Jay-Z is set to cover XXL’s October issue, with an exclusive interview. The issue also includes stories on The Making of The Blueprint, the current state of lyricism in hip-hop, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, and more. Be sure to check it out, as the magazine drops on September 15th.
“But when I say I’m the best, I don’t say that outta my ass. I say that with all my stats behind me. I put that against anybody. I mean anybody. I really believe that… I believe in a lot of things. I believe that ‘SportsCenter’ is the best thing on TV. I shouldn’t have to prove it. But I do have these stats to prove it. I’m talking about real run. I’m not talking about years off. I’m talking about straight—boom, boom, boom—back to back. We’re not talking about heritage acts either. We’re not talking about respect what I’ve done. I’m talking No. 1 [albums] 10 times. The Beatles is the only one [to have more No. 1 albums]. They got 19, and if I get a surge of creativity, I could make nine albums next year.”
CRITICISM OF “D.O.A.”:
“I’m not hating on young people. Like, when people say that, I’m like, What are you talking about? It’s just stupid. I’m not hating on young people… I’m not Bill Russell, [saying] Michael Jordan ain’t shit. I’m saying Lil Wayne and Kanye are like LeBron and Kobe. My job as someone at the forefront of the game is to leave it in a better position than when I came in. Same way that Russell [Simmons] left it to me. ’Cause this thing saved my life. Literally. So I have a responsibility to it karmically. And after that it’s on you. I did my part. I made ‘D.O.A.’ I said it. I made the statement. I made the push. Here, y’all take it from here.”
HIS LEGACY AS FORMER DEF JAM RECORDS PRESIDENT:
“So if you ask me to grade my performance as the president, I’d say A-plus. No one can bat a 100. It’s impossible. I mean, everyone is looking at my shit. But if we really looked under the hood [of] every single [record exec] and the acts they put out in that time, I’d be comparable to anyone.”
Here comes to visuals to the Fray’s rendition of Kanye West’s Heartless joint from his latest 808’s & Heartbreak, finally. Directed by directed by Hiro Murai, with animation by Titmouse, this video does the song justice, in terms of art. I love it, thoughts?
I don’t know about you, but I think it is a good sign that your record is good when it gets remade over and over, from in and out of the same genre.
Here is the first mentioning of Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 album art and track list, but as Jay mentioned in his interview with DJ Semtex, his album track lists are not set in stone until they take it out of his hands, so do not take this as a set in stone line up and wait for September 11th.
Personally, I love the album artwork, but the track list is even more vicious. The guest appearances and production are looking quite dope, so I hope to expect at least this from the album. Be sure to check out the entire track list after the break.
It seems as if the legendary hip hop trio, The Beastie Boys, recently teamed up with Nas for this new track entitled, Too Many Rappers. Though this version is not entirely mastered, it serves as a first draft of their single off their highly anticipated 8th studio LP, Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1, which is slated for release September 15, 2009.
Mr. Hudson’s Straight No Chaser album, produced by Kanye West, is set to drop this upcoming October 5th via G.O.O.D. Music and Mercury Records, and I must admit that I am very excited.
“I wanted to make a mainstream record, not structured or ornate,” he explains. “The first album feels like an Escher drawing, all these layers and you don’t know where you’re going at any point. The way the songs are written and produced on this one is much more direct. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s straight, no chaser.”
– Mr. Hudson
Check out a few joints from Hudson’s Straight No Chaser after the break.
Billboard reported on this a couple days ago, eluding to an iTunes release featuring bands covering Frank Sinatra tracks. The goal is to introduce the young generation to the old Sinatra catalouge as well as the older generationn to some newer acts. Apple has recruited Maroon 5, The Kooks, John Rich, Seether, The Morning Benders & The Killers for this ride through nostalgia. There is not a release date for His Way, Our Way as of yet, but stay tuned for some more information.
The other day, I posted a video of Mike Posner doing his rendition to Kanye’s 808’s and Heartbreak single, Heartless. Well here is yet another cover to the classic in the making, yet this time it is done by none other than Ye’s soon to be tour partner, Lady Gaga. In this clip, Lady Gaga is performing live at the Kool Haus in Toronto, Canada. I am super pumped to see her talent and Kanye’s talent live in one arena, but for now, check out the Heartless cover below.
Surely you have heard either The Fray’s rendition or Kris Allen’s live version to Kanye West’s smash hit, Heartless, but it is quite unlikely that you have stumbled across singer/songwriter/producer Mike Posner’s live version. I encourage you to take a look at the video below and see how Mike reconstructs this timeless song. Personally, I love it, which says a lot, ha.
This Perfect Life is supposedly dropping this upcoming June 23rd, under Interscope Records, and I am still excited to see what Charles Hamilton does with his first official album. Well, today, I ran across three new tracks from Charles and his album artwork, with the tracklist and samples, and I am quite pleased with what he is doing overall.
Here is this month’s cover of The New Yorker. What is amazing about the cover is that the art work on the cover of The New Yorker magazine was drawn on an iPhone using the application, Brushes. It took just about a hour for Jorge Colombo to complete this painting of a food cart on Time Square, which is pretty admirable if you ask me.
After I ran across this photo, I just wanted to share this piece with you because it is very dope that someone just whipped it up in an hour using an iPhone. Plus, the artwork is pretty sick. Do you guys use Brushes? If so, send me some photos because I’d love to do a post on them.
Posted by Levi Guy 
It Was All a Dream 