Listen: P Diddy's new single, 'Hello, Good Morning' with T.I. and Dirty Money
What song does the track remind you of?
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Sean Combs, aka P. Diddy
Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens
P Diddy has unveiled, “Hello, Good Morning,” the first single from “Morning Train to Paris.” The track also features Dirty Money and T.I.
It’s a catchy tune, but mainly because parts of it remind us so much of Timbaland/Justin Timberlake’s “Carry Out,” although not quite as clever.
The song is a fairly tame take on partying. Sadly, lines like “the bitch won’t stop” seem to go out of style when it comes to hip-hop. Although by the time, Diddy states “Bad Boy, bitch,” he sounds so 2008 and like he’s merely imitation Britney’s much more declarative “It’s Britney, bitch."
Diddy is appearing on “American Idol” this week so we’ll get a chance to see how the track translates live, although the real win with “Hello, Good Morning” will be the scorching dance remixes that are sure to be coming.
“Last Train to Paris” leaves the station in September. Diddy has worked with a number of other top-flight producers on the set, including The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, the Neptunes and Rodney Jerkins.
Is P Diddy worth listening to again? Check out the track below and judge for yourself.
Watch: MGMT's trippy new video for 'Flash Delirium' and the singing tracheotomy
Does the clip from 'Congratulations' live up to the duo's other wacky clips?
MGMT
Credit: Columbia Records
Where to begin? The poodle with the bloody raw roast? The Wax Works at the family reunion? The ventriloquist dummies? How about the singing tracheotomy or the eel pulled out of a very unlikely orifice?
That’s right kids, there’s a new MGMT video and it’s a doozy from a band that’s known for its wacky clips. “Flash Delirium” is the first video from the duo’s sophomore Columbia set, “Congratulations,” out April 13.
Watch: Cypress Hill and Tom Morello 'Rise Up'
Duo and gunslinger go toe to toe in new video
B-Real of Cypress Hill
Credit: AP Photo/Keystone, Peter Klaunzer
There’s really nothing that Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello can’t do, is there? Whether it’s playing with Rage, or solo as The Watchman or with Boots Riley in Street Sweeper Social Club, he’s usually nothing short of amazing.
So its no surprise that he takes “Rise Up,” the new single from Cypress Hill—and may we say, if this is what a long hiatus does for a band’s creative juices, we’re all for it—and elevates it to another plane. Check him out about 2:30 in. The song is ferocious and the video plays on political unrest that’s all too frequent in the City of Angels. This revolution will be televised.
“Rise Up” is the title track to the CH’s eighth studio album, which comes out April 20 on Priority Records.
Check out the clip, which premiered on AOL’s The Boombox today.
Is Janet Jackson back in the studio working on a new album?
Are 'Nothing' and 'Heartbeat Love' indicators of where she's headed musically?
Janet Jackson at the world premiere of "Why Did I Get Married Too?"
Credit: AP Photo/Jessica Rinaldi
So when will we get a new album from Janet Jackson? It turns out it could be quite some time.
Although she has two songs out there right now, “Nothing” and her collaboration with Pitbull,” Heartbeat Love,” Miss Jackson has no plans since leaving Def Jam following 2008’s commercially disappointing “Discipline.”
“There was a time where I was actually in the studio and I was recording, but I’m not working on an album,” Jackson tells Rolling Stone. “There have been a lot of record labels that have asked me to sit down and talk with them, but I don’t know if I want to do something completely independent, or go with a major.”
“Nothing” is featured in the new Tyler Perry film, “Why Did I Get Married Too,” which features Jackson, and “Heartbeat Love” she tells Rolling Stone she did as a favor for producer Rodney Jerkins.
You can check out Ms. Jackson in "Why Did I Get Married Too" when it opens this nationwide on Friday.
Watch: Erykah Badu gets naked in controversial new video for 'Window Seat'
Is the singer making a statement or simply grabbing attention?
Erykah Badu strips and gets shot in her new video for "Window Seat."
Credit: Interscope
Erykah Badu has never been one to shy away from statements-- personal, social or political--and she’s making a big one on all three fronts with her new video for “Window Seat,” from “New Amerykah, Part ll: Return of the Ankh.”
