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Grammys and platinum plaques haven’t made Kanye West lazy; in fact, he’s striving for more perfection. West, along with Jay-Z, premiered “Diamonds,” the first single from his upcoming “Late Registration” album, Wednesday on New York radio station Hot 97.
Jay told the station’s Angie Martinez that West mixed his record about 14 times before he felt comfortable enough to put out the album.
West said “Diamonds” was inspired by memories of Jay-Z’s 2001 Blueprint Lounge tour and recollections of being a part of the Roc-A-Fella movement. He also said he’s still friends with former Roc CEO Dame Dash, whom he references in the song: “You know the next question, ‘Yo, where’s Dame at?’/ This track’s the Indian dance to bring our reign back.”
“Late Registration” is due July 12, according to Kanye.
Excerpted from MTV.com
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Before “The Emancipation of Mimi” hit record stores last week, it had been three full years since Mariah Carey released new studio material. So it wasn’t unfair when several critics dubbed the vivacious pop diva’s latest a “comeback” album, one that – depending on its retail performance – could set the tone for the rest of Mariah’s career.
Well, how’s this for a comeback? First-week sales of almost 404,000 scored Carey not only the biggest debut of her 15-year career, but the coveted top spot on Billboard’s albums chart – unseating rapper 50 Cent as the top seller following “The Massacre’s” impressive six-week reign as retail champ.
According to SoundScan results, “The Emancipation of Mimi” shattered the star’s previous first-week sales record of 323,000 units, set back in 1999 with the debut of “Rainbow.” The album outperformed her most recent No. 1 showing, 1997′s “Butterfly,” by close to 170,000 scans. “Charmbracelet,” released in 2002, opened at No. 3 with sales of more than 241,000.
Although 50 Cent was forced to relinquish his Billboard throne, settling for the chart’s No. 3 slot, week seven wasn’t all that bad for “The Massacre.” A 15-percent sales dip notwithstanding, the rapper’s LP did manage to transcend the 3-million-sold milestone.
Excerpted from MTV.com
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After last year’s false start, Lollapalooza has stacked the deck for its return. Among the acts who will headline the now-sedentary two-day affair in Chicago on July 23 and 24 are Weezer, the Killers, the Pixies, a reunited Dinosaur Jr., Widespread Panic and Dashboard Confessional.
The show will take place at Hutchinson Field in Grant Park with around 30,000 fans expected each day. Also on board are former Chicagoan Liz Phair, the Dandy Warhols, Cake, The Arcade Fire, Billy Idol, Kaiser Chiefs, the reunited Digable Planets, Tegan and Sara, Kasabian, The Bravery, Louis XIV and the Walkmen.
The revival of Lollapalooza comes one year after the festival was canceled due to poor ticket sales for a bill that was to feature Morrissey, PJ Harvey, Modest Mouse, String Cheese Incident, the Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth. Its resurrection comes at a time when two-day “destination” festivals such as Bonnaroo and Coachella have become increasingly popular.
Excerpted from MTV.com
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American Head Charge guitarist Bryan Ottoson died Tuesday before the group’s performance in North Charleston, S.C.
According to a spokesperson, the guitarist was found dead in his bunk on the group’s tour bus. The cause of death is unknown, pending an autopsy.
The Minnesota-based group was in the midst of a North American tour with Mudvayne, Bloodsimple and Life of Agony. Its latest album, “The Feeding,” was released in March via Nirus/DRT and peaked at No. 11 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and No. 15 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.
Tuesday night’s show was postponed.
The Mudvayne tour is scheduled to continue tonight in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., but no announcement has been made about the show’s status. It is also unclear whether American Head Charge will rejoin the outing at some point.
Excerpted from CNN.com
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DMX was arrested following an accident on a Bronx expressway that injured three people, including two police officers, police said Monday.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was driving southbound Friday evening on the Major Deegan Expressway when his car struck a vehicle being driven by an unidentified woman, police said. Her car then hit an unmarked police cruiser carrying two officers.
The woman was taken to Lincoln Hospital with minor injuries, while the officers were taken to Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, also with minor injuries. All three were treated and released.
Simmons wasn’t injured.
Police said the 34-year-old rapper was given a desk appearance ticket and was expected to appear in court sometime next month. Simmons’ lawyer, Murray Richman, wasn’t available for comment, a woman who answered the phone at his office said Monday morning.
Excerpted from CNN.com
