Music & Commentary Weekly Wrap-Up for 5.31.2013
POP
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez released a series of 6 remixes to her hit single "Come & Get It" to here VEVO channel this week. We're fans of both Selena, and fun remixes so we thought we'd share them with you. Check them out by clicking here. Hope you like them. Cheers!
iTunes Music Festival
Justin Timberlake, Thirty seconds To Mars, Jessie J, and many more are set to perform at this year's iTunes Music Festival in London. A total of 60 acts will perform at the Roundhouse. The event will be broadcast to millions via video on demand around the world. For more detail on specifics, click here >>
Kelly Clarkson
Our very first "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson has released one of the most talked about music videos this week for her inspirational anthem "People Like Us." The song reunites Clarkson with acclaimed producer Greg Kurstin, who is best known for working with Kelly on her 2011 hits "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", and "Dark Side." "People Like Us" is the third original song released from Kelly's greatest hits compilation, "Greatest Hits: Chapter One", following the Pop/Hot AC hit "Catch My Breath," and the Country duet with Vince Gill "Don't Rush." "People Like Us" is a visually creative video that applies unique use of CGI to create color people, or "misfits" in a black and white environment. It has reminded many viewers of black and white/color techniques that have been used in landmark films like 1998's "Pleasantville" and "The Wizard Of Oz." See what everyone is talking about by clicking here!
Pharrell Williams
As Daft Punk's latest album "Random Access Memories" has the biggest debut on the Billboard 200 this year behind only Justin Timberlake, they are helping make one of the album's guests a big star once again. The guest singer on their song "Get Lucky" hasn't been in the spotlight quite this much in about 10 years. This is not only because of the massive worldwide success of "Get Lucky", but also Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" which he is featured as a guest vocalist and producer. "Blurred Lines" is on its way to becoming Thicke's first number one hit in the UK, while "Random Access Memories" is dominating the charts all over Europe. This is all happening while Pharrell is releasing the music he composed for the upcoming animated film, "Despicable Me 2". ! Click Here >>
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is back on the music scene! She recently made headlines by announcing her upcoming single "We Can't Stop" at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. The song is the first from Cyrus' new record deal inked with Sony Music's RCA Records. The project features production from the likes of Dr. Luke and The Neptunes' Pharrell Williams among others. "We Can't Stop" will be officially released on June 3rd after it is officially premiered on "On Air With Ryan Seacrest". To see her new video with Snoop Lion for their new song "Ashtrays And Heartbreaks"click here!
Hip Hop/R&B
Nicki Minaj/Hot 97
On Tuesday Nicki Minaj sat down with Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg for an intense, interesting, and very honest discussion. The two hashed out their differences related to the insults exchanged at last year's Summer Jam concert and provided fans some serious insight on who they are as people. This kind of interview is rare. We knew from the beginning that it was a must see. If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss out! Click here and watch it now!
Clinton Sparks/Macklemore/2 Chainz/D.A. Wallach
As Indie Hip Hop group turned superstars Macklemore And Ryan Lewis are celebrating their second number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Can't Hold Us", one half of the duo is already getting buzz for another collaboration. The group's emcee, Macklemore has teamed up with acclaimed producer and DJ, Clinton Sparks for a collaboration on his new song called "Gold Rush." The track also features Def Jam rapper 2 Chainz, and Chester French singer, D.A. Wallach. Sparks famously collaborated with D.A, in the past on the song "Ciroc Star" featuring Diddy And Jadakiss and Chester French, from his mixtape "Jacque Jams Volume 1". "Gold Rush" is being released as the first single from Clinton Sparks' forthcoming album "Disco Ball And Chain," from Photo Finish Records' fresh joint venture with The Island Def Jam Music Group. Take a look at the music video for the song here!
Alternative
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails announced their new record deal with Columbia Records this week. This struck us as fascinating immediately. It marks the first Nine Inch Nails since 2007's Year Zero was released by Interscope. What made it most interesting is the fact the band's 2008 independent album, Ghosts I–IV, released through Trent Reznor's The Null Corporation was able to break the top 15 of the Billboard 200 without the help of a major label partner. We broke down how this was done using what is called "creative commons" licensing, and take a guess at what that achievement could mean for major label deals. Check it out here.
The Roots and Elvis Costello
The Roots and Elvis Costello jointly announced on Wednesday that they would be releasing a collaborative album together. That album will be titled Wise Up Ghost. Blue Note Records will exclusively release the album on September 16th in the US, and internationally on the 17th. For intimate details on how this unique collaboration happened, and how the album came to be, click here.
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