by Andrew Sacher

J. Cole was a pretty exciting rapper around the time of his Friday Night Lights mixtape, but that excitement died down a bit when his debut album for Roc Nation, Cole World proved to be mostly mediocre. Still, something about Cole makes you want to root for him, and that's stirred the excitement up again for his second official album, Born Sinner (due out June 18). The album's not an instant classic, but it's a much better and more consistent release than its predecessor.

The guest spots feel carefully chosen, the only ones coming from Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Dirty Projector Amber Coffman, the two surviving members of the recently-reunited TLC, and Justin Timberlake's songwriting partner James Fauntleroy. But even with major names like those, the guest appearances always tend to take a backseat to Cole, who really runs the show (he wrote and produced almost the entire thing himself). Unfortunately, that does cause it to get a little one-dimensional at times, but when Cole is on ("Power Trip" and the title track are early highlights), he's making some pretty impressive music. Stream the album in its entirety, along with the "Power Trip" video, below.

Cole will be celebrating the album with his Dollar & A Dream tour, which begins in Miami tonight (6/11). For that tour, he'll be hitting 11 cities and each show only costs $1 to get in. The catch is that the venue won't be announced until the day of the show via J. Cole's twitter, and there's no advance tickets. You have to pay admission at the door, first come, first serve. The tour hits NYC on June 19.

You'll also be able to catch Cole at a NYC show that you can get advance tickets to when he plays Warm Up at MoMA PS1 on August 17. That show includes other rappers, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire and World's Fair, in addition to producers King Britt (Hyperdub), Bangladesh and Darq E Freaker. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

All dates are listed, along with the video and album stream, below...

Continue reading "J. Cole releasing 'Born Sinner' (stream it), announces tour"

Warm Up 2012 (more by Leia Jospe)

The annual Warm Up summer concert series is returning to MoMA PS1 this year every Saturday from June 29 through September 7. As usual, they've booked an excellent lineup of forward-thinking electronic music, hip hop, and other related genres.

Artists playing this year include Majical Cloudz (who just played NYC and will play Northside), XXYYXX, Ryan Hemsworth, Liars (live), Kode9, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Caribou (DJ), Empress Of, J. Cole, World's Fair, IO Echo (live), Julio Bashmore, Ben UFO, Gobby, Kelela, Juan Atkins, A Guy Called Gerald, Pional, Kim Ann Foxman, Jon Hopkins, King Britt and tons of other names.

Advance tickets for each day will go on sale Wednesday, June 5 at noon via MoMAPS1.org. Full 2013 schedule below...

Continue reading "MoMA PS1 Warm Up 2013 announced (Majical Cloudz, XXYYXX, Ryan Hemsworth, Liars, Mr. MFN eXquire & more)"

Jay-Z (right) with Jaz. Note, not a recent picture.

Jay-Z's bid for a festival, known as Made in America, will return to Philadelphia in 2013, setting aside August 31- September 1 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the second edition. Check out a teaser trailer below, and line-up is forthcoming.

In other Jigga news, the man who REALLY started from the bottom (sorry, Drake- lol) has moved his Roc Nation venture away from Columbia Records and back to Universal:

News comes today from Jay & Roc Nation themselves that they've decided on Universal Music Group as their parent label, departing from multi-year deals that had Roc Nation records, including the most successful release from the company thus far, J. Cole's 2011 debut Cole World: The Sideline Story, releasing on Columbia Records.... Roc Nation's next release, which appears to be J. Cole's oft-delayed, but highly-anticipated sophomore effort Born Sinner, will be released on Roc Nation/Universal Music Group. -[The Source]

As mentioned, Jay-Z will join Justin Timberlake for a pair of shows at Yankee Stadium on July 19 & 20. Tickets for both are still available, but probably not for long.

Continue reading "Made in America returning for 2013; Jay-Z moves Roc Nation back to Universal"

Laurel Halo @ PS1, July 2011 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Vektor at Saint Vitus, August 2012 (more by Fred Pessaro // BBG)

today in NYC
* Matuto @ Barbes
* Brazda @ Barbes
* Marc Cohn @ City Winery
* Bernie Worrell @ Maxwell's
* Federico Aubele @ Joe's Pub
* Mavis Staples @ The Allen Room
* Questlove (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Valentine's Day Improv @ The Stone
* Skimask, Bugs & Rats @ Death By Audio
* Janeane Garofalo @ Eastville Comedy Club
* Alabama Shakes @ Rocks Off Concert Cruise
* Outasight, The Ready Set @ Gramercy Theatre
* Vektor, Behold...the Arctopus @ Saint Vitus Bar
* Junius, Family, Gates, InAeona @ Public Assembly
* The Echo Friendly, Amalie Bruun @ Mercury Lounge
* Dawn Landes, Benji Hughes @ Rockwood Music Hall
* Elysian Fields, Cassandra Jenkins @ Le Poisson Rouge
* The Maccabees, Reputante, Gambles @ Bowery Ballroom
* Big Quiet, Corita, Paper Fleet, Invisible Days @ Cake Shop
* Toro y Moi, Wild Belle, Dog Bite @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Zula, Jane Eyre, Quiet Loudly, Slonk Donkerson @ Silent Barn
* Morus Alba, Cannonball Statman, Phoebe Blue @ Muchmore's
* The Soul Rebels, Karl Denson, American Royalty @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Josie Dear, Davie and The Chains, Drew Victor @ Pete's Candy Store
* Ice Cream, Siff-Rip-Us, Pajama People, Mechanical River @ Big Snow
* Teengirl Fantasy, Laurel Halo, Kelela, Fatherhood @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Infinity Shred, Big Ups, Flagland, Low Fat Getting High @ Shea Stadium
* Teen Commandments, Blue Jazz TV, XA, It Is Rain In My Face @ Pianos
* Splash, Sofa Club, Alice Cohen, Lingerie, Terekke (DJ Set) @ Glasslands
* Tonstartsbandht, 100 LBS., Hagfish and the Poet Lounge @ Bowery Electric
* Shadow Lover, Little Band of Sailors, Doom Trumpet @ Secret Project Robot
* Lemonade, ILLS, Empress Of, School of Seven Balls (DJ Set) @ Cameo Gallery
* Total Slacker, Hunters, X-Ray Eyeballs, Cassie Ramone, DJ Serpent (of DIIV) @ Studio at Webster Hall
* Unloveable: A Smiths & Morrissey Valentine's Day w/ Dave Hill and The Sons & Heirs @ The Bell House

Happy Valentine's Day! There are certainly no shortage of show options tonight, if that is you and your significant other's idea of a romantic evening. And if you don't have a sweetie, there's always the Morrissey/Smiths Valentine's Day party at The Bell House with host Dave Hill and very good tribute act The Sons & Heirs. You could meet somebody who really loves you!

Tonight's Teengirl Fantasy / Laurel Halo show at Le Poisson Rouge will be webcast live via Pitchfork.tv. It's a late one, with Laurel Halo's set at midnight and Teengirl Fantasy at 1 AM EST.

If you'd rather stay home, maybe watch a movie. The Criterion Collection are streaming all their Hulu titles for free from now through Sunday. Titles include Grey Gardens, Quadrophenia, Au Hassard Balthazar, Rashamon, Eraserhead, Fanny & Alexander and many more.

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.
Follow @bvChicago for just Chicago stuff.
Also follow @bvAustin for just Austin stuff.

Be our friend on Facebook too, and BV Austin's friend on Facebook and BV Chicago's friend on Facebook.

Follow BrooklynVegan on Instagram.

Justin Timberlake has released the video for his song "Suit & Tie" which co-stars Jay-Z. The clip was directed by David Fincher and the two previously worked together on The Social Network. Like Fincher's videos for Madonna and George Michael, "Suit & Tie" is all style and you can watch it below.

