Waka Waka - This Time For Africa 2010 World Cup Official Song

Shakira and South Africa's Freshlyground teamed up to make an incredible song infused with afro-Colombian rhythm, soca and overall African sound. Waka Waka - This Time For Africa delivers the energy and excitement that will ensue the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa. The video features some emotional and incredible moments in football - World Cup history.

Nneka - Amazing Artist from Nigeria

I had the great opportunity of seeing Nneka at Joe's Pub a couple of weeks ago (yeah, I know I'm late) and she was phenomenal. Half Nigerian and half German, the girl has soul and heart and depth. Real music. Nneka's EP, The Uncomfortable Truth is available now courtesy of Decon Records. Nneka pours out some actionable words and verbs that really get you thinking and truly move you. "The Uncomfortable Truth," "Hearbeat," "Africans" all really powerful songs with great sounds, reggae, hip hop and soul infused. Get a taste of the performance I witnessed at Joe's Pub below.

Melanie Fiona - "It Kills Me" Video

I absolutely love this song and the video really captures the dramatics and depth of the record. Check it out. Melanie Fiona is the issh for real!

Maxwell Performs "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) at MSG

Here's the video post I promised to give you a taste of the Maxwell experience at MSG Monday.

Maxwell at Madison Square Garden

I was fortunate enough to witness Maxwell's first time performing at Madison Square Garden arena and the show was absolutely AMAZING! Chrisette Michele and Common warmed up the crowd as openers. When Maxwell came out the crowd was up and ready. He got us grooving to "Dance Wit Me," shaking his hips like whooo! The best concert I have ever been too. I didn't realize how close I would be. He performed hits "Fortunate," "This Woman's Work," "Pretty Wings" among many others. The lights draped him and the band in red as he performed "Bad Habits" and "Til The Cops Come Knockin'." Panties were thrown and given to Maxwell on the stage...he wiped his forehead with a black lace panty threw a white panty over the mic and got down on his knees. It was an extremely sexy and entertaining show. Maxwell got moves and acrobatics like no other. The man glided through the stage threw the mic stand with mic up and down rolled back to the floor and everything! Check out my Flickr page for some amazing photos.

I must say the highlight of the show was first that I touched his hand and second the last performance of the night. So Maxwell performs "Pretty Wings" and feather shaped white confetti comes down..everyone claps and cheers, he goes towards the back of the stage and the lights come down and people begin leaving. However, I know that there is more to come and so do many others as we scream and cheer and yell "encore." After a couple minutes, Maxwell comes out and says "Did y'all hear what happened?" We're all confused and say "no, what happened?" And he says "For real, y'all don't know what happened? Nah, stop playin'...y'all don't know what happened?" We're still confused..then he sings.."It happened the moment...when you were revealed..it was a dream that you should not have been..." We start clapping while he sings acapella then the band comes in and we all go CRAZY singing along. Maxwell had the time of his life and so did we. Check for the "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" performance clip to be posted soon.

Marina & The Diamonds - "I am Not a Robot (Penguins Prison Remix)"

Marina & The Diamonds - the new left of pop act from the U.K. Listen to "I am Not A Robot (Penguins Prison Remix)" Check out the original "I am Not A Robot" below. I'm diggin' the remix more, but you decide..

Free Download - Nyle "Capstone EP"

Nyle just released his new EP dubbed Capstone. Download Capstone now. I love "Livin in the Shade." Check my boy Nyle out!

New Remix iPhone App - Romplr

Moderati has created an iPhone app that allows users to create their own remixes of available songs, the service is called Romplr. Once your personalized remix is created, you can share it via Facebook connect, email or on Romplr.com, a site the company is aiming to turn into an interactive music community. The first artist to provide music for remixing on Romplr is Soulja Boy, who's made "Turn My Swag On," "Crank That," and "Hey You There" available. In addition, Soulja Boy has provided seven other music samples that can be used as raw material.

"The new, $5 Romplr application allows you to remix three songs by the artist Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. Basically, you pick one of Soulja Boy’s tracks then use the controls to tweak the bass, drums, vocals and other sonic elements for a remixed version." - BeatCrave.com

I always knew there was a huge opportunity in the music business for selling all the ProTools tracks for fans to manipulate and customize they way they want. Unfortunately, once again the record labels missed this opportunity and has allowed a technology company to cash in on it. Though it may not be too late for them if they move quickly.

Mos Def Releases His Album on a T-shirt

Mos Def in connection with Invisible DJ and LnA clothing have launched the first ever "Music Tee" for Mos Def's latest album, The Ecstatic. The t-shirt has the album artwork printed on the front and the tracklist on the back. The tag has a code which you can enter online for the digital version of the album. Other artists due to release "Music Tees" are Santigold and Miike Snow also from the Downtown Records camp. What better way to integrate apparel and music which are the cornerstones of the hip hop lifestyle? For more details on this story, check out Pitchfork.com.

Beyonce Concert at Madison Square Garden

Beyonce was amazing at MSG on Sunday and Monday - the realization of a true superstar. Jay-Z made an appearance and dropped his verse on "Crazy in Love." Beyonce went through a few outfits and lots of booty shaking moves. She was also hoisted up in the air and flowing over the crowd. Beyonce makes sure to give her fans a real show and a great experience. For more photos, visit my Flickr page.

Maxwell - "Bad Habits"

Download Maxwell's second single, "Bad Habits" off his upcoming album, BLACKsummers'night. Video featuring Kerry Washington to follow...

Maxwell's 'BLACKsummers'night' - 7/7/09

Finally, Maxwell is back! The long, long, long anticipated album (the first of the trilogy), BLACKsummers'night is set to be released on July 7th. I usually wait a few days or weeks before I purchase an album because it's not a priority, I can always buy it, but this one I will, I repeat, I will be purchasing BLACKsummers' night the DAY it comes out and I suggest you do the same because the music is that phenomenal. The first single from the album is "Pretty Wings," and the video was directed by Philip Andelman. I am thrilled that Maxwell is back and it feels great to see him and have his music pumping back through the airwaves. BLACKsummers'night has nine tracks all produced by Maxwell and co-produced by Hod David and features a live ten-piece band. The other two albums off the trilogy are titled, BlackSUMMERS'night and blacksummers'NIGHT, scheduled to be released in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Maxwell will be touring this summer and headlining the Essence Music Festival on July 4th. For full tour schedule, check out Billboard.biz. Words from Maxwell about returning to the music stage -- "After I toured I remembered faces and encouragement and got so much inspiration. In today's time you need so many bells and whistles, but to be able to feel people's need for me made this record better" - and on the upcoming release -- BLACKsummers'night, Maxwell hopes "people enjoy the music, put songs into your lives and apply them to your experiences -- clean your kitchen, make love to your girl, have children, all that." Keep up with Maxwell by visiting his site, Musze Watch "Pretty Wings" below..

Kid Cudi - 'Dat Kid from Cleveland' Mixtape

Kid Cudi's latest mixtape, Dat Kid from Cleveland has me real excited for the newest wave of next-gen rappers. This mixtape is definitely something you can rock to from start to finish...I've been listening to it since Friday. I really love the track with 88-keys, "Ho' is short for Honey," "Welcome 2 the World," featuring Kevin Rudolf, "She Came Along" featuring Sharam, "Look Up In Da Stars," featuring Wale. The album comes with your autotune effects, electronic sound, samples and heavy hitting backbeats. Download Dat Kid from Cleveland gratuit.

Nyle and 88 Keys Rock the House at NYU

On Thursday, I went to a show at NYU to support my friend Nyle and check 88 keys, I lost my voice the next day...that's how dope it was. With performances by Izza Kizza, Kidz in the Hall, Asher Roth (surprise), 88 keys and headliner, Nyle it truly was an incredible show, complete with live instruments, comedy and crowd interaction + Nyle stage diving. 88 keys made us all laugh like crazy when he announced that Kanye was coming through, went backstage, adjusted his wardrobe and came out impersonating Ye during his "Stay Up (Viagra)" performance. Before appearing on stage delivering the most substantive hip hop I've heard in a long time, Nyle debuted his "Let The Beat Build" music video (see below). Please check the video out - I love it, love the song, great quality and excellent bop ya head hip hop. Nyle and his band killed it, performing originals, "Feels Like I Just Got Here" and "Fu*k a Nice Guy," among others. Support great music, check out Nyle at nyellee.com.

Ciara and Justin Timberlake - "Love Sex Magic"

Ciara and Justin Timberlake teamed up for a fiery performance in the new vid, "Love Sex Magic." Is it me or is Ciara starting to remind me of Janet Jackson here? From baggy pants and boyish swang to vixen leotards and high fashion, not to mention the high register singing. I love the vid however, for its shadows, colors and seamless direction. Kudos to Diane Martel who directed it. "Love Sex Magic" is off of Ciara's upcoming project, Fantasy World due sometime this spring.

Kid Cudi "Day N Nite" Performance @ SXSW

Awesome performance by Kid Cudi at SXSW with the Crookers remix featuring Kanye jumping around alongside Cudi via The Fader. I wanted to share it in case y'all didn't catch it.

Melanie Fiona Says Give It to Me Right

Melanie Fiona, coming out of Toronto is demanding that the brother's give it to her right. With a voice something inbetween Alicia Keys and Jazmine Sullivan and some soul sister swag, the 24-year-old songstress is making waves with her debut, The Bridge, which is scheduled to be released sometime this spring via SRC/Universal Motown Records. Check out Melanie Fiona performing "Give It to Me Right" on Carson Daly Right below. The track was produced by none other than Kanye West. Be on the look out for Melanie Fiona on the rise and I'll be sure to post some more treats from the Canadian-bred soul singer.

Drake Is the Ish...So Far Gone

So for the past week I've been listening to Drake's mixtape, So Far Gone which was released last Friday and I LOVE it! Seriously, the trance-like sounds along with the synths, melodies and heavy backbeat sounds allows you to listen from start to finish. Drake does a lil more singing than rapping and it works. My favorites are "Houstatlantavegas," "Best I Ever Had," "A Night Off," "Say Whats Real" and "Unstoppable." But the overall hottest in my opinion is "Uptown" featuring Bun B and Lil Wayne. The mixtape also includes features from Lykke Li, Peter Bjorn, Santogold, Trey Songz, Lloyd and Omarion. If you haven't got it already, def download now, right here, gratuit. I expect to see a lot from Drake and he's definitely on his way to the top.

New Ryan Leslie - "Gibberish"

I had the pleasure to meet Ryan Leslie and not only is he an outstanding musician but also a gracious individual. "Gibberish" sounds a lot like gibberish, but I can make out a few words and phrases like... time is running out, please don't make me wait, I don't wanna know, body, moonlight, right there, so you get the gist of it. Anyway, I love the song and can't stop listening so you should download the track for yourself.

Kid Sister - Kanye's New Protege

Bred out of Markham, IL but currently residing in Northern Chi-town this transformative female MC has the ability to shape her voice much like a chameleon shapes its colors. Kid Sister's flow is very reminiscent of T-boz on the "Get Fresh" track but then she demonstrates her southern twang on "Pro Nails." The track features Kanye and is generating buzz throughout the digital space. "Control" gives you a bit of electronica and house with heavy synths that would fit nicely in the club scene. "Switchboard" is uber catchy and serves as the ultimate club anthem for the ladies. J2K of Flosstradamus is Kid Sis's brother and DJ which explains the heavy club/house/electronic influence. Kid Sis is expected to drop a full-length album via Downtown Records sometime this year. I'm happy to see that there is a female in the group of burgeoning young MC's.