As the video opens, it would appear that Badu is headed to see an unnamed president, who is headed into town. She parks her car, and begins walking to destination unknown. As she strolls, she begins shedding her over coat, her hoodie. (Okay, a little side note here, MTV writes that she filmed the clip, which is a single shot, in Dallas on St. Patrick’s Day, at an intersection near where President Kennedy was assassinated. Also for your possible viewing pleasure, MTV conveniently compiled a number of other videos where the artist strips.)
Usher ushers in March 30 releases. He's joined by Erykah Badu, BNL and Alan Jackson
Fictional conjoined twins, Evelyn Evelyn release full-length debut featuring Frances Bean Cobain
The cover of Usher's new album
Credit: Jive Label Group
As the temperatures start to heat up, so do the releases. March 30 brings new albums from two superstars: Usher and Alan Jackson, as well as a releases from a number of proven hitmakers, including Erykah Badu and Barenaked Ladies, and a collection from fictional conjoined twins, Evelyn Evelyn.
Erykah Badu, “New Amerykah, Part ll: Return of the Ankh” (Universal Motown): Badu follows up 2008’s “Part l” with an album she calls more “emotional” and less “analytical” than its predecessor. It even features a banjo, for goodness’ sake.
Barenaked Ladies, “All in Good Time” (Raisin’/EMI): Still best known for its huge 1998 hit “One Week,” BNL’s stock in trade is catchy, clever pop that embeds itself in your brain. This is the first album since the departure of founding member Steven Page.
Black Francis, “NonStopErotik” (Crooked Vinyl): Alternative rock god Frank Black, best known as leader of seminal band The Pixies, releases his latest solo set that includes a cover of the Flying Burrito Brothers’ “Wheels.” He recorded the venture in Brookly, Los Angeles and London.
Evelyn Evelyn, “Evelyn, Evelyn” (Eleven): Fictional conjoined twins—the brainchildren of Jason Webley and the Dresden Dolls’ Amanda Palmer—release their first full set. If you want to meet the twins, you can buy an around-the-world adventure with them for $11,111,111 on their myspace page. The album also features the singing debut of Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
Alan Jackson, “Freight Train” (Sony Music Nashville): Country superstar traditionalist returns with a 12-song set including eight he penned. The album includes a duet with Lee Ann Womack on Vern Gosdin’s “Till the End.” First single, “It’s Just That Way” continues its climb up Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Will it become Jackson’s 35th No. 1 single? Too soon to tell.
Turin Brakes, “Outbursts” (Cooking Vinyl): Tasty British acoustic duo of Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian releases its first set for Cooking Vinyl.
Usher, “Raymond v. Raymond” (Jive): We’ve waited a hot minute for this R&B sensation’s follow up to 2008’s “Here I Stand” as the label tweaked the set. First single, “Papers,” no doubt inspired by Usher’s recent divorce, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, although it peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. Usher is clearly feeling a little frisky on new single, “Lil Freak.” See the video here.
Robert Plant takes his Band of Joy on the road in July
Group includes such notables as Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller
Robert Plant
Credit: AP
Robert Plant starts a U.S. tour on July 13. Sure, it’s no Led Zeppelin, but he’s joined by an amazing group, dubbed the Band of Joy, that includes vocalist Patty Griffin, multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott, and guitarist Buddy Miller. Plant historians will appreciate the band’s moniker as a nod to the group Plant and Zeppelin drummer John Bonham belonged to pre-Led Zep.
He’s recording the new album with the above-named musicians, but, so far, no release date has been set.
The new album, whenever it comes out, will be Plant’s first since his multi-Grammy winning collaboration with Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand.” The two attempted to record a follow-up last year, but it has since been shelved.
Below are the tour dates. More are to be added.
July
13 Memphis, TN The Orpheum Theater
15 Little Rock, AR Robinson Center Music Hall
16 Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
18 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino Amphitheater
20 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater
21 Tucson, AZ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
23 Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Hall
24 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
26 Austin, TX Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
28 Mobile, AL The Saenger Theatre
30 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
31 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater
Robert Plant starts a U.S. tour on July 13 in support of his new album.
Sure, it’s no Led Zeppelin, but he’s joined by an amazing group, dubbed the Band of Joy, that includes vocalist Patty Griffin, multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott, and guitarist Buddy Miller. Plant historians will appreciate the band’s moniker as a nod to the group Plant and Zeppelin drummer John Bonham belonged to pre-Led Zep.
He’s recording the new album with the above-named musicians, but, so far, no release date has been set.
The new album, whenever it comes out, will be Plant’s first since his multi-Grammy winning collaboration with Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand.” The two attempted to record a follow-up last year, but it has since been shelved.
July
13 Memphis, TN The Orpheum Theater
15 Little Rock, AR Robinson Center Music Hall
16 Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
18 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino Amphitheater
20 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater
21 Tucson, AZ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
23 Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Hall
24 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
26 Austin, TX Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
28 Mobile, AL The Saenger Theatre
30 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
31 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater
Hey all you Dancing Queens: Could Abba reunite for one more show?
They aren't saying no, but they aren't saying yes either
ABBA
We’re going to say it right off the bat: we don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell of this happening, but Reuters is reporting that Abba could possibly play together again.
And when we say “could possibly play together again,” we mean that for the first time in years, the male half of the foursome, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus,” didn’t stick their fingers in their ears and go “La, la, la, la” or run screaming in another direction when a reporter asked them about a possibility of a reunion by the ‘70s supergroup.
“Yeah, why not,” Andersson replied, reports Reuters, when a reporter for the London Times suggested a reunion. There’s no way this group is going to tour, but apparently the boys didn’t scoff at the notion of a one-off performance that would air around the world.
Of course, Andersson hadn’t checked it out with the two women in the group, Frida Lyndstad or Agnetha Faltskog, even helpfully adding, “I don’t know if the girls sing anything anymore.
The simple fact is due to the worldwide success of “Mamma Mia,” Abba makes more in royalties sitting on its collective bum than the rest of us working stiffs will make in a lifetime. Plus, we think Andersson is so sick of answering the question, he decided to just mess with the reporter. Don't hold your breath for this one.
Chart Preview: Will Justin Bieber's 'My World 2.0' land at 1.0?
Which one-named R&B diva returns with a surprising high debut?
Justin Bieber
Justin Timberlake better move over, there’s another Justin at the top of the charts. Moppet Justin Bieber will easily land at No. 1 on the the Billboard 200 next week with “My World 2.0.” The set, which we reviewed here, could top the 250,000 mark. Bieber’s first set, “My World” stands at No. 6 this week, making him the first artist since Lady GaGa to have two CDs in the top 10.
In a surprise, R&B singer Monica’s “Still Standing” will come in at No. 2, logging sales of up to 195,000. The set, produced by Babyface, Johnta Austin, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, is selling four times more than expected, according to Hits Daily Double.
There are two more debuts in the top 10: the never-ending “Now 33: That’s What I Call Music” series slides in at No. 3, selling around 140,000 copies. This edition features tunes from Ke$ha, Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Owl City, Train, Daughtry, Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift.
The other newcomer is the sophomore set from “She & Him,” otherwise known as Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, which lands at No. 5.
The rest of the top 10 includes Lady Antebellum, who slip to No. 4, Ludacris, Marvin Sapp, who stays strong after debuting at No. 2 last week, falling only to No. 8, Lady GaGa and Black Eyed Peas.
If you don’t believe that a hot movie’s arrival on DVD can affect soundtrack sales, just look at “Twilight Saga: New Moon.” Following the video’s recent release, the soundtrack soars to No. 11. Two weeks ago it was No. 72.
Watch Usher's new video for 'Lil Freak': Sexy or a big yawn?
He enlists Nicki Minaj to procure women for a menage a trois
Usher
Okay Usher, we get it… you are a single man and, boy, are you available. In the new clip for “Lil Freak,” our boy from the ATL is looking for a ménage a trios and he’s finding the pickings bountiful.
He’s enlisted Nicki Minaj (did we miss the memo that she has to be in EVERY video right now?) to procure the right girls for him. Interestingly, the girl Minaj picks is the most wholesome of the bunch. You could practically take her home to mother—that is before Usher gets his hands on her.
We get a few smooth dance moves from Usher during the slow grind of a song, but it’s pretty much just a skeezy video from start to finish that is about as sexy as a film about STDs. Plus, the cold opening is way, way too long even if you dig the hinted at Sapphic action.
It’s the latest song released from “Raymond V. Raymond,” which comes out Tuesday. Sadly, even the Stevie Wonder/”Living for the City” sample can’t save it.
