The Roots rock The Fillmore (Silver Spring)

   The first thing that came to mind at the conclusion of this show was simply WOW! The Roots took the stage in front a sold out Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD last night, and showed why both shows scheduled for back to back nights were deserving of being sold out. I don't think that in my entire life I have ever witnessed an artist or group who plays with the energy, intensity, and enthusiasm than that of The Roots. They had a great attitude and stage presence that certainly showed. You could tell that they were actually enjoying themselves, always smiling, laughing, and dancing as they played. I can't imagine having that much energy over such a prolonged period of time. The show started about ten minutes before 9pm and continued until around 11:20pm. Thats right, The Roots treated their fans to an unbelievable 2 1/2 HOUR PERFORMANCE! 


The dedication that The Roots show to their fans and give towards their performance is like none other. Of the hundreds of concerts I've been to in my life, this one would have to rank top 5 EASILY. The Roots are a must see act for any music lover and will not leave you disappointed. The Roots new album "Undun" is available now.


For more photos from this show click HERE.

Us, From Outside release new record "Revived".

 Pennsylvania screamo/metalcore band Us, From Ouside release their new album, “Revived,”  via Tragic Hero Records. The album will be the first since the departure of the band’s former lead singer Michael Crimlis, and is a follow up to “Inspired By The Threat of Failure” also released on Tragic Hero Records.                                                                                                                                             

Jet Lag World Tour Hits The Fillmore (Silver Spring)

   This was by far one of my favorite shows of the year. The night started with the The Cab and smooth vocals of singer Alex Deleon to get the crowd going. I have seen hundreds of band perform live in my day and can say this with extreme confidence. You would be hard pressed to find many bands that sound as good live as The Cab. They convey a style that can be slow and make you want to dance romantically with a loved one, and then turn around and make you start dancing like a person possessed.


 Next came Forever the Sickest kids ,who had a seemingly short set i thought, but nonetheless kept the crowds jumping and in high spirits in anticipation of the headliner Simple Plan. The night ended with the highly energetic and crowd pleasing set of Simple Plan. I have seen Simple Plan many times before, but on this night they delivered a performance better than those I have seen in the past. All in all this tour was the perfect mix of bands who complimented one another perfectly. 

The Devil Wears Prada debuts at the Fillmore (Silver Spring)

 The Devil wears Prada took the stage at a packed Fillmore in Silver Spring and kept the room rocking all night. The Band Took the Stage delivering a powerful, head banging, crowd surfing performance that did not disappoint. With their heavy sound and fully tatted up band members, some may find it hard to believe that The Devil Wears Prada is in fact a christian band. They deliver a heart pounding, loud, and energetic performance while still conveying a positive and uplifting message, for those who can understand the scream heavy lyrics. All that being said if you like the screamo-rock genre despite the message this band is a must see for all music fans.


For more photos of this show and The Devil Wears Prada live click HERE

We Came As Romans announce spring headlining tour with Blessthefall.

 Michigan’s We Came As Romans announces The Fire and Ice Tour, a Spring 2012 US headlining run with support from Emmure, blessthefall, Woe, Is Me and The Color Morale.


"Just Keep Breathing", We Came As Romans' second music video in a three-part series, premiered on Friday, December 16th. The video was directed by Travis Kopach [AFI, 3OH!3, Panic! At The Disco] and is a continuation of the band’s previously released video for ”Mis//Understanding”, with the story carrying over into "Understanding What We've Grown To Be", the band’s forthcoming and final music video of the series. The band debuted "Just Keep Breathing" on Livestream.com, followed by an interactive chat with fans. The video is now available on YouTube.com/equalvision.


We Came As Romans concluded their seemingly non-stop touring schedule of 2011 this past weekend by headlining the December to Remember festival in Anaheim, CA. The band will keep up their dedication to the road in 2012, kicking off the year with a European co-headlining tour with Alesana, which will be presented by Keep-A-Breast and Macbeth. Soon after, the band will travel to Japan for the first time, to perform at Scream Out Fest. We Came As Romans is touring in support of their recently released sophomore full-length album, Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be.


