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Jay-Z Kanye West Reviews

Watch The Throne Tour – Kanye West & Jay-Z in Montreal

Yesterday, amidst a crowd of 15,000 fans, two of the biggest names in hip-hop took the stage for a two-hour and forty minute marathon of rhymes and beats. As Ye and Jay rose above the crowd on fourteen foot platform covered in LEDs, you could tell this show would be one for the ages. Spitting their verses on “H.A.M.” from their respective “thrones,” and moving right into “Who Gon Stop Me” without a pause. And then joining each other on one stage to belt out their lead single with pyrotechnics and lasers spazzing all over the Bell Centre: “Otis.”

Did I mention this was only the first ten minutes of the show?

The Throne worked through a large chunk of their new album, and then started taking turns on their solo tracks. Hova was right at it with “Where I’m From,” “Nigga What? Nigga Who?” and coming back later on for “Hard Knock Life” and “Izzo (H.O.V.A.).” It seemed to me like Jay wanted a lot of the stage time to be given to Kanye – who was sporting a skirt/kilt and leather leggings for the better half of the night. For every Jay-Z song, there were three Yeezy songs. While I don’t mind the imbalance, as I’m a bigger fan of Ye than Jay (crucify me now – you have my permission), it still seemed strange to me.

Regardless, Kanye was flawless when it came to renditions of “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” (that had a laser light show reminiscent of his Glow in the Dark tour) “Jesus Walks,” “Touch the Sky,” and “Good Life.” Heck, the songs I’ve listed are just the tip of the iceberg. The duo went through about forty tracks in total, and Kanye even got the chance to do his eight minute version of “Runaway,” as well as  a powerful sing-a-long to finish off “Heartless.” All while standing on a raised platform, of course… in a kilt.

They got through the majority of their new album. “New Day” was definitely a highlight, with the two rappers just sitting on the stage, spitting their rhymes about being fathers one day soon. And when it came time to finishing off the night, “Niggas in Paris'” Blades of Glory sample came through the speakers – the crowd went off! And when they were finished? Again. Went off for the encore. Came back on. Guess what? They played it again. And when it was done? Jay yelled, “AGAIN!” And finally… one more time. Unless my ability to count was lost, they played “Niggas in Paris” five times. And you know what? The majority of us didn’t mind one bit, dancing and bumping to it like it was the first time it had been played. Every. Single. Time. The Bell Centre hasn’t been so electrified by a hip-hop crowd in a while.

Egotistical much? Yeah, but a well-executed show no doubt. They gave the fans more than their money’s worth in lasers, lights and pyrotechnics. I have no idea if another tour like this will hit your town after this leg, especially with Jay’s baby on the way. If you can make it out to a show, despite the pricey tickets, it’ll be well worth your time. That shit cray.

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Press Releases Tour Dates

CURREN$Y TAKES OVER 4/20 WITH MIXTAPE, TOUR, AND UPCOMING ALBUM TRACK “COVERT COUP” MIXTAPE WITH ALCHEMIST AVAILABLE 4/20 FOR FREE DOWNLOAD ON CURRENSYSPITTA.COM LIVE STREAM OF 4/20 CONCERT FROM NEW ORLEANS

CURREN$Y TAKES OVER 4/20 WITH MIXTAPE, TOUR, AND UPCOMING ALBUM TRACK “COVERT COUP” MIXTAPE WITH ALCHEMIST AVAILABLE 4/20 FOR FREE DOWNLOAD ON CURRENSYSPITTA.COM LIVE STREAM OF 4/20 CONCERT FROM NEW ORLEANS

UPCOMING ALBUM TRACK “#JETSGO” DEBUTS 4/26

New Orleans rapper Curren$y will drop his “highly” anticipated mixtape Covert Coup, release his new single “#jetsgo” and debut his video all in the name of 4/20. Rap connoisseurs and smokers alike will come together for the ultimate cypher when Curren$y performs live from New Orleans while streaming his concert for fans in Los Angeles and New York from secret locations.

Covert Coup, which features production by famed producer Alchemist (Nas, Snoop Dog, Linkin Park), is a 10-track melodic journey of all original material featuring hip-hop’s elite and up-and-coming trailblazers Prodigy, Smoke Dza, and Freddie Gibbs. Tracklisting is as follows:

BBS
The Type featuring Prodigy
Blood Sweat and Gears featuring Fiend
Ventilation
Life Instructions featuring Smoke Dza
Smoke Break
Double 0 7
Scottie Pippen featuring Freddie Gibbs
Full Metal
Coming Up

The free album will be released on 4/20 via his new website, CurrensySpitta.com. In the days prior to Covert Coupe’s release, Curren$y will release a series of songs through the website: “Ventilation” (4/6), “Scottie Pippen” (4/13), and “Life Instructions” (4/18). The promotion will conclude on 4/26 with the release of his first official single “#jetsgo” through digital retailers.

“It sounds like smoke trails,” reveals Curren$y on the nature of Covert Coupe. “It’s like that, because the mood changes, all inspired by a few jokes and a gang of…well, you know. We had a good time making this record. It was originally supposed to be only a few songs, but the vibe was there so we just ran with it and ended up wrapping in like four days.”

