Posthumous Michael Jackson album 'Xscape' coming in May

So remember when I relayed some information back in September about Timbaland getting the go ahead from L.A. Reid to produce a posthumous Michael Jackson album? Well here it comes.

Epic Records announced May 13 will be the release date for Xscape, an album of eight previously recorded songs selected by L.A. Reid to be "contemporized" by an acclaimed production panel, including Timbaland. The album title comes from a song written and produced by Michael Jackson and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. "Xscape" will reportedly be the only song to be "contemporized" by Jerkins, who originally recorded the record in the studio with Michael. 



Giving someone like Timbaland full reign over unreleased Mike vocals and arrangements is extremely dangerous because of the timelessness. If you need any help believing just hit the jump and peep the snippet that leaked a couple of months ago from "Slave To The Rhythm", said to be featured on Xscape:



- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Juicy J & Project Pat - #NeverSobertour in NYC [VIDEOS + REVIEW]

Every event has it's own theme, and this one was pretty simple: party has hard as you need to.

Juicy J and Project Pat made their stop on the Never Sober Tour at Irving Plaza in New York City on Wednesday night, calling together an adamant, widespread fan base that doesn't mind turning up on a week night. Without my photographer/videographer, I arrived about a half hour after the doors opened, early enough to make customary rounds of interaction with my fellow audience members. In my section was about seven white guys, (one of which was from Memphis and had never seen Juicy J live before, the other six in casual business attire) a 19-year-old kid who forgot his fake, and several girls. Word got around that Travis Scott would not be opening as previously scheduled, which seemed to be a general let down, especially for yours truly. Hit the jump for my candid timeline of the Never Sober Tour in New York on Monday night, which included free sneaker giveaways, girls twerking on stage, (two) fans passing out, mosh pit shoving contests, Juicy sharing champagne with the audience, and much more.

The night started with a set from Vinny Cha$e and friends, all of whom were loaded with their own reefer ammunition, adding to an already fumed atmosphere. Most notable was their set for Cha$e's "Biggie & Jordans", which was on his Golden Army mixtape from 2012.

                                  

Next up was Project Pat, who kicked off his set with one of his Memphis anthems, "North North", which was featured on his Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin' mixtape all the way back in 2001.

                                  

Juicy J hit the stage around 10:30 and kicked off with the first cut on his Stay Trippy album, "Stop It":

                                  

Change of scenery for "All I Blow is Loud":

                                           

Thumbing through "So Much Money":

                                         

I think the consensus would be that this was the most anticipated segment of Juicy's set, going Three 6 Mafia and directing us as the choir singing "Stay Fly", followed by his verse a cappella and a segue into the hysteric, indisputable "Slob on my Knob":

                                          

Okay, an argument could be made for "A Zip And A Double Cup" too:

        

Or, obviously, "Bandz A Make Her Dance":

                                         

Finally, Juicy takes an intermission to quench the thirst of a fan in the front row, with champagne: 

                             

Other key highlights from Monday night were the sneaker giveaways: both Project Pat and Juicy J threw out shoeboxes of new Jordan sneakers into the crowd. Juicy eventually threw in a pair of Yeezy's as well. Sometimes finding a good party can be difficult. Look no further than the Never Sober Tour. 

Grade: B-

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

[NEW MUSIC] Frank Ocean, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, & Diplo - "Hero"

Thanks to Converse's "Three Artists, One Song" series, which delivered a collaboration of Andre 3000, Gorillaz, and James Murphy last year, we have some new Frank Ocean. Here he joins up with The Clash's Mick Jones and Paul Simonon, still soulful and abstract as ever, but masterfully blended with the punk-ish influences of his English collaborators. Hit the jump for a listen.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

[NEW MUSIC] Marsha Ambrosius - 'FVCK&LOVE' EP

Reportedly preluding her Friends & Lovers album due later this year, Marsha Ambrosius drops this six-track EP of sensual texture and concept. Ambrosius herself is credited on production on the "Seduction Interlude" and "Take It", plus contributions from Da Internz, Eric Hudson, and Stacey Barthe. Hit the jump for a listen with the option to download, which I would recommend.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly) 

Schoolboy Q performs "Gangsta" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

Watch Schoolboy tear down the opening cut on Oxymoron after the jump.

Schoolboy Q performs "Break The Bank" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

This record has turned into one of the true anthems on Oxymoron, much due to one of Schoolboy's many effective hook schemes. I think every element of this song is terrific, but especially the sample interjections that work so well in the background of such an aggressive concept. Watch Schoolboy's performance of "Break The Bank" at the Best Buy Theater after the jump.

- Martin S (@marley_mcfly)

Isaiah Rashad - "Heavenly Father", "Shot You Down" on the #OXYMORONTOUR in NYC [VIDEO]

Photo Cred: Kevin Wanjau

The second opening act on the Oxymoron Tour in New York on Monday night was TDE's rising star Isaiah Rashad, who just released an extremely thorough Cilvia Demo in January. Among several cuts he performed from the tape, hit the jump to see Rashad present two of my favorites from his project. 

"Heavenly Father" Pt. 1

"Heavenly Father" Pt. 2

"Shot You Down" Pt. 1

                                          

"Shot You Down" Pt. 2

- Martin S. (@marley_mcfly)

[LISTEN] JoJo - #LoveJo EP

Just caught wind of JoJo's four-track Valentine's Day EP. I've always enjoyed the purity and range of the 23-year-old's voice, and even in just four songs she puts it on full display. Reportedly working on her first album in eight years for Atlantic, she strings together exquisite, soulful covers of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" and Phil Collins' "Take Me Home". My personal favorite, "Glory", is inspired by opera singer Kathleen Battle.

Check out all four songs from JoJo's new EP below.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

[LISTEN + DOWNLOAD] Theopilus London - 'Lovers Holiday II' (EP)

Cosmopolitan rapper, singer, and producer Theopilus London drops out the sequel to his 2011 Lovers Holiday EP just before Valentine's Day. The concise, six-track EP has dreamy sounds and more of London's experimental textures, with features like Martin Dupont, Blood Orange, and even Kanye West, who apparently arranged "Do Girls". You can check out half of the EP below, and if you'd like, download the full Lovers Holiday II project here.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

[NEW MUSIC] Common feat. Ab-Soul - "Made In Black America"

Just leaked from Common's forthcoming album Nobody's Smiling is a collab with none other than the black lip pastor. Leakers tags for now, but enjoy the wordplay from both emcees and production from No I.D., who is producing Common's entire album. Hit the jump and check out some deliberate lyricism.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)


Common - Made In Black America (Prod. No I.D.)

[LISTEN] Willie the Kid - 'The Living Daylights' (ALBUM)

I've been listening to more of Willie the Kid as of last year. We put his Aquamarine project up for honorable mention on our top hip-hop projects list of 2013. I've also since taken a strong liking to his Masterpiece Theatre EP with Alchemist. The Living Daylights, of course inspired by the chapter in the James Bond series, embodies more of Willie's theatrical tones and slick raps. Take a run through listen of the 13-track album below via Audiomack. 

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

Happy 40th Birthday, J. Dilla

I know we're a day late but Happy Birthday to Dilla the god. As inspiring and brilliant today as he was when he was with us.


-L.Reels @L_Reels919

[NEW MUSIC] Future feat. Pharrell, Pusha T, Casino - Move That Dope (AUDIO)

 -L.Reels @L_Reels919

[ON NOTICE] Mick Jenkins - 'Trees & Truths' (MIXTAPE)

The city of Chicago continues to produce an array of styles and talents, but this one had me pleasantly surprised. Jenkins plays on biblical motifs with the theme of his Trees & Truths project, which dropped early last year but just reached my ears two weeks ago. From the artwork to the Adam and Eve rendition on "The Knowledge of Good and Evil" you acquire the context of Jenkins' prescribed motif. This isn't Christian rap, but at some level, it might be considered empowerment rap. Mellow, jazzy textures supplement Jenkins' alto flow and thorough narrations. With Trees & Truths comes a sense of soothing sincerity, sit-back-and-relax-raps, and an admired consistency in theme and approach. Check out the project with the option for download below.

- Martin (@marley_mcfly)

[WATCH] Childish Gambino covers "I'd Die Without You"

It's no secret how much we enjoy Donald Glover's work. We'll be in Philly next month when he makes his stop on the Deep Web Tour. Check out Gambino doing a live cover of P.M. Dawn's 1992 song "I'd Die Without You" at a recent visit to BBC Live Lounge. I thought he showed just how vocally gifted he is on his December album Because The Internet, and he's on the same wavelength here. Check out his resonant performance below.

Martin (@marley_mcfly)

                 

Childish Gambino's Because The Internet was ranked #13 on our top 20 hip-hop projects of 2013

J. Cole - 'Revenge of the Dreamers' [MIXTAPE]

After announcing a new label deal between his Dreamville imprint and Interscope Record, J. Cole released this brand new 11-track mixtape via Twitter. Contributions include Cole and his label peers Bas, Omen, KQuick, and the original version of "Crooked Smile". Check it out with the option of downloading the tape below.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle performs "Keys 2 The City", "7 Days A Week" in NYC

One of the highlights of last night came when Nipsey took it back to his acclaimed 2010 project The Marathon. Below you'll find his second verse on "Keys 2 The City" spit a cappella, plus the highly recognizable "7 Days A Week", which was one of my first real favorite Nipsey songs. Hit the jump and check them out, and do your homework on The Marathon series. You're welcome.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle performs "Checc Me Out" in NYC

Watch Nipsey perform one of the anthems from Crenshaw alongside comrade and feature Cobby Supreme, without fellow LA native and hook collaborator Dom Kennedy.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

#CrenshawTour - Nipsey Hussle comes out to "All Get Right" in NYC

Nipsey Hussle appeased his east coast following last night at the Highline Ballroom in New York on his Crenshaw Tour. After stalling the crowd with some Jay Z and Immortal Technique, it was the theatrical precursor of Nipsey talking about his hometown of Crenshaw and Slauson over candid visuals of his neck of Los Angles. Hit the jump and check out the transition into his opening for "All Get Right", the terrifically sampled O'Jays cut from Nipsey's Crenshaw tape. More to come from last night's Crenshaw Tour.

- Martin @marley_mcfly

[VIDEO] 2013 Hip-hop, R&B Lists

 Breaking down our 2013 hip-hop and R&B year-end lists.