No not from the grave, Rodney ‘Darkchild‘ Jenkins has announced that he is working on producing the first of many MJ albums containing unreleased material. I love the idea of more music from the greatest artist ever but in my opinion this is purely a way for Sony Records to capitalize on his legacy and make money. I know DJB featured this in his Music Weekly post but I just had to give my take on it.

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Speaakz of Pinboard summed it up pretty well in his post – I totally agree with him on most of his points. I own most of Michael’s albums but I don’t think I’ll be buying this one just so Sony Records can make billions. His legacy shouldn’t be tarnished by an album that he has no hand mastering, his children don’t need the money as they are pretty much sorted financially for life.

Let the poor man rest and leave his legacy alone. Chamone!

Your favourite artist’s favourite artist.

We have quite a few series style posts here on Y&Y. We have Eargasms on a Wednesday, Throwback Thursdays on a Thursday (sometimes re-titled Flashback Fridays if we forget to post on a Thursday) and the LDN.365 posts everyday. I have taken it upon my self to produce a series of my own which will focus on music news that has surfaced during the week. Sundays is the designated day for this post so check here every Sunday for your weekly round up. I’ll start with Michael Jackson and a few other pieces of music news. Want to get clued up? Then read on (p.s expect a long post).

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Michael Jackson To Release New Album

So what I’m about to write will come as no shock to some of you and may cause mixed feelings amongst others but share with you I will. News has surfaced that a new Michael Jackson album is to see the light of day in November. The new release is said to feature 10 previously unreleased tracks which are being distributed via Sony Music as part of a 7 year deal worth $250 million dollars. Check what Jackson’s manager Frank DiLeo had to say about the project below:

“There are a couple of songs we recorded for the ‘Bad’ album that we had to cut that are just sensational,” DiLeo said.

“Every time that [Jackson] recorded, he over-recorded. He would record anywhere from 20 to 30 songs for each album,” former Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola told RS last year. Any of them could have been as big a hit as the ones that came out.” One of the most noteworthy tracks was a “Thriller” outtake titled “Don’t Be Messin’ Around.” Other candidates include any of the reported five songs that Jackson recorded with Will.i.am

Source

Is this a way to carry on his legacy or a money making scheme capitalising on his untimely death? Make of it what you will; I would love to hear your views.

New American Idol Judges

With Simon Cowell removing himself from his post as American idol judge the show was always going to search for a new judge. The transition faze was inevitable however reports suggest that Kara Dioguardi has been relieved of her duties in addition to the confirmation of quick stop judge Ellen DeGeneres departure. So that is three new judges that need to be found.

Now rumours has it that none of than (oooo look at that booty) Jennifer Lopez is being lined up to take her seat behind the judging panel joining the last remaining orginal line up of judges Randy Jackson. With all this line up change the Sugababes come to mind. Will JLo make a good judge or not and can Idol survive such drastic changes, what do you think?

Kelly Rowland Album Pushed Back Again

If ever I could wish for anything I think it would be that Kelly Rowland succeeds in the seemingly hard music industry. While I’ve been eagerly anticipating her new I can’t help but feel anxious for her. This not being helped by the news of push backs. Her as yet untitled third album was due to hit stores in September but that date got switched to the end of October, now news has surfaced that the album has been pushed back once again to November 2^nd.

Now although I may be growing increasingly impatient with the pending release of this album I actually think that it is a good idea to switch from an October 26^th release to a November 2^nd for two reasons. 1. The new release date sets the album up for the holiday sales boom which could and should help its chart performance. 2. Taylor Swift’s new LP is expected to drop on October 26^th and although I would buy a Kelly album over a Taylor one any day the same cannot be guaranteed when dealing with the US population. The Americans seem to love them some of miss Swift which wouldn’t bode well for Rowland.

I’ve stated many times before that the Commander Urban Mix featuring Nelly is my jam and that I personally think that it deserves single treatment and a video to boot. This I feel would serve as a great single to satisfy her core urban fans while the original can hit the spot with mainstream radio.

Jamelia Signs New Record Deal

It has been 3 long years since we’ve heard from our girl Jamelia but today I bring you some good news surrounding her music career. After parting ways with EMI in 2007 she has officially signed a new record contract with what is reported to be a major label. A deal that was sealed live via UStream so that fans could witness the confirmation (something which, even though I didn’t see it, I admire).

Work on her new album had long begun while she had been on hiatus however she had no means of distribution. Now that she has signed a new deal a new single and video is soon on the horizon.

In her management’s offices, Jamelia said it was a “very exciting day for me” and added that she “wanted to share it with my fans”.
The 29-year-old was emotional as she signed the deal in front of the management team and her two children. Who the deal is with remains unknown.

