Kanye West: Artist of the Decade & Album of the Decade

I will forever be a Kanye West fan and just because he told Taylor Swift the truth (however the timing disrespectful and should of been left to a rant after the show or via twitter), he has lost the respect of many (including his recent snub at the grammy's). Fortunately, there are some people out there who still have faith in Yeezy! Rolling Stone Magazine named Kanye West one of the most influential people of this decade! Billboard Magazine named Taylor West and Kanye West the top male and female acts of 2009. Subsequently, Entertainment Weekly just said that Kanye West's album "The College Dropout" is the best one this century. All I have to say to that is that I totally agree! If it wasn't for innovative artist for Kanye West, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Outkast, Beyonce, Miranda Lambert and Timbaland who continue to push the envelope we would all be stuck in pop hell with artists like Taylor Swift or Heidi Montag. Mr. West, thank you for always keeping it real.

Kanye West & Young Jeezy "Amazing" Video Stills

These are stills from Kanye West's new video titled "Amazing" featuring Young Jeezy and it is directed by Hype Williams.

Kanye West: Colognes, South Park, Sneakers, Energy Drinks and Mixtapes

Kanye West is so busy with so many things like his expanding of his empire into branded beverages and fragrances. Kanye will have his own energy drink through a collaboration with GURU Beverages Inc., a maker and distributor of organic and natural drinks.

West will be involved in the entire development process of a new beverage "inspired by his own personal artistic vision," the company announced yesterday (April 8). The new drink is expected to launch later this year. As part of the deal, West is now an equity partner in the company."I express myself through music, fashion, art and design and that's why I am excited to collaborate with GURU; because the brand values what I value, and I can put what inspires me into this new product," West said in a statement.

West is also part of a deal that will see branded perfumes and colognes from Jay-Z, Rihanna, and West himself. Parlux Fragrances, Inc., announced Tuesday (April 7) that it has signed an agreement with Iconic Fragrances LLC, Jay-Z's own licensing company. The agreement allows for royalties, profit sharing, and stock options for West and the others.

Kanye West was featured on the latest episode of South Park and he had this to say:
"SOUTH PARK MURDERED ME LAST NIGHT AND IT'S PRETTY FUNNY. IT HURTS MY FEELINGS BUT WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SOUTH PARK! I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY EGO THOUGH. HAVING THE CRAZY EGO IS PLAYED OUT AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE AND CAREER. I USE TO USE IT TO BUILD UP MY ESTEEM WHEN NOBODY BELIEVED IN ME. NOW THAT PEOPLE DO BELIEVE AND SUPPORT MY MUSIC AND PRODUCTS THE BEST RESPONSE IS THANK YOU INSTEAD OF "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" IT'S COOL TO TALK SHIT WHEN YOU'RE RAPPING BUT NOT IN REAL LIFE. WHEN YOU MEET LITTLE WAYNE IN PERSON HE'S THE NICEST GUY FOR EXAMPLE. I JUST WANNA BE A DOPER PERSON WHICH STARTS WITH ME NOT ALWAYS TELLING PEOPLE HOW DOPE I THINK I AM. I NEED TO JUST GET PAST MYSELF. DROP THE BRAVADO AND JUST MAKE DOPE PRODUCT. EVERYTHING IS NOT THAT SERIOUS. AS LONG AS PEOPLE THINK I ACT LIKE A BITCH THIS TYPE OF SHIT WILL HAPPEN TO ME. I GOT A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF ME TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE I'M NOT ACTUALLY A HUGE DOUCHE BUT I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE. I'M SURE THE WRITERS AT SOUTH PARK ARE REALLY NICE PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DRAW MY CREW. THAT WAS PRETTY FUNNY ALSO!! I'M SURE THERE'S GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN THIS... THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW IT'S ME!"

Here is the South Park episode (WARNING: there is some crude humor and language):

Last, he has a new mixtape titled The Lost Songs: Welcome To Chicago you can download for free on his website at: Kanye West Blog or by clicking on the album below. Enjoy!

New Music: Kanye West & Beyonce: Ego (Remix)

Beyonce is set to release her third group of singles from her current album I Am… Sasha Fierce. The third set of singles consist of Sasha’s “Ego,” (which was originally slated to be the second single, before “Diva”) and Beyonce’s Babyface-assisted “Broken-Hearted Girl.” Before the album’s release, it was reported that Kanye West went all the way down to Brazil to bless the track with his verse. Check out the new remix of “Ego” and be sure to be on the look out for the videos for each respective single which were shot weeks ago.

Video Premiere: Keri Hilson Featuring Ne-Yo & Kanye West

Check out Keri Hilson's new video for her new single Knock You Down featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West off her album In A Perfect World... dropping in stores tomorrow. Make sure to pick up a copy for you and a friend. I want this album to go straight to #1!

Keri Hilson Featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo: Knock You Down

Here is a new song from Keri Hilson featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West called “Knock You Down” off her new LP "In A Perfect World" out on March 24th. The track was produced by Timbaland and Danja and the video was just recently shot in L.A. What do you think of this song?

