Happy B-Day Erykah, ?uestlove on Pop Song, Badu Video on Madlib, Pete Rock is NY’s Finest + Video, Wale Interview.
We began our countdown to New Amerykah, Part One: 4th World War last year and the day has finally arrived. So go to your favorite music stop and cop that or hit up your digital e-tailer of choice and get to downloadin’. After a few spins, jump in on the track by track discussion here.
Tonight isht gets popping at the House Of Blues in Dallas for the official release party and jam session celebrating the release of New Amerykah. The jam session will feature ?uestlove, James Poyser, Bilal, 9th Wonder, Jay Electronica, Karriem Riggins, Sa-Ra, Strange Fruit Project, Madlib, Bun B, N’Dambi, and MORE! Our boy Trevor Paulhus will be snapping photos so check back for those. It’s also E’s birthday so wish her the best one ever!
Speaking of Birthday, ?uestlove took a moment between shows at the Apollo on Friday to sit down with MTV news and discuss Rising Down and in particular, it’s pop-infused single “Birthday Girl” featuring Patrick Stump which ?uest says “almost didn’t make the album” adding that Rising Down is their most political to date.
Heads up, the headlining DJ for Wednesday’s charity event in Dallas has been changed to Biz Markie.
Okayplayer has got the exclusive video where Erykah speaks on working with Madlib. Here she likens the process to being in the studio with Dilla:
A few weeks ago we put out a call to action for fans to get in the Pete Rock video for “Til I Retire/Best Believe” (featuring Redman) and here it is below! Pete’s album NY’s Finest comes out today on Nature Sounds. We are celebrating this Thursday at the Highline Ballroom in NYC when LiveNDirect and Okayplayer present Pete Rock along side Wale, Torae, and Kid Cudi.
Speaking of the DC emcee, we just posted an exclusive interview with Wale where we get caught up on what’s going on with him getting signed, recording with The Roots, why it’s so hard for rappers in D.C., and what’s coming next.
Just Blaze linked up with Common and Marsha Marsha Ambrosius to create “The Light 2008″ remix as commissioned by Smirnoff for their Signature Mix Series. Needless to say, the drums are knockin’ and Marsha sounds amazing.
-dantana