and the feelings that I might have had, whether they were good or bad, whether I was truthfully in my speech or wrong in my speech,” Beans said. “What we did together and what Jay did for me … he gave me something a lot of people don’t get in this music business for a life period. He gave me an opportunity. … We’ve been around the world together, people knew who I was, they embraced me, they wanted to wear the clothes we wore.” Despite Beanie’s grievances with Hov, the fiercely loyal Philly spitter admitted he owes the man his career. And Jay-Z has been steadfast in saying he always supported Beans the best he could. But Jay probably shouldn’t hold his breath waiting for an official apology. “At the end of the day, yo, all that don’t matter,” Beans said. “That opportunity supersedes my personal feelings. And he gave me that [opportunity]. You can’t deny he gave me that. So at the end of the day it’s about just growth and everything. It wasn’t no formal apology. I didn’t apologize. People took it that way. But it is what it is. At the end of the day, like I said, he gave me an opportunity.” What do you think of Beanie and Jay’s past conflict? Tell us in the comments. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Beanie Sigel Related Artists Beanie Sigel Jay-Z
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