Kelis- "22nd Century" and "4th of July" performances

While I am anticipating Kelis' album "Fleshtones" which is set to be released in the US on July 6th I've been watching her videos from previous albums and her recent performances. Check out a great quality video of her performing "22nd Century" and "4th of July" which are two tracks off her upcoming album.

Christian Siriano- "Having a Moment." Bravo TV Special

Check out "Having a Moment," a Bravo special that aired Monday night. Christian is such a talented and I think he has the potential to be one of the notable American fashion designers. On top of that he is hilarious! Video via Hulu.

La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) - Remix Video

Check out this fan made remix video that I am across for La Roux- "In For The Kill." Skream's Let's Get Ravey remix is without a doubt the definitive version of this song. The fan made remix video is well done.

N.E.R.D. starts fresh with Nothing and "Hot & Fun."

Fans have eagerly been waiting for the follow up to N.E.R.D.'S Seeing Sounds, released in 2008, which was their third studio album. News of the group returning to the studio spread last year when Pharrell began to post information and pictures up on the BBC Ice Cream blog (www.bbcicecream.com/blog).

To be honest I felt a little let down by the groups first offering from this era: "Soldier" which featured Santigold and was released on the 90210 television series soundtrack last year. As a big fan of Pharrell's first collaboration with Santigold ("My Drive Thru" which also featured Julian Casablancas and was featured in a Converse ad campaign) I expected much more for their second collaboration. Instead "Soldier" left me confused and conscerned about the direction that they were going in with their next album. Their addition of Rhea, a female band member who was later dropped from the group, also left me concerned.

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of The Neptunes and I have followed N.E.R.D. (Pharrell and Chad's collaboration with Shae Haley) since the beginning. I feel that with each album they have continued to grow and brand out musically. Although their debut In Search Of (particually the UK version) is my favorite I enjoyed 2004's Fly or Die and 2008's Seeing Sounds equally.

I was pleasantly suprised when news that N.E.R.D. scrapped their material for their album Instant Gratification for a new sound and new direction with an album they are now calling Nothing. Check out the article from hiphop-n-more.com (which sites MTV UK) as the source. Thanks to theneptunes.org and yk2daily.net for posting this story.

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Virginia’s own N*E*R*D* has been holed up in the studio lately, working on their next project, Instant Gratification, only to make drastic changes. MTV UK reports that a new single, “Hot & Fun”, will be released in the coming weeks, but that cuts from the original Instant Gratification has been scrapped for tunes that will “speak to women”:

Pharrell explained: “We scrapped 27 records because they weren’t good enough, they sounded great – but what were they saying? So we went back in (to the studio) and just focused on feeling…”

“It’s almost like we did this whole entire album with our eyes closed, not because it was that easy but because it was that important to reconnect to what we feel and I would say this album is like scrapping everything and starting with nothing”
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Very exciting indeed! Pharrell and Chad are beasts in the studio so even though they scrapped 27 songs I'm sure their revised album isn't far from completion. There is word that "Hot and Fun," the first single from Nothing, will be released in the coming weeks. It's a great time to be a Star Trak fan!

Video Game music: Last Boss

Thank you for sharing this Levi! This is truly beautiful music! The chords and arrangement..... beautiful jazz fusion. I know that I'm going to sound rediculous by saying this but.... they don't make em' like this anymore!

Giant Magazine (RIP)

How did I miss this? I've been waiting for the latest issue of Giant magazine. In the last couple of years Giant has quickly become my favorite magazine (especially since Vibe shut it's doors and after Vibe returned as a weak version of it's own shadow). The photo spreads were amazing! Giant had interesting articles and seemed to get the best out of the artists that it features in both interviews and photo shoots. Sadly the December 2009 issue featuring Alicia Keys is the last issue of the magazine.

This is truly bittersweet for me. Due to the evolution of media, blogs, and various internet based outlets people like me are now able to have an avenue to share our thoughts, opinions, and our life passions. But as a result print media is dying. Second to purchasing a CD and reading the liner notes I live for the feeling of going to the store and picking up the latest issue of Giant, Vibe, GQ, etc. Sadly it seems that every couple of months we here about a magazine going under. I guess this is just a sign of the times. The evolution is here.

New Music Tuesday

Whenever there are CD releases that I am excited about I will feature a New Music Tuesdays! segment on the blog. One of the things that I enjoy most about being obsessed with music and supporting the artists that I believe in is going to buy their CD's when they are released. Through this blog I hope to share some of these moments with you. It's been a great month for music! Monica, Erykah Badu, and Usher all released solid CD's. Here are my favorites from March:


Monica's album Still Standing is a mixture of classic Monica of the past and classy Monica of the future. Gone are the hood hit attempts such as "Every Time The Beat Drops" from her poorly received album The Makings of Me but present are slow groove R&B gems such as the Polow Da Don produced and Ester Dean penned "Here I Stand," the Stargate produced "Believing in Me," and the Missy produced and Denise William's sampled "Everything to Me." Monica's CD is everything I wanted it to be and more.



Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is an instant classic. The album takes you on a journey from start to finish and is truly solid effort. Highlights include "Window Seat," "Take Me Away (get munny)," the J Dilla produced "Love," the Eddie Kendricks "Intimate Friends" sampled "Fall In Love (Your Funeral," and the epic "Out My Mind, Just In Time."



I purposely didn't listen to the leaked material off Usher's latest Raymond v Raymond (other than the singles "Daddy's Home," "Little Freak," and the unreleased Neptunes production "Ceritifed" which I am upset didn't make the cut). Instead, I waited until I popped the CD into my CD player to reserve judgement. While I read the liner notes and thank you notes I was plesently suprised by Usher deliver another solid release. I enjoyed Usher's previous effort Here I Stand but due to the album not being well received commercially I thought that Usher would either try too hard or that his new material would fail to live up to the expectation of his fans that he would come hard this time around. Well Usher served up a electric mix of slow jams, uptempo club tracks, and melodic R&B grooves. Highlights include "Little Freak (Featuring Nicki Minaj), "There Goes My Baby," "OMG," "Guilty," "Mars Vs. Venus," "Okay," and "Making Love (Into The Night)."

Support good music! If you haven't picked these up do so ASAP!

iPAD: Will you be buying?

The Apple iPad is officially available today in the US. Will you be buying one? I'll take a 3G 64GB model please! Some of the specs that may persuade me to buy it are the attachable keyboards, and the iPad's ability to open and edit Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint files. The devices applications are also closer to those found in an Apple computer versus those found in an iPhone. I would really love to use the calender feature. Check out the CNET review below.

American Vogue honors fallen fashion designer Alexander McQueen

Following tributes by Italian Vogue and British Vogue fallen fashion designer Alexander McQueen is paid tribute by American Vogue.

I am still shocked that the immensely talented fashion designer is no longer wish us. Pick up the April edition of Vogue for the article.

Check out McQueen's fashion show for his final collection, the Spring/Summer 2010 collection, below. Also- check out an interview with the genius designer as well.

Lupe Fiasco- I'm Beamin

I cannot wait for the video for "I'm Beamin" to drop. I've been a supporter of Lupe far before "Food and Liquor" dropped out is in criminally underrated. Lupe is one of the best in the game and Lupe and The Neptunes is always audio candy. The official remix of "I'm Beamin" is set to feature The Cool Kids. The Neptunes produced another album track for Lupe's upcoming album "L.A.S.E.R.S." "I'm Beamin" has been on repeat on my iPod for months. I can't wait for the album!

Cyrstal Kay- "Itoshiihito" performance

I am a big fan of Asian pop music (particularly J-Pop). Crystal Kay is one of my favorite artists. Crystal was born in Japan and speaks Japanese and English fluently. Crystal's father is African American and her mother is South Korean. Check out her performance of "Itoshiihito" which is featured on her album "Color Change" and was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Crystal would make a huge impact here the states. Although I am a huge fan of both Utada and Boa they failed to really make an impact in the US. I think Crystal would do great. She has already collaborated with the likes of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bloodshy and Avant, and even has a song written by Keri Hilson all the way back in 2003. Although Crystal has been int he industry for over ten years she is only 24 so now is the perfect time to bring her stateside. Listen up Sony Music!

Takashi Murakami + Louis Vuitton = Superflat First Love (Short Film)

Check out the special edition version of Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion, and Archetecture which. Murakami designed the cover for the special edition. The standard edition goes for $80.00 while the special edition, avaialble exclusively at Louis Vuiotton stores, goes for $120.00.

Also check out the short film below which was created by Murakami. I love the short films that Murakami has done for Luis Vuitton. This is one of my favorites.

Jeremy Scott + Keith Haring

Jeremy Scott is an extremely talented designer and has also collaborated with the Keith Haring foundation to create fashion through the fusion of Keith Haring's art and modern design.

Check out the images below which show various pieces from his line, a video of Jeremy discussing his collection with Keith Haring's artwork, and a video of one of Jeremy's recent lines for Adidas. Super cool.

Kid Cudi- Persuit of Happiness (Alternate Video)

Here is the alternate video for Kid Cudi's single "Persuit of Happiness (featuring MGMT and Ratatat)". I definitely prefer this video over the first one. Cudi is definitely one to watch. I am definately looking forward to his upcoming sophmore album "Cudder" which is set to feature collaborations with Kings of Leon, Green Day, and production for Kanye West and The Neptunes.

Nicki MInaj- Massive Attack (Featuring Sean Garrett) (Official Video)

Nicki Minaj's debut video "Massive Attack" premiered yesterday on BET's 106 and Park. The song features Sean Garrett and is produced by up and coming producer Alex Da Kid (NOT Sean Garrett as some are reporting).

I'm going to be honest: I am a supporter of Nicki. I like her delivery and I like the fact that she is young, ambitious, hungry, and that she doesn't seem to take herself too seriously. She comes across as very intelligent as well and it seems that she really knows that she wants out of her career. She has her eyes on the prize and I am really rooter for her. But at first I wasn't crazy about this song. But with each listen and watch I have began to enjoy it more and more. The video is great. Hype did a great job introducing Nicki in her premier video and the video sure does serve up fashion, colors, drama, Nicki looking great, and Amber Rose. Enough said. LOL. The video is definitely a winner. I think it's also refreshing to see a hip hop artist having such a glossy debut. Great job.

Kelis- Queen of Hearts: Off With Their Heads- Kelis: Fleshtone Mixtape" w/ DJ Replay

I literally almost screamed when I read about this mixtape moments ago. I am downloading it right now! Kelis is giving us a little treat before the release of her fifth studio album (fourth in the US) "Fleshtones" which is due this June.

Check out the links below to download Kelis' new mixtape: "Queen of Hearts: Off With Their Heads- Kelis: Fleshtone Mixtape" w/ DJ Replay. The mixtape features remixes, non Kelis album tracks such as her collaboration with Crookers "No Security" and tracks of "Fleshtones."

Check out the link and the tracklisting below. Get it while it's hot!

Queen of Hearts: Off with their Heads-Kelis: Flesh Tone Mixtape by DJ Replay of Free School

1. Handful (intro)
2. No Security (Crookers vs. Bart Bmore)
3. Acapella (David Guetta vs. Benny Banssi)
4. Bossy (Switch vs. Alan Braxe and Fred Falke)
5. 4th of July (Flesh Tone Album Snippet)
6. Grey Goose (Free School feat. Apl d ap vs. Stardust)
7. Milkshake (Mighty Fools vs. Major Lazer)
8. Get Along with You (Laidback Luke vs. Mstrkrft (Goldenchyld Blend))
9. Home (Flesh Tone Album Snippet)
10. Caught Out There (Eric Prydz Blend)
11. Scream (Flesh Tone Album Snippet)
12. Lil Star (Linus Loves Remix)
13. 22nd Century (Flesh Tone Album Snippet)

Erykah Badu- Window Seat (Official Video): NSFW

VIDEO NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

I am loving Erykah Badu's new album and "Window Seat" is without a doubt my favorite song on an album which has become an instant classic in my eyes. The "Window Seat" video is definately stirring up some contreversy. But you know what they say: any press is good press. IMO the contreversy will definately help her album sales. Although I won't argue that the video is a bit riskay I do have to give her credit for taking such a risk to make an artistic statement. In this case the contreversy definately doesn't overshadow the music. Pick up Erykah's new album "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)." You will not be dissapointed.

Jay-Z: NY-Z Documentary + Jay-Z "I Know" video

Here is an interesting documentary that I came across about Jay-Z called "NY-Z." The documentary was put together by Absolut Concert Series and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/absolut

Check out the trailer for the documentary below and visit the Facebook link above to visit the documentary in it's entirety.

While we are at it check out Jay-Z's "I Know" video below. "I Know" is one of my favorite Jay-Z songs, my favorite Jay-Z and Neptunes collaboration, and one of my favorite Neptunes' productions. I love the video which features the beautiful Zoe Kravitz. Definately one of my favorites!

FLASHBACK VIDEO: CRS- Us Placers

I can't believe it's been two and a half years since I first discovered "Us Placers." The single is the first from CRS- a supergroup comprised of Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pharrell Williams. Initially all information about the group was tightly guarded. Then there were mentionings of a CRS album in the works. Recently Lupe Fiasco commented that while joining Kanye and Pharrell on the "Glow In The Dark Tour" in 2008 they recorded four tracks. That makes a total of six completed CRS tracks (if you include the remix of "Everyone Knows," which also featured Pusha T of The Clipse). Lupe Fiasco also commented that Pharrell has been in contact with him and has been discussing getting back in the studio with Lupe and Kanye.

