Archive: July 2010 (71-80 of 116)

Jul 14 2010 12:11 PM ET

Lil Wayne reveals his daily jail regime in new letter to fans, plans to release new EP in September

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Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Lil Wayne

lil-wayneImage Credit: Jonathan Mannion“Amazing” and “perfect” don’t do justice describing the lyrics Lil Wayne is writing in jail. That’s what the hip-hop star who’s serving time in New York’s Rikers Island prison said yesterday of his new material in his newest letter to fans. In addition to touching on his music, Wayne also took some time out to answer a question he’s often asked. What does he do all day?

“I wake up around 11AM,” he starts in his note. “Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Push-ups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the Bible, then sleep. That’s my day.” He has roughly 100 more days of that regime. He’s expected to be released this November.

In other Weezy-related news, his manager Cortez Bryant recently told Vibe Magazine that he plans on releasing I’m Not A Human Being, an EP and prelude to Wayne’s Tha Carter IV, in September. 

“I’ll probably drop it on his birthday, September 27,” said Bryant. It won’t be released for commercial purposes, though. At least not initially, he said. “We’re not about to roll out no three month set up. I’m not even putting it out in stores. We’re just gonna put it out virally and maybe package it up for Christmas. Give ‘em a hard copy later for fan appreciation.” The EP likely will feature songs Wayne recorded before he was imprisoned in March.

Are you going to send Wayne a letter? Looking forward to new material from him? Let us know.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Glee star Amber Riley and Colbie Caillat sing at the All-Star Game
‘DJ Hero 2′: Check out the exclusive list of artists here!
Picture of Lady Gaga at John Lennon’s piano lands on Twitter; Beatles fans freak out
Usher puts his lady to bed in ‘There Goes My Baby’ video: Watch here
Robbie Williams to reunite with Take That, film ‘Brokeback Mountain’-themed comeback video

Jul 14 2010 11:34 AM ET

M.I.A. brings 'Born Free' to Letterman: Awesome or irritating?

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Categories: M.I.A., Television, Things That Are Frustrating

mia-lettermanImage Credit: CBS/John Paul Filo/LandovLast night, M.I.A. dropped by CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman to promote her new album, /\/\/\Y/\. She announced the performance on Twitter with typical caustic sarcasm: “whoring myself on letterman tonite americca, see u there!” Okay then! The song she chose was thuddingly confrontational single “Born Free.” In place of the hair-color death squads of that song’s video, M.I.A. brought along a troop of backup dancers styled more or less exactly like her.

/\/\/\Y/\ is surely the year’s most divisive major-label release. I happen to be one of those people who love 2005′s Arular and (much of) 2007′s Kala but find this follow-up to be a bit of a disaster. But I tried to approach her Late Show performance with an open mind. Image-wise, I think it was a success. The army of lookalikes was a well-executed nod to the increasingly common critique that she’s some sort of superficial phony, as Stereogum has noted. If she had used this setup for an older song like “Pull Up the People” or “Paper Planes,” I probably would have enjoyed it. Yet “Born Free” felt frankly interminable to me as a piece of live music. M.I.A. remains brilliant at making the audience pay attention to her. When it’s for a half-baked blast of empty aggression like this, I start wondering why I bothered.

But maybe you disagree? Check out M.I.A.’s Letterman performance after the jump (clip via Stereogum) and let us know what you think.

READ FULL STORY »

Jul 14 2010 09:43 AM ET

'Glee' star Amber Riley and Colbie Caillat sing at the All-Star Game: Watch it here!

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Categories: About Last Night, Snap Judgment

Ahhh, the All-Star Game. As a never-practicing sports fan, it’s my favorite time of the baseball season! (Wait, the All-Star game is baseball, right?) I always find something to write about from the seminal night in sports, like last year when I ruffled feathers by commenting on President Obama’s dad jeans, and this year is no different. To boot, let’s talk about the most important thing from the game: the musical performances! Amber Riley opened the show—errr, game—with a rendition of our National Anthem, which you can watch after the jump, and then added her performance of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” that won her raves in Glee. Two-time Grammy winner Colbie Caillat sang during the seventh-inning stretch, belting her take on “God Bless America.” Watch Riley do her thing here:

READ FULL STORY »

Jul 14 2010 09:00 AM ET

'DJ Hero 2': Check out the exclusive list of artists here!

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Categories: An EW Exclusive!, Games

DJ-Hero-2Better get your pretend-scratching skills up to snuff! DJ Hero 2 is coming this October. The sequel to last year’s DJ Hero video game will feature an even broader range of tunes for you to mix and mash on screen, drawing on artists all across the genre map — from Rihanna and Lady Gaga to Jay-Z and Drake to Daft Punk and Tiesto and beyond. It’s an impressive list, and we’re pleased to debut the full details right here on the Music Mix.

