New Albums / CDs

Here's the latest word on the Notorious B.I.G. "Duets" album: It's basically a bad idea, and it never should have happened. In fact, "duets" with dead people should be banned from pop music.

Here's the tracklisting:

TRACKLISTING:
01. Hold Ya Head f/Bob Marley
02. The Most Shady f/Eminem, Obie Trice & P Diddy
03. Spit Your Game f/Twista, Paul Wall & Bone Thugs
04. Whatchu Want f/Jay-Z
05. The Funk f/Nate Dogg & Redman
06. Get Your Grind On f/Big Pun, Fat Joe & Freeway
07. Living The Life f/Snoop, Ludacris & Faith Evans
08. Somethin f/The Game & Mary J Blige
09. Nasty Girl f/Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm
10. Living in Pain f/2Pac, Mary J Blige & Nas
11. Want That Old Thing Back f/Ja Rule & Ralph Tresvant
12. Recognize a Pimp f/Too Short & Webbie
13. Three Bricks f/Raekwon & Ghostface Killah
14. What’s Beef f/50 Cent & Mobb Deep
15. Hustler’s Story f/Scarface, Akon & Big Gee of Boyz N Da Hood
16. Breakin’ Old Habits f/TI & Slim Thug
17. Mi Casa f/R. Kelly & Charlie Wilson
18. Just A Memory f/The Clipse
19. Running Your Mouth f/Snoop, Nate Dogg, Foxy Brown & Fabolous
20. I’m With Whateva - f/Lil’ Wayne, Juelz Santana & Jim Jones
21. Here We Go Go f/Q-Tip, Babs & Aasim
22. Ultimate Rush f/Missy Elliot
23. Make It Hot f/Ness & Aasim
24. Wake Up Now f/KoRn

Our friend Nellie Mckay has a new album dropping . She told us the album would be named "I Hate Music" but looks like they settled on "Pretty Little Head." Here are the details:

Nellie McKay announces LA and NYC concerts to preview her new album. Pretty Little Head is in stores on 12/27.

TOUR DATES

11/29 LOS ANGELES, CA TROUBADOUR
11/30 LOS ANGELES, CA LARGO
12/05 NEW YORK, NY MAKOR
12/06 NEW YORK, NY MERCURY LOUNGE

PRETTY LITTLE HEAD - THE NEW CD

In stores from Columbia Records on Tuesday, December 27, features duets with Cyndi Lauper and k.d. lang

Featuring a kaleidoscopic selection of tracks culled from 23 new songs written by McKay for the album, Pretty Little Head premieres duets with Cyndi Lauper ("Beecharmer") and k.d. lang ("We Had It Right") as well as an assortment of provocative new compositions including "Columbia Is Bleeding" ("...it's turned into a real rock tune..."), "Cupcake" ("...about gay marriage..."), and "The Big One" ("...about a tenant's rights activist...").

Working with a group of "wonderful musicians," Nellie McKay sings and plays piano--as well as cello, vibes, and synthesizer--on Pretty Little Head.

Andy Cahn
Cahn Media
307 Seventh Street, Apt 4
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201 386-1736
cahnmedia@comcast.net

Album details from dirtysouthrap:

Outkast member Big Boi is set to release his new compilation album, Big Boi Presents…Got Purp? Vol. II through his Atlanta-based record label, Purple Ribbon.

The Purple Ribbon label showcases a mixture of established artists, as well as up-and-coming MC’s and R&B singers, with a distinct sound.

Artists singed to Big Boi’s burgeoning label include rappers Bubba Sparxxx, KonKrete, Killa Mike and soulful crooners Sleepy Brown and Scar.

“I just want to add something to the game and make good, quality music,” Big Boi told AllHipHop.com. “Our sound is top notch and bad-to-the-bone, but most importantly, it’s funk-based. When dogs are purple ribbon bred, it means that they have a history behind them; a champion pedigree. A Purple Ribbon is the highest-ranking you can get and all the artists on my label are winners.”

Big Boi said he was extremely influenced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, who signed Outkast to his influential Atlanta-based record label, LaFace, which he co-owned with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, before selling the label for $100 million dollars to Arista in 2000.