“Obviously this is really really exciting for me,” she said. “Let the games begin!”
Last month the singer confirmed that she would shoot a video for her new single as soon as the deal was signed.

Source

3 years is a long time especially in the music industry where time waits for no one. Jamelia had her musical lane kind of carved out and she was comfortable in the direction she was headed however time has past and other artists have staked their claim in what can be considered as an over populated market. Will she be able slot right back into her lane or will she struggle to make an impact this time round?

A new record deal, a new start and a new direction is what I suggest. Or possibly a return to her most successful and well received sound which came in the form of her number 2 hit single Thank You. Although I do like to see growth from an artist and never really like to see them stay within their comfort zone (like’ all my records sound the same’ The Dream) a return to a successful formula may not be such a bad thing. In any event I am rooting for Miss Jamelia. Go Girl!

With this next artist the name of this site could not be any more relevant. Yin & Yang the founders of this site have contrasting opinions on this man one believes the hype and the other is not interested in the hype which ever side you fall on depends whether or not you will have  an interest in what I’m about to say, but I’m going to say it anyway.

The release date for Songz’ 4^th studio album ‘Passion, Pain & Pleasure’ is drawing closer, September is not far away at all so I guess it is that time when we more and more news about the project is subject to release. This week saw the release of the tracklisting for the album and naturally I present the information to you.

‘Passion, Pain & Pleasure’ Tracklisting

1 Here We Go Again (Interlude)
2 Love Faces
3 Massage
4 Alone
5 Bottoms Up (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
6 Pain (Interlude)
7 Can’t Be Friends
8 Please Return My Call
9 Made To Be Together
10 Pleasure (Interlude)
11 Red Lipstick
12 Doorbell
13 Passion (Interlude)
14 Unfortunate
15 I Like Dat (Freak Freaky Dance)
16 Blind
17 You Just Need Me

It is interesting to see that the album only consist of one feature. This suggests that Trey is confident enough in his ability that he doesn’t need to have an army of guest features to help sell records.

If Bottoms Up is representative of the whole album then I suggest that the album be pushed back slightly to allow more recording time. Although the sound isn’t the worst song I have ever heard I have heard so much better from Trey himself and the only way forward is to better his previous efforts.

Many more news stories could have been posted this week but I didn’t want the post to be too long. But if you wish to have more news stories next week the please feel free to let me know. Your feed back is essential in the development of this site and your opinions will be taken into consideration. Should this be a regular feature on the site? Do you find it informative? What could be changed? Please drop your answers and any other comments in the comments box as it will be much appreciated. Check back next week Sunday for more music news.

This is beyond dope, all ya’ll Michael Jackson fans will appreciate this. I came across it randomly when I played  the video for ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ on youtube and this medley came up next on the playlist. It’s so well done, peep it after the cut. P.S. I’m really late with this video.

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Notice how everyone looks the same? Yeh they’re not identical octoplets but one guy. Genius idea. Chamone!

For those that don’t know tomorrow will mark one year since Michael‘s death. I still remember that night, I was drinking away at a friends house so I ignored my phone but later checked to find several calls and texts only to find about his death. I nearly broke into tears and I rarely cry unless it’s a family member passing away/Arsenal losing in the Champion‘s League final. The whole world was in mourning for weeks, do you think any other human being’s death will have that kind of impact? Madonna? Lady Gaga? ehh no. Greatest Ever.

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There’s clearly something wrong with you if you don’t like Michael’s music. He’s probably your favourite artist’s FAVOURITE artist.

I’ll start with ‘Gone Too Soon’. Michael performed this at Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration but the song was originally written in memory of Aids poster child Ryan White who died in 1990.

Next up, Yang‘s favourite song:

and mine, this song has been linked to the little MJ tribute bottom left-hand corner of the site since launch.

This performance gives goosebumps everytime I watch it. Simply amazing.

RIP.

Our Michael Jackson tribute continues this week, this time we’ve chosen Mj tunes that are not as popular as his big hits. We’ve chosen ‘Break of Dawn’ from his Invincible album and ‘This Time Round’ with Biggie off HIStory. Songs on the flipside.

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1. Michael Jackson – Break of Dawn

2. Michael Jackson – This Time Round (feat. Notorious B.I.G.)

It’s Throwback Thursday again, and we’re continuing our month long tribute in honour of The King Of Pop and his beyond amazing career. We love all MJ tunes but today we picked Lady In My Life and one of my all time favourites: Ghosts; the choreography in this video is amazing, I tried to master it as a child.. didn’t work though.

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It’s almost been an year since the King of Pop died so I’ve decided to dedicate all the Throwback Thursday post this month to MJ. Ya’ll should know by now me and Yang are huge fans of his music, just look yo at the bottom-left hand corner of the site to see our tribute. I don’t understand how anyone can hate his music to be honest and in my opinion his music actually united people. He has certainly left his mark in many hearts, after the cut for our 2 choices this week.

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I’ll start off with some of the early songs from Michael and his Jackson 5 click. CLASSICS!

1. Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There

2. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back

I’m writing this post on the way to work, my iPod died. My headphones are now ear muffs. I’ll kick start things this week with a song by Hip-hop duo, U-N-I and it features R&B singer, Miguel. You know what to do…

For those that don’t know, U-N-I is a hip hop duo from Inglewood, California consisting of Yonas ‘Y-O’ Michael and Yannick ‘Thurzday’ Koffi. More about them from their official site:

Born from the ashes of gangsta rap Los Angeles, California is experiencing an indie hip-hop resurgence. Inglewood rap duo U-N-I are the talk of the Internet and guiding hip-hop’s path in the city by juxtaposing music with customized fashion. The two MC’s have loaded up on accolades over the past 2 years– being named “Best Breakout LA Artist” at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, featured in URB Magazine’s “NEXT 1000,” XXL Magazine’s “New Kids in Town,” Billboard Magazine’s “Acts to Watch,” The Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype,” ending up on the “SoundBoard” of The Los Angeles Times and serving as the inaugural artists for Scheme Magazine’s Schemer series–on the strength of their observant, life-affirming rhymes that revolve around everything from limited-edition sneakers to cosmic existentialism and old-school video games to down-home musings on life, declaring their love for music while appreciating plus-size ladies and enjoying lap dances.

I recommend checking out their mixtape, Love Supreme.

U-N-I – Lately (feat. Miguel) – Link

Ahh this made me start listening to one of Miguel’s songs from a few years ago. Damn I used to rinse this song, I love how songs bring back memories.

Miguel – Sure Thing – Link

Chris Beat-her-down dropped that Valentine’s Mixtape last week and this is probably the best track off it. Here’s the full CDQ version without any stupid DJ Drama shouts. Yang‘s hair inspiration was Medusa for those that wondered.

Chris Brown – Medusa – Link

Next up, it’s been a whole 12 months since he dropped So Far Gone and I’m still not bored of it. Drake can definitely sell you a blank disc with the hype he’s created.

Drake – Here We Go Remix (feat. Twista) – Link

Dru Hill are apparently making a comeback! One does wonder if Sisqo’s Big Brother stint got them enough promo to spark a comeback but I won’t lie, I like this song. It’s smooth.

Dru Hill – Away – Link

Christina Milian’s otherhalf, The-Dream and one hit wonder J.Holiday both dropped their 1st singles from their upcoming projects. Both songs are decent, nothing too special. I’m sure I only like 2 songs by J.Holiday! Bed & Suffocate.

The-Dream – Love King – Link
J.Holiday – Pretty Body – Link

Round up of the rest -

Michael Jackson – For All Time (feat. Corey Latif Williams) – Link
Janet Jackson – HeartBeatLove (feat. Pitbull, Machel Montano, and Rock City) – Link
Shawn Desman – Shiver – Link
JLS – Mary – Link
Leona Lewis – Heartbeat – Link
Nina Sky – Be My Baby (The Ronettes Cover) – Link
City Haze – Lost In Tokyo – Link
Laws – We Like It – Link
Elektrik Red – On You – Link

No alternative ish this week! Sorry. I’ll leave you with UK artist’s latest single which is off the soundtrack for Mo Ali’s Shank. I’ve never been a big fan of UK music but I must say they’re definitely upping their game with Tinie Tempah set to blow up with his ‘Pass Out‘ single.

Till next week folks,

Yin.

Its so hard to narrow down the millions of tunes out there to your favorites, especially just ten! But my lecture is dry so I’m gonna do it anyways; the tunes I pick now are the ones that make me wanna drop a skank there and have major plays on my iTunes! Enjoy..

Notorious B.I.G- Hypnotised

Ice Cube- You Can Do It

Donell Jones- You know Whats Up

Michael Jackson Give In To Me

Montell Jordon- Get It On Tonight

LL Cool J- Doin It Well

Busta Rhymes & Janet Jackson- What’s It Gonna Be

Justin Timberlake- Seniorita

Snoop Dogg- Whats my name Part 2

Dawn Penn- No No No (You Don’t Love Me)

This is so dope, I’m lost for words. Michael Jackson‘s longtime choreographer Travis Payne and his team visited this maximum security prison in the Philippines. I’d be scared if I were them, never know what half these dudes went in for but all I know is they pulled it off amazingly. Together, impossible is nothing. I recommend you watch the whole thing, video after the cut.