WE CAME AS ROMANS w/Emmure, blessthefall, Woe Is Me and The Color Morale
Mar 09 Covington, KY @ Madison Theatre
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Mar 11 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Mar 12 Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Theatre
Mar 13 Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor
Mar 15 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
Mar 20 Scottsdale, AZ @ Venue of Scottsdale
Mar 21 San Diego, CA @ Soma
Mar 22 Anaheim, CA @ The Grove of Anaheim
Mar 23 West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
Mar 24 Bakersfield, CA @ Golden State Hall
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
Mar 27 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
Mar 28 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Mar 30 Salt Lake City, UT @ Salt Air
Mar 31 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
Apr 01 Lawrence, KS @ Granada
Apr 02 Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze
Apr 03 Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
Apr 04 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Orbit Room
Apr 07 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Apr 09 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
Apr 11 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
Apr 12 Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
Apr 13 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo

MACBETH AND KEEP-A-BREAST PRESENT:
We Came As Romans and Alesana w/Iwrestledabearonce, Glamour Of The Kill
Jan 13 Karlsruhe, DE @ Substage
Jan 14 Jena, DE @ F-Haus
Jan 15 Aschaffenburg, DE @ Colos Saal
Jan 16 Paris, FR @ Divan Du monde
Jan 17 Lyon, FR @ MJC O Tem
Jan 18 Zürich, CH @ Abart/Komplex
Jan 19 Cesena, IT @ Vidia
Jan 20 Wien, AT @ WUK
Jan 21 München, DE @ Backstage
Jan 22 Prague, CZ @ Rock Cafe
Jan 23 Berlin, DE @ Columbia Club
Jan 24 Münster, DE @ Sputnikhalle
Jan 25 Hamburg, DE @ Knust
Jan 26 Malmö, SE @ KB
Jan 27 Gothenburg, SE @ Brewhouse
Jan 28 Stockholm, SE @ Klubben
Jan 30 Helsinki, FI @ Nosturi
Feb 01 Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
Feb 02 Amsterdam, DE @ Melkweg
Feb 03 Köln, DE @ Essigfabrik
Feb 04 Antwerp, BE @ Trix
Feb 05 Cardiff, UK @ CF10
Feb 06 Birmingham, UK @ The Library
Feb 07 Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
Feb 08 Glasgow, UK @ Cathouse
Feb 09 Manchester, UK @ Academy 3
Feb 10 London, UK @ The Electric Ballroom
Feb 11 Colchester, UK @ Arts Centre
Feb 12 Brighton, UK @ Concord 2

SCREAM OUT FEST 2012
Feb 18 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan @ Shibuya Club Quattro
Feb 19 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan @ Shibuya Club Quattro

Beach Boys announce 50th anniversary reunion, new album, and tour.

The founding members of The Beach Boys, one of the world's most legendary bands in popular music history, will reunite for a global 50th Anniversary CELEBRATION in 2012. Beach Boys Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks will come together for a new studio album and commemorative catalog releases with Capitol/EMI and a 50-date international tour to begin in April with a headlining performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ("Jazz Fest") as well as other exciting events to be announced. 

Brian Wilson says, "This anniversary is special to me because I miss the boys and it will be a thrill for me to make a new record and be on stage with them again." 

Mike Love says, "We got together at Capitol Records and re-recorded 'Do It Again.' Brian and I wrote that song which went to number 1 in Great Britain, Australia and elsewhere some 44 years ago. Brian paid me a compliment saying, 'How can a guy sound that great so many years later?' Later on, while working out some harmonies on a new song Brian had written, I got a chance to return the compliment. It was a thrill to be around a piano again with Brian, Alan and Bruce and experience firsthand the brilliance of Cousin Brian's gift for vocal arrangements. I am very much looking forward to David Marks joining us and thrilling with his surf guitar licks. Music has been the unifying and harmonizing fact of life in our family since childhood. It has been a huge blessing that we have been able to share with the world. Wouldn't It Be Nice to Do It Again? Absolutely!"

Al Jardine says, "The Beach Boys were recently inducted into the California Hall of Fame. From our humble beginnings as brothers, cousins and friends, we have been honored to sing the praises of California, and I'm really excited for our fans to be able to see us again in concert on the world stage, and to celebrate our 50th anniversary together with a new studio album."

Bruce Johnston says, "I will be looking forward to singing Brian Wilson's melodies and Mike Love's lyrics once again in concert with many of the original band members, but imagine what we all could come up with vocally in a recording studio atmosphere under Brian's musical direction."

David Marks says, "I'm really looking forward to celebrating this important milestone in The Beach Boys' history with the other guys, and with Capitol Records - where it all began 50 years ago. It means a lot to me that we can all reunite and pay tribute to the fans who have kept the music alive." 

The Beach Boys have already recorded several songs for their new album, to be released in 2012 by Capitol/EMI, with more tracks to be recorded before its completion. The as-yet-untitled album, the first to feature all of the band's surviving original members in decades, is being produced by Brian Wilson and executive produced by Mike Love. 

The Beach Boys and Capitol/EMI have also teamed up for a 50th Anniversary campaign spotlighting the band's entire catalog, with several new commemorative releases planned for 2012, including a new hits collection and a career-spanning box set.

Roger Faxon, CEO of EMI Group commented: "It's no exaggeration to say that The Beach Boys are one of the greatest and most loved bands that the world has ever produced, and true American icons. We are incredibly proud to take this next step with them as our partnership enters its fiftieth year, and I can't wait to see the band back together doing what they do better than anyone else."

Colin Finkelstein, COO of EMI Music North America said: "We're honored to continue Capitol/EMI's historic partnership with The Beach Boys as they celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. The Beach Boys bring the best of California's sun and surf culture to people all over the world with their music, and we're really looking forward to working with the band on the new album and commemorative catalog releases - a real CELEBRATION of fifty years!"

Quint Davis, producer/director, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival says, "It's an honor to present the original Beach Boys reunion at Jazz Fest 2012. Hosting the greatest artists of our era has always been the primary mission of Jazz Fest, and certainly The Beach Boys are unsurpassed as an iconic American musical and cultural institution. Every spring Jazz Fest is the number-one destination for good vibrations and fun, fun, fun; on April 27th, when The Beach Boys reunite on our biggest stage, it's going to feel like a thrilling homecoming for everyone lucky enough to be there. We're all looking forward to experiencing the magic and the joy."

Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally comprised of the three teenaged Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine. In 1962, neighbor David Marks joined the group for their first wave of hits on Capitol Records, leaving in late 1963, and in 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the band when Brian Wilson retired from touring to focus on writing and producing records for the group. For five decades, America's first pop band to reach the 50 year milestone has recorded and performed the music that has become the world's favorite soundtrack to summer. 

The Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records in July 1962 and released their first album, Surfin' Safari, that same year. The album spent 37 weeks on the Billboard chart, launching the young group known for its shimmering vocal harmonies and relaxed California style into international stardom. The Wilson/Love collaboration resulted in many huge international chart hits, and under Brian Wilson's musical leadership, the band's initial surf-rock focus was soon broadened to include other themes, making The Beach Boys America's preeminent band of the 1960s.

In 1966, The Beach Boys were one of the first bands to found its own record label with the launch of Brother Records, Inc. (BRI), with the band's members as its shareholders and Capitol Records as its distribution partner. BRI continues to manage The Beach Boys' intellectual property, including the band's catalog with Capitol/EMI and other label partners, as well as its name, logos, image and likeness. 

The Beach Boys continue to hold Billboard / Nielsen SoundScan's record as the top-selling American band for albums and singles, and they are also the American group with the most Billboard Top 40 chart hits (36). 'Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys' is fast approaching triple-Platinum sales status, and 'The SMiLE Sessions,' released to worldwide critical acclaim in November, has been heralded as 2011's #1 Reissue of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and recipients of The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, The Beach Boys are an American institution that is iconic around the world.

www.thebeachboys.com 
www.facebook.com/thebeachboys 
www.youtube.com/beachboys 

Eisley announce new 5 track EP and U.S. tour.

   Eisley will release Deep Space, a new five-track EP, on February 14th, 2012. Deep Space was recorded in Eisley's hometown of Tyler, TX with engineer/mixer Andy Freeman. 


In support of the new EP, Eisley will venture out on a US tour in March 2012 supported by Christie DuPree and Tampa, FL-based band Marksmen. 

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Sherri DuPree-Bemis shares that the EP’s title track was inspired by the work of science fiction/fantasy author Ray Bradbury. “He is one of my favorite writers of all time and consistently inspires me." She continues, "Outer space has always fascinated me and I wrote this about a couple leaving earth to live life in space, knowing they may never see earth again. I wanted it to build it musically so that you're very focused on the story and by the time it gets to the bridge, it literally feels like you're right there with them, feeling that mixture of excitement and sadness as you soar out of the atmosphere.” 

The surreal trance of Deep Space follows The Valley, Eisley’s incredibly candid and autobiographical full-length album, which was released in March 2011. The Valley debuted at No. 75 on the Billboard 200 Current Albums chart, No. 5 on Amazon MP3's Top 10 Album Chart, and No. 3 on its New Albums chart. The Valley has also been deemed "one of the best albums of 2011" by Amazon.com, Big Takeover, Alternative Press, and AbsolutePunk.net. 

Eisley teamed up with Paste Magazine last week to premiere their steampunk inspired music video for “The Valley”. The video was directed and animated by Cory Sheldon and can be seen HERE. 

Today Eisley also released a collection of Christmas songs that they've recorded over the years, for free download on Facebook. All upcoming Deep Space Tour dates and the tracklisting for the EP can be found below. 

DEEP SPACE TRACKLISTING 
1. Lights Out 
2. Laugh It Off 
3. Deep Space 
4. 192 Days 
5. One Last Song 

DEEP SPACE TOUR 
EISLEY W/Christie DuPree and Marksmen 
Mar 08 Spokane, WA @ Whitworth University HUB 
Mar 11 Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room 
Mar 12 Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall 
Mar 13 Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College 
Mar 14 Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose 
Mar 15 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Casino - Wolf Den 
Mar 16 Easthampton, MA @ Flywheel Arts Collective 
Mar 18 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom* 
Mar 19 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts* 
Mar 20 Boston, MA @ The Red Room at Cafe 939* 
Mar 21 Toronto, ON, CAN @ Drake Underground (Canadian Music Week) 
Mar 22 Buffalo, NY @ The Traif 
Mar 23 Detroit, MI @ Shelter 
Mar 24 Covington, KY @ Bangarang’s 
Mar 25 Nashville, TN @ 3rd and Lindsley 
Mar 26 Savannah, GA @ Savannah Theatre 
Mar 28 Memphis, TN @ High Tone Cafe 
Mar 29 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio 
Mar 30 Austin, TX @ The Parish 
Apr 01 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater 

*w/Say Chance

Foster The People announce 2012 tour.

For Los Angeles based trio, Foster The People, this year included three headlining sold-out U.S. tours, a gold album for their debut release Torches, two Grammy® nominations for ‘Best Alternative Album’ and ‘Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,’ and a 3x platinum single in “Pumped Up Kicks.” With 2012 around the corner the band is excited to announce they’ll be back next Spring; kicking off a national tour on May 29th with two nights in New York City, making stops in 21 cities and ending on July 6th in Phoenix, AZ. Tickets are on sale this Friday, December 16th.



For the upcoming tour, Foster The People is partnering exclusively with luxury experience site Gilt City to sell advance tickets to shows in 19 cities throughout the country. Members will have the opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets (ranging from $41 to $76 by city) and a limited edition lithograph designed by Foster The People. Pre-Sale tickets available at Gilt starting today: http://www.giltcity.com/national/collection/fosterthepeoplenatl?pkey=fosterppl4



Foster The People "in one year have gone from local favorite to a phenomenon," explains the LA Weekly, who were among the first to catch the band playing their residency to 200 fans at the Echo in January 2011. Since its release in May of 2011, Torches has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. This summer they will wrap up 18 months of touring by playing iconic amphitheaters around the country.



Foster The People 2012 Tour Dates:

5/29 New York, NY Rumsey Playfield *

5/30 New York, NY Rumsey Playfield *

6/1 Columbus, OH The LC Pavilion *

6/4 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre *

6/5 Austin, TX The Backyard *

6/7 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre *

6/10 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion *

6/12 Montreal, QC Lachine Canal #

6/14 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts #

6/15 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion #

6/16 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit #

6/19 Toronto, ON Downsview Park #

6/20 Chicago, IL Congress Theater #

6/22 Minneapolis, MN US Bank Theater #

6/25 Burnaby, BC Deer Lake Park &

6/26 Seattle, WA WaMu Theatre &

6/27 Portland, OR Edgefield &

6/29 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre &

6/30 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre &

7/3 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre &

7/5 Salt Lake City, UT The Great Salttair &

7/6 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre &

7/7 Las Vegas, NV The Cosmopolitan &



* (w/The Kooks)

# (w/Tokyo Police Club)

& (w/Mayer Hawthorne & The County)

P.O.D. announces contest to design new band logo.

   In anticipation of their forthcoming new 2012 studio album, P.O.D. are reaching out to fans to ask for help in designing their official new band logo. The design contest is launching through Talenthouse where fans can submit their original designs through January 3rd.

Voting will be open from January 4th – January 10th with the winner set to be announced on January 25th. There will be a total of three contest winners. Visit http://www.talenthouse.com/pod-design-a-logo to enter.


P.O.D. will select one grand prize winner who will receive $500. The winner’s design will be incorporated into P.O.D.'s official merchandise and marketing materials. Their logo will also become the band’s official logo on all of their social media outlets and VIP ticketing. The band will select a first prize runner up whose logo will be displayed on P.O.D.’s Facebook page and also receive VIP tickets to a concert. A “People’s Choice” winner will be selected by voters via Talenthouse and have their logo displayed on P.O.D.’s Facebook page and will also receive VIP tickets to a concert.


P.O.D. (Payable on Death) formed in 1992 has logged a remarkable array of achievements, including worldwide sales exceeding 10 million, a series of chart topping radio hits, and an unprecedented four #1 MTV videos. With a 15-year career under their belts, P.O.D has released seven studio albums, received three Grammy Award nominations, contributed to numerous motion picture soundtracks, and toured the world over many times. With their third studio album, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, they achieved their initial mainstream success - the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2000. Their following studio album, Satellite, continued the band's success with the hit singles, "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation," pushing it to go triple platinum. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. 


P.O.D. TOUR DATES:

February 25 - Speaking Rock Entertainment Center - El Paso, TX 
April 6 - Easterfest - Queens Park - Toowoomba QLD, Australia 
April 8 - Strawberry Jam Music Festival - Albany, Australia 
April 10 - Wellington Town Hall - Wellington, New Zealand 
April 11 - Logan Campbell Centre - Auckland, New Zealand 

Red Hot Chili Peppers announce U.S. dates of "I'm With You" World Tour.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced dates for the North American leg of the I'm With You World Tour. Tickets on sale December 10th.

U.S. tour dates:

01/20 Sunrise, FL | Bank Atlantic Center

01/21 Orlando, FL |  Amway Arena

01/23 St. Petersburg, FL | St. Pete Times Forum

01/25 Charlotte, NC | Time Warner Cable Arena 

01/26 Raleigh, NC | RBC Center 


01/28 Columbia, SC | Colonial Life Arena


01/30 Duluth, GA  Gwinnett  | SOLD OUT


01/31 Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum 

02/03 Memphis, TN | FedEx Forum 02/04 New Orleans, LA | New Orleans Arena

03/06 San Antonio, TX | AT&T Center

03/08 Houston, TX | Toyota Center

03/09 Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center (on sale 12/9)

03/13 Tulsa, OK | BOK Arena

03/15 Oklahoma City, OK | Chesapeake Energy

03/16 Little Rock, AR | Verizon Center

Nicki Minaj lands 3 Grammy nominations.

   Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic recording artist and 21st century diva extraordinaire Nicki Minaj was crowned "Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist" at the 39th annual 2011 American Music Awards and her critically acclaimed, platinum-selling debut, Pink Friday, was named "Favorite Rap/Hip Hop album". These two awards mark her first AMA wins. 

Red hot from the ceremony, MINAJ has also received 4 Grammy Award nominations in the categories of "Best New Artist", "Best Rap Performance" ["Moment 4 Life" Featuring Drake], "Best Rap Album" [Pink Friday], and "Album of the Year" [Loud/ Rihanna]. 

The American Music Awards was a memorable night all around for Minaj. She opened up the show with an elegantly explosive collaboration with David Guetta on "Turn Me On". Minaj lit up the stage with uncontainable sexy swagger and her impressive, irresistible delivery. After her win, she tweeted, "I have come a long way. God is good!" 

The performance simply continued her tradition of head-turning appearances. Recently, she lit up the stage at the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show alongside Maroon 5, Kanye West, and a bevy of the world's top models showcasing new styles. 

However, with 4 Grammy Award nominations, Minaj isn't stopping any time soon, and you can expect her to continue flipping the game upside down in 2012. Right now, she's in the process of readying her follow-up to Pink Friday for release early next year, and she's bound to remain everyone's "favourite". 