Reid is now head of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

“I’ve been real business savvy for a while,” Big Boi said. “The team that I got now and the talent that I got, I just want to make the presence in Atlanta that much stronger. I want to try and pull together and fill that void that LaFace left when they were in Atlanta.”

Big Boi Presents…Got Purp? Vol. II is highlighted by an array of tracks including the posse track “Kryptonite,” featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike, C-Bone and Rock D, as well as the melodic electronic R&B dance tune “U Got Me” by Scar featuring Big Boi.

The opus features heavy musical contributions from the labels newest acquisition; stand out R&B singer Scar.

Born in London, Big Boi hopes Scar will stake out new territory for hip-hop and R & B.

“Scar is hybrid-funk, but his voice is so classy and so clean,” Big Boi continued. “He’s really my secret weapon. He’s a dope writer, a great all around performer and a talented musician. He’s got a story to tell.”

Big Boi Presents … Got Purp Vol. II is slated to hit stores on Nov. 8.

And a review from bjonesfmo at AOL:

...I'm very tempted to say it's the best album I've heard all year.

That's a bold statement considering this has been one of hip hop's strongest years in recent memory. I can think of a lot of really good albums that have come out this year, including those from the following--The Game, The Geto Boys, Young Jeezy, Boyz N Da Hood, Little Brother, Kanye West, Common (still think it's overrated), David Banner, Slim Thug, Bun B, Beanie Sigel, Damian Marley, Anthony Hamilton, Lil Kim, Ying Yang Twins, Will Smith (yes, really), and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting.

But I don't remember liking any of those records as much as this one. It's tough to compare it to anything else because it's a compilation, so it's all over the place. There's gutter hip hop from Killer Mike, Bubba Sparxxx, and others; disco from Scar and Janelle Monae; Atlanta bass from Monae; classic soul from Sleepy Brown; and the hottest track on radio right now, "Kryptonite (I'm On It)."

Oh, and a reunited Goodie Mob.

Best part of the record--it appears to be produced from top to bottom by Organized Noise. What else could you ask for?

The record drops on November 22. Save your fifteen bucks now. Killer Mike puts on one of those performances that'll have you waiting on his album.

And we get a new OutKast record in December.

Get Purp. Trust me.

HipHopHavoc has the scoop:

...There are a total of 19 tracks on this album with features from: Jadakiss, Styles P, J Hood, Redman, Ghost Face Killah, Fabolous, Beanie Sigel, T.I. and Carl Thomas. Don’t let all these names make you feel like he album is full of collaborations because it's not. the "Kiss Your A88 goodbye Remix" alone has Fabolous, Beanie Sigel and T.I.

If you are like me, you probably look at the cover while listening to the album, and peeping who produced certain tracks on the album so if you dont have the album, here is the basic breakdown of producers: Buckwild, Mr. Devine, Vinny Idol, Rockwilder, havoc, Dj Twins, Red Spyda, Cocoa Chanelle and Alchamist.

This album has some true standouts that will have you vibing and nodding your cabbage and having you putting that "oooooohhhhhweeeeeeeeeee" face on. The "Maybe If I Sing" track is hilarious. Another D-Block Diss towards 50 Cent. But this one is not only a vicious blow, but its different in the sense that Its Sheek showing that he can get into the "mosh pit" and land elbows and chest kicks to anybody in the game...

Details on Pitbull's new remix album from SOHH:

Pitbull's debut set gets a new look via the remix compilation, M. I. STILL A. M. I. (Money Is Still A Major Issue), due this November.

The CD/DVD combo features 13 rare and remixed tracks and will sell alongside the Miami native's gold debut album, M.I.A.M.I., released a year ago, which featured the hit singles "Culo" and "Toma."

The lead single off M. I. STILL A. M. I. is "Everybody Get Up" featuring Pretty Ricky. The compilation also features the Ying Yang Twin's "Shake Remix" featuring Elephant Man; "Culo Remix" featuring Lil Jon and Ivy Queen; Nina Sky's "Turnin Me On Remix;" Rich Boy's "Get To Poppin Remix;" "Dammit Man Remix" featuring Lil Flip; and "Toma (the DJ Buddha Remix)" featuring Lil Jon, Mr. Vegas, Wayne Marshall, Red Rat, T.O.K., and Kardinal Offishall. In addition, there will be six collaborative recordings with artists including Elephant Man, Daddy Yankee and T.O.K., among others.