Details Magazine: Kanye West

In a new interview with Details magazine, Kanye West reveals that he is done with music and is ready to pour all his "superhero" energy into conquering fashion. Find out what else the hip-hop artist has to say about his new endeavor and read his thoughts on being the self-proclaimed voice of his generation.

On being a rapper turned fashion designer and how it's seen as cliche: "People base their opinions on cliche. There's a reason why they're cliches: 'I was gonna wear a coat today, but it would be so cliche.' How about some pants -- if it's not too cliche?"

On his fashion influence: "Marc Jacobs is my fashion idol because of the way he merges all worlds, the way he's big in the hood and the head of the No. 1 fashion house in the world."

On his infamous "I am the voice of this generation" quote: "If not me, then who?" he says. "Someone could be a better rapper, dance better. But culturally impacting? When you look back at these four and a half years, who's the icon at the end of the day? Who broke down color barriers? What other black guy would a white person use as a fashion reference?"

On what kind of woman he'd settle down with: "I feel like the type of girl I would be with is a fellow superhero. So we get that 'already flying and now we're just flying together' thing."

Check out the rest of the interview here.

Video Premiere: Kanye West

Today is a great day for new videos. First T.I. & Justin Timberlake, now it Kanye West & Kidd Cudi with "Welcome to Heartbreak". What do you think?

Beyonce vs. Kanye West

No, this is not another domestic disturbance! DJ Kidd just smashed two songs and made it even stronger than before. He took Beyonce's Diva and smashed it with Kanye West's Amazing. Take a listen and tell me what you think.

New Single: Kanye West & Lil' Wayne

"See You In My Nightmares" is Kanye West's third single from his platinum album 808's & Heartbreaks released in December of 2008 and it features Lil' Wayne. The video is being shot this weekend and it features Rihanna as the video girl (she had planned to be in the video way before the incident). This should be a very interesting video seeing that the song is about breaking up with that person who causes you pain.

Single Review: Kanye West

Kanye West's "808s & Heartbreak" is filled with raw emotion, and this song is no exception. Over haunting violins, cello and viola, Kanye West (Yeezy) and Lil' Wayne (Weezy) make clear they are no longer heartbroken and are determined to have the last word on love lost. As lonely and sad as other parts of "808s & Heartbreak" are, it's inspiring to hear West pick up the pieces of his broken heart and move on. "See You in My Nightmares" is not only cathartic, but a very mature move for Yeezy who used to throw tantrums over not winning mediocre awards.

Vibe Magazine: "I AM RAP!"-Kanye West

This is the current issue of Vibe Magazine with Kanye West on the cover. I see this cover and I see pain in his eyes as well as a man who is finding himself. I cannot wait to purchase this magazine when it hits stores on January 27th. What do you think of the cover?

The Year in Concert Photos

Shakira

Amy Winehouse

Alicia Keys

Estelle

Fergie

Janelle Monae

Lil' Wayne

M.I.A.

Gnarls Barkley

Metallica

Madonna

Race Against The Machine

Christina Aguilera

Beyonce

Coldplay

Taylor Swift

Foo Fighters

Janet Jackson

Joe Jonas

Kanye West

Chris Brown

Jonas Brothers

Justin Timberlake & Madonna

Jay-Z

MGMT

N.E.R.D.

Rihanna

Albums of the Year!

In a year where Lil' Wayne sold over 1 million copies in a week and great artists like Nas, N.E.R.D., Christina Aguilera, Danity Kane, Jesse McCartney, Lloyd, Michelle Williams, Nelly, Ashanti, Nickelback, Pink, James Blunt, Natasha Bedingfield, Pussycat Dolls, J. Holiday, Colby O'Donis, Soulja Boy, One Republic, Maroon 5, Robin Thicke, Panic at the Disco, Ludacris, Brandy, Matchbox Twenty, Jennifer Hudson, Solange and Usher all failed to sell that much in a year is crazy. Billboard Magazine just called the compact disk DEAD! CD sales are down 23% from 2000 and they are expected to go down more every year.

Here is my list of my favorite CD's of the year:

1. Robyn-Robyn

2. John Legend- Evolver

3. Alicia Keys- As I Am

4. Nas- Untitled

5. Raphael Saadiq- The Way I See It

6. Coldplay- Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

7. Janelle Monae- Metropolis Suite I

8. Jason Mraz- We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

9. Estelle- Shine

10. Miranda Lambert- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

11. Kanye West- 808s and Heartbreak

12. Ne-Yo- The Year of the Gentlemen

13. Kings of Le0n- Only By The Night

14. Beyonce- I Am...Sasha Fierce

15. Al Green- Lay It Down

16. Santogold-Santogold

17. TV on the Radio- Dear Science

18. M.I.A.- Kala

19. MGMT-Oracular Spectacular

20. Erykah Badu- New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)

21. Common- Universal Mind Control/Q-Tip- The Renaissance

22. Calle 13- Los De Atras Vienen Conmigo

23. Zac Brown Band- The Foundation

24. Jazmine Sullivan- Fearless

25. Lil' Wayne- The Carter III/Radiohead In Rainbows

Not so great year:

1. 50 Cent (album pushed back twice!)

2. Solange (snubbed by the Grammy's)

3. N.E.R.D. (208,000 albums sold)

4. Eve (album pushed back 2 times)

5. Robin Thicke (140,00 albums sold)

6. Guns N' Roses (ouch!)

7. Amerie (album pused back 3 times)

8. Mya (album released in Japan)

9. Solo Efforts: Michelle Williams & Will.i.Am (album flops)

10. Danity Kane (2 members gone)

11.Lady Sovereign and Lil' Mama (dropped from her labels)

12. Christina Aguilera (greatest hits has sold 220,000)

13. Diva Letdowns: Janet Jackson & Mariah Carey (backlash?)

14. Pussycat Dolls a.k.a. Nicole Scherzinger (commercial dud)

15. Duffy/Adele/Amy Winehouse/Lily Allen (1 hit wonders)

Best New Artists:

1. Janelle Monae

2. Estelle/MGMT

3. Keri Hilson/Sam Sparrow

4. Leona Lewis/Jennifer Hudson

5. Jazmine Sullivan/Lady Gaga


BIG in '09:

1. Jay-Z

2. Sasha Fierce

3. Rihanna

4. Timbaland

5. Keri Hilson

Music Video Highlight

Kanye West- Heartless

The second single off 808s & Heartbreak album is Heartless, and the video has just been released for this auto-tune filled record that features a new animation technique that is being called rotoscoped. The video is directed by none other than Hype Williams and the inspiration for it came from the movie American Pop. The next single will be "Paranoid" which features Mr. Hudson and the video will have a new video girl: Rihanna.

In My Opinion

Top Fifteen Singles of the Year:
1.John Legend Featuring John Mayer- I Love, You Love
2.Robyn-Eclipse
3.Miranda Lambert- Gunpowder & Lead
4. Alicia Keys- Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)
5.Raphael Saadiq Featuring Jay-Z- Oh Girl
6.Nas Featuring Keri Hilson- Hero
7.Estelle Featuring Kanye West- American Boy
8.Jason Mraz Featuring Colbie Caillat- Lucky
9. Gnarls Barkely- Who's Gonna Save My Soul
10.Kanye West Featuring Mr. Hudson- Paranoid
11.Janelle Monae- Many Moons
12.Jay-Z- Jockin' Jay Z
13.M.I.A. - Paper Planes
14.Ne-Yo- Closer
15.Justin Nozuka- After Tonight

10 Worst Singles of the Year:
1. Lil' Wayne-Lollipop
2. Briney Spears- [insert any single]
3. Pussycat Dolls- When I Grow Up
4. Mariah Carey- Touch My Body
5. Madonna & Justin Timberlake- 4 Minutes
6. T.I. Featuring Rihanna- Live Your Life
7. David Cook- Light On
8. Usher- Love In The Club
9. Danity Kane Featuring Missy Elliott- Bad Girl
10. Tokio Hotel [insert any single]

Single Highlights

John Legend Featuring Faith Evans- Everybody Knows

This is John's third single from his third studio album "Evolver". It feels like a lot of R&B dudes promise opulent nights of ecstasy, but Legend is so classy that these fantasies seem like real journalism. John puts it out there so easily and respectfully tells the love of his life, "I wish you the best, I guess."

Zac Brown Band- Chicken Fried

Zac has developed a unique experience and is steadily achieving his goal of breaking down barriers and bringing people together. Music Industry Executives from New York to Nashville are working to find the angle but folks from all walks of life have already found it. Drawing upon influences like the musical freedom of the Allman Brothers, the spiritual heartbreak of Bob Marley, and the working class grind of Willie Nelson, Zac has created universal appeal, simply by being himself.

Janelle Monae- Sincerely, Jane

No Making The Band drama for this Bad Boy Records upcoming artist, Janelle has been featured on a few track by Outkast on the soundtrack for Idlewild and now has a Grammy nomination for her debut album. Her first single "Many Moons" had some success but the next single "Sincerely, Jane" will do the trick as she questions our youth, "Spending money on spinners but won't pay college loans".

Beyonce Featuring Kanye West- Ego

Sasha Fierce is demanding "It's too big, It's too wide, It's too strong, It won't fit, It's too much, It's too tough!" What the heck is she talking about, well take a listen and debate on this self-declared arrogant no scratch that confidant track. Take a listen below:

Kanye West Featuring Young Jeezy- Amazing

This song is true to its title, the use of the classic Roland TR-808 drum machine and the Auto Tune make for a track that is undeniably the best song on this album. The highlight of this song begins at 2:23 where there is silence and then Young Jeezy commands us to watch out for the high pressure that could result from this song. Check it out: