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Ken Walker’s Urban Assault - Monday 20th October 2008

2008-10-25T16:12:46+10:00

Ken Walker’s Urban Assault - Monday 20th October 2008

Title Artist Label #
Don’t Get It (Misunderstood) Lil Wayne feat Leona Lewis Universal Motown 1
Played Out Paula DeAnda feat Yung Joc J Records 2
Sooner Than Later Drake Digiwaxx Media 3
Busy Signal (Bang Bang) Brevi feat Cham Syatt Music Group 4
Heartless Kanye West Universal 5
3 Is The New 2 Bobby Valentino Def Jam / DTP 6
Turn It Up Kamsha Offical Hitz Entertainment 7
Go Get It Red Café Brookland 8
Cruise Control Dawn Richard Bad Boy 9
Boyz M.I.A feat Jay-Z Interscope 10

#1 – Don’t Get It (Misunderstood) – Lil Wayne feat Leona Lewis
Whether you love him or hate him you can’t escape the fact that when it comes to urban music, Lil Wayne is bigger than sliced bread at the moment. His latest album sold a staggering 1 million copies first week of release and it’s gone on to sell almost 2.5 mill to date. “Misunderstood” is the 4th single from “The Carter III” and it features the sultry vocals of the U.K’s favourite soul sista Leona Lewis. It also put’s an interesting mellowed twist on the Eric Burdon & The Animals 60’s classic “Don’t Let Me be Misunderstood”. The only criticism of this is that at 6:37 in duration, it’s a tad too long as towards the end of it, Wayne rambles on and on and on about utter crap .

Eminem announces “Relapse”
Eminem in an exclusive interview with industry heavyweight DJ Kay Slay cleared up all the speculation regarding the release and title of his new album. “It’s gonna be called “Relapse” he told Slay”, “There’s a lot of fake albums and a lot of bullshit album titles floating around out there, I just want to tell everybody that this is the real album title”.
Em then premiered a freestyle called “I’m Having A Relapse”, and the track has already made its way around the Internet via various blogs. The choice of naming the album Relapse goes against rumors that the LP would be entitled King Mathers. Former G-Unit President Sha Money XL also incorrectly said the album would be called “The Empack”.
Eminem’s autobiography, The Way I Am, hits the stores this week via the Dutton Publishing company. The bio features drawings, handwritten lyrics and never-before-seen photographs.

Kanye premiers 808’s & Heartbreak
When you’re one of the biggest recording artists in the world, you can choose to have your first listening session anywhere you want. In Kanye West’s case, last weeks preview of his new album “808s & Heartbreak” occurred in a warehouse art gallery in Los Angeles. Fittingly enough, with direction from famed artist Vanessa Beecroft, the night’s festivities turned into a live art show, with vibrant lights beaming and about 40 women models posing throughout the event. Along with guests and journalists, celebrities and artists in attendance included Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Michael Rappaport, Will.i.Am, Mos Def and Jimmy Kimmel. At the end of it all, Kanye came out with Vanessa Beecroft to address the crowd. He spoke about why he decided on such an early release date for the new album. “I told the label heads L.A. Reid, & Jay-Z that I needed to put this out right now. I’ll have another album coming in June 2009.” 808s & Heartbreak is released here in Oz on November 25th.

Jay Sean signs with Cash Money Records
British R&B;sensation Jay Sean has inked a deal with Cash Money Records, the label home of Lil’ Wayne. It al came about during a recent trip to Miami. Jay officially signed with the label and met Wayne and the rest of the Cash Money family. As a result of the deal, Cash Money has exclusive worldwide outside of the U.K. to release Jay Sean’s most recent album, “My Own Way”. His next five albums will also be released by the imprint label. “It’s always been a dream for me to sign to an American label,” Jay wrote in a blog posted on his official myspace page. “And it’s great to be accepted by the best in the game.” Jay Sean already has a collabo with his label mate Weezy in the works and the self-proclaimed “best rapper alive” will be also be dropping a verse on a remix of Jay’s upcoming single, “Tonight,” which will be featured on a repackaged version of “My Own Way” which will no doubt find it’s way to our shelves in early 2009.

Janet Jackson’s secret illness revealed.
After weeks of cancellations from her “Rock Witchu” U.S tour due to undisclosed health issues, her manager have finally revealed what Janet Jackson has been suffering from. “After a thorough medical evaluation, it has been confirmed that Janet’s symptoms are being caused by a rare form of migraine called Vestibular migraine or migraine-associated vertigo for which she is currently receiving treatment,” said her manager Kenneth Crear. He went on to say that the sickness unexpectedly continued to overcome her body. “Janet wanted very much to resume her tour so as not to disappoint her fans, but she continued to suffer from vertigo and could not perform,” “She’s a world-class entertainer and needs to be at the top of her game to giver her fans the show they expect. She’s feeling much beter and is ready to hit the road again to finish the tour. Promoters here are still frantically trying to stitch up the Oz leg of the tour which will work it’s way to our shores in late 2009.

Ken Walker’s Urban Assault - Monday 29th September 2008

2008-10-05T11:28:37+10:00

Ken Walker’s Urban Assault - Monday 29th September 2008

Title Artist Label #
Boogie Police Omarion feat Missy Elliott Blackground 1
Let’s Do Something Crazy Ashanti feat Flo Rida Universal 2
Swing Ya Rag T.I Feat Swizz Beatz Grand Hussle/Atlantic 3
It’s Over John Legend feat Kanye West Sony BMG 4
She Can Get It DJ Laz feat Elijah & Mims Blackout 5
Arab Money Busta Rhymes Violator 6
Why Prozak feat Twista & Tech N9ne Deadman Productions 7
All The Good Girls Vain feat Slim of 112 Top Of The Buliding 8
I’m Thirsty Regal W.E Inc 9
Shake It Like A Dog Keri Hilson feat R. Kelly The Clutch 10

#1 – Boogie Police – Omarion feat Missy Elliott
After the disaster that was “Face Off” (Omarion’s collabo album with Bow Wow) everybody in the industry was thinking where does “O” go from here. Thankfully Timbaland has signed him to The Mosley Group and if the first leaked track ‘Boogie Police’ is an indication of where he’s at, his career is well and truly back on the rails. Tight beats, clever vocals and a tongue in cheek cameo rap from Missy Elliott all add up to a strong club track that will please the dancefloor as well as Omarion’s legion of fans. This guy is too young and far too talented for his career to be over.

The Black Muppets
Comedy Central head honcho Doug Herzog, known for helping bring “South Park,” “The Daily Show,” and “The Colbert Report” to the network, dropped hints at a potential venture with Kanye West for an urban Muppets inspired show.
The 30 minute weekly project which is in the early stages of development will have a celebrity guest host for each episode and will feature original musical numbers written and produced by Kanye & Rhymefest. Production for the pilot stems from Jackhole Productions, most know for the successful puppet-based show “Crank Yankers.” If picked up by the network, “Alligator Boots” would begin sometime in 2009.

DMX rushed to hospital.
It seems Nate Dogg is not the only artist suffering from strokes lately. Rapper DMX was taken to a medical facility in Aventura Arizona for a potential “fear of stroke.” The rapper was also scheduled to appear in court to answer other charges but will be unable to comply due to this recent medical emergency. The Arizona Deputy sheriff said X was moved from a facility in Miami Dade County and taken to Phoenix, Arizona’s Maricopa County Jail. In addition to facing felony drug possession charges, the troubled rapper is also expected to defend a number of traffic violations, animal cruelty accusations, as well as fraud charges stemming from an illegal use of a Social Security card. He was held on a strict USD $25,000 cash-only bond.

Run DMC nominated for the Hall Of Fame.
Legendary hip-hop pioneers Run DMC (consisting of Reverend Run, D.M.C. and the late Jam Master Jay), will face off against eight other nominees including heavy metal band Metallica and country artist Wanda Jackson for a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. If inducted, the Hip-Hop icons will become the only rap act since last year’s inductees Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. Nomination requirements say artists must have released their first single or album at least 25 years prior to the actual nomination. The Queens collective dropped their first single “Sucker MC’s” in 1983. As well as producing numerous multi-platinum albums, RUN-D.M.C. became the first hip-hop group to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and sign an athletic product endorsement deal with Adidas. The 24th Annual Induction Ceremony is open to the public and takes place Saturday, April 4 2009 in Cleveland Ohio. I couldn’t think of more deserving winners!

Kanye brings forward release date.
Kanye West has announced via his blog KanyeUniverseCity.com that he will be moving up the release date for his fourth album, 808’s And Heartbreak. According to Kanye, the release date will be changed from December 16 to sometime in November. “I changed my album to November something ‘cause I finished the album and I felt like it. I want ya’ll to hear it as soon as possible,” Kanye revealed in his latest blog entry. The change of dates, will move Kanye further away from the release date of 50 Cent’s new album, titled Before I Self Destruct, which is expected to be released on December 9.
Along with wrapping up his own album, Kanye will also be producing for artists such as Jay-Z and T.I.

Case of the mishandled goodies.
Ciara is reportedly “steaming from the ears” from the manner in which Vibe magazine has handled and publicized her recent controversial photo shoot. Her initial idea for the shoot was not to simply show off her body but to express her artistic creativeness. She also claims at no point in the shoot did she appear totally naked and that the photos were re-touched and airbrushed by Vibes designers to make it look like she was. She has written to Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith requesting the original photos so that she can post them on her blog. Either way it’s a win win situation for everyone. Ciara gets great publicity, Vibe sells truck-loads of magazines and we get to see princess of crunk starkers!

Ken Walker’s Urban Assault - Monday 28th July 2008

2008-08-04T22:31:42+10:00

Ken Walker’s Urban Assault - Monday 28th July 2008

Title Artist Label #
Everybody Fonzworth Bentley feat Kanye West Sony BