Black Cloud Music artist Noa James drops the second music video from his latest EP, The Adventures Of Young Orca. After the jump, check out the single’s artwork which shows a picture of Noa’s 112-year-old great grandmother next to President Obama. Classic picture.
Author: Janice Llamoca
Dr. Dre & Jimmy Iovine Announce New USC School For Arts, Technology & Business (News)
“Look at what hip-hop can do.” – Dr. Dre
Music Moguls Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine shelled out the big bucks, $70 Million to be exact, to USC to create a new undergraduate program named the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. USC’s School of JIAYAATTBI for short.
According to a USC statement, the academy’s curriculum will focus on “arts and entrepreneurship; technology, design and marketability; concept and business platforms; and creating a prototype.” The program’s mission will be to create “a new generation of inspired innovators.”
A total of 25 students will make up the inaugural class, which will launch in the fall of 2014. Doesn’t this make you want to stay in school?
After the press conference where the business partners and all-around-good guys made their official announcement, Rolling Stone asked how involved Dre and Jimmy will be at the academy.
Jimmy Iovine: The thing with Dre and I – this is the good and bad news – we’re control freaks. So we’re gonna annoy them to a point, but we just want to help lend a feel and whatever experience we can lend. We’re in great hands with Erica and the institution. Especially those first 25 kids, we want to really inspire them and make this the best opportunity it can possibly be.
LA Weekly asked Dr. Dre if this program means that Detox will be further delayed.
Dr. Dre: No, I’m more inspired to go back into the studio now. Beats is rolling, this thing is happening, and it’s incredible. Now I’m ready to go back to my first love.
Dr. Dre: I’m going back to the studio. Not for any specific reason, but just to record because I love to record music. I’m going back in and hopefully the next Kendrick Lamar or the next Eminem walks in the door and I can work with that artist. I’m going to record forever.
Wait! But they asked about Detox. :|
Rolling Stone asked when did they realize a school like this was necessary.
Iovine: Let me make one more point: When I was making records, which was even 15 years before Dre was making records, musicians were not technologically inclined. These kids are all tech. The new musician, you have to be fluent in technology. So we see a lot of that with musicians.
LA Weekly asked if Jimmy and Dre went 50/50 on the $70 Million.
Jimmy Iovine: Yeah, we went each went 50/50.
Dr. Dre: Going in 50/50, going out 50/50.
The biggest question should be… will the 25 students receive this limited edition shirt?
Stop showing off Fuzz. We want a shirt too.
L.A. Leakers Exclusive: Joey Fatts ft. A$ton Matthews – The Code (Audio)
What’s Leaks Of The Industry without a leak from up-and-coming West Coast rappers? Hailing from California cities Long Beach and Lakewood, respectively, Joey Fatts and A$ton Matthews make their mark with Fatts’ new single, “The Code.” Feel free to press play and bob your head to this Eli Myles production.
Reminder: Leaks Of The Industry drops June 3rd. IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW.
Mark Morrison ft. Crooked I – I Am What I Am (Remix) (Audio)
New single from Mark Morison featuring Crooked I titled “I Am What I Am.”
Becky G – Play It Again (Video)
After hearing Becky G on the radio a few times, I decided to check out the official music video for “Play It Again.” Sure the single has a catchy radio hook, cowritten by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Cirkut, and Ammowhich and is guaranteed to stay stuck in your head after just hearing it once, but the Jess Holzworth-directed video shows Becky in her home city, Inglewood, Calif., which adds plus ten points in cool factor.
Then, I randomly clicked on another video of hers titled “Becky From The Block” and this happened.
The golden gawd-ess, JENNIFER LOPEZ. Why wouldn’t Jenny from the block make a cameo in “Becky From The Block”? So there you go, Becky is J. Lo approved. I approve too. Can’t wait to see and hear more from the young Latina.
Talib Kweli Performs “Get By” On Sway In The Morning (Video)
“All great artists are inspired by other artists.” -Talib Kweli
Fact: I’ll never get tired listening to Talib Kweli’s “Get By.” Talib stopped by Sway In The Morning for the usual sit-down interview and ended up performing his classic Kanye West-produced track live. Before performing the single, Talib praised Kanye’s production risks stating that “he was never afraid to sample Dilla drums.”
Make sure you listen to the entire interview or else you might miss out on a gem or two.
Chance The Rapper – NaNa (Video)
Chance The Rapper’s video for “NaNa” (sans Action Bronson) came out over a month ago but I really only heard Chance for the first time when Acid Rap dropped on the last day of April. Besides his fun rap style, I’m also a fan of his quirky singing voice which is pretty much in all of “NaNa.”
Oh, and it’s totally filmed in Los Angeles. Hollywood Blvd., DOPE store on Fairfax (I see you Mario!), a chicken suit, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) and comedian Hannibal Buress all make the cut in this $5K visual.
After the jump, check out Chance performing his verse in “NaNa” live at Truth Studios.
Gallant – Please? (Vignette) (Video)
Yes. This is something nice that landed in my inbox. Gallant is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from New York who first received buzz with his beautiful cover of Ke$ha’s “Die Young,” which is actually waaaaaay better than Ke$ha’s version (listen here). Now, the singer is gearing up to release his debut EP, Zebra, releasing the airy single “Please? (Vignette)” as the first leak.
Check out the video, shot by Mochi Productions, and if you’re looking to download the audio, click here for a free download.
Statik Selektah Discusses ‘Extended Play’ (Video)
I’m excited to hear Statik Selektah’s album Extended Play, out June 18th. With that being said, Xclusive Zone’s David Downer sat down with the hip-hop producer and chopped it up about a variety of things including his two epic leaks, “Bird’s Eye View” and “21 & Over.” He also talked about working with Jay-Z (soon) and shares his future plans.
Watch the interview posted above.
P-Money ft. Aaradhna & Talib Kweli – Celebration Flow (Audio)
New Zealand producer P-Money delivers a new single off his upcoming album, Gratitude. P-Money’s leak, “Celebration Flow,” features the silky vocals of Aaradhna with a tight verse by lyricist Talib Kweli. Gratitude drops on May 21st and can be pre-ordered here.
After The Smoke – Come & Leave (Video)
After receiving a million views on their “OIAM” (One In A Million) video, the Tallahassee collective known as After The Smoke drop the first single and vampire-inspired visual from their soon-to-be-released mixtape, Microwaves.
Scoop DeVille Reveals “The Recipe” Was Originally A ‘Detox’ Record (Video)
“Poetic Justic” producer Scoop DeVille shared with DJ Whoo Kid that Kendrick Lamar’s “The Recipe” was originally supposed to be on Dr. Dre’s Detox. It’s real, guys! He also talks about some of the collabs he’s got cookin’ for the year.
Scoop DeVille also has a project with Pac Div member Mibbs in the works. In case you missed my interview with the West Coast duo, I’ve got the link for you here.
[hhnm]
D-WHY – FaZe Clan (Video)
Feeling tired? D-WHY’s new video for “FaZe Clan” will provide your daily caffeine dose for the day. The single also serves as the first track from his upcoming EP, Young, Loved, Hated & Broke (a couple adjectives we can all identify with, amiriiiight?!).
Directed by Jakob Owens.