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dMaking his second appearance in less than two months, Timbaland stopped by Power 105's The Breakfast Club this morning for to talk in depth about the new FOX series EMPIRE, which premieres tonight. He also spoke on Missy Elliott, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Tink, Ginuwine, Petey Pablo, the Aaliyah Lifetime movie, how production has changed since he first started, the over saturation of beats and producers, raising our standards, how technology is overtaking everything, and more. -
Eric Prydz Announces 16-Date Generate Tour: New York, San Francisco, Chicago Included
Pryda fans rejoice, for Eric Prydz will be back on the road again to close out the winter. The "Every Day" producer just announced his "Generate" tour, named after an upcoming single of his that will take him across the United States exclusively to small clubs. Eric Prydz is no stranger to club shows, which is where he got his start in small Stockholm clubs, playing for only a hundred or so people alongside guys like Steve Angello and Axwell. He continues to play small clubs, but with his EPIC — Eric Prydz in Concert — concept live show becoming more popular, Prydz has opened up to larger venues, most notably in September, taking over Madison Square Garden with 4,000 visuals and the largest indoor hologram ever used.Prydz will be hopping on his bus — he does not like flying — and crisscrossing North America, playing clubs in Austin, Detroit, Denver, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and finally San Francisco, according to a press release.Prydz will be playing extended sets at each of the stops along the way, allowing him to dive deep into his extensive discography and multiple monikers, which includes Eric Prydz, Pryda and Cirez D.To see what is in store for you, check out his new Essential Mix back-to-back with Jeremy Olander and his live set from Hard Day of the Dead alongside deadmau5.Check out the dates below and get tickets from your local venue. Stream his three-hour live set from MSG below. -
Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk" Bumps Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor from Top of Hot 100 [VIDEOS]
Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars's "Uptown Funk" promised it was gonna give it to ya, and now it's kicking off the new year by doing just that. After 19 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 of female domination, two men finally take the No. 1 spot away from Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor, all thanks to a little funk. -
Beyoncé Criticized by Animal Rights Groups for Photos with Tiger, Elephant in Thailand
Over the weekend, Beyoncé posted a photo to her Instagram account of herself, Jay-Z and their daughter Blue Ivy petting a tiger cub during their recent trip to Thailand, and though the picture is absolutely adorable for a number of reasons — as you can see up above — not everyone is happy about it. According to "Vulture," animal rights organization World Animal Protection criticized Bey for her photo-op, which took place at Phuket's FantaSea theme park, saying that the animals in these parks are subjected to abuse and suffering."When you look behind the scenes, vacation snaps like these support an industry that relies on animal cruelty," World Animal Protection wrote in its criticism. "Many tourists unwittingly contribute to the suffering of wild animals like these. They're simply not aware that their 'once in a lifetime' photo means a lifetime of misery for that animal."During this same trip, Mrs. Carter was also photographed riding a baby elephant, which summoned the wrath of One Green Planet, who said that "there is an incredible amount of suffering involved in Thai elephant tourism," and that the elephant in the photo "was likely taken from his mother and forced to endure a six-month 'breaking' period, during which time he was locked in a small enclosure and continuously beaten by his mahouts (trainers)."This is not the first time Queen Bey has been criticized by animal rights groups. In 2013, French designer Isabel Marant created a pair of sneakers for the singer that were made out of the skins of stingrays, crocodiles, anacondas, ostrichs and calfs, which greatly upset PETA. She is not alone, though: You can check out a list of musicians who have angered PETA here. -
Steve Aoki Is No Longer Caking Fans at Most Events
Steve Aoki is looking to change his image. The world-traveling American DJ has announced that he will be leaving behind one of his calling cards and most unique skills going forward: cake throwing. The "Bonesless" DJ made the announcement today, Jan. 7, in anticipation of his upcoming Neon Future North American tour over February and March. He will not totally drop the theatric from his stage show, explaining that it will be saved for special shows where he is headlining and some special festival dates. For the most part, the cake will be left at home and fans will have to come already equipped with their sugar rush. Read the statement below via a press release:"To start the New Year I'm making some new changes and have decided I'll no longer be caking fans at most festivals. There might be an exception here or there but for the most part I'll be saving the CAKE for my headline shows, keeping it exclusive for the die-hard fans. So if you want to get caked, come to one of my headline shows like the Neon Future Experience that is happening across the USA and Canada in Feb/March, or at my upcoming Manchester and London shows, or in Vegas and Ibiza. And to show my love to all the fans around the world that love the cake I wrote a song especially for YOU, properly titled CAKEFACE! It's up now and free to download at soundcloud.com/steveaoki. Love you to infinity and back. Now let's go forward into the neon future!!" -
Hip-Hop Landmark D&D Studios Closes Its Doors: DJ Premier Forced To Relocate Due To New Building Ownership
It is a sad day in the hip-hop world as the legendary D&D Studios, at 320 W. 37th St. in New York City, closed its doors officially as of today, Jan. 7.As reported, due to new building ownership, the studio was forced to close at the beginning of this year. DJ Premier, who acquired the studios in 2003, was tasked with moving everything this week to a new studio location in Queens.The fourth floor of the building is considered a hip-hop landmark, with some of the best songs ever created being produced inside the studio’s walls. For nearly 25 years, the studio was a second home to artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Jay-Z, KRS One, Big L and Gang Starr, to name a few.DJ Premier unfortunately had to watch the studio close over New Year’s Eve, where he has spent a bulk of his career working.DJ Premier recently shared the music video for PRhyme’s new single “PRhyme Time," which features footage of DJ Premier in the studio. PRhyme’s self-titled debut album was released Dec. 9 and entirely produced by DJ Premier.Once DJ Premier finishes up settling into his new studio, which today saw the last trips of equipment out of the old space and into the new, he will be heading out on tour alongside Royce da 5’ 9”. The tour kicks off Feb. 18, with shows running through to the end of the South By Southwest Festival March 20. -
Trinidad Jame$ Announces New Album 'No One Is SaFe,' Shares Diplo-Produced Song 'BlackMan Pt. 2' [LISTEN]
Atlanta rapper Trinidad Jame$ has announced the release of a new album titled "No One Is SaFe," which will drop Jan. 20. According to "The Fader," the album will be a free release and feature guest appearances by iLoveMakonnen, OG Maco, Peewee Longway, Offset, Problem, Lil Debbie, Scotty ATL and Big K.R.I.T. Trinidad has shared the album's lead single "BlackMan Pt. 2," produced by Diplo, which you can check out below."I'm a huge fan of Diplo's production and spirit as an artist," Trinidad explained to "The Fader" about "BlackMan Pt. 2." "I heard the beat on SoundCloud and it inspired me to get focused on what type of message I really wanted to relay this year with my music and as an artist — and also a man in this world, which is the most important part of being in this game."You can check out Trinidad Jame$'s "BlackMan Pt. 2" here: -
5 Albums That Should Get The 192 kHz Treatment at PonoMusic: Kanye West, Arcade Fire (and Some Underrated Neil Young)
The PonoMusic sales catalogue is up but make sure to check what quality audio you're getting for certain records. Many are available for download but don't actually feature an audio quality any higher than a typical compact disc. Music Times has found a shortlist of albums available at 44.1 kHz that we'd love to see get the full 192 kHz treatment. -
Sophia Grace Drops Empowering Tween Hip-Hop Club Banger "Best Friends" [WATCH]
Remember those two little British girls who sang Nick Minaj's "Super Bass" on Ellen? Well the one that you thought might actually have a shot at a music career, Sophia Grace, is back with a new music video (minus Rosie). -
VH1 to Test Pilot for TV Movie Based on Best-Selling Book 'The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop'
Hip-hop is proving that in today's television game the culture has just as much of a purpose on screen as any other genre or lifestyle. VH1 has announced that it will host its next hip-hop-influenced venture, signing a contract for a new TV movie pilot.The movie, "The Breaks," is based on the book "The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop." The TV film will stay true to the book, signing on the author of the book, Dan Charnas, to serve as a co-producer. Charnas will also help prep the story for the script.It was also announced that the former director of critically acclaimed shows "The Wire," The Walking Dead and "Elementary" Seith Mann will also be working on the TV movie, helping with directing and writing the script. It was also announced that VH1's own Susan Levison, Bill Flanagan and Maggie Malina have signed on to executive produce.As reported, the story will follow a group of three friends in the 1990s who are all self-proclaimed hip-hop lovers. The trio each is hoping to make it in the music industry, and each individual faces his own hardships, including rapper-drug dealers, uncooperative DJs and unsupportive parents, to name a few. The story will also take place in New York City and center around character Nikki Jones, a recent grad hoping to become a record exec. -
Shakira, Iggy Azalea Reportedly Working on Song Together for New Album 2015
Iggy Azalea, despite all of her controversies, is clearly one of the most sought-after featured rappers in the game these days. After features with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez hit it big, it seems as though the "Beg For It" rapper now has a single in the works with none other than Shakira. -
Rapper Cool C to Face Execution Tomorrow for Murder Conviction
As decided 19 months ago, golden-age rapper Cool C, is set to be executed tomorrow, Jan. 8. The Philadelphia-based rapper — whose real name is Christopher Roney — was convicted of murder in the first degree for the shooting of Police Officer Lauretha Vaird, which happened in 1996.The shooting occurred during an attempt Cool C made with two other men, including his rapping partner Warren "Smooth B" McGlone, to rob a Philadelphia PNC Bank branch. Roney, who at the time was 26, fired his weapon as soon as Vaird walked through the bank's front doors. The incident marked the first occurrence in the city's history that an officer was killed responding to a call.The rapper has spent the last 18 years in prison and will face execution by way of lethal injection tomorrow. As reported, Cool C was originally scheduled to be executed March 9, 2006, but he was granted a delay by the governor of Pennsylvania at the time.
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