The bonus DVD component offers Pitbull's performances from the "2004 MTV Latin Video Music Awards," Sí TV's "The Drop", G4 TV's "Attack of the Show," "LATV Live" and his appearance at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2005 which aired on Fuse. The DVD also features Pitbull's videos for "Culo" and "Toma".

from monstersandcritics

Just as one-time colleague Paul Wall debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 with his latest album, 'The Peoples Champ,' Houston-based rapper Chamillionaire is plotting his own explosion into the mainstream. His Universal debut, 'The Sound of Revenge,' will arrive Oct. 25 and is led by the Scott Storch-produced single 'Turn It Up' featuring Lil` Flip.

After appearing on countless mix tapes and rising to prominence alongside Houston artists like Mike Jones and Slim Thug, Chamillionaire didn`t stray far from his roots while crafting 'The Sound of Revenge.' The set sports guest appearances from Bun B, Krayzie Bone, Killer Mike, Scarface and Lil Wayne, among others.

'Everybody is trying to make the same record like `In Da Club,`' he told Billboard.com last December, '[but] every artist who has blown up real big came with something that was new. Look at 50 Cent. He was a guy who had been shot in the mouth and had bullets in him. Even if I did work with a big producer, you try not to do the same kind of records as everybody else.'

Before signing with Universal, which also established the Chamillitary imprint for the artist, Chamillionaire says he 'got a lot of major offers, but they didn`t respect what I`d already been through.'

To make sure Chamillionaire`s underground fans aren`t left behind, 'The Sound of Revenge' will be available in a limited edition with four tracks from the sought-after 'Mixtape Messiah' mixtape.

Here is the track list for 'The Sound of Revenge':

'The Sound of Revenge Intro'

'In the Trunk'

'Turn It Up' featuring Lil` Flip

'Try and Catch Me' featuring Krayzie Bone

'No Snitchin`' featuring Bun B

'Southern Takeover' featuring Killer Mike and Pastor Troy

'Radio Interruption

'Frontin`'

'Grown and Sexy'

'Think I`m Crazy' featuring Natalie

'Rain' featuring Scarface

'Picture Perfect' featuring Bun B

'Fly As the Sky' featuring Lil` Wayne and Rasaq

'Peepin` Me'

'Void in My Life'

Outro

From MTV, still strangely attached the word "phat":

Slim Shady's Phattest, Brightest Compiled For Eminem Hits LP

He's sold more than 65 million albums worldwide, won Grammys and an Oscar, and has a string of chart-topping singles that stretches from Detroit to Dubai, but Eminem's never had a greatest-hits record. Until now.

On December 6, Em will release Curtain Call, which will also include "at least two all-new, previously unavailable, so-fresh-from-the-studio-we-aren't-even-giving-you-the-song-title songs," according to a brief (yet excellently hyphenated) statement released Monday (October 10) by Interscope.

Curtain Call culls all of Eminem's biggest hits, including "My Name Is," "The Way I Am," "Lose Yourself" and "Stan," plus some of the MC's favorite, lesser-known cuts. Em's been hard at work on the album since early summer, and he's said to be putting the final touches on it now.

And if anyone thinks the platinum-topped rapper is excited by the prospect of a greatest-hits album, well, then they probably don't know Eminem.

"I have some songs that a lot of people like," he said in the statement. "I have some songs that only I like. This album is obviously for the 'lot' of people."

The scoop on Lil Flip's new album from Billboard:

New Lil' Flip CD Coming at the End of December

Originally due Dec. 6, rapper Lil' Flip's sophomore Columbia/Sony Music Urban album, "I Need Mine," is now moved to Dec. 27. The set features contributions from Nate Dogg, Lyfe Jennings, Mannie Fresh and Scott Storch, among others.