Click through to the jump for an exclusive run-down of all the artists whose music appears in DJ Hero 2. Then let us know if you’re looking forward to this game, and whose tunes you’re most psyched to play with. READ FULL STORY »

Jul 13 2010 12:25 PM ET

Picture of Lady Gaga at John Lennon's piano lands on Twitter; Beatles fans freak out

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Categories: Beatles, In Defense Of, Lady Gaga, Strange Bedfellows

ladygaga-lennonpianoImage Credit: Sean Lennon/TwitpicOh, good Lord. Another day, another tempest in a Gaga teapot. (At least she’s already got the outfit). A Twitpic posted by Sean Lennon—and now removed—shows the singer, in fishnet stockings and what looks like a goth kid’s ice-skating dress, tickling the keys of his father John’s iconic piano, of “Imagine” legend.

“With gaga at mom’s house, she’s belting on the white piano,” Sean tweeted, unaware of the firestorm to follow.

There’s no way to say this without sounding thoroughly obnoxious (nobody likes a bragger!), but having been lucky enough to visit that infamous Dakota apartment several years ago to interview Yoko Ono, the piano is—among many other priceless works of art, Dalis and Warhols and sundry John mementos—just sitting there. It is not encased in bulletproof glass or protected by deadly laser cats. And it’s highly doubtful that Yoko or Sean would let anyone touch the piano without permission; frankly, it’s theirs alone to give.

As Sean himself replied to one incensed caps-lock tweeter (“WHY WOULD YOU LET LADY GAGA PLAY ON JOHN’S PIANO?”) “Firstly, he gave that piano to my mother for her birthday, it is hers, secondly, he was not uptight the way you seem to be,” Sean tweeted. And later, “What should we do, lock it away in a dusty room? So judgmental…Come on, lighten up … life’s too short, there’re enough real problems in the world.”

I can’t tell if it’s her outfit, the generalized ill Twitter will towards Sean (“thus far, you’ve proven to be nothing more than a lucky c–shot”), or a more obtuse hatred for Lady Gaga, but her momentary contact with those keys doesn’t make her an honorary Beatle; John’s spirit most likely did not shoot up her garter belt and make her play “And Your Bird Can Sing” like a woman possessed.

Maybe it will inspire her later, who knows. Most likely, she was just super stoked to touch a pretty phenomenal piece of music history, and if you had the chance (and the blessing of Lennon’s immediate family), wouldn’t you?

Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Usher puts his lady to bed in ‘There Goes My Baby’ video: Watch here
Robbie Williams to reunite with Take That, film ‘Brokeback Mountain’-themed comeback video
The Fugs’ Tuli Kupferberg dies at 86
Lady Gaga preps ‘Remix’ album for US release
Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman get engaged on stage
Miniature Tigers exclusive: Stream a delightful new indie-rock track
Lilith Fair in L.A.: On the scene

Jul 13 2010 11:14 AM ET

Usher puts his lady to bed in 'There Goes My Baby' video: Watch here

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Categories: Music Videos, R&B, Things That Are Beautiful, Things That Are Sexy, Usher

there-goes-my-babyUsher‘s way more than a day late and a dollar short with this video from his latest album, Raymond vs. Raymond. “There Goes My Baby” has been on the radio since even before the album dropped last March. It’s been on Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop chart for 26 weeks. Lucky for him, his fans love the mid-tempo R&B record. It’s currently No. 2 behind Alicia Keys’ “Un-Thinkable.” I don’t think this sexy, yet restrained video is going to take it to No. 1, though.

In it a mostly shirtless Usher coolly seduces a vixen with model beauty to submit to his wishes. In turn she teases him until finally giving up and finds a comfy mattress for them to lie. It eventually gets a bit racier. She rubs his abs. He pulls down her stockings. They bites each other’s lips. This is far from new territory for Usher. I would of preferred he take it all the way there, like he did in Here I Stand‘s “Trading Places” video. Now that looked like fun. Check out Usher’s “Baby” video after the jump and let us know what you think.

READ FULL STORY »

Jul 13 2010 10:53 AM ET

U2 reschedules concerts: Finally, some good tour news

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Categories: Tours, U2

U2-ConcertImage Credit: Mark Allan/WireImage.comBig-ticket tours have been dropping like flies this summer, with Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Lilith Fair, the Eagles, and more canceling or postponing announced dates. U2 headed up that list after tabling the entire North American leg of its 360º tour while Bono recovered from a back injury. But wait! Don’t despair just yet! U2 promised all along that they would reschedule the gigs in question, and now they have.

All 16 shows that U2 would have played this June and July have been moved to next spring and summer, according to a press release sent out this morning. If you already bought a ticket to one of the postponed dates, hang on to it and use it at the corresponding 2011 show. The venues will be the same. Check out the full list of rescheduled dates at U2′s site.

Are you looking forward to seeing one of U2′s rescheduled concerts? Think this is a good sign for the live music industry? Weigh in below.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
The Fugs’ Tuli Kupferberg dies at 86
Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman get engaged on stage
Miniature Tigers exclusive: Stream a delightful new indie-rock track
Lilith Fair in L.A.: On the scene

Jul 12 2010 06:12 PM ET

The Fugs' Tuli Kupferberg dies at 86

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Categories: In Memoriam, Music

Tuli-KupferbergImage Credit: Jan Persson/Redferns/Getty ImagesInfluential counterculture artist Tuli Kupferberg died today at age 86 in NYC, The New York Times reports. A cause of death has not been announced; Kupferberg had suffered multiple strokes last year.

Kupferberg, pictured in 1968, first made his name in the 1950s as a Beat poet who was friendly with such literary greats as Allen Ginsberg. In the mid-’60s, he and fellow poet Ed Sanders formed the Fugs, an off-kilter folk band reportedly named after a euphemism employed frequently in Norman Mailer’s The Naked and the Dead. The Fugs’ music went on to attract great acclaim and no small degree of controversy, boldly tackling topics like sex and drugs. They were also proudly outspoken about politics, participating in many protests against the ever-escalating Vietnam War. At one famous October 1967 event, the Fugs helped Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, and others attempt to symbolically levitate the Pentagon through music.

For more on Kupferberg’s lasting significance to the left-of-center artistic community in New York and beyond, you can start by reading about a tribute to him held this January in Brooklyn with the likes of Lou Reed and Sonic Youth.

Please join the Music Mix in sending our condolences to the friends and family of Tuli Kupferberg. Share your memories of Kupferberg and the Fugs in the comments, below.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman get engaged on stage
Miniature Tigers exclusive: Stream a delightful new indie-rock track
Lilith Fair in L.A.: On the scene
Jersey Shore‘s Pauly D: The Music Mix Q&A

Jul 12 2010 11:56 AM ET

Robbie Williams to reunite with Take That, film 'Brokeback Mountain'-themed comeback video

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Categories: Let's Argue!, Reunions, Things That Are British

take-that-reunionImage Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images; Awais Butt/LFIFifteen years after walking away for solo stardom (in Europe? Big success! Stateside, not so much), Robbie Williams will return to Take That, the chart-topping boy band he joined at age 16.

According to London’s The Sun, the reunited fivesome will release a new album at Christmas before heading out for a major stadium tour in the summer of 2011. But first (insert obligatory “Brokeback for Good” zing), Williams and longtime bandmate/rival Gary Barlow will release a promo video for the new single “Shame,” due in October, with a tongue-in-cheek tribute to (timely!) the 2005 ranch-hands-in-love epic Brokeback Mountain.

An insider tells The Sun: “In the song there’s a line about how he went into Toys R Us and saw the four Take That dolls in a box and realized he felt left out …Everything is in place now to formally announce Robbie’s return to Take That for one year only. He will announce his comeback with a public statement. Then he’ll release ‘Shame’ with Gary.”

So—back for, if not good, then at least a good twelve months. But is it a good idea to relight that fire? Can a group of thirtysomething boybanders-to-men still do this with dignity? Tell us the song and we’ll sing it, TT fans, in the comments section below.

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Miniature Tigers exclusive: Stream a delightful new indie-rock track
Lilith Fair in L.A.: On the scene
Jersey Shore‘s Pauly D: The Music Mix Q&A
‘American Idol’ season 9 Top 10 perform on ‘GMA’: Perhaps not the best tour advertisement ever
Lindsay Lohan, ‘Too Young to Die’: Hear her chipper new ballad
Usher striking while iron is hot with new album and single, ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love’


Jul 12 2010 11:34 AM ET

Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman get engaged onstage

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Categories: Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman

carlos-santana-blackmanImage Credit: Daniel Boczarski/Redferns/Getty Image; Inset: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty ImagesHere’s one way to make a drum solo even more awesome: by proposing marriage to the drummer right afterward. That’s what Carlos Santana did last Friday at a concert in Tinley Park, Ill., according to a press release. The guitar hero popped the question four songs into his set when noted drummer Cindy Blackman finished her spotlight moment in his song “Corazon Espinado.” She said yes.

Pretty romantic, no? Were any of you at the Illinois stop on Santana’s Universal Tone Tour? Join us in sending the newly engaged couple our best wishes in the comments below.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Miniature Tigers exclusive: Stream a delightful new indie-rock track
Lilith Fair in L.A.: On the scene
Jersey Shore‘s Pauly D: The Music Mix Q&A
‘American Idol’ season 9 Top 10 perform on ‘GMA’: Perhaps not the best tour advertisement ever

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