...which is being rebroadcast online "shortly" NOW. Other performers include Amadou & Mariam, Hugh Masekela, K'Naan, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, and Shakira.

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]

Last night (3/31), K'Naan & Wale's show at Irving Plaza featured a surprise appearance by Nas and Damian Marley, who performed their album's first single "As We Enter" (Nas and K'naan did "NY State of Mind" too). Videos are below. Nas & Damian Marley's tour this summer includes a show at Williamsburg Waterfront.

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]

Doug E. Fresh also made an appearance before Cam'ron's set. A bunch of videos below...

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

Best of 2009: Top 10 Amazon Picks

1) Neko Case
2) Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3) Phoenix
4) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
5) The Avett Brothers
6) Girls
7) Animal Collective
8) K'Naan
9) Jay-Z
10) Camera Obscura

Two of Amazon's Top 10 bands are playing shows in NYC tonight (11/6): Girls and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Steve Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the Polaris Music Prize, today revealed the Short List of 10 Canadian albums eligible for the fourth annual $20,000 award.

The 10 nominees are, in alphabetical order:

Continue reading "2009 Polaris Prize nominees "

David Byrne @ Shelburne Museum, Vermont- 6.1.09 (by Graeme Flegenheimer)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* The Drums @ The Annex
* David Byrne @ Wellmont Theatre
* Yuka Honda, Sex Mob @ The Stone
* Mandy Moore, Tracy Bonham @ Joe's Pub
* Jack Penate, Tanlines, Hexa @ Bruar Falls
* Juliana Barwick, Twi The Humble Feather @ Pianos
* Holiday Shores, Cinema, Cinema, J DiMenna @ Cake Shop
* Jessica Lea Mayfield, Among the Oak and Ash @ Maxwell's
* Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman @ Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
* Gay Beast, Satanized, Joe Lentini, Hot Guts @ Silent Barn
* Art Brut, Tiny Masters of Today, U.S. Royalty @ Mercury Lounge
* Afrobeat Fest w/ Oran Etkin, Wunmigirl, Fertile Ground, Asiko @ Knitting Factory
* Bang on a Can't Afford the Other Benefit w/ So Percussion, Newspeak, Gutbucket, NOW Ensemble @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Bang on a Can benefit w/ Steve Reich, Meredith Monk, David Cossin, Wu Man, Maya Beiser, Talujon @ (Le) Poisson Rouge

Other Music changed one detail about getting tickets to the Dirty Projectors in-store. Those albums are now going on sale TONIGHT. You need to go buy an album to get into the show.

Femi Kuti & the Positive Force and BLK JKS AREN'T playing Irving Plaza tonight -- but they will be there tomorrow.

David Byrne is also playing Prospect Park on Monday.

Doves play Terminal 5 tomorrow.

Holiday Shores are in town from Florida. They have a bunch of shows scheduled including tonight at Cake Shop and tomorrow at Pianos with Jack Penate.

Who is playing the Williamsburg Waterfront this year?

We premiered the new James Yuill video yesterday. It's below again in case you missed it....

Nardwuar intereviewed K'naan. Full extended video interview below...

Peaches' new video for "Lose You" below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

by Black Bubblegum

Nas @ Rock The Bells 2008 in Jones Beach (more by villageslum.com)

OK, so it's not as much a big bang as last year (A Tribe Called Quest reunion) or the one before (Rage Against The Machine reunion), but Rock The Bells 2009 does have some interesting artists on the lineup. Besides a welcome reunion (Reflection Eternal) (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek), one suspect one (House of Pain) and some great repeat offenders (Nas, RZA, Raekwon, MOP, Sage Francis, Slum Village), this year's Rock The Bells also boasts an Outkast (Big Boi), a windy city fave (Common), and a true sicko (Necro). The full lineup is:

Continue reading "Rock The Bells announces 2009 hip hop fest/tour lineup"

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

After finally finishing the day three recap, now here finally is the rest of day two (8/9)...

Continue reading "Chromeo, Sia, the Black Angels & other APW day 2 pics"