Jay-Z & Mary J. Blige - You’re All Welcome video

Gallagher brands Jay-Z ‘wrong for Glasto’

Rosie Swash
Monday April 14, 2008

Noel Gallagher has declared hip-hop “wrong” for the Glastonbury festival, claiming Jay-Z’s headline slot is one of the reasons tickets for this year’s event have been slow to sell.

In an interview with the BBC, the Oasis man said the festival was “built on a tradition of guitar music” which the rapper failed to fit into.

Asked by the interviewer what he made of Glastonbury’s failure to sell out, he responded: “Well, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Gallagher continued: “Sorry, but Jay-Z? Fucking no chance. Glastonbury has a tradition of guitar music, do you know what I mean? Even when they throw the odd curveball in on a Sunday night and you go, Kylie Minogue? Don’t know about that.”

According to the BBC, Gallagher, whose band Oasis headlined the festival in 1995 and 2004, also said: “I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.”

Gallagher did not reveal the reasoning behind his statements, but was no doubt basing his comments on the many acts with a tradition of guitar music who have played the festival in recent years: acts which include Roots Manuva, the Marley family, Al Green, Mylo, MIA and Cypress Hill, who played the Pyramid stage in 2000. Not forgetting last year’s hugely successful guitar-based venture Africa Express and headlining indie act Shirley Bassey. (Ahem).

The decision to hand Jay-Z the headline slot at this year’s Glastonbury had already been the subject of criticism prior to Gallagher’s remarks, although objections were mainly confined to posts made on internet messageboards, which were subsequently reported on by tabloid newspapers.

Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed that Jay Z will be playing the festival despite the bad coverage and told the Guardian that there were a number of reasons for slow ticket sales, predominantly the consistently appalling weather over the past few years. Eavis said the festival always attracted criticism for its headliners, but said “we have a responsibility to do something a bit different”.

Although a number of acts have already been confirmed for this year’s festival, including headliners Kings of Leon and the Verve, the full line-up will be revealed by guardian.co.uk/music at midnight on April 29. The Guardian are the official sponsors of Glastonbury festival, which takes place in Somerset from June 27-29.

Original Source

Usher in the Studio with Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri + More Love in the Club

RICK ROSS DOES IT AGAIN - DEBUTS AT #1 SOUNDSCAN WITH TRILLA, NEW ALBUM FOR SLIP N’ SLIDE/DEF JAM - HIS 2nd CONSECUTIVE #1 ENTRY ON BILLBOARD 200, R&B. & DIGITAL ALBUM CHARTS - FOLLOWS #1 MAJOR LABEL DEBUT OF 2006, PORT OF MIAMI

“The Boss” featuring T-Pain bullets up Urban and Rhythmic radio charts

Slip N’ Slide/Def Jam recording artist Rick Ross joins the exclusive VIP club reserved for MCs whose first two consecutive major label album releases have entered the Soundscan chart at #1, as TRILLA (in stores March 11th) debuts at #1 on first week sales of over 198,000 units. The #1 chart debut- and #1 Digital Album - was powered by Rick’s current single, “The Boss,” featuring T-Pain, coupled with an aggressive street marketing campaign and a release week performance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. TRILLA follows the success of Port Of Miami, Rick’s IDJ debut album (released August 2006) which entered at #1 with first week sales of 187,000 units.

“We are thrilled to bring home this hard-fought #1 for Rick Ross,” said Island Def Jam Music Group chairman Antonio “LA” Reid. “The Def Jam and Slip N’ Slide staffs, and especially Ross himself, pushed really hard to get here. I’m proud of the work, but more importantly, I’m proud to have Ross cemented among hip-hop’s elite, where he belongs”

“The Boss” was produced by Jonathan Rotem, L.A.-based hitmaker for Sean Kingston, the Game, Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Chamillionare, and others. The new single moves up to #14-bullet on both the R&R/BDS and Mediabase Urban charts; and also breaks the Top 40 on both the R&R/BDS and Mediabase Rhythmic charts. The song’s Hot 100 Airplay audience continues to build, now over 28 million with 3,600-plus spins.

Online, Rick’s personal “TrillaWorld” blog is in its second month of operation. His http://www.myspace.com/rickross website shows more than 14.3 million profile views, and over 366,000 friends, with an amazing 22.8 million total plays.

JR Rotem and T-Pain are just two of the guest producers and artists who contributed to TRILLA. Four of the tracks - the album’s opening “Trilla Intro”; the upcoming next single “Maybach Music” featuring Jay-Z; “Luxury Tax” featuring Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy, and Young Jeezy; and “Billionaire” - were produced by the Tampa-based J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, who won this year’s Best R&B Album Grammy for Mary J. Blige’s The Breakthrough (named Billboard’s 2007 R&B/Hip-Hop Album Of the Year).

More: Drumma Boy produced two tracks, “Money Make Me Cum” featuring Ebony Love, and “Here I Am” featuring Nelly and Avery Storm. Def Jam South and Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh is featured on “All I Have In This World (Japanese Denim),” which he produced. Other guest producers include: Bink! (”We Shinin’”); Drumma Boy (”Money Make Me Cum” featuring Ebony Love); Elvis (”This Is The Life” featuring Trey Songz); DJ Toomp (”This Me”); Carlos & Dada (”Reppin’ My City” featuring Triple C’s & Brisco); and DJ Nasty (”I’m Only Human” featuring Rodney). TRILLA’s previous single, “Speedin’” featuring R. Kelly, was produced by the Runners.

Rick Ross rose from ruling the underground rap scene in Miami, to becoming 2006’s buzz-worthiest hip-hop artist with his #1 Pop/#1 R&B/#1 Rap major label debut album Port Of Miami. Its unstoppable single “Hustlin’” became the first mastertone ever certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million copies before the associated album had even been released. A remix was subsequently issued, featuring Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. The second single from Port Of Miami was “Push It,” whose movie soundtrack excerpts (circa 1990) from Giorgio Moroder’s “Scarface (Push It To The Limit),” evoked the gritty soul of a city that is always on the edge of exploding.

Six-foot-two, 300-pound Rick Ross - who was signed to Miami-based Slip N’ Slide records by CEO Ted Lucas in 2001 - has now come into his own. A “hip-hop heavyweight,” is how the New York Times described him. “The number one ghostwriter in the South,” is how he described himself and his work behind the scenes for all those years. “I’m bridging the gap between the South and the East Coast,” he told Rolling Stone. “The sound is real Dirty South. But I’m spittin’ hard, to where the East Coast appreciates it.” TRILLA underscores the promise of one of today’s premiere hip-hop voices.

Original Source

Pemberton music fest brings Coldplay, Jay-Z to B.C.
Amy O’Brian, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, March 13, 2008

The quiet town of Pemberton will be a lot louder for three days this summer when a major music festival lands in the Pemberton Valley, bringing with it bands such as Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails and the Tragically Hip.

More than 50 musical acts are scheduled to appear at the expansive outdoor venue, attracting about 40,000 people to the bucolic mountain town north of Whistler. Jay-Z, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Black Mountain, Death Cab for Cutie and My Morning Jacket are also listed in the impressive lineup.

Inspired by the success of other large-scale outdoor music festivals such as England’s Glastonbury Festival, California’s Coachella Festival, and Washington’s Sasquatch Music Festival, the Pemberton Festival will have on-site camping, food, a farmer’s market, attractions for kids, a medical clinic and more. The site is located just off Highway 99, close to central Pemberton.

Three-day passes go on sale March 28 at 10 a.m. and will cost $239.50. No single-day passes will be available. The festival will take place July 25, 26 and 27.

News of the festival was leaked today by Billboard.com, a music industry website. The festival was supposed to be announced this morning by selected radio stations.

Shane Bourbonnais, president of concert production company Live Nation, spoke to The Vancouver Sun this afternoon from Pemberton, where he was preparing to meet with residents and local officials later in the day to discuss the festival.

Bourbonnais said he first approached Pemberton Village officials and the community last October to propose the idea of the major festival.

“The people of Pemberton have opened up their arms and welcomed us right from the beginning, which makes it a lot easier to put on an event like us,” he said.

“The setting is second to none and with the proximity to Whistler and the new highway, there are so many things going for Pemberton right now.”

Coldplay - a British band that has sold more than 30 million albums - is releasing a new album in May, but Pemberton is the only festival they will play at this summer, Bourbonnais said.

Attracting bands to the festival - once organizers had been given the go-ahead by RCMP, transportation authorities, health authorities and others - was fairly easy, he added.

“One of the great things about this festival site is, it’s incredibly beautiful. I don’t think there’s a festival site that can compare to this one. You’re at the base of Mount Currie, you’re 25 minutes from world-class Whistler,” he said.

“Festivals are becoming very popular and bands really like to play festivals because there are great audiences and there’s great camaraderie among the bands.

“You start to get a couple of bands and then next thing you know, another band hears about it, and another band hears about it and instead of us making the calls, they’re starting to call us.”

It helped, of course, the Live Nation has a good track record in this region and that Bourbonnais has been working with Coldplay since the band was playing the Commodore.

Bourbonnais said some of the bands are planning vacations around the festival and he hopes festival-goers will also take advantage of the outdoor activities available in the region.

Live Nation is dedicated to making this a green festival, meaning those who carpool with four or more people will get free parking, and hydro-electric energy will be the main power source. Local farmers will benefit from the event through the farmers market and an effort will be made by the festival to serve local produce wherever possible.

About 20,000 tent campers can be accommodated on the 360-acre site and there will also be an RV park. For those who prefer to have a roof over their head and a bed under their back, there are plenty of hotel and motel rooms in the village of Pemberton and down the highway in Whistler.

Bourbonnais said he hopes to make the festival an annual event and added there is room for growth in the future. About 37,000 people at this summer’s festival will be ticket-holders, while the remaining 3,000 will be volunteers and support workers, but that will be just 60 to 70 per cent of the festival’s allowed capacity.

To compare numbers, capacity at the Coachella Festival is about 60,000. Capacity at Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Festival is about 70,000, and capacity at the Sasquatch Festival in the Gorge is about 20,000.

For the full festival lineup and information on buying tickets, go to www.pembertonfestival.com.

Accommodation in Pemberton for the Pemberton Music Festival

RICK ROSS RETURNS WITH TRILLA - NEW SECOND ALBUM FOR SLIP N’ SLIDE/DEF JAM SET FOR MARCH 11th RELEASE

Myspace shows 13.9+ million profile views, 357,000+ friends, and amazing
22.4+ million total plays

“THE BOSS” FEATURING T-PAIN IS NEW SINGLE, BULLETING UP URBAN AND RHYTHMIC RADIO CHARTS, WITH 17 MILLION AUDIENCE AT HOT 100

Follow-up to phenomenal #1 album Port Of Miami from 2006

New York, NY - Slip N’ Slide/Def Jam recording artist Rick Ross, who rose from ruling the underground rap scene in Miami, to becoming 2006’s buzz-worthiest hip-hop artist with his #1 Pop/#1 R&B/#1 Rap major label debut album Port Of Miami - returns with TRILLA, the long-awaited follow-up and one of 2008’s most hotly anticipated new releases, set to arrive in stores March 11th.

Busting open Urban and Rhythmic radio for TRILLA is Rick’s new single release, “The Boss,” featuring T-Pain. “The Boss” was produced by JR Rotem, L.A.-based hitmaker for Sean Kingston, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Chamillionare, and others. The new single moves up to #20-bullet on both the R&R/BDS and Mediabase Urban charts.The song’s Hot 100 audience is also building, now at 17 million with 2,300 spins.

The streets couldnt wait for new music from TRILLA, as two bangers hit the blogs last week with a flurry of anticipation: “Maybach Music” featuring JAY-Z, and “Luxury Tax” featuring Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Trick Daddy, both produced by Justice League.

With “The Boss” video charting at #9 on BET’s “106 & Park” countdown last week, Ross headed out on a whirlwind promotion, starting in Chicago, then making stops throughout the South in Memphis, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Columbus, Montgomery, Greensboro, Raleigh, Washington DC, Charlotte, and Columbia, South Carolina. He is scheduled to appear on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live next Thursday night, March 13th. Online, his personal “TrillaWorld” blog is in its third week of operation. His http://www.myspace.com/rickross website shows more than 13.9 million profile views, and over 357,000 friends, with an amazing 22.4 million total plays.

Back in 2006, “Hustlin’” became the first mastertone ever certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million copies before the associated album had even been released. A remix was subsequently issued, featuring Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. The second single from Port Of Miami was “Push It,” whose movie soundtrack excerpts (circa 1990) from Giorgio Moroder’s “Scarface (Push It To The Limit),” evoked the gritty soul of a city that is always on the edge of exploding. Port Of Miami (released August 2006) entered the Soundscan chart at #1 with impressive first week sales of 187,000 units.

With the album’s success, six-foot-two, 300-pound Rick Ross - who was first signed to Trick Daddy’s Miami-based Slip N’ Slide records in 2001 - came into hiw own. A “hip-hop heavyweight,” was how the New York Times described him. “The number one ghostwriter in the South,” was how he described himself and his work behind the scenes for all those years. “I’m bridging the gap between the South and the East Coast,” he told Rolling Stone. “The sound is real Dirty South. But I’m spittin’ hard, to where the East Coast appreciates it.” All eyes are now on Rick Ross, as TRILLA underscores the promise of one of today’s premiere hip-hop voices.

HIP HOP LEGEND BUN B READIES FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED
SOPHOMORE SOLO ALBUM “II TRILL” DUE ON APRIL 29TH

CURRENTLY ON NATIONAL PROMOTIONAL TOUR,
AWARD WINNING RAPPER TEAMS UP WITH MICROSOFT ZUNE

Hip Hop Legend Bun B and one half of the award winning duo UGK readies for the debut of his highly anticipated sophomore solo album, II Trill, which will be released on April 29th courtesy of Rap-A-Lot/Asylum.

Upon the heels of success with UGK’s 2007 seventh album release of the 26-song, two-CD set, UGK (Underground Kingz) which claimed the #1 spot in the country and presented the duo with two Grammy nominations for the soulful smash hit “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” featuring Outkast, Bun will finally introduce the follow-up to his critically acclaimed and Gold Certified debut solo effort, Trill which was released in 2005 and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart.

II Trill will include guest features by artists that include Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, 8 Ball and MJG, David Banner, Rick Ross, Z-Ro, Mya, Mike Jones and Slim Thug. The Houston rapper also collaborated with hitmakers Mister Lee, Scott Storch, Jazzy Phae, Bigg Tyme, Black Out Movement, Clinton Sparks, Enigma and Chops to name a few.

Currently on a national promotional tour to promote II Trill and its first single, a JR Rotem produced track titled “That’s Gangsta” featuring Sean Kingston, Bun B is partnering with Microsoft Zune on a series of promotional events and programs focused on making a more direct connection with his fans through a strong presence on the road, at retail, and on Zune digital platforms. While on the road, he will be making appearances at several Boys & Girls Clubs . Bun is also a part of Zune Social, an online music community where he is able to share his experience on the road and interact with music lovers.

Bun B tour dates are as follows (subject to change):
Feb. 29th - Fayetteville, NC @ The Palace
Mar. 1st - Richmond, VA @ High Lights
Mar. 2nd - Washington DC @ Platinum Night Club
Mar.3rd - 4th New York, NY Press/Promo
Mar. 5th - Cleveland , OH @ Boys & Girls Club and Metropolis
Mar. 6th - Indianapolis, IN @ Lilly Unit Boys & Girls Club
Mar. 7th - Detroit, MI @ Zoo Bar
Mar. 8th - Cincinnati, OH @Club Annies
Mar. 9th - 10th Chicago, @ IL Venue TBA
Mar. 12th - 13th Austin, TX @ South by Southwest
Mar. 14th - San Antonio, TX @ East Side Boys & Girls Club
Mar. 15th - Houston, TX @ Club Levels
Mar. 20th - Oklahoma City, OK @ Venue TBA
Mar. 21st - Kansas City, MO @ Venue TBA
Mar. 22nd - St. Louis, MO @ Mathews Dickey Boy & Girls Club
Mar. 26th-28th - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
Mar. 29th San - Francisco, CA @ Venue TBA
Mar. 30th - Oakland, CA @ Venue TBA

ABOUT BUN B
As one half of the duo, UGK, Bun B along with his long time friend, Pimp C put the south on the map in 1988 with their first album release The Southern Way. Since then, after two decades, the Port Arthur, TX natives and award winning pair have maintained a presence in the music world with seven major label released albums, mixtapes, indie releases and cameos on numerous prominent artists’ tracks. In 2000, they made a high-profile appearance on Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin.” In 2005, Bun released his first solo album Trill. The gold-certified CD debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart. Bun is currently gearing up for his sophomore solo album, II Trill which will be released April 29, 2008.

Jay-Z - I Know featuring Pharrell video

Directed By Philip Andelman and featuring Actress Zöe Kravitz

Devin the Dude Sets Date for Smoke Sessions Vol. 1

Devin the Dude – Smoke Sessions vol. 1

Release Date: 04/01/08

Houston MC Devin the Dude is set to release his newest project, Smoke Sessions vol. 1, through BCD Music Group Inc. The mixtape will be the first installment of a series of Smoke Sessions volumes to be released this year by Devin and his longtime collaborators Coughee Brothaz and is scheduled to hit stores on April 1st.

