(After the press conference, Snoop took a handful of journalists upstairs for an intimate listening of Reincarnated)
Yesterday in New York City, the reincarnated Snoop Lion touched down at downtown hotspot Miss Lilly’s for an exclusive press conference to announce his first ever reggae album with Diplo. TitledReincarnated, the project marks Snoop Dogg’s rebirth as Snoop Lion and following of Rastafarian culture. Be clear, this isn’t some shtick Snoop is trying because he loves weed. Yes, that’s a true fact and everyone knows he loves herb but this goes way deeper than smoking joints and reggae records. Snoop took the time to really learn and experience the culture. The music Snoop, Diplo, Angela Hunte, Jah Dan, and more created was straight from the heart. For the first time in his recording career, Snoop admittedly made a record that could be played for everyone, that includes his own kids and grandparents. Sonically, the album sticks to a more traditional roots reggae vibe and features vocals from singers who were there for the whole process. In fact, Lion actually said he had to tell his team he wasn’t interested in getting big names to redo the vocals of Ms. Hunte and Dan. If you aren’t familiar, she actually wrote the original “Empire State of Mind” for Jay-Z and Alicia. Her version sounds crazy, btw.
Snoop says he recorded one of the most important songs of his career on this album, “No Guns Allowed.” Listen to Snoop talk about it in detail, plus check out fascinating interviews with Snoop and rap and reggae triple OG Rob Kenner/BoomShots after the jump…
Skyfall, the next film in the Daniel Craig as James Bond era doesn’t drop until November, 2012. But the new trailer has already sold me completely. (Who am I kidding…it was more like, “Hey, starring Daniel Cra…” SOLD!) But here’s the rub…these insane trailers drop, and then we wait for like 3-4 years, and by the time the movie drops, there’s 12 more trailers, each one progressively more dumbed down and ‘America’s Got Talent’-ified. So come release day, I’ve seen 75% of the movie, 99% of the action scenes, and that’s not okay.
So, as I did withDark Knight Rises, and Harry Potter 7.2, and Prometheus…I’ll enjoy this Skyfall trailer, and just wait it out for 4 months.
We know Bond fakes his death, Javier Bardem plays the baddie with a horrific blond bowl cut (but still not as bad as Bardem’s No Country For Old Men bowl cut), there are hot ethnic love interests, and the new gadget tech Q is played by Ben Whishaw (who I loved in the BBC series, The Hour, and who stars in the upcoming Cloud Atlas too).
Do you think Skyfall (directed by Road to Perdition‘s Sam Mendes) can make up for that annoying Quantum of Solace and get back to Casino Royale status? In other movie trailer news:
Check out the ridiculous Taken 2 trailer…Hey, Liam Neeson, your family is very abduction-prone: (
And the overwhelming Cloud Atlas trailer…Tom Hanks x Halle Berry…Really?
Watch after the jump (more…)
While it’s pretty hard to get “3 Kings” in one place for an official video, that doesn’t stop Rick Ross as he puts together a collage visual in support of the Jake-One produced GFID cut. Watch the clip, directed by DRE Films and Jon J above. The album, God Forgives, I Don’t is finally out today! Purchase on iTunes and Amazon.
And the best part of Lochte’s win was during the award ceremony. After Lochte accepted his medal, slipped on a set of diamond-studded American flag top and bottom grills…and put on a big sparkly smile for history’s cameras!
As bizarre as it may be to see a blue-eyed chlorine-cleaned swimmer from Florida (via New York) with a icy grill…I love the random pop-culture-mashup of it. I don’t mind if Lochte’s style is corny, or if he had bad hair. Or that he’s been struggling ever since that first win. I just love the fact that this guy wore an authentic hood rich hip hop grill at the Olympics. And that he went to the authentic hood rich hip hop jewelers, Paul Wall and TV Johnny, for that grill!
I talked to Paul Wall (one of the nicest guys in the game) about….
-his reaction to seeing his work at the Olympics
-Ryan Lochte’s history of pool-side grills
-and his amazing Olympic offer! Free Grills For All Team USA Gold Medalists?!
Nicki Minaj returns to her homeland and enjoys the festival spirit in “Pound the Alarm,” the current single off Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. For the dance tune, Nicki throws a vibrant energetic festival in the streets of where it all started, Port of Spain, Trinidad. With beautiful shots of the Caribbean island and lovely Trinidadian women dressed in traditional costumes, jump up and join the party with Young Money’s 1st lady, plus famous Soca stars Machel Montano, Fay-Ann Lyons, and Bunji Garlin.
On Monday, our own Miss Info was on-air with Funkmaster Flex to give her picks on ten overlooked songs for InFlexWeTrust’s Social Media Mondays. One of the songs which made the list was Miguel’s current single “Adorn.” And today, the R&B crooner debuts the eerily and vibrant visual to support it. The offering is our first look off Miguel’s upcoming sophomore LP, Kaleidoscope Dream due on October 2. For now, you can preview Kaleidoscope Dream: Water Preview EP here.
The nominations are in for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and leading the pack are two close acquaintances in Rihanna and Drake. The two megastars both earn five nominations each, including ‘Video of the Year’ for “We Found Love” and “Take Care.”While RiRi gets two other big categories nods in ‘Best Female Video’ and ‘Best Pop Video,’ Drake receives two major nominations for ‘Best Hip-Hop Video’ and ‘Best Male Video.’
Other noteables includes Beyoncé, The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z), M.I.A. and Frank Ocean, who all receive three nominations each. For Frank Ocean, not only is he up for ‘Best New Artist’ with “Swim Good,” but the popular nostalgia, ULTRA cut also receives nods for ‘Best Male Video’ and ‘Best Direction.’ If you remember, Frank was on stage with his Odd Future family at last year’s VMA’s when Tyler, the Creator won ‘Best New Artist’ for “Yonkers.” Newcomers Childish Gambino and A$AP Rocky also receive VMA nods, respectively for ‘Best Hip-Hop Video’ (“Heartbeat”) and ‘Best Editing’ (“Goldie”).
This year’s show features a change. In past years the annual event was televised on a Sunday, the 2012 edition will air on Thursday, September 8th live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. EST. With her new album coming later this year, Alicia Keys along with pop-band One Direction are the first two announced performers.
On the heels of hosting a private exclusive first-hand listening session at New York City’s 40/40 sports bar and nightclub, 2 Chainz reveals the credits to his upcoming debut album. Based On A T.R.U. Story is supported by the singles “No Lie” with Drake, and “Birthday Song” with Kanye West. The 17-track deluxe edition guest stars Lil’ Wayne on the LP’s intro (“Yuck!”), Nicki Minaj (“I Luv Dem Strippers”), The-Dream (“Extremely Blessed”), Chris Brown (“Countdown”), John Legend and Scarface (“Ghetto Dreams”), and Mike Posner (“In Town”).
2 Chainz recently filmed the video for “I Luv Dem Strippers” with Nicki Minaj in Atlanta, while the clip for “Birthday Song” with Kanye West was filmed in Yonkers, NY on Monday afternoon.
Pre-order the deluxe edition on iTunes now, as Based On A T.R.U. Story arrives on August 14 via Def Jam Records.
View the deluxe cover, and full credits after the jump…..
It’s only Monday and 2 Chainz has had quite a busy day in New York City. Along with hosting a private listening session at Manhattan’s 40/40 nightclub and sports bar, Tity Boi traveled to Yonkers, NY with Kanye West to film the video for his second single “Birthday Song.” With the video filmed in Y.O. it only made sense for Jadakiss of The Lox to make an appearance on set. Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator was also reported at the shoot on Monday afternoon.
Check out some fan shot photos and video after the jump….
Wiz Khalifa’s known for his unique collaborations. While out on the road for his “Under the Influence” summer tour, Khalifa liberates this new track with Project Pat titled “Still Got It.” O.N.I.F.C. arrives August 28.
New Music: Wiz Khalifa Feat. Project Pat – “Still Got It”