Curren$y’s career flight plan has not come without a few layovers along his burgeoning career. Initially signed to fellow New Orleans rapper C-Murder’s Tru Records in 2001, Curren$y was brought over to Master P’s New No Limit Records in 2002 after the founder was sentenced to jail. From 2004-2007, Curren$y enjoyed a stint on Cash Money Records as part of Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment before venturing out on his own, releasing a series of mixtapes and focusing on his Jet Life apparel and lifestyle brand.

In 2009, the effort paid off as Curren$y, in recognition of his talent and drive, was hand-picked to grace the cover of XXL’s “Top 10 Freshman” issue amongst the likes of B.O.B, Kid Cudi, Wale and others. Later that year, the now independent rapper released his debut album This Ain’t No Mixtape and the follow-up Jet Files through Amalgam Digital.

In 2010, Curren$y released his Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk II albums through Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash’s BluRoc Records distributed by Def Jam Recordings. The two mixtapes moved an unprecedented 40K and 30K sold units with minimal effort and has helped the talented lyricist generate over $750K in touring on his own. Originally slated to come out in March 2011, Curren$y still plans to release the Muscle Car Chronicles album and movie later this year.

Following a wave of positive reviews for his performances at this year’s SXSW festival, the release of the Covert Coup mixtape will coincide with a “Jet Life” tour to kick off the celebration beginning that night in New Orleans. To be a part of the exclusive viewing party, log on to FreeOnSmash.com or download the free mixtape at CurrensySpitta.com. Dates are as follows:

Wed 4/20 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin Wolf
Thu 4/21 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Fri 4/22 Austin, TX @ Emo’s
Sat 4/23 Dallas, TX @ Trees
Sun 4/24 Lubbock, TX @ Tequila Jungle
Mon 4/25 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
Tue 4/26 Tucson, AZ @ Rialto
Wed 4/27 Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
Thu 4/28 San Diego, CA @ Epicentre
Fri 4/29 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
Mon 5/2 San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew
Tue 5/3 Santa Barbara, CA
Wed 5/4 San Jose, CA
Thus 5/5 Sacramento, CA
Fri 5/6 San Francisco, CA
Sat 5/7 Humboldt, CA
Sun 5/8 Eugene, OR
Tue 5/10 Portland, OR
Wed 5/11 Seattle, WA
Thu 5/12 Bellingham, WA
Fri 5/13 Victoria, British Columbia
Sat 5/14 Vancouver, British Columbia
Sun 5/15 Spokane, WA
Tue 5/17 Missoula, MT
Wed 5/18 Boise, ID
Thu 5/19 Salt Lake City, UT
Fri 5/20 Denver, CO
Sat 5/21 Boulder, CO
Sun 5/22 Ft. Collins
Tue 5/24 Omaha, NE
Wed 5/25 Minneapolis, MN
Thu 5/26 Iowa City, IA
Fri 5/27 Madison, WI
Sat 5/28 Chicago, IL
Sun 5/29 Ann Arbor
Tue 5/31 Toronto, Ontario
Wed 6/1 Montreal, Quebec
Thu 6/2 Burlington, MA
Fri 6/3 Boston, MA
Sat 6/4 New York, NY
Sun 6/5 Philadelphia, PA
Tue 6/6 Washington DC
Wed 6/8 Carrboro, NC
Thu 6/9 South Carolina
Fri 6/10 Atlanta, GA
Sat 6/11 Birmingham, AL
Sun 6/12 Oxford, AL

Categories
Press Releases

Chromeo go Business Casual this Summer with third studio album, tour

CHROMEO GO BUSINESS CASUAL THIS SUMMER WITH THIRD STUDIO ALBUM, FESTIVAL DATES AND FULL US TOUR

BUSINESS CASUAL OUT AUGUST 17th ON ATLANTIC RECORDS

FULL US TOUR THIS SUMMER TO BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY, LOLLAPALOOZA AND BONNAROO

This summer, the New York/Montreal-based duo Chromeo have dancefloors, funk fanatics, and a growing following of die-hard fans primed for another round of hits with the release of Business Casual, out August 17th on Atlantic Records.

In the sincere tradition of 70’s and 80’s oft-overlooked pop progenitors such as Hall & Oates, Zapp, and Rick James, the follow-up to 2007’s breakout album Fancy Footwork leads the way for the future of sentimental-yet-intelligent electronic pop music. Mixed by longtime Chromeo collaborator Phillipe Zdar and featuring artwork by the multifaceted Paris design collective Surface 2 Air, Business Casual marks a continuation of the fierce funk jams that Chromeo do best – as well as a new sophisticated, mature direction with more lovers’ ballads woven into the mix.

The pair will also hit the road this July and August on a full 23-date US tour, including festival appearances at Lollapalooza and most notably a joint performance with Daryl Hall at this year’s Bonnaroo Festival on June 11th. A full list of tour dates will be announced next month. Until then, be sure to check Chromeo’s recently launched blog for frequent updates, exclusive material, clever wit, and more.

Watch an exclusive preview of Chromeo at work on Business Casual at The Fader:
http://www.thefader.com/2010/04/16/studio-time-with-chromeo

Business Casual Track Names (order TBD):
Hot Mess
I’m Not Contagious
You Make it Rough
Don’t Turn the Lights On
Grow Up
Night by Night
Don’t Walk Away
When the Night Falls (feat. Solange Knowles)
The Right Type
J’ai claqué la porte