Lead single "What It Do" featuring Mannie Fresh, is No. 79 in its second week on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Lil' Flip can also be heard guesting on Chamillionaire's "Turn It Up," which is No. 48 on the same tally.

"This CD is the best example of where I am right now," says Flip. "I've got records for the ladies. I've got street records. Club records. I'm really proud of the album because I'm bringing everything I've got and I guarantee that the fans won't be disappointed."

Vibe.com has the details on T-Pain's debut album:

T-Pain Gets Set to Make His Mark with "Rappa Ternt Sanga" Album

The rapper T-Pain was just a 19-year-old from Tallahassee, Florida when he was discovered by Akon who ultimately signed him to his imprint. “Felicia Fox [from 100.7 The Beat] was playing my song and it was close to being in power rotation” T-Pain said in a statement. “They were playing it so much it had gotten all the way up to Atlanta, and Akon’s brother heard it.”

“They felt he was doing a good thing for me but everybody was afraid that he signed me to get me out of the picture because I sounded like him. It was all kind of rumors," T-Pain said in a statement. "It took so long so I was like I don’t care no more, so I started listening to myself.”

T-Pain's debut, Rappa Ternt Sanga, will hit shelves on December 6

Finally Anthony Hamilton returns to save the day:

Anthony Hamilton Prepares Dec. 6th Release of "Ain't Nobody Worryin'" CD

Anthony Hamilton fans shouldn't be Worryin' anymore - the singer will release a new album on December 6.

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Comment Ain't Nobody Worryin' is the follow-up to 2003's Comin' From Where I'm From, and will feature production by Mark Batson, Raphael Saadiq, Ced Solo and Kelvin Wooten, among others, according to Billboard.com.

Tracks on the album include "Where Did It Go Wrong," "Sista Big Bones," "Never Love Again," "I Know What Love is All About," and "Preacher's Daughter.," which is "a 'wake up call' for a lot of preachers" who are so busy "being high and mighty that they sometimes forget their own households and what's going on with their own daughters right under their noses," Hamilton told Billboard.com.

Pharrell AKA Skateboard P is dropping the "In My Mind" album on December 6th.. The UK folks seem to like it:

Pharrell Williams, In My Mind CD

In the 13 years since Pharrell was discovered at a talent show by revered producer/singer Teddy Riley, he's become a hitmaker extraordinaire, creating, along with Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, hits for everyone from Ol' Dirty Bastard to Britney Spears, not to mention essentially inventing Justin Timberlake's career. Everything they touched turned to platinum, and in 2003 a survey revealed they had a hand in one in five of all songs played on British radio. They've also released two albums themselves as N*E*R*D, but this is Pharrell's debut solo effort. It doesn't disappoint. One half R&B, one half hip hop, this, he says, is the first full representation of the music 'in his mind'.
To us mere mortals, it's just mindblowing. Lead (hip hop) single 'Can I Have it Like That' featuring Gwen Stefani, is a grinding instant smash already shaking dancefloors; second (or lead R&B) single 'Angel' showcases his soaring, sexy falsetto over an infectious bouncy piano loop. The trademark stripped-down percussion-heavy production is finessed throughout, and only a guest appearance by pal Jamie Cullum sits a little oddly.

This is the sound of the bar being raised, again. Effortlessly.

Out this week:

Talib Kweli - Right About Now: The Official Suckafree CD

This is a mixtape from Talib Kweli but it will be officially released as an via Koch Records. Production will come from 88-Keys, Kareem Riggins, The Fire Dept, Charlemagne, Jay Dee, DJ Khalil, Keezo Kane and Needlz.

Tracklist
1. Right About Now
2. Drugs, Basketball & Rap (w/ Planet Asia & Phil The Agony)
3. Who Got It
4. Fly That Knot
5. Ms. Hill
6. Flash Gordon
7. Supreme Supreme (w/ Mos Def)
8. The Beast (w/ Papoose)
9. Roll Of Me
10. Rock On
11. Where Ya Gonna Run (w/ Jean Grae)
12. Two & Two

Jazze Pha and Cee-Lo Green have come together for a new album “Happy Hour,” and just released the title track as a single and video, which we will show you right now: