When it comes to Skateboard P’s portfolio, the Neptunes producer is definitely a “jack of all trades,” making his mark in music, design and fashion. In his most recent venture, Pharrell has partnered up with the United Entertainment Group to launch the “i am OTHER” Media Group. It’s described as “a content-driven property that spotlights new musicians, filmmakers, designers, artists and innovators through online, mobile and retail channels, TV shows and films.”

Stay tuned for future sightings.

Source: GLOBALGRIND

When she’s not Twitter beefing with T.I. and Lil Kim or getting crowned a fashion icon by high-end designers like Alexander Wang, upstart artist Azealia Banks is still making some provocative music. This morning (May 11), Banks, as promised, dropped a new track entitled “Jumanji” with production from weirdo-electronic composer Hudson Mohawke and Nick Hook from the group Cubic Zirconia.

The track is a bouncy, tropical exploration with Banks’ rapidfire, high-attitude rapping at the forefront. The Harlem native shouts out her hometown over production that’s basically a fanfare for the beginning of summer with steel drums, gigantic timpani hits and some large, explosive bass.

“Jumanji” is the first preview from her upcoming Fantastic mixtape, which is set for release this summer. Banks has her long-awaited 1991 EP coming out within the month and is also working towards her much-anticipated major label debut, entitled Broke With Expensive Taste, which has been scheduled for a release this fall.

Listen below. ENJOY.

Source: MTV

Here’s a preview of our next release by Toofless, “Perspective” Feat. Capone of Capone-N-Noreaga produced by the Dub Poets Collective.

28-year-old Feras Ibrahim is a UAE-based rapper of Sudanese origins. His hip-hop expression started to materialize at age of 17 after being inspired by acts such as Mos Def, Nas, Lost Boys, Wu Tang, Jehst, 9th Wonder and Talib Kweli. Formerly part of the renowned, forward-thinking and socially conscious hip hop collective ‘Diligent Thought’. Feras Ibrahim is now working on an experimental EP with DPC, Feras also performs regularly and is a vital member of Employees of the Month.

Dub Poets Collective (DPC) employ scores of international, musical and social influences fused into their heartfelt productions. Their music has been featured on many albums, mixtapes, television, documentary films, and major radio stations across the world. ENJOY.

To check out more music by the Dub Poets Collective click HERE.

Atlanta-by-way-of-San Diego spitter Ev4n Holt caught our attention back in February with “Streets Keep Callin’,” a fiery display of technical skill. And since then, he’s been wrapping up his latest project, the newly released x. Evan Holt EP.

It features the 20-year-old rapper flexing a laid-back, albeit attention-demanding, flow over production from buzzing producers Thelonious Martin and WhoAreI. The latter especially shines on standout track “Strangs,” a lovelorn storytelling joint with a cool, NYC vibe. Holt’s also jacked some beats on here, including Mobb Deep’s “The Releast” for “Streets Keep Callin’.”

If you have been looking new, honest, and raw to listen to these days, x.Evan Holt is most certainly for you.

(DOWNLOAD Link)

Source: COMPLEX

Filmmaker Ruth Hogben collaborates with award-winning musician Kanye West to create a film for his single Lost in the World. The song, which features Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, is taken from West’s fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Hogben’s piece breaks the mould of popular rap aesthetics while still celebrating the extraordinary talent that has made West a modern icon.

With the passing of Adam Yauch (MCA) this morning, we also say goodbye to the original Beastie Boys, and lose a cornerstone of hip-hop. Not just of music, but of culture, of broken barriers, of human rights awareness, and of mind blowing music videos.

Here are some of my personal favorite Beastie Boys vids, mostly from their earlier days – back when they were reckless and spirited

RIP.

Another rap group catching FIRE these days and had a chance to drop by LOOP are the duo A-Game from Toronto.
A-Game is made up of the two identical twins, Rommel Hinds-Grannum and Robert Hinds-Grannum who go by the stage name Nova and Chase. The duo first started their career with the independent label T.A.G. (also known as The Armada Group) and are most notable for their street singles “Go Head Shawty”, and “Airplanes” which were both produced by T-Minus. Their first release of their independent debut EP was entitled “The World Is Yours”, in which they also shot a video “The Preparation” featuring Kim Davis and is in memory of Michael Banton Watson.Their singles “Watchu Sayin’” and “Oh My” reached number one on Flow 93.5.

Recently they released their highly-coveted Since 1988 mixtape! A project expected to invigorate fans and birth a wave of new followers. A-Game has remained consistent with consecutive hit singles receiving an esteemed online response, generating over half a million hits on YouTube and with “Watchu Saying?”. A-Game will launch their site later this summer. Make sure to check em’ out this month for two BIG shows with both YELAWOLF (May 26th) and Bad Boy Recording Artist RED CAFE (May 11th) in Toronto.

You can NOW download their Since 1988 mixtape! HERE.

Here is their NEW Video “Cool Boyz” Directed by CAZHHMERE. ENJOY.

