Jay-Z Attends Nas's Life is Good Album Release

Last night, the stars came out in droves to support Nas's new album, Life is Good. My favorite track would have to be "Stay," a song that deals with, both, an awkward love affair and a relationship with a frenemy. Ironic, since former enemy Jay-Z was one of many big names who came to show support.

"At the same time, want you here to witness me while you in misery. We hate each other, but it's love, what a thug mystery."

Drake -- "Headlines" Video

Drake ~ Headlines (Official Video) from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.

This is by far one of the best shot videos I have seen in a VERY long time. I'm slightly speechless. That's how much I'm liking this.

The Throne & Their Tour

Jay-Z and Kanye West have officially announced not only the release date for their highly anticipated LP, but they have also stated that they will now be known as "The Throne," when referencing their collaborations.

My guess is that this prevents the discussion about "Should it be 'Kanye West & Jay-Z' or 'Jay-Z & Kanye West'?" The latter leaving Kanye feeling like he's getting "little brothered", while the former makes Jay seem like a washed-up has been.

This is  a similar move to Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Lupe Fiasco being known as  "Child Rebel Soldier." Or Eminem and Royce da 5'9" as "Bad Meets Evil." Or everyone who is a member of "All City Chess Club."

Regardless of how unoriginal the idea or uncreative the name may be, The Throne is going on tour and I will certainly do everything in my power to go see them. The tickets go on presale on July 28 and regular public sale on August 8. Unfortunately, there have not been many specifications as to what qualifies you for presale, other than a special date for Citi cardholders.

Anyhow, see the dates below and be sure to get yours as soon as possible...

Tour Dates
Oct. 28 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Oct. 29 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Oct. 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Nov. 1 – Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
Nov. 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Nov. 3 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
Nov. 5 – East Rutherford, NJ – IZOD Center
Nov. 6 – East Rutherford, NJ – IZOD Center
Nov. 7 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Nov. 8 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Nov. 14 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – BankAtlantic Center
Nov. 15 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena
Nov. 18 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov. 19 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
Nov. 21 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Nov. 22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Nov. 23 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Nov. 24 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Nov. 26 – Detroit, MI – Palace of Auburn Hills
Nov. 27 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
Nov. 29 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
Nov. 30 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Dec. 1 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Dec. 3 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
Dec. 5 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Dec. 6 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Dec. 9 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
Dec. 10 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
Dec. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Dec. 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Dec. 16 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
Dec. 17 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Dec. 18 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Scratch That...

Source: Life and Times

Looks like we will be waiting an extra week in order to get Watch The Throne. The official release date has been changed to August 8, for the digital version, and August 12, for the hard copy of the disc. This is according to iTunes, TopSpin, and several other music sources.

It seems the tracklisting has changed as well, but it still comes from the same pool of songs. "That's My B**ch"  has been traded for "Primetime", changing "Primetime" to a bonus track and "That's My B**ch" to a standard. "Who Gon Stop Me," "Welcome to the Jungle," and "Murder to Excellence" have been rearranged. Finally, the Frank Ocean assisted, "Sweet Baby Jesus", has either been renamed "Made in America" or exchanged for another Ocean collaboration with the duo.

Let's see how this goes...

Jay-Z, Kanye West -- "Otis"

So, there has been some more progress on the Watch The Throne front. Not only did an official release date become available, but Jay-Z's Life + Times website posted the Otis Redding sampled track "Otis."

Both Jay and Kanye brag about their abilities in the game and the priviledged life that accompanies it. Jay saying that he created swag and he's too fly for jail. Kanye comes in after his big brother to remind the world that it's impossible for him to be sent to hell for his sins since he created "Jesus Walks." The sample gets a little screechy, but overall it's a solid track.

Check It Out -- "Otis"
Otis feat. Otis Redding

"Damn Yeezy and Hov! Where the hell you been?! ... They say I'm crazy; well I'm 'bout to go dumb again."

I'm more than ready for the album to drop. The digital version comes out on August 1st, 2011 and the physical disc will be available in stores on August 5th, 2011.
Have you pre-ordered your copy yet?

Jay-Z, Kanye West -- Watch The Throne

Cover Art, Tracklisting, and Pre-Order Link.


Official Tracklisting
Regular Album
1. No Church in The Wild (Feat. Frank Ocean)
2. Lift Off (Feat. Beyoncé)
3. Niggas in Paris
4. Otis (Feat. Otis Redding)
5. Gotta Have It
6. New Day
7. Prime Time
8. Who Gon Stop Me
9. Murder to Excellence
10. Welcome to The Jungle
11. Sweet Baby Jesus (Feat. Frank Ocean)
12. Why I Love You (Feat. Mr Hudson)

Deluxe Version Bonus Tracks
13. Illest Motherfucker Alive
14. H*A*M
15. That’s My Bitch
16. The Joy (Feat. Curtis Mayfield)

It Ain't Safe In The City. Watch The Throne!!!

Still Waiting... Soon to be Watching.