J. Cole finally revealed the first single off of his delayed sophomore album, Born Sinner. It's called "Power Trip" and features a hook from Miguel, who previously collaborated with the rapper on his 2010 single, "All I Want Is You.". Stream the new track below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday? (Valentine's Day)"

Drake at Jones Beach - 6/16/12 (via Draii Rynell)

Drake brought his tour with J. Cole, 2 Chainz, Waka Flocka, Meek Mill and French Montana to the NYC area last week for shows at PNC Bank Arts Center (6/12) and Jones Beach (6/16) (and Saratoga, NY show in between - hope you didn't try to get in with your fake ID). The openers on that tour were all in the NYC area earlier this month for Summer Jam, where Drake's Young Money labelmate Nicki Minaj cancelled her headlining performance.

In between the PNC Bank Arts Center and Jones Beach shows, Drake stopped by NYC club W.i.P. at Greenhouse on Wednesday (6/13), where he allegedly got in a fight with Chris Brown over Rihanna, who both singers/rappers have dated. TMZ reports that bottles were thrown, at least 5 people were injured, and the club was left severely damaged. When the NYPD arrived, Chris and Drake had both already left the scene. You may have noticed cover stories the other day on papers like the NY Post. New "victims" are still coming forward (ready to sue).

Meek Mill, who was on tour with Drake, was there too and spoke to XXL about the incident. He said, "Things just happen in the club. I seen girls in there throwing bottles, all types of shit. All types of people. I never seen Chris Brown or Drake throw a bottle and I was there." And when asked if he himself threw a bottle, he responded, "Fuck no."

Game was not there for the fight, but he has collaborated with both Drake and Chris Brown on his 2011 album, The R.E.D. Album, and commented on the fight in an interview with BET:

"That's not a cool beef. They both can stop it now and go about they way, go they separate ways and get they money," he said, adding "If them niggas is rappers, I'm encouraging that shit. But if one of those niggas is an R&B nigga, then y'all need to cut that out. We need some songs to fuck to."

Meanwhile, at Drake's Jones Beach show on Saturday (6/16), he brought out a number of guests including a Dipset reunion, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Busta Rhymes, and more. Regarding the Dipset reunion, FADER writes, "The evening's biggest surprise was a four-song Dipset reunion, with Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Cam'ron emerging one track at a time to join forces on "' Really Mean It' and 'Salute.'" Check out videos of Drake and his guests below.

Continue reading "Drake's week in NYC: fight w/ Chris Brown, multiple area shows (w/ guests Dipset, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky & more)"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Azealia Banks - Jumanji (MP3)

Azealia Banks at Coachella 2012 (more by David Andrako)

Azealia Banks, who recently canceled a bunch of summer shows due to "recording commitments," has now added more shows to her summer schedule. Most of those are in Europe, but she was just added to the Hot 97 Summer Jam lineup which goes down in East Rutherford, NJ at MetLife Stadium on June 3. The rest of the lineup includes Nicki MInaj, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Waka Flocka Flame, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Wale, and more. Tickets for the fest are available. The full lineup is listed below.

UPDATE: She actually plays the Summer Jam pre-show in the parking lot with the even more impressive lineup of Pusha T, Big K.R.I.T., A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Fred the Godson. Your Summer Jam ticket gets you into the pre-show.

In addition to her fickle live schedule, Azealia Banks continues to move around her schedule of releases as well. As of right now, she's planning to get her delayed 1991 EP out on May 29 digitally and June 12 physically via Interscope. The cover art for that EP is below. She'll follow it with the Fantastic mixtape, which is due out on July 4, and includes her recently dropped track, "Jumanji," which was produced by Hudson Mohawke and Nick Hook. Grab that track above or stream it below. Finally, her debut full length, Broke With Expensive Taste, which is presumably the album she's been working on with Paul Epworth, is due out in September.

In other news, fresh off her feud with Iggy Azalea (who plays SOBs TONIGHT [5/17]), she's taken a stab at Lil Kim, who refused to collaborate with Azealia because Lil Kim wanted to write her own verse. Azealia had written it for her and insisted, "Everybody knows Lil Kim doesn't write her own raps." We already know that Kim's got beef with Nicki Minaj. Azealia, however, seems down with Nicki and would possibly collaborate with her, but thinks she should ditch the "ugly wigs and ugly costumes." Maybe they'll meet up when they both play Summer Jam next month. On the other hand, Azealia Banks has collaborated with Missy Elliot and Rye Rye on a remix of M.I.A.'s "Bad Girls." Look for that soon.

A list of all dates, Hot 97 Summer Jam lineup, 1991 cover art, and the "Jumanji" stream are below...

Continue reading "Azealia Banks added to Hot 97 Summer Jam lineup, prepping EP, mixtape, and LP"

Nas @ Rock the Bells (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

That didn't take long. We just announced the intitial lineup. Check out the almost-full thing below...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells 2012 full lineup (Nas, Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, Dipset, Schoolboy Q, Missy Elliot, Wiz Khalifa, much more)"

"If you a real hip-hop head RT!! #RocktheBells2012" - Nas

Turing hip-hop festival Rock the Bells announces:

Boost Mobile in association with Guerilla Union have announced the return of the ROCK THE BELLS 2012 FESTIVAL SERIES powered by BlackBerry. The world-class platform will feature an array of seminal and flourishing artists over an expanded two-day period in four major North American markets, including headliners Kid Cudi, J Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Atmosphere and more, with special guests Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

The only touring hip-hop festival will kick off in San Bernardino, CA on August 19 and 20 at the NOS Events Center. The festival will then make its way to Mountain View, CA on August 25 and 26 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and will wrap on the east coast in Newark, NJ on September 1 and 2 at PNC Arts Center.

ROCK THE BELLS and non-profit organization Hip Hop and Hope for Haiti have joined forces to shine light on the disaster-stricken country and to provide continued relief efforts; that of which have progressively decelerated.

In addition to what is listed above, Hit Squad is also playing. Full lineups TBA soon (possibly at the launch party happening in California tonight)

UPDATE: Full LINEUP ANNOUNCED.

The list of dates with on-sale dates is below...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells 2012 dates, venues & some artists announced"

by Andrew Sacher

Drake at Tammany Hall in 2010 (more by Brook Bobbins)

Earlier this month, Drake wrapped up a tour with Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky, before the latter two made their way to Austin for SXSW.

That tour didn't hit the NYC area but Drake has since announced another slew of North American dates which include PNC Bank Arts Center on June 12 in Holmdel, NJ and Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on June 16 in Wantagh, NY. Like the Kendrick/A$AP tour, most of the new dates, including both NYC area shows, are with a list of on-their-way-to-being-huge rappers: J. Cole, 2 Chainz (who last played NYC when he sold out SOBs in January), Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, and French Montana. Tickets for the PNC Bank Arts Center show and the Jones Beach show are on sale now.

All dates and the video for "Headlines" below...

Continue reading "Drake anounces more 2012 Tour Dates, shows at PNC Bank ARts Center & Jones Beach (w/ J. Cole, Waka Flocka, more)"

by Andrew Sacher

Pusha T

Pusha T is playing in NYC TONIGHT (12/22) at Gramercy Theatre with NinjaSonik, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Gilbere Forte, Emilio Rojas, and Jasmine Solano. Tickets are still available.

Earlier this week, Pusha dropped a freestyle over Common's "Sweet" off of his new LP, The Dreamer/The Believer, which came out on Tuesday. The Smoking Section reports that the track is a diss at Drake (who is touring in 2012 with Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky). Stream it below.

Common played Highline Ballroom on Monday (12/19). Nas joined him at the show. You can stream the whole show below, and also check out a video of Nas joining in on "Ghetto Dreams" below.

Pusha T collaborator Wale also plays a show in NYC TONIGHT (12/22). HIs is at Webster Hall and tickets are still available. More dates, including one at Irving Plaza, are listed below.

Speaking of Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire and Emilio Rojas, they both just played S.O.B.'s with Kendrick Lamar on Monday (12/19). Talib Kweli saw the show, and tweeted, "The ASAP crew did a 20 min walk thru during the set. Classic Harlem lol." Check out a video from the show below.

Maybe Talib should give Diplo a heads up about Kendrick. Diplo recently tweeted "Kendrick lamar sounds like somebody that played for the supersonics in the 90s. Didn't know he was a rapper. What's his best tune?" (Hey Diplo, check out "The Spiteful Chant").