Check out the following link for the Green Lantern interview where Lupe discusses the CRS project: http://hiphop-n-more.com/2010/01/lupe-talks-lasers-crs-on-invasion-radio/

I discovered "Us Placers" and Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" at the same time and both songs became instant favorites of mine. I really hope that the music that they create together spans different genre's and is as outside of the box as "Us Placers" was.

Check out the video below:

CRS "Us Placers" from triggerhappy on Vimeo.

Zara men's clothing line featuring Keith Haring artwork

While at the mall few weeks ago waiting for my drink at Starbucks I spotted a young man wearing a shirt with Keith Haring's art work on it. I ran to him and asked him where he bough the shirt and he told me that Zara has a men's wear line sporting Keith's artwork. Check out some of the peices below and check out the following article from the What He Wears Blog: http://whathewears.blogspot.com/2009/10/zara-celebrates-keith-haring.html

Images courtesy of What He Wears.

David Lachapelle: Maybach campaign (behind the scenes)

David Lachapelle is a genius! I had no idea that he worked on the Maybach campaign. Check out this video featuring behind the scenes footage of the sheet. Definitely NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

Norah Jones- Back To Manhattan (plus image collage)

"Back to Manhattan" is my favorite songs from Norah Jones' amazing new album "The Fall." I came across this video of the song on You Tube which features a collage of images of Manhattan. I guess this will have to do until we get a real video (I'm crossing my fingers that it receives the single and video treatment). Until then- check out this fan made video.

Kanye West- Street Lights (Fan Made Video)

This fan made video of Kanye West- "Street Lights" is stunning and IMO light years better than the original video. Excellent work!

MGMT- Flash Delerium

Check out MGMT's recently released video for "Flash Delerium" which is the first "single" off the album.

MGMT stated that they will not release singles off this album because they want it to be presented and enjoyed as a single body of work. So I guess this is just the first "music video" from the album. I'm really liking the psychedelic rock feel of their new material. I enjoyed their debut "Oracular Spectacular" and I am highly anticipating their sophmore release "Congratulations" which will find it's way in stores on April 13th in the US.

Basement Jaxx- My Turn

Although this video is not new by any means (it made it's debut in October 2009) I really wanted to make sure that I shared this one with you. This is a perfect example of a video perfectly complimenting a song. Basement Jaxx's latest album "Scars" was CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED. If you haven't checked out their album yet please make sure you do. Notable highlights: "Raindrops," "Scars," and "Feelings Gone."

Levi + Bond-N-Beyond Blog

Every now and then you meet people that inspire you to think outside the box and challenge yourself just a little bit more. More good friend Levi Bond Jr. definitely had that effect on me. Levi is an up and coming fashion designer and I believe in his vision and I am confident that he progress into being a notable trendsetter and taste maker.

Check out Levi's blog at http://bond-n-beyond.blogspot.com

Dee and Ricky

These guys are super impressive. They took such a simple idea and are building an empire out of it. Check out this interview and learn more about Dee and Ricky by visitng their site:

Takashi Murakami + Louis Vuitton = Cosmic Blossom

Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton have teamed up for a line of a woman's ready to wear line. The line is called Comsmic Blossom. Although I would expect a little more from Murakami I think that the clothes capture the simplicity of the Louis Vuitton brand. Nice stuff.

Images courtesy of www.highsnobery.com.

Kelis- Acapella (Official Video)

I've been a fan of Kelis since "Caught Out There." Kelis is one of those artist who's work I will faithfully support. Her "Acapella" video is visually stunning and I cannot wait until her new album "Fleshtones" comes out this June.

Pharrell's Keynote speech @ University of Miami

Pharrell is one of my favorite artists. You can expect to see alot features on Pharrell on this blog. His style, his musical talent, and his open mind toward art is admirable. If there were on person in entertainment that I have to say I truly look up to it is Mr. Pharrell Williams.

Check out the video below of Pharrell's recent Keynote speech at Univesity of Miami. Video courtesy of www.dujon.net and www.theneptunes.org.



1/3 Pharrell Keynote at the 2010 MEIEA conference
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2/3 Pharrell Keynote at the 2010 MEIEA conference
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3/3 Pharrell Keynote at the 2010 MEIEA conference
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Pharrell

Welcome

Hello everyone and welcome to Audio Art and Design. This blog will feature the creative works of musicians, artists, fashion designers- and all who are trendsetting and making a name for themselves through the passion of expression and creativity.

I am in love with music and music will always be my primary interests. However, I feel that music, art, and fashion are all complimentary. Music is art and fashion's audio equivalent and art and fashion are the visual representation of music.

Though this blog I hope to share the things that inspire me every day. Sit back, relax, and prepare to step into a world of modern art and expression of all mediums. Welcome to Audio, Art, and Design.