It’s great to see when things progress in life, non other can be said by LOOP Clothing faithful – MC J Shiltz.
J Shiltz is a Sauga City/Toronto MC who for years has been gaining notoriety on the underground circuit. A long time in the making, his first solo offering is certainly worth the wait. The new album “What I Stand For ” boasts production from Kev Brown, Rich Kidd, Lancecape, Smash Brovaz, and Philly’s own Lancecape, and features appearances from Illa J, Frank Nitt, Monolith, SonReal, and more. This album is a manifestation of, and testament to, the past, present, and future of Canadian hip-hop. This is the video for the second single “Chop It Up” produced by Rich Kidd and was directed by Evan Ciniello. Enjoy.

Download “What I Stand For” the debut album from J Shiltz for FREE at http://jshiltz.bandcamp.com

For sure to be another summer hit, new video “Where Have You Been” is here to remind you: Rihanna is hot in water. Rihanna is hot in MC Hammer pants. Rihanna is so hot that her hands are literally on (CGI) fire at one point.

Directed by Dave Meyers (Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson), “Where Have You Been” opens with Rihanna showcasing her best crocodile moves as she wades through a sexy swamp (those exist!) and slowly emerges from the water practically naked. She meets up with some male background dancers, proving that all that dance practice paid off — “Where Have You Been” is one of Rihanna most choreographed videos. (Someone needs to get started on the YouTube tutorial ASAP.) Then it’s time for Ri to dance in sync with a few GFs in some kind of shack and/or club where she sports a perm and a lace bodysuit that I’m currently looking for on the internet despite my friends’ suggestions to abort my “Operation: Dress Like Rihanna 2012.”

SOURCE: MTV

Rugged dancehall, shameless pop, hipster electro bangers, rude dubstep— South Rakkas does it all. A duo comprised of Alex Greggs and Dennis “D-Rakkas” Shaw, South Rakkas took an unusual path to become the dons of today’s digital funk. South Rakkas first gained fame for their blazing dancehall riddims (“Clappas,” “Red Alert,” “Bionic Ras,” “Chinkuzi” anyone?), which brought production work for stars like Mr. Vegas and Elephant Man. But it’s not for nothing that XLR8R recently praised South Rakkas for their “boundary-pushing” powers; indeed, these futuristic rhythm killers can’t be held down to any one sound or style. SRC can flex from Beenie Man and Bounty Killer one moment, T-Pain the next, and then on to the likes of M.I.A., Lily Allen, Beck, Duran Duran, Justin Timberlake, The Bug, Warrior Queen, Britney Spears, Shakira and Yo Majesty—all of whom have been touched by South Rakkas’ edgy studio savvy. Those skills came about when Greggs and Shaw met up working at the same recording studio.

Both had roots in the local hip-hop/reggae scene: Greggs created beats for local rap groups and, erm, Barenaked Ladies, while Shaw spent a misspent youth as charismatic, party-starting DJ (“Rakkas” is in fact a local West Indian slang term for “rockers” reggae music that Shaw used to put on his DJ flyers to indicate his parties’ music policy). The concept for SRC first hatched, though, when Greggs and Shaw moved to Orlando, Florida to become a crucial part of ‘N Sync’s production team. There, the pair decided South Rakkas Crew, would combine both their strengths.

The plan was simple: Greggs would hold down the pop/dance production side in Florida (his work with the archetypal boy band on smash albums like Pop would catapult him into the pantheon of platinum-plated star producer/mixer/remixers); Shaw, meanwhile, would travel to ruffneck Kingston, Jamaica, where an introduction from his brother-in-law Mr. Vegas gave him access to dancehall’s top talent. Rakkas’ first riddim, “Clappas,” quickly proved a major island smash, paving the way for many more; Jamaican and non-Jamaican audiences alike also appreciated SRC’s talent for fusing hook-laden song structure with sound-system destroying beats.

This unique combo of hit-making production and arrangement with hard-hitting dancehall sonics set the stage for SRC’s inevitable global takeover. While South Rakkas keeps a foot in the pop game—Greggs was working with Michael Jackson on new material before the King of Pop died, and recently remixed the likes of BeyoncÈ, Kelis and LMFAO—they’ve also been acclaimed by the underground and critics alike. When beat king Diplo put out South Rakkas’ Mad Again and The Mix Up eps on his Mad Decent label, the blogosphere proved unanimous in its praise: Prefix raved about Mix Up’s “production perfection,” while Thom Yorke recently dropped the Boy 8-Bit mix of “Mad Again” while guest DJing on Gilles Peterson’s BBC radio show.

You can catch this amazing duo LIVE on tour this coming Friday @ Jane Bond in Waterloo. This is ONE not to be missed.

here is a video of them LIVE in Latvia:

Friday, March 30th
SOUTH RAKKAS CREW
with DJ Dow Jones and DJ Charless
$5 at the door
Doors at 9 PM
19+
Starlight, 47 King St N. , Waterloo | 519 885-4970 |

Jeremy Rose says he helped create the project’s aesthetic, produced tracks including “What You Need” and “The Morning”, didn’t get money or credit

When the Weeknd appeared out of nowhere almost exactly a year ago, the music on versions of some of the earliest and biggest tracks– “What You Need”, “Loft Music” and “The Morning”– were credited to Canadian producer Jeremy Rose. But his name was soon scrubbed from the Weeknd’s material. Rose recently spoke to VICE about his work with Abel Tesfaye and co., implying that he was not only essential to the Weeknd’s early production, but helped envision the entire project’s aesthetic:

“I asked him if he wanted to work on something– I had this idea for a dark R&B project… Abel seemed to suit the project.