In other news, Kendrick told XXLMag that he and J. Cole are planning a joint album. "We're still trying to formulate it and sit down in a neutral zone, where either one of us is moving and doing shows, interviews and press all the time," he said. Kendrick told HipHopDx that he's lined up Just Blaze and Pete Rock for his next LP.

Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire will play NYC again when he opens for Action Bronson at Highline Ballroom on December 27. Tickets are still available. eXquire and Bronson both made Heems' list of favorite albums released in 2011.

Speaking of Talib Kweli, his group Idle Warship played Southpaw on 12/9. Some videos from that show are below. They'll do it again on January 4 at S.O.B.'s. Tickets are still available.

Dates, videos and stream below...

Continue reading "Pusha T & Wale play shows tonight (and other dates); Kendrick Lamar & Common & guests played recently (videos)"

by Andrew Sacher

Kendrick Lamar

After an EP and a mixtape, Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar released his debut LP Section.80 last month via Top Dawg Entertainment. The album features contributions by fellow Black Hippy members and production by J. Cole on the epic closing track "HiiiPoWer." You can watch the video for that below.

Kendrick is also rumored to appear on Dr. Dre's Detox (if that ever actually comes out) and is on Game (formerly The Game)'s The R.E.D. Album, which after being delayed for about two years, was released today (8/23) via DGC/Interscope. He appears on the album's first full track, "The City," and absolutely kills it. Between Game's fury, Kendrick's breakneck lyrical flow, and Cool & Dre's production, the track is one of the album's highest points. Some other standout guests appear throughout the LP including Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne on "Martins vs. Goblins," Big Boi and E-40 on "Speakers on Blast", and Drake on "Good Girls Go Bad." You can stream those tracks below and order the album on Amazon.

Kendrick has a few shows coming up including one on August 31 at S.O.B.'s in NYC with Trav, Los, and Sim City. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

In related news, Smoke DZA is having an album release party for his upcoming LP Rolling Stoned on August 29 at S.O.B.'s with special guests Asap Rocky, Bun B, Va$htie and more. Tickets for the show are on sale now. You can catch DZA in NYC again when he returns as part of the Smokers Club Tour with Curren$y, Method Man, Big K.R.I.T, and others.

Speaking of J. Cole, his debut LP, Cole World: The Sideline Story is set to be released on September 27 via Jay-Z's Roc Nation imprint. The video for the album's single, "Work Out," is below. He's set to kick off the 'Cole World: World Tour' on Tuesday (8/23) in Canada and continue touring internationally through mid-December. The tour hits NYC on October 25 at Best Buy Theatre. Tickets for the NYC show go on sale Friday (8/26) at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (8/24) at 10 AM and an internet presale starting Thursday (8/25) at 10 AM.

All dates and videos below...

Continue reading "Kendrick Lamar, new Game, Smoke DZA & J.Cole -- new albums, dates, videos & stuff"

photos by Dana (Distortion) Yavin & Graeme Flegenheimer

Henry Rollins (spoken word) / Bradford Cox (Deerhunter)

"Atlanta's own Deerhunter was the main draw on Thursday night, a low-key alternative to Friday's star-studded lineup. In fact, two people approached me during their set to ask who we were hearing. But no matter: The indie-rock prodigies went pleasantly cerebral on a crowd too tired to do more than sprawl on the grass and nod." [Creative Loafing]

The rest of our pictures from day one (not counting Karen Elson which was posted separately), which are all by Dana unless otherwise noted, continue below...

Continue reading "Bonnaroo Day 1 in pics (Deerhunter, Wavves, Henry Rollins, The Drums, Dam-Funk & more)"

Bonnaroo (June 9-12 in Manchester Tennessee) has announced the 2011 lineup (slightly early), and like the rumored Lollapalooza lineup, Eminem is among the headliners. Bonnaroo also has Grammy winners Arcade Fire and the Black Keys, in addition to Lil Wayne, Mumford & Sons, the Strokes, The Decemberists, Florence & the Machine, Girl Talk, Beirut (haven't seen them in a while), and many more. Full list below...

