Here's the Rolling Stone album review that broke Lil Wayne to the mainstream as "The Greatest Rapper Alive".
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars out of 5
OK, it's true: he really is the best rapper alive. Lil Wayne made that claim on his last official CD, in 2005, and since then, he's unleashed an astonishing torrent of mixtapes, leaks and guest appearances to back up the boast. So his long-anticipated "legit" album follow-up feels a bit gratuitous. Still, Tha Carter III is useful as an exclamation point. It establishes beyond a doubt that the zeitgeist in 2008 belongs to one artist: a dreadlocked dadaist poet from New Orleans with a bad weed habit and a voice like a bullfrog. As Wayne croaks in the woozy "3Peat," "Get on my level/You can't get on my level/You will need a space shuttle/Or a ladder that's forever."
Wayne has taken the task of album-making seriously: This isn't a mixtape, it's a suite of songs, paced and sequenced for maxaqimum impact. He's collected sleek, powerful beats from top producers (Kanye West, Swizz Beatz), enlisted A-list guest stars (Jay-Z, T-Pain) and served up a range of textures and moods, from the elegiac Hurricane Katrina protest "Tie My Hands" to the bubblegum bumper "Lollipop," in which Weezy has a laugh at selling out by creating the most outrageously pumped-up sellout single in history. Thematically, Carter III is a victory lap. In the hilarious "Dr Carter," he boasts about resuscitating hip-hop: "As I put the light down his throat/I can only see flow/His blood's starting to flow/His lungs starting to grow."
As usual, Wayne's tumbling freestyle rhymes are full of imagination and surprise, but his voice itself is half the fun. He shouts, gasps, tries a Caribbean patois, sings snatches of "Umbrella" and "Irreplaceable," and impersonates E.T. He loves that brother-from-another-planet stuff —"I am a Martian," he raps —but it's clear he's also thinking about his worldly legacy. The album cover links Carter III to Biggie's Ready to Die and Nas' Illmatic, and he makes no bones about coveting a spot in hip-hop's pantheon. "Next time you mention Pac, Biggie or Jay-Z/Don't forget Weezy Baby," he advises on "Mr Carter." It's sound advice. (Jody Rosen)
In honor of the upcoming Grammy Awards--and so you can get better acquainted with why the nominees are nominees-- we're posting a few album reviews for your reading pleasure.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Like fellow crooners Amy Winehouse and Kate Nash, Adele Adkins polished her skills at the Brit School in south London — as good a finishing academy as American Idol. Her debut, which topped the British charts earlier this year, lacks the bad-girl brio of those grads, but it shows off a vocal instrument that smokes the competition.
Check out "Cold Shoulder," a lover's blues, produced by Winehouse's secret weapon, Mark Ronson: Over swirling strings and a snare pattern borrowed from James Brown's "Funky Drummer," Adele reads her man the riot act with a mix of Memphis-soul-mama swoops and cockney-street-punk stops. "Melt My Heart to Stone" and "Tired," co-written with veteran U.K. hit-maker Eg White, are retro-modern R&B exercises with similar charm. On more sparsely arranged numbers, though — including a measured cover of Bob Dylan's unlikely pop standard "Make You Feel My Love" — her marvelous technique can become cloying, and the boilerplate verses on her originals don't help. Here's hoping the girl's storytelling will one day be as interesting as her phrasing. (Will Hermes)
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2009) —U2, Kid Rock, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Rihanna are the latest performers announced for the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards. They join previously announced performers Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Paul McCartney (with special guest drummer Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters), Katy Perry, Radiohead, T.I. and Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West in a special performance of their hit single "Swagga Like Us." Actor Simon Baker (CBS' "The Mentalist"), actor/musician Jack Black, current three-time GRAMMY nominee Duffy, current nominee Josh Groban, three-time GRAMMY-winning jazz musician and current nominee Charlie Haden, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Academy Award®-winning actress and current GRAMMY nominee Gwyneth Paltrow&lfeft;/span> will appear as presenters.
