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Rock The Bells
Hip-hop tours are notorious for low production values and distorted sound... read more
Found in: Music, FeaturesThe Roots, Common and Big Boi to headline Rock the Bells 2009
Annual hip-hop festival Rock the Bells has finalized its 2009 lineup, with Common, Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, The Roots, Big Boi and House of Pain headlining. Although dates, venues and a few more performers are forthcoming, the cities hosting this year's event include Chicago, Toronto, Washington D.C., Boston, New York, Denver, San Francisco, Miami and Vancouver.... read more
Found in: Music, NewsAretha, Wilco and one billion others headline Jazz Fest 2009
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, arguably the grandest of all American music fests, has just announced its staggering 2009 lineup. Let's get right to it, shall we?... read more
Found in: Music, NewsCommon: Universal Mind Control
On Universal Mind Control, his eighth studio album... read more
Found in: Music, ReviewsSoCo Music Experience: San Diego
With multi-day musical bonanzas like Bonnaroo, Coachella, Bumbershoot and godfather/standard-bearer South by Southwest using massive budgets and marquee status to lure the bands of their choosing and, subsequently, hordes of music fans, single-day city festivals heavy on local acts are often seen as also-rans in the eyes of aural addicts. But the SoCo Music Experience's latest stop in San Diego, Calif., proves that's not always true.... read more
Found in: Blogs, FestivusTerminator Salvation cast continues to evolve
There's a strange sort of morale over at the set of Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, scheduled for release in 2009. Helmed by director McG (of The O.C.- and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle-producing fame), the James Cameron-founded franchise features Christian Bale as hero John Connor, Australian actor Sam Worthington as a friend (or maybe foe) and rapper Common as a friend (we think).... read more
Found in: Movies, NewsKanye, Common, Method & Redman sued over jazz sample
Here's the worst pitfall of hip-hop producing—creatively re-purposing intellectual property always carries the risk of a fat ol' lawsuit from a sampled musician. In the latest case of rap sample litigation, it's the estate of a dead musician claiming punitive damages for sampling without permission.... read more
Found in: Music, NewsCommon signs on for Terminator 4
Terminator 4 just began shooting last week, which means that final casting announcements for the film are leaking out. Common actually has a lot of acting experience, working in American Gangster and Smokin' Aces last year, and Wanted later this year. All of this, plus two albums planned for release, plus at least one side project, plus some tour dates, plus... Well, that Common is one busy man. Also signed on to the T4 project now are Sam Worthington (Avatar)and Anton Yelchin (Charlie Bartlett), with Josh Brolin rumored to be the new Terminator. The film is planned for release early... read more
Found in: Movies, NewsCommon set to release Invincible Summer on June 24
Common, the man who once announced to the world that he was music, is back with some more...wait for it...music. Entitled Invincible Summer, the album hits stores on June 24, just in time for the last long stretch of summer. The MC recently spoke to Billboard.com about the album, saying, "I created this music for the summer time, it's about feeling good. This is the type of music I felt was missing from my body of work." Invincible will feature an array of artists that include Cee-Lo (of Gnarls Barkley) and super-hyped/super-awesome newcomer Santogold. No word currently on what's going... read more
Found in: Music, NewsConverse takes on Hunter S. Thompson, Karen O, more
Converse is taking its centennial celebration global with its new "Connectivity" ad campaign. The shoe group is attempting to bridge the gap between past and present, not to mention the cultural icons that have been associated with the brand. The Nike-owned company is getting back to its roots through reissues and reminding consumers in 75 different countries of its counterculture legacy. Artists featured include Joan Jett, M.I.A. and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day. "Connectivity is an exceptional global campaign that fully captures our spirit and brand ethos celebrating true originals," chief marketing officer for Converse Geoff Cottrill said in... read more
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