NAS
As a versatile amalgamation of corporate conferences, tech expos, avant garde artistry, and diverse musicality, the annual hootenanny in Austin (known as SXSW) is the proverbial cornucopia of festivity. Spanning 10 days (March 9-18), this multifaceted bonanza draws deeply from vast spectrums of society—from Facebook and Skype, to Andrew WK and Nas—encapsulated within those ten wily days is a plethora of info, networking opportunity, and righteous tuneage—topped off with a multitude of imbibing possibilities!
When you think Skrillex, you probably think long, flowing hair, dizzying dubstep beats, and a sweaty, packed club filled with house-heads entranced by the sounds in the air. You likely don't associate the rising star with The Doors, a band your parents probably saw in that very same club before dubstep, and you, existed. For whatever it's worth, the artist also known as Sonny Moore collaborated with several members of the legendary classic rock unit, and the results? You'll just have to hear for yourself.
Chelsea Market opened its doors to some of New York's most notorious music talents last night, as film and music buffs gathered to catch a sneak preview of Amir Bar-Lev's new toe-tapping documentary, "Re:Generation."
DJ Premier, listed by The Source as one of "the top 5 producers in hip hop history," appeared alongside the award-winning filmmaker Bar-Lev ("My Kid Could Paint That," "The Pat Tillman Story") in a Q&A before hitting the turntables himself. The invite-only crowd, featuring an eclectic mix of sleek scenesters, hip hop impresarios, and grungy music journalists, was treated to live performances by Premier, rocker and vice presidential nephew Jamie Biden, and DJ pair AndrewAndrew. Hyundai, who sponsored the film, supplied booze, Pop Burger sliders, and tricked-out cars complete with do-it-yourself turntables and video game systems.
I'm almost out of my pasta carb coma! One of my most beautiful friends had her birthday party at Box last night. I haven't been there in so long, but let me tell you….ignore all those ugly rumors…..the shows are still beyond normal mental comprehension. I couldn't take pictures, but I literally witnessed a fat lady stabbing her camel toe with a butcher knife. Now I'm sure this was hopefully staged…I at least tell myself that!!!! Beyond that crazy show, a few really talented people really showed that they need to be off the box stage and onto something much more.
Nasty Nas has been spitting out fire tracks lately, such as his collaboration with Common on “Ghetto Dreams,” boosting the promotional train for the release of his upcoming tenth LP, tentatively titled Life Is Good.
The album will feature notable artists such as Tyler, The Creator, winner of the Best New Artist award for ‘Yonkers’ at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, and fresh R&B sensation Frank Ocean.
Another unreleased track has surfaced called “You Don’t Know,” produced by the Trackmasters who were hot and heavy on Nas’ production back in the 90s.
The general consensus is that the cut has a straight up old school vibe to it. Perhaps Nas has breached his hip hop slump is finally resurrecting hip hop from the ‘dead.’
No confirmed release date for Life Is Good, which is evidently his last record with Def Jam.
When: August 22nd, 2011
Where: House of Blues
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Info:
Rock The Bells is an annual hip hop festival that orginally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert features a lineup of high-profile alternative hip hop acts, often headlined by a more mainstream artist. The first festival was held in 2004, featuring a re-united Wu-Tang Clan, who performed 4 months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death.
Entire tour schedule and tickets here!
40 years ago, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar took the stage in Madison Square Garden and put on an extraordinary event. The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that brought together an extraordinary group of major artists for a common humanitarian cause. This sold out concert included artists such as Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell.
Harrison and Shankar staged two concerts to alert the world of the plight of the Bangladeshi people—victims of simultaneous floods, famine, and civil war. To pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Concert, this August has been designated as the “Month of Giving.”
This year (August 5-7) the most major musical event of the summer, Lollapalooza, will be taking place at Grant Park in Chicago. The headliners include Eminem, Foo Fighters, Cold Play, My Morning Jacket, and Deadmau5. Other epic acts like Cults, Lykke Li, The Cars, Crystal Castles, Damian Marley & Nas, and Arctic Monkeys will also take to the stage.
Last week, JoonBug reported that Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label signed with Def Jam, and thereafter rap veteran Common left Ye’s roster and inked a new recording deal with Warner Bros. This past weekend a new single from Common’s forthcoming LP (The Dreamer, the Believer) called ‘Ghetto Dreams,” featuring Nas hit the web and naturally dominated blogospheres and social media outlets throughout the world.
Lollapalooza:: August 5-7, Chicago, IL
This year marks Lollapalooza’s 20th anniversary on August 5-7 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. This music festival will be the granddaddy of all festivals this summer and the most extravagant birthday celebration to date. To help commemorate this phenomenal affair, acts such as Coldplay, Eminem, Damian Marley & Nas, The Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket, and Deadmau5 top the Lolla lineup. Other top-tier artists include the Cars, Girl Talk, Kid Cudi, Crystal Castles, Ratatat, Collie Buddz, Deftones, and Pretty Lights. With over 130 performers, this is one birthday you won’t want to miss. Check out the full lineup here.
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