The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 8, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Hey, Rockstar! Is this YOUR year--the year you've resolved to make things happen? If so, Musician's Friend wants to throw some money your way to help you start up that band you've been fantasizing about your entire life. Earn Up to $150 in Bonus Bucks at Musician's Friend from now until February 3rd! You'll be able to buy the guitar and the amp. Rock out!
The ever-controversial Britney Spears is in hot water again. This time, she's getting flack from The Parents Television Council for her latest single, "If U Seek Amy" . The nonprofit organization is urging radio stations not to broadcast the song because they believe it "would violate the broadcast indecency law" if aired between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
PTC president, Tim Winter, had afef few things to say about Britney's new single. "Saying the title phrase quickly out loud produces a sound akin to spelling out the F-word," he said. "There is no misinterpreting the lyrics to this song, and it's certainly not about a girl named Amy."
But the controversy isn't stopping U.S. radio from playing "If You Seek Amy." Six Top 40 stations have the song in rotation this week, enough to place the track at No. 92 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart. Listen to the song here to hear what all the controversy's about. Do you agree with the Parents' Television Council? Should radio ban Britney?
Though last Tuesday's American Idol premiere saw a 10% slide in viewership from last season's opener, for the first time in five seasons, the second episode has gone up in the ratings.
Sources claim, Wednesday's episode grew 1% in adults 18-49, which is big news considering that the second episodes of the seasons have been dropping in ratings, notably, since 2004. Wednesday's show also retained 99% of its 2008 audience. Could the addition of a new judge, Kara DioGuardi, have helped Idol's ratings? Time will tell.
The upcoming ma World Conference will be an event of unprecedented opportunity, marking the beginning of a new era for Market America. This year, Vice President of Internet Marketing Steve Ashley will be talking about an exciting, new music platform that will be launched after ma World Conference! This new facet of our recently launched music channel, maMyWorld, will allow unsigned and independent music artists to sell their own music on the MyWorld Portal. It will also offer professional services to help emerging artists break through to the mainstream. This includes the opportunity to work one-on-one with Grammy Award-nominated producers! In honor and support of Market America's emerging talent, we're calling on all music artists within the Market America community for the chance to perform at the ma World Conference in Miami, Fla. this Feb., and at the ma International Convention in Greensboro, N.C. this Aug. We're looking for fresh talent in all genres and musical styles. This is a wonderful opportunity for unsigned and independent artists to gain some serious exposure at two major, sold-out events averaging over 23,000 attendees!
Interested? Here's what we'll need from you.
1. Set up an artist profile in maChatterbox. 2. Upload your music video/talent performance and/or provide a link to your music on your Chatterboard. 3. Send a message to Chatterbox user maTalent asking our talent scout to check out your music.
All entries for ma World Conference consideration should be submitted by Monday, Jan. 26 before midnight, EST. We will be accepting entries after the 26th for potential International Convention performers. If you are applying for ma World Conference, please specify whether you'll be attending the event in your message.
Tonight will mark a historic presidential inauguration, and Beyonce Knowles has been invited to take part in history. She will be performing Barack and Michelle Obama's first dance song on inauguration night! Word on the streets is that she'll be singing "At Last" by Etta James. Congratulations, B! (and O too, naturally.)
You can't teach an old dog new tricks--Kanye West is proof of that! In the February issue of Vibe — the only cover story he's done to promote 808s & Heartbreak — the Grammy winner showcases his still-existent, self-absorbed love for...well...himself.
Phish Phans take note: Three months after announcing their long-anticipated reunion with a trio of shows March 6-8 at Virginia's Hampton Coliseum; Phish has unveiled a summer tour itinerary!
The quartet has scheduled 10 dates so far, kicking things off with a two-night stand June 4 and 5 at Jones Beach on Long Island...No word yet on any West Coast dates.
Phishheads are also guessing that the weeklong gap between dates in early June means that the boys will take time out from their road show to be one of the headliners at the Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival, taking place June 11-14 in Manchester, Tenn.
Here's the complete rundown of Phish's summer tour:
• June 4: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, N.Y. • June 5: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, N.Y. • June 6: Comcast Center, Mansfield, Mass. • June 7: Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, N.J. • June 9: Asheville Civic Center, Asheville, N.C. • June 16: Fox Theatre, St. Louis, Mo. • June 18: Post Gazette Pavilion, Burgettstown, Pa. • June 19: Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, Ind. • June 20: Alpine Valley, East Troy, Wis. • June 21: Alpine Valley, East Troy, Wis.
Would you be able to guess the Top 10 songs of all time? Would you believe that Elvis or The Beatles aren’t even in the top 5!? And how’s this for a surprise? Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” nabbed the #1 spot according to Billboard, who recently put together a list comprised of the Top 10, #1 songs in the 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Billboard Hot 100 chart measures airplay and sales information in determining the nation’s most popular songs. To determine the most popular song of the Hot 100 era, Billboard used a formula to determine the top song—not always relying on weeks at #1 since the data hasn’t always been reported that way.
Check out the rest of the list for a few more surprises:
10. Toni Braxton - “Un-break My Heart” 9. Mariah Carey - “We Belong Together” 8. The Beatles - “Hey Jude” 7. Debby Boone - “You Light Up My Life” 6. Olivia Newton John - “Let’s Get Physical” 5. Los Del Rio - “Macarena” 4. Lee Ann Rimes - “How Do I Live” 3. Bobby Darin - “Mack the Knife” 2. Santana featuring Rob Thomas - “Smooth” 1. Chubby Checker - “The Twist”
Check out Kelly Clarkson's just released album art for her highly antifefcipated new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You". Clarkson's new record, due on March 17, will be her first release since 2007's "My December," and by the look of it; the album will be a far cry from "My December's" dark, rocker chick aesthetic.
We think the American Idol alum is a true talent, and we're excited to hear the new material. What do you think of Clarkson's new look?
A new report claims that rap's roots can be traced all the way back to the almighty homeland of hip-hop--Scotland.
That's right, folks--Scotland!
Professor Ferenc Szasz of The University of New Mexico argues that so-called rap battles, where two or more performers trade elaborate insults, derive from the ancient Caledonian art of "flyting". According to the theory, Scottish slave owners took the tradition with them to the United States, where it was adopted and developed by slaves, emerging many years later as rap.
"The Scots have a lengthy tradition of flyting - intense verbal jousting, often laced with vulgarity, that is similar to the dozens that one finds among contemporary inner-city African-American youth. "Both cultures accord high marks to satire. The skillefefd use of satire takes this verbal jousting to its ultimate level - one step short of a fist fight," he said.
Professor Szasz cites an American civil war poem, printed in the New York Vanity Fair magazine on November 9, 1861, as the first recorded example of the battles being used in the United States.
MTV News has named Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. 'aka' Lil' Wayne, as 2008's "Man of The Year"...
...Really??
Couldn't they have chosen a more appropriate candidate? Barack Obama, perhaps? Nevertheless, here is the MTV list of Weezy's accomplishments that won him the prestigious title.
Lil' Wayne's 2008 Highlights:
*Rolled into '08 with the "Hottest MC in the Game" championship belt over his shoulder. * Promised his long-awaited Carter III album would be coming this year, and toutfefed the long list of cameos he recorded by dubbing himself "Featuring Lil Wayne" * Arrested in Arizona when his tour bus is pulled over by border patrol agents who perform the aforementioned bust ...Facing felony drug and weapons charges, he pleads not guilty. The case is still pending. *Attempted to reunite the Hot Boyz at a concert during the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, but the event was canceled at the last minute due to shootings outside the venue. *Visited his old secondary school, promising Tha Carter would drop "in April" and being asked to the prom by a girl named Julie . *Showed up three hours late for a concert in New Jersey, did not apologize, ended show by donning a bathrobe, shouting "sexual f---ing chocolate has left the building, bi---" . *Discussed his "drank" of choice, syrup . * "Lollipop," the first single from Carter III, tops the Billboard Hot 100 . *Premiered the now-iconic Carter III cover, featuring a photo of him as a baby, complete with a pinkie ring and digitally added tattoos. *Refused to freak out when the album leaked two weeks early. *"Elated" when Carter III defies industry expectations and sells 1 million copies in a single week, the first album to do so since 50 Cent's The Massacre in 2005. *Congratulated by 50, Kanye West and a host of others after accomplishing the feat. *Played a "modern-day Robin Hood" in the "Got Money" video. * Lost his pants during his performance at the Video Music Awards. *Hopped a plane immediately following the VMAs to make a court date in New York City. *Prepped Dedication 3 mixtape and Tha Carter IV. *Appeared on Fall Out Boy's Folie à Deux. * Appeared on Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak. *Named MVP at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. *Announced plans to reissue Carter III, only with completely different songs. *Shared the stage with Jay-Z but did not actually perform with him. *Described the birth of his son as "nasty, but wonderful". *Strapped on a guitar to back up Kid Rock at the CMA Awards, only vaguely playing said guitar. *Plotted I Am Music Tour with T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes and Keyshia Cole. * Nominated for eight Grammy Awards, more than any other artist. *"A Milli" is named "Best Song of 2008" in MTV's Bigger Than the Sound column ... "A Milli" is named "Hip-Hop Single of the Year" by our Mixtape Monday family. *Tha Carter III is named one of the "Best Albums of 2008"
Ok, there's no arguing the fact that Lil' Wayne dominated the Hip-Hop mainstream in 2008. If it was bizzare, controversial, or a mainstream hit, you could most certainly find Lil' Wayne behind it, but do you agree with MTV? Does his list of "accomplishments" merit a "Man of The Year" title? Let us know what you think!
I was out at dinner with friends a few weeks ago when this hypothetical scenario was described: You're stranded on an island, and can have only one artist or band's discography to keep you company. It doesn't matter how many albums they've produced; you can have them all. But only one artist. Who would it be?
Would you pick the usual suspects - The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Springsteen, etc., or would you go for someone a little less known, but dear to your heart? Which artist/ band is worthy of the responsibility of providing the soundtrack to your life and memories?
Fresh off a not-guilty verdict in his child pornography case, R. Kelly is set to drop 12 Play: 4th Quarter this fall. If you can get past his crazy and twisted personal life, you'll see that R. Kelly is a great performer/singer/songwriter. With the title, comes lofty expectations. Kelly's first solo album was also titled 12 Play, and produced numerous #1 hits including "Your Body's Callin'"; "Bump 'n' Grind"; one of my personal favorites, "It Seems Like You're Ready"; and the best song of 1993, "Sex Me".
So what can we expect from 12 Play: 4th Quarter? After listening to the first single, Hair Braider (yeah, that's the name of the song), I was a bit skeptical; but after listening to the album a couple of times, I've decided that 12 Play: 4th Quarter is almost a classic. This album gives you that 90s R&B feel, something that the game is missing right now. Honestly, I had lost faith in Kellz after that wack Double Up album--it was decent, but it lacked the vintage R. Kelly sound that us old-school fans are used to. 12 Play: 4th Quarter brings us just that. He'll romance you on "Whole Lotta Kisses"; He'll make love to you on "Go Low"; multiply on "Wanna Make a Baby"; and then deny the baby on "Might Be Mine". As a fan of R. Kelly, I was left impressed. Take a listen, and then tell me what you think.
MA’s My World blog is the gathering spot for discussing and sharing ideas and information about everything you love and more! All topics are welcome. From entertainment to sports, to shopping, fashion, travel, and dining; chances are you’ll be here for a while! So kick off your shoes and make yourself at home; it’s your world!
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