Continue reading "Bonnaroo 2011 lineup is here"

photos by Andrew St. Clair, words by BBG

Headlined by Nas and featuring appearances from Cee-Lo (who did perform "Fuck You!"), Pete Rock with surprise guest Dres of Black Sheep, Diplo and "surprise guest" J. Cole, the Heineken Inspire show went down on Saturday (11/13) at Pier 36 under the Manhattan Bridge in Manhattan. With doors at 3pm, it was a long show, and Nas had some technical difficulties but it was free and there was free beer. DJ Kool Herc didn't perform but he came out on stage to say hello.

DJ Premier was not on hand to link up with Pete Rock, even though the duo are working on a new LP together! The album is expected to be completed by year-end, and though hardly any details regarding release have been revealed, it is known that GZA will make an appearance on the album. Preemo and KRS-One also have a collaborative LP in the works, and Nas recently told Premier that he still wants a collaborative album, and he recently announced a label comp entitled Get Used to Us due on December 7th. Premier recently spoke with the Village Voice on the current state of hip hop.

More pictures and some video from the Heineken Inspire event are below.

Continue reading "Nas, Cee-Lo, Pete Rock, Diplo, J Cole & others played the Heineken Inspire event on Pier 36 (pics & video) "

Eli "Paperboy" Reed at Governor's Island (more by Tracy Allison)

For the curious, J & R Musicfest & Tech Expo won't be just demos of the latest wi-fi enabled equipment. Over four days, the annual "fest" will dedicate two days to free shows across from its downtown location (at City Hall Park) featuring performances by J Cole, Alexis Jordan, Marsha Ambrosius, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed between August 27th and August 28th. Full lineup is below.

For those in need of urgent sweet soul crooning, you can get your fix TONIGHT (8/25), as Eli "Paperboy" Reed will also sit in as a special guest at Rockwood Music Hall with The Sweet Divines. Mr. Reed won't be the only guest sitting in with the band, as Dap Kings guitarist Binky Griptite, soul songstress Maxine Brown, and Inyang Bassey (backing vocalist for Moby) will all get the assist (in addition to an opening set from Bassey and Griptite).

Tonight isn't his only appearance with The Sweet Divines either, as both will ALSO appear at the 2010 edition of the Brooklyn Soul Festival held at the Bell House on 10/8 and 10/9 (though on different days). The two day festival will feature appearances from Barbara Lynn, Vernon Garrett, Don Gardner, and Reed on day one (10/8), as well as Betty Harris, Harvey Scales, Renaldo Domino, and The Sweet Divines on day two (10/9). Tickets are on sale for day 1, day 2, and a two day pass.

The Rockwood show flyer, J&R Fest lineup and times, and all Eli dates, below....

Continue reading "soul @ Rockwood tonight, J&R Musicfest this weekend, Brooklyn Soul Festival in October (all w/ Eli Reed)"

by BBG

Would you confuse these two men?

California ex-drug kingpin Ricky "Freeway" Ross filed a trademark lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross in a California Federal Court on Friday June 18. According to the Miami New Times blog, Ross is suing the rapper for stealing his name, image and likeness to create a successful rap career. ...Ross and his lawyer Melvin Sharpe Jr. are also suing Maybach Music -- rapper Rick Ross' label -- Universal Music Group Recordings, Slip-N-Slide Records -- the independent label the rapper first signed to before signing to a major -- and Jay-Z, who was President of Def Jam Records when rapper Rick Ross signed to the label in 2006. - [Billboard]

Maybe "Freeway" Ricky Ross is trying to get at the dough that the Miami MC will make at the Power 105.1 show at The Beach at Governor's Island on August 22nd. There, the former prison guard (named after a drug dealer?) will join up with Diddy & Dirty Money, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Keri Hilson, Bobby Valentino, Fat Joe, Maino, and others. Tickets are on sale at noon today (7/2).

Also on board is Jay-Z prodigy J Cole, who recently released a new video for "Who Dat" available below. The MC will drop his as-yet untitled Roc Nation debut this October, which features contributions from Pharrell, Jim Jonsin, and Salaam Remi though the bulk of the production was handled by Chicago producer (and Kanye West mentor) No I.D.. Look for that.

That J Cole video, as well as a few others are below...

Continue reading "drug kingpin Ricky Ross suing rapper Rick Ross (who is playing Governors Island w/ J Cole, Diddy & Dirty Money, more)"

Memorial Day Weekend officially opened the summer, and for those in the Pacific Northwest it also brought Sasquatch Music Festival (pictures from all three days are coming soon). Now the lineup for its Labor Day cousin, Bumbershoot 2010, has been announced. That fest, happening at Seattle, WA's Seattle Center September 4th-6th, will include headliners Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Weezer, Hole, Rise Against, Neko Case, The Decemberists, J. Cole and "one more very special guest to be announced soon."

Tickets (including non-Mainstage 'economy' passes) are on sale now. The rest of the lineup (by day) for the seven-stage festival is posted below...

Continue reading "Bumbershoot 2010 lineup (Bob Dylan... Hole... Mary J Blige)"

Freddie Gibbs @ SXSW (more by Andrew Frisicano)

Roc Nation signee J. Cole's Tuesday (3/30) show at SOB's had a few special appearances (not Jay-Z).

Surprise guests Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek joined Cole on stage for "Just to Get By," but the highlight of the night was when Cole brought out Young Gunz rapper Young Chris. "We don't wear the same chain, but, I gotta give respects to those that came before me, from Beanie to Young Gunz," J. Cole told the audience before bringing out the former Roc-A-Fella artist, who was received with shouts of excitement from the throng of people. [Billboard]

At Highline Ballroom last night (3/31), Freddie Gibbs and others from XXL's Freshman Class performed. Cam'ron wasn't quite a special guest - his appearance as the headliner was announced the day before.

One of the more hyped Freshmen, thanks to his imposing style and intelligent rhyming, Indiana's Freddie Gibbs represents a bit of a stylistic change from the other performers. Everything about him--from his physical appearance to his deep, gritty vocals--commands respect. The turning point in his set came when he took his shirt off and upped his intensity (the crowd went crazy).

Donnis was probably the biggest surprise of the night. Besides his smooth, succinct Southern delivery, he brought out two surprise guests of note--Brit soul sensation Estelle and the up-and-coming Ryan Leslie. Estelle, with her scintillating vocals, came out for a quick verse on a new Donnis single, while Leslie played the keys for the track "Gone." [Time Out NY]

Continue reading "J. Cole, K'naan, Freddie Gibbs, Cam'ron & others played guest-filled shows w/ Nas, Damian Marley, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek, more"

by BBG

Brother Ali with Rakim in 2009

Brother Ali is going back on tour this spring and he hits NYC again, this time with Fashawn and BK One for a show at Knitting Factory on April 15th. Tickets are on sale. All tour dates are below.

The NYC show comes one month after Fashawn makes an appearance at the Nah Right/The Smoking Section Day Party at Rumbler Lounge at Peckerheads in Austin on 3/20 during SXSW. There Fashawn will intersect with Freeway & Jake One (who just played Highline with Brother Ali), J.Cole, Pac Div, Wiz Khalifa, Freddie Gibbs (who is playing the Pitchfork Festival), Pill, Diz Gibran, and many others. Nah Right has more details.

One of those performers, Wiz Khalifa, will headline Irving Plaza on March 26th as part of a larger tour for Deal or No Deal, his album that dropped late last year. Tickets are on sale, full dates are below.

Another performer from the Nah Right/Smoking Section party, J Cole, is the current cover boy of The Source and one of XXL's "Top 10 Freshmen". J will also play NYC as part of Hot 97's Who'w Next Live at SOB's on March 30. Tickets are still available.

One man who is no stranger to the covers of XXL and The Source, Juelz Santana, is scheduled to play NYC on March 22nd with Maino. Tickets are on sale.

Full Brother Ali & Wiz Khalifa dates and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Brother Ali tour dates & other hip shows in NYC & Austin"