When I met him I heard some of the stuff that he was doing. It was called the Noise… They were a straight kind of R&B, just really light… And I was just like, ‘Aw, fuck that shit. No man, let’s talk about, fuckin’ and getting too high and trying to fuck bitches and it not working out. Let’s get really grimy about it.’”

After they got close, Rose alleges Tesfaye “wouldn’t respect his opinion,” or pay him and “things went sour” when he asked Tesfaye for credit on the songs. “I’ve never heard from him since I told him I didn’t want to work with him anymore,” he said. No legal action has been taken, but Rose says, “We’ll work on it [getting money].”

When Pitchfork reviewed the Weeknd’s House of Balloons last year, we originally credited Rose (who now operates under the production name Zodiac) in our review. When the review went up, we received this e-mail from Weeknd crew member La Mar Taylor:

“to whom ever this may concern, i am a rep for The Weeknd and it has been brought to my attention that there is an error in the article you guys wrote up for best new music. Jeremy Rose was NOT a producer on the album. Doc McKinney and Illangelo helped compose the songs on the album with The Weeknd. Look on the weeknds tweets and friendslist for proof. Jeremy Rose is not mentioned atleast once”

Carlo Montagnese– the producer who goes by the name Illangelo– also emailed us, saying: “Joe Colly’s album review credits Jermey Rose on production, this is incorrect. Production on House Of Balloons headed by Doc McKinney & Illangelo.”

No one from the Weeknd’s XO crew responded to our requests for comment on the VICE article.

Listen to the version of “The Morning” Rose claims he produced:

Article by: Carrie Battan via Pitchfork.com

Want more? Peep more here: Ebrahim

While on the set of a Terry Richardson photoshoot, Odd Future performed/recorded an impromptu music video for “Oldie.” Each taking a turn at the spotlight reminiscent of Yo! MTV Raps, the LA-based collective was in top form as each member’s unique individual style shined through.

English rockers Radiohead are making a Toronto stop on their much-anticipated North American tour, playing their latest album King of Limbs @ Downsview Park on June 16th, 2012. King of Limbs was released in 2011 for download on their website, and was eventually released on CD and vinyl in March. The band often make their albums “pay what you can” and available in download formats, play secret shows, avoid extra ticket fees on their tours and other treats for fans.

Manitoba artist Caribou has been announced as support for both shows.
Caribou, the stage name of Daniel Victor Snaith, is a Juno and Polaris Music Prize award winning musician.

For info about tickets, check out ticketmaster.ca

Yes, Jay-Z is back for another round on the SXSW Music Festival schedule. Don’t worry – if you couldn’t land festival tickets, or you’re nowhere near the state of Texas on March 12, American Express’s Sync Show series will be streaming the show in its entirety on YouTube. Check out this trailer offering a sneak peek at what’s to be expected and when you should be tuning in.

Source: Hypetrak

Carlos Serrano keeps the ball rolling with a new mashup remix between Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” and Daft Punk’s “Something About Us.” Equal chops of elements from both entities have been served delectably as Adele’s outstanding vocal prowess blends well with the mellow electronic tune of Daft Punk. After having remixed two tracks from Yeezy last year, this new offering nonetheless is a good follow up to his preceding standout works.

Source: Hypebeast/Soundcloud

It is so unfortunate to hear about very talented people leaving us too soon in the music industry but it seems to be a very sad recurring story as of lately. First the remarkable Amy Winehouse last year and now the latest death of one the most celebrated voices of all time, the impeccable Whitney Houston.

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died Saturday night. She was only 48.

Six-time GRAMMY winner Whitney Houston was one of the world’s greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades.

She was an absolute vocal force that influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who, when she debuted, sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

In last nights 54th Grammy Awards, an elegant rendition of I Will Always Love You sung by Jennifer Hudson from The Bodyguard soundtrack, was the night’s most attractive moment. Hudson received a standing ovation, just as she did when she performed You Pulled Me Through at the 2009 Grammys, in what was one of her first performances after the murder of her mother and brother. That same year, Houston handed Hudson a Grammy for best R&B album.

Whitney will be sadly missed.

Here are some video highlights from Whitney’s amazing career.

LOOP is proud to PRESENT TURN IT UP!!! An annual listening party here in Waterloo at Jane Bond Cafe. With myself truly at the decks, spinning all night DILLA produced tracks and artists that were highly influenced by this great beat maker. There will be NO COVER and if you want to remember DILLA among fans of his music, this is where you need to be!!!!

James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was a pioneering hip hop producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. J Dilla was one of the music industry’s most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common.

Click HERE for more info and don’t forget today to TURN IT UP!!!!!

JB