Smoke Sessions vol. 1 is Devin’s first release since leaving Rap-A-Lot Records, his label of 14 years, earlier this month and also comes on the heels of his fourth solo album, Waiting to Inhale, released in March of 2007 to critical acclaim. In fact, Devin’s been called “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper” since making waves in the underground with a guest appearance on Scarface’s My Homies and releasing his first solo album The Dude both in 1998. His appearance on Dr. Dre’s “Fuck You” pushed him further into the mainstream and led to more collaborations with the likes of De La Soul, UGK, Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Nas, Lil Jon, The Roots, and more.

Smoke Sessions vol. 1 finds Devin teaming up with his Odd Squad crew and guest artists for 16 new tracks.

Listen to Devin the Dude “Makin’ it Hard” from Smoke Sessions (BCD)

Smoke Sessions Tracklist:

1. Official Smoke Session Intro
2. If I Did a Mixtape
3. Getting High (Odd Squad feat. Devin the Dude, Jugg Mug, and Rob)
4. Searching
5. She Want Me to Get Closer feat. Drissola (Coughee Brothaz North)
6. Mixtape II
7. Take Me Home feat. Baby Girl (Shaun)
8. Makin’ It Hard feat. Monique & T.J.
9. Stangy
10. Todd’s Crazy Ass (Todd Fisher)
11. Da Real Thang (Odd Squad feat. Devin the Dude, Jugg Mugg, and Rob)
12. Not Them, Those (14K – Wood and Quad)
13. Coughee Brothaz Freestyle (Devin the Dude, SK, Dudi Mac, Daraja, 1-3, Preach, Rob Quest, and Jugg Mugg)
14. Freestyle
15. Ain’t Nothin’ Like Old School Bitch feat. Jugg Mugg, K.B., & Warren Lee
16. Bitch Gotta Go! (Tony Mac)

LUPE FIASCO SCORES GRAMMY GOLD; “SUPERSTAR” MC’S “DAYDREAMIN’” HONORED AS 2007’S “BEST URBAN ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE”; “THE COOL” CONTINUES TO REIGN AS AMERICA’S #1 RAP ALBUM, WHILE “SUPERSTAR” ROCKETS UP THE AIRPLAY CHARTS

1st & 15th/Atlantic recording artist Lupe Fiasco earned his first-ever Grammy Award on Sunday, bringing home the “Best Urban Alternative Performance” trophy for last year’s hit single, “Daydreamin’ (Feat. Jill Scott).” The Grammy triumph further establishes Lupe’s elevation to the upper echelon of hip-hop stardom. The Chicago-based MC’s second album, “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL,” debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its December 2007 release, and has remained in the peak position for what is now seven consecutive weeks.

“Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos),” the album’s first single/video, is currently exploding across the board, climbing 11 spots to #25 on this week’s Billboard “Hot 100.” The track is now a top 5 sensation on the “Hot Rap Tracks” ranking, while still ascending a variety of other charts, including “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs” and “Hot Digital Songs.”

“Superstar” is also lighting it up at radio, where it has just hit the top 10 at Rhythmic outlets nationwide, while also scoring the week’s “Most Increased Plays” at Urban, placing it at #20 with-a-bullet on the latest airplay tally. In addition, the single is proving a true crossover smash, bursting onto the current CHR/Top 40 chart as the week’s #4 “Most Added” track, with serious play at such influential pop outlets as New York’s Z100 and Los Angeles’ KIIS-FM.

This week sees Lupe starring as the featured artist on MTV’s 52 Bands, a special segment that highlights one new act per week, throughout the year. Furthermore, the “Superstar” companion video – directed by the great Hype Williams – is a top 10 clip at both MTV and Fuse, while also drawing major play at MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV TR3S, VH1 Soul, the N, and Music Choice. In addition, “Superstar” is in “Heavy” rotation on BET’s Rap City, as well as in “Medium” rotation on the network’s overall playlist.

What’s more, Lupe has been all over TV in recent weeks, performing live on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, CBS’ Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, PBS’ Tavis Smiley, MTV’s TRL, and the syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Unquestionably among hip-hop’s most electrifying and active live performers, Lupe has just been unveiled as one of the performers set to rock Manchester, Tennessee at the upcoming Bonnaroo Music festival, slated for Friday, June 13th. The MC – who recently closed out a series of sold out concert dates in such major markets as Seattle, San Francisco, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington DC, and New York City – is currently planning a number of eagerly awaited concerts at some of America’s finest institutions of higher learning, including Yale University, Brown University, Ohio State University, and others (see attached itinerary).

Full details of all upcoming appearances can be found at Lupe’s official MySpace page, www.myspace.com/lupefiasco. One of MySpace’s top 10 current artists, Lupe maintains a vibrant online presence, including his own LupeFiasco.com (recently updated with a wide range of interactive features such as “THE COOLest” video game). Also, Lupe’s very own YouTube channel – located at www.youtube.com/lupefiasco – has logged over one million plays, with videos including “Superstar” and the banging street anthem, “Dumb It Down.”

* * * * *

Lupe Fiasco has quickly established himself as among the most compelling and creative artists of the era, offering a rare combination of complex, thought-provoking lyricism coupled with sure-fire beats. “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” sees the critically acclaimed rapper following up on 2006’s breakthrough debut, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR,” by kicking and pushing against the boundaries of modern hip-hip. Loosely structured as a multi-character concept album detailing the “damaging influences’ and ‘corrupt allure” of post-millennial Urban America, the set features such special guests as the one-and-only Snoop Dogg, with diverse and inventive production from Soundtrakk, UNKLE, Chris & Drop, and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.

The MC first made himself known with his featured appearance on Kanye West’s hit single, “Touch The Sky,” followed by the anthemic hit single, “Kick, Push.” As a result, “LUPE FIASCO’S FOOD & LIQUOR” debuted on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” chart at #1 upon its September 2006 release, while also entering the Billboard 200 at #8.

The 25-year-old rapper soon proved to be the year’s biggest hip-hop breakthrough, garnering a trio of 2006 Grammy Award nominations, including “Best Rap Album,” “Best Rap Song,” and “Best Rap Solo Performance.” Other honors include his being named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists To Watch 2006” as well as GQ’s 2006 “Breakout Man of the Year, “not to mention an array of nominations from the BET Hip Hop Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the mtvU Woodie Awards, and the Soul Train Music Awards.

“LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” drew instant critical acclaim upon its December release, coming in at #10 on Entertainment Weekly’s “The Best” list for 2007 – no mean feat considering the album was released with just two weeks left in the year. The album “recalls (Kanye) West’s pop versatility and positive flair,” EW declared, adding “Fiasco seem ready to join his former mentors in the big leagues.” The New York Times was equally effusive, calling “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” “one of the year’s best hip-hop albums.” USA Today awarded the album four stars, praising it as “a 19-track gem that showcases (Fiasco’s) intricate wordplay on everything from the rap industry and celebrity life to gun-toting youth and sexual violence.”

Online outlets were also quick to commend the collection, with Pitchfork giving it an 8.1 rating, declaring it “sprawling, grandiose.” “Lupe Fiasco is undoubtedly one of ‘The Coolest’ rappers to come along in the last ten years,” noted RapReviews.com in a 10-out-of-10 rave. HipHopDX.com rated “LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL” 4.5-out-of-5 Xs, pointing out that the set “proves that ‘FOOD & LIQUIOR” was no accident and it’s quite possible that the best has yet to come.” “Lupe demonstrates an innate virtuosity in his brainy approach to an often over simplified craft,” hailed AllHipHop.com in its 8-out-of-10 starred review, while Yo! Raps awarded the album 5-out-of-5 stars, explaining that it “has pushed the genre of hip hop music into a place where no emcee or artist will be able to lead hip hop into for awhile.”

Among Lupe’s biggest fans are hip-hop’s best and brightest stars, including Jay-Z, who told Blender that, “I love Lupe. He’s a genius writer.” What’s more, the legendary Rakim – without question one of rap’s all-time greatest talents – recently named Lupe as his favorite current MC, explaining that “there’s still a lot of artists and a lot of songs out there that’s good for you and still sound like that real hip-hop. The positive rap doesn’t get as much coverage as the negative rap, but people (like Lupe Fiasco) are trying to get back around to the lyrical stuff.”

LUPE FIASCO

On Tour 2008

FEBRUARY
26 Valencia, CA Occidental College

MARCH
1 New Haven, CT Yale University
25 Fredricksburg, VA Great Hall
29 Pittsburgh, PA University of Pittsburgh

APRIL
9 Ferrum, VA Ferrum College
10 Philadelphia, PA St. Joseph’s University
11 Providence, RI Brown University

JUNE
13 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival