By Niy Birden

It has been 3 years since Shakira’s last album. Since then, she has collaborated with fellow mega-superstar Rihanna, stood powerfully like the Latin goddess she is while her wedding dress was on fire, and given birth to her second baby. While her last album was a rock, country, reggae, pop and slightly-latin combination of tracks, her new album El Dorado reminds us yet again that she is undeniably, a Latin artist-a dance one at that.

Caribbean drums and electric rhythms set the entire tone of El Dorado. It starts off with the muffled, electric guitar riffs of “Me Enamoré”, which as described by Shakira “This song narrates a moment in my life when I was so in love that I was literally climbing trees”, referring to her current partner Gerard Pique. Another noticeable detail in the song is the use of 808 kits, also known as “Dirty
South” beats or “Trap” beats.

But this isn’t a new thing for Shaki. Shakira has always incorporated modern hip hop styles into her music, which can be seen from her 2009 album, She Wolf, more specifically in the song “Give It Up To Me”, which features prominent hip hop artists Lil’ Wayne and Timbaland.

El Dorado proceeds on with “Nada”, a rock ballad with such strong piano playing that youcan almost imagine her playing it to her usual thousands of fans. The album then hits an interesting point with “Chantaje”, her first collab of the album with fellow Columbian artist Maluma, which makes it her first collaboration-ever with another Columbian musician.
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By: Melgie Claire

In spite of the fights in court that are shielding Lil Wayne from discharging his profoundly expected collection “Tha Carter V”, Lil Wayne is spreading the affection in the place where he grew up in New Orleans by reporting his third yearly “Lil Weezyana Fest” that will be occurring at Champions Square’s Bold Sphere Music in New Orleans (where his vocation begun as a Cash Money Billionaire) Louisiana on Friday, August 25th at 7:00 PM. “New Orleans I love you and Thank You,” he tweeted. “Let us celebrate once again!! #YOUNGMONEY.”

Nobody has been reported starting at right now, however in the event that there’s anything we’ve generally expected, it’s that Wayne will give us a portion of the best New Orleans and the South all in all brings to the table.

Wayne is relied upon to feature the occasion and unique guests will be reported at a later date. It is being supported by Morris Bart. The two past Champions Square shows have included starry gatherings of Crescent City-conceived Lil Wayne’s melodic colleagues and partners. The principal Lil Weezyana Fest in 2015 featured Master P, Drake, a Hot Boys reunion, Ms Tee, Mia X, DJ Jubilee, Big Freedia, and Fifth Ward Weebie.
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By Armando

One of the most anticipated films of the summer is an action musical in the form of Edgar Wright’s ‘Baby Driver’. Based on the film’s premise and pre-release hype, it seems that the soundtrack is integral to the plot of the film. So it’s only fitting that expectations for film’s soundtrack are sky-high.

In fact, many film critics who have already seen the movie last March at SXSW are raving about the film’s music, including a recent HR’s review which calls the film a “movie-as-mixtape with few slots available for catch-your-breath downtempo track.. a Gone in 60 Seconds for the La La Land crowd“.

Packed with big name artists that span generations, the soundtrack album is set for release on Jun 23, 2017 via Columbia Records imprint, 30th Century Records.

Some of the awesome tracks have already been featured on the trailers, from the first trailer’s ‘Nowhere To Run’ (Martha and the Vandella), and then later to ‘Tequila’ (The Button Down Brass), and ‘Radar Love‘ (Golden Earring). Now with the full soundtrack revealed, we not only see that some of the greats are contributing their classics including Queen, The Beach Boys, and Simon and Garfunkel, but there is also an original track by Danger Mouse, “Chase Me”.

The film follows Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young, talented getaway driver who “relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game.” But things went awry when he was forced to work for a mysterious crime boss (Kevin Spacey). ‘Baby’ is scheduled for release on June 28, 2017.

You can check out a portion of the track list below.

1. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – ‘Bellbottoms’
2. Bob & Earl – ‘Harlem Shuffle’
3. Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers – ‘Egyptian Reggae’
4. Googie Rene – ‘Smokey Joe’s La La’
5. The Beach Boys – ‘Let’s Go Away For Awhile’
6. Carla Thomas – ‘B-A-B-Y’
7. Kashmere Stage Band – ‘Kashmere’
8. Dave Brubeck – ‘Unsquare Dance’
9. The Damned – ‘Neat Neat Neat’
10. The Commodores – ‘Easy (Single Version)’

To see the full list, go to NME.com

Lorde: Perfect Places Review
by Niy Birden

For the past few months, New Zealand-bread crooner Lorde has been blessing us with single after single from her new soon-to-be-released sophomore album, Melodrama. It comes after nearly 4 years since her debut, Pure Heroine, in which we got to have a dark, gloomy and refreshingly mysterious introduction to the teen with the millennial world in her pocket. And now she is back to remind us that she can still knock out a few hits or two, whilst still somehow being able to get away with her normal teenage rampage.

While her prior singles “Green Light” is her aggressive take on her “first major heartbreak” and “Liability” is on the take of yet another failed relationship, Perfect Places seems to give us more insight into what goes on in this mysterious heroine’s mind.

The song starts off with her two voices layered on top of each other, almost as close to each other as the teens who dance and grind together at parties that she regularly complains about in her songs, so much that you would actually question for a moment if you were just losing your mind rather than hearing two voices singing a normal melody. The lower voice is soft and brooding, the kind of voice you would hear in some kind of art film in which the main character starts going mentally insane, but in the best way that wouldn’t harm them.
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By Jessica Sommerfield

American pop star Ariana Grande is set to return to Manchester for a performance meant to raise funds for the victims of a deadly bombing that occurred after her 22nd May 2017 show in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The show that has been scheduled to happen on Sunday, 4th June 2017 will be graced by big names in the entertainment industry like Justin Beiber, Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Niall Horan and Katy Perry.

According to the ‘Side To Side’ hit maker’s post on Twitter, the proceeds from the show will be directed to an emergency fund that has been set up by the British Red Cross and the city of Manchester to assist the affected families.

On a Monday of 22nd May 2017, a suicide bombing happened at Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom following a performance by Ariana Grande the previous day. According to the Greater Manchester police, the attacker was later identified as a 22-year old Salman Ramadan Abedi, a Muslim with a British origin. Police reported that Abedi detonated an improvised explosive device just at the arena’s exit after the event.
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By: Melgie Claire

Nas and Lauryn Hill declared a joint tour on Tuesday scheduled for this fall. The tour commences September 7th in Chicago, jumbling the nation before wrapping up in Vancouver on October 11th. Roots reggae artist Chronixx will fill in as the opener for 11 shows, with comedian Hannibal Buress warming up the crowd at the other six shows. The declaration comes after Nas as of late celebrated the Fugees front woman’s birthday together a week ago (May 26). “Singing Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder flair to my spirit sister Ms. Lauryn Hill blessings and endowments love. Free the Big Bro Lord,” Nas subtitled his post.

Nas and Hill broadly teamed up on the hit “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” in 1996. They likewise set out on a comparative tour together in 2012, playing 10 dates after Nas discharged his “Life Is Good” collection. “This is history,” the rapper said in regards to the joint tour in an announcement at the time. “Better late than never. Life is good!”

Nas has not released another album since that year. Be that as it may, he’s been productive over the most recent 15 years contrasted with Hill, who has not put out an LP since her MTV Unplugged recording in 2002. Most as of late, Nas contributed raps to Baz Luhrmann’s simply crossed out Netflix arrangement “The Get Down”.
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By: Melgie Claire

A&E is set to re-launch its Biography arrangement this mid-year with biographies about The Notorious B.I.G. including, Tupac.

A two-section biography, Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G. incorporates at no other time heard recordings by Biggie and also talks about meetings with his mom Voletta Wallace and his widow Faith Evans, partners Nas, Diddy, and Jay-Z, alongside Lil Cease and individuals from the Junior M.A.F.I.A. The doc additionally shares already discreet document footage of Biggie.

A&E arrangements to take after The Notorious B.I.G. film with a six-section series about the passing of Tupac, called Who Killed Tupac? It includes the commitments of civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, whose mother went to secondary school with Tupac’s late mother, Afeni Shakur. Official Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E Network, Elaine Frontain Bryant, disclosed the system’s choice to spotlight the killed rappers by means of a public statement. The documentaries are a piece of a bigger A&E activity to convey rappers to its Biography arrangement, with future shows on Grandmaster Flash, Kanye West, and Chance the Rapper also prearranged.

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By: Melgie Claire

The BET Awards, which will be held for this present year June 25 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, discharged the designations Monday (May 15). Maybe one of the greatest storylines of the night will be the Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma quarrel.

In spite of the fact that Remy Ma as of late guaranteed that the “dust has settled,” she will go up against the authoritative champion for the title of Best Female Hip Hop Artist. Nicki Minaj has won the honor each year since 2010. Prior to her run, the Terror Squad vet did make a case for the title. Other ladies incorporated into the class this year are Missy Elliott, Young M.A, and Cardi B.

Beyoncé drives all chosen people with seven gestures. Queen Bey is up for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and twice for Best Collaboration with Kendrick Lamar for “Freedom” and DJ Khaled’s “Shinning” with her better half Jay Z. She’s likewise designated for Video of the Year for “Sorry,” which gave her a gesture for Video Director of the Year close by Kahlil Joseph. Her widely praised LEMONADE collection is up for Album of the Year.

Chance The Rapper is up for four honors, including Album of the Year for “Coloring Book”, and Best New Artist where he’ll go up against Cardi B, Young M.A, Khalid, and 21 Savage.
Migos gets, that is correct, a trio of selections. Quavo, Takeoff and Offset are up for Best Group and their raving success “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert is in the running for Best Collaboration and Video of the Year.

List of the nominees are as follow >>:
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