Nicki Minaj was named a Breakout Star by Entertainment Weekly, Rookie of the Year by Spin Magazine and the 2010 Myspace Artist of the Year. Her popularity is infectious. Nicki has almost 2.5 million Twitter followers and her website MyPinkFriday.com attracts over 4 million page views per month. 

Pink Friday combines Nicki Minaj’s capacity for creativity, an innate sense of artistry and her ferocious set of skills. She was already a bona fide star before Pink Friday was released, but Nicki Minaj is no ordinary rapper. Nicki’s first single “Young Love” hit number one on the Billboard rap charts, a feat last achieved by a female hip-hop artist in 2003. She’s still wowing fans with her fiery verse on Kanye West’s “Monster” alongside Jay-Z. Nicki Minaj added a potent feminine touch to Ludacris’ radio and club smash “My Chick Bad.” Her infectious, standout appearances alongside Lil Wayne (“Knockout”), Usher (“Lil Freak”), Robin Thicke (“Shakin’ It 4 Daddy,”), Sean Kingston (“Letting Go”), Christina Aguilera (“WooHoo”) and as a member Young Money among many others, have catapulted the Queens, New York entertainer to the top of the game. Nicki Minaj hosted BET's Rip the Runway 2010 and pulled in the highest ratings ever for the show setting the stage for a performance on the 2010 BET Awards where she took home trophies for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, and for Best Group as a key member of the super-group Young Money. 

Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled both receive Grammy nominations.

LIL WAYNE 

Rap luminary and Cash Money / Universal Republic Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Lil Wayne has landed five 2012 Grammy Award nominations in four categories.

Those nominations extend across both pop and hip-hop including "Best Rap Album" [THA CARTER IV], "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" [DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne - "I'm On One"] [Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne - "Motivation"], "Best Rap Performance" [Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - "Look at Me Now"] and "Best Rap Song" [Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - "Look at Me Now"].


2011 has been another remarkable year for Lil Wayne. In August, immediately after a scorching performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, he made history by releasing his hotly anticipated tenth studio album, THA CARTER IV that very night. In merely a week's time, THA CARTER IV was #1 on Nielsen Soundscan Chart, exceeding sales of 964,000 and 1 million standalone tracks digitally. His fire continues to spread throughout the industry though, burning brighter every time he takes the mic or the stage.

Lil Wayne made unforgettable collaborations with Kelly Rowland on the pop smash "Motivation", label mate Drake and Rick Ross on the posse banger "I'm On One", and with Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes on "Look At Me Now". His solo efforts and collaborations are now both sides of this artist are being recognized with Grammy Award nominations.

THA CARTER IV remains a sign of Lil Wayne's dominance, perseverance, and evolution.

THE CARTER IV is a continuum of Lil Wayne’s dominance, having sold nearly as many albums as Tha Carter III in a considerably weaker physical market and less retail outlets. To date, Lil Wayne has sold more than 10 million records in a single decade, and that number is rising daily.

The New Orleans native who hails from the streets of Hollygrove released his first tracks at age 12 after he was introduced to Cash Money CEOs Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams. Lil Wayne released the first instalment of Tha Carter series in 2004, which added to his impressive collection of platinum plaques, followed by Tha Carter II in 2006, which cemented his status as one of the best MCs in the hip hop game. But it was 2008’s critically acclaimed Tha Carter III that gave Lil Wayne his iconic stature in popular music, paving the way for his advisory role to grow as CEO of Young Money Records. The album also made him a four-time Grammy Award winner, cementing his place in history as a true musical legend.


DJ KHALED


Cash Money/Universal Republic Records multi-platinum, award-winning producer and recording artist DJ Khaled has received his first Grammy Award nomination for the smash hit single, "I'm On One" [Featuring Drake, Rick Ross, & Lil Wayne]. This anthem remains the centerpiece of, We the Best Forever, his fifth studio album and first for Cash Money / Universal Republic Records.

Throughout the summer, "I'm On One", dominated airwaves, locking down the #1 position on Urban Radio. The track debuted on Billboard's Digital Songs chart at #5, rising to #8 on Billboard’s Rap Songs chart and #10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. The song remains a red hot banger, showcasing DJ Khaled's formidable presence and inimitable power to get people moving alongside rap heavyweights and label mates Lil Wayne and Drake and Rick Ross.

Everyone has been On DJ Khaled, and the song is proof why.

Continuing to the track's phenomenal performance and that of We The Best Forever, DJ Khaled has notched his first Grammy nod, paving the way for more success to come.

DJ Khaled is a staple on the Miami airwaves as a radio personality at WEDR 99.1 FM. The producer and DJ first rose to national acclaim as a member of Fat Joe’s Terror Squad. On his solo projects, DJ Khaled has delivered a steady stream of smash hits, including his double-platinum smash “All I Do is Win,” which peaked at 24 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, the platinum hit “I’m So Hood,” and the gold-certified singles “Out Here Grindin’” and “We Takin’ Over.” In 2010, DJ Khaled had the #2 rap album in the country with his Victory album, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Independent Chart and climbed to #14 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums Chart.

DJ Khaled’s talents have been heralded by the music industry. He won the 2008 MVP of the Year Award and the 2010 DJ of the Year Award at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, and a 2008 BET Award for Best Collaboration for his remix of “I’m So Hood,” featuring Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, and Rick Ross. Whether he is in the mixing booth, in front of the microphone, or running the game from behind the scenes, DJ Khaled has the rare ability to thrive in multiple rolls — DJ Khaled is the consummate artist. 

Silverstein release "Short Songs" track listing.

   When Hopeless recording artists SILVERSTEIN announced the upcoming release of SHORT SONGS on February 7, 2012 (the 22-track follow-up to their critically-acclaimed album RESCUE), they were still in the process of choosing which original songs they would include and which classic punk songs they would cover. With each song clocking in at 90 seconds or less, the appropriately-titled Short Songs is divided into two halves: 11 originals and 11 covers from such seminal bands as Dead Kennedys, Orchid, Gorilla Biscuits, The Promise Ring, NOFX, Green Day and more. "Just with every album we produce, we're always thinking of the 'sides' of a record," explains drummer Paul Koehler. "In this example, Side A will be the originals, and Side B will be the covers. Each can be listened to as a contained unit, or you can easily play through just as on CD or in your iTunes."

As an added "thank you" to their fans, one fan who purchases Short Songs through the pre-order that begins today will be chosen at random to receive a special care package directly from the band. The link for the pre-order is: hopelessrecords.com/silverstein.


Produced by Jordan Valeriote who produced Silverstein's previous releases Rescue and the Transitions EP, the band challenged themselves by thinking of music in a different way. Instead of constructing songs in the standard "three minute plus" format, they cut each song's time in half and told a story in a compact fashion. "We had some difficulties learning exactly how these songs were played and adapting them to our own abilities (ex. our Orchid cover "Destination: Blood"). Part of this made it a better challenge and definitely opened us up to a lot more playing styles." The title track "Short Songs" (originally performed by The Dead Kennedys) features guest vocals from Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), Chris #2 (Anti-Flag), Scott Wade (ex-Comeback Kid), Chris Hannah (Propagandhi), Paul Rousseau (Burst & Bloom), Jimmy Stadt (Polar Bear Club), Daniel Tremblay (I Am Committing A Sin), Mike Hranica (The Devil Wears Prada), and Nick Diener (The Swellers). Liam Cormier (Cancer Bats) guests on The Swarm's "xOn Our Kneesx".

SHORT SONGS TRACK LISTING
1 Sick As Your Secrets
2 Sin & Redemption
3 SOS
4 Brookfield
5 La Marseillaise
6 World On Fire
7 Sleep Around
8 My Miserable Life
9 Truth & Temptation
10 One Last Dance
11 See Ya Bill
12 Short Songs (Originally by Dead Kennedys) featuring Tim McIlrath, Chris #2, Scott Wade, Chris Hannah, Paul Rousseau, Jimmy Stadt, Daniel Tremblay, Mike Hranica, and Nick Diener
13 236 E. Broadway (Originally by Gob)
14 Good Intentions (Originally by Gorilla Biscuits)
15 Destination: Blood! (Originally by Orchid)
16 Coffee Mug (Originally by Descendents)
17 xOn Our Kneesx (Originally by The Swarm) featuring Liam Cormier
18 Scenes From Parisian Life (Originally by The Promise Ring)
19 It's My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite (Originally by NOFX)
20 Quit Your Job (Originally by Chixdiggit)
21 The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink (Originally by Green Day)
22 You Gotta Stay Positive (Originally by Good Clean Fun)