End of Summer 2010 - Jay-Z and Kanye do a series of collaborations for Mr. West's G.O.O.D. Friday music series.
Mid Fall 2010 - We got official confirmation of the Watch The Throne collaboration.
Jan. 11, 2011 - We received H*A*M. There's hope!
Mar. 8, 2011 - Possible release came and went.
Mid March - Possible release came and went.

... Months past and H*A*M has nearly been forgotten...

Jun. 5, 2011 - Possible tracklist leaks. May be this will happen afterall?!
Early July - Preorder available on Watch The Throne website.
Jul. 4, 2011 - Possible release came and went.
Jul. 5, 2011 - Possible single to be released in mid July.
Jul. 11, 2011 - Possible release came and went.

...And now mid-July is here.

The most elusive album of the year, Watch the Throne, still has yet to be given an official release date. It's been almost a year in the making. Now, with the pre-orders available, it's finally looking like the album may come to fruition. I will admit my faith waivered in Watch the Throne's existence, but I'm happier than ever to say I have pre-ordered it. Hopefully the August 2nd, 2011 rumors are true. Otherwise they just got me and my money...

Finally Famous Over Everything

Although Big Sean had been on the scene since 2007, dropping his own Finally Famous mixtape series and being featured on others' singles, he had yet to deliver his own debut studio album. Until June 28th, when the ten month wait came to an end. At the stroke of midnight, Finally Famous, The Album was released and began it's unexpected creep up the charts.

The album peaked at #2 on the overall iTunes Album chart, just below Beyoncé's 4, an enviable accomplishment for the relative newcomer. As for the coveted Billboard charts, the album shot to #3 and has been holding it's own still ranked within the Top 10.

I was surprised as a listener that I really enjoyed the album from beginning to end. Big Sean also proves he has decent range in subject matter from the party song "Dance (A$$)," to the light hearted "Live This Life" feat. The-Dream and "Get It (DT)" feat. Pharrell, to the smoker's anthem "High" feat. Wiz Khalifa and Chiddy Bang and on the deeper tracks like the album's intro and "Memories, Pt. 2" feat. John Legend, a re-worked version of the mixtape cut.

Big Sean pays the appropriate homage to his mentor Kanye West, not only by having him featured on the next single, "Marvin & Chardonnay" along with Roscoe Dash, but with one of the tracks on the album's deluxe edition. The song "So Much More" follows a similar formula to Mr. West's "Last Call" detailing the struggle that he endured in order to "make it" today.

Ultimately, Big Sean has made his dreams come true thus far, and he will only get bigger. I wish him amazing success and I hope you support him and the album as well. Whether its iTunes, Amazon, or an actual store, go buy the album! "Boi!! I Do It!"

Mac Miller -- On and On and Beyond

Yes, yes y'all and it don't stop! Mac Miller has put out his second installment of music within two weeks. There is no denying this kid is working hard. Finally, the buzz he's getting is matching the level of work he continuously puts in. Soon, we'll all know his name!

Unfortunately, there are only two new songs on the six song EP, On and On and Beyond. "Put It On" and "On and On" are still great additions to his catalog of music, though. On and On and Beyond boasts several of my favorite older Mac Miller songs, particularly "Live Free" and "Another Night." Recently, "In the Air", also featured on the EP, made a great impression on the Best Day Ever mixtape Those songs have some of THE highest play counts in my iTunes and I'm very proud to say so.

Miller described the EP on his twitter (@MacMiller) as "more for people who haven't heard anything from me, and any fans out there that wanna support." This is definitely a fitting introduction to the Pittsburgh rapper. If you're a fan make sure to purchase it on iTunes. If you aren't a fan just remember fun is for everyone, and you're missing some serious fun. "Thumbs Up!"

Tracklist:
1. Put It On
2. Live Free
3. On and On
4. Life Ain't Easy
5. In the Air
6. Another Night

Download Mac Miller's On and On and Beyond

Mac Miller -- Best Day Ever

Fresh off of being a part of XXL's 2011 Freshman Class, Mac Miller has released the mixtape/free album entitled Best Day Ever. All original tracks, all very worthy of multiple listens. I was a fan of it from the jump.

Best Day Ever starts off with the reflective title track and goes into a couple songs which are catchy themselves, but definitely not the shining stars on the mixtape. I love the fact that he did two version of the title track. One starting the album off; the other ending it. The first melody reminds you of a music box with a synth rap twist, whereas the second version is more percussion driven. After the mother honoring "I'll Be There," the music is solid gold.

He includes production from ID Labs, Chuck Inglish, a couple randoms, and a surprising Just Blaze (for the song "All Around the World"). In typical Mac Miller fashion the features are almost nonexistent. The only guest appearances made are by singer Phonte and Miller's Pittsburgh kin, Wiz Khalifa. My personal favorites are "In The Air," "Life Ain't Easy," and possibly the best song: "Snooze."

I hope he does some more music videos to accompany the songs. I'm sure the visuals would be crazy. But that's just my opinion. Check it out for yourself!

Download Mac Miller's Best Day Ever.