Eminem’s Shady Records mourns the loss of one of its pioneering artists this week. Curtis Jackson, more famously known as 50 Cent, has announced his departure from Shady, as well as Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment in order to join Capitol Records’ independent Caroline label. 50 Cent and his G-Unit imprint’s departure comes…
As part of this month’s ongoing celebration of the life of Detroit producer James “J Dilla” Yancey, Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest has released a visual accompaniment to his DJ Rasta Root-produced track “#dear Dilla.” The track is expected to be included on Phife’s upcoming solo-album MUTTYMorphosis, but has been released early…
Detroit emcee and producer-extraordinaire Doctor Illingsworth has released an unexpected Street Fighter-inspired, 12-track instrumental album titled, It Was Tuesday. The opening track, “Shields” (It Was Tuesday),” kicks off the collection with an obscure quote from 1994’s Street Fighter (motion picture) featuring Raúl Juliá as the unforgiving dictator General M. Bison. Illingsworth transforms the quote into a self-proclaiming…
Detroit’s own hip hop firestorm Danny Brown has officially announced tour dates in correlation with his October release Old. Surprisingly, the six-month tour does not include Brown’s hometown of Detroit, but rather Michigan’s state capitol – Lansing (The Loft). Danny Brown’s Old tour will also include European and Canadian stops. See all tour…
Friday evening marked the third annual Dilla Day Detroit: a concert event in honor of the late Detroit-native hip hop producer James “J Dilla” Yancey. J Dilla, an avid record collector, multi-talented musician, emcee and hip hop producer, was born February 7, 1974, in Detroit, to a former opera-singer mother and jazz-musician…
In honor of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)’s Winter 2014 opening exhibit on Friday (2/7), two of Detroit’s most interesting acts will be brought together for a celebration of Detroit music and art culture. Jamaican Queens, Detroit’s highly-acclaimed dark-pop trio, and CoOwnaz-affiliate emcee Doc Waffles will grace the MOCAD with the…
It’s no secret that Detroit hip-hop artist Danny Brown is a sucker for fashion. (Look at his hair.) Brown’s punk rock-inspired image has encouraged hip hop fans to stray from cultural norms, such as: baggy pants, Cartier glasses and Jordan-brand sneakers. The in-your-face nature of Brown’s musical content and live performances are depicted…
As part of an experimental new project, Producer Amerigo Gazaway has combined the sounds of emcee Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and the Motor City’s late soul-godfather Marvin Gaye. The concept album, titled Yasiin Gaye, features deconstructed samples of Gaye’s Motown classics rearranged as new compositions. These reconstructed favorites serve as a platform for…
Detroit rap superstar Big Sean has released a new freestyle track along with corresponding visuals titled “1st Quarter Freestyle.” Produced by Detroit’s own Key Wane (also produced: Drake’s “All Me,” Meek Mill’s “Amen” and Big Sean’s “Guap” and “Beware”) and Travis $cott, the freestyle-track’s haunting beat incorporates a sharply-struck church bell and electronic choir harmonics. The minimalist…
CBS Radio has announced the debut of Detroit’s Boulevard: an online radio program which plays only Detroit artists. Powered by WOMC-HD3’s online platform, the streaming program looks to showcase a mix of classic Detroit artists, as well as new music made in the Motor City. Boulevard’s website promises the sounds of artists such as: Mayor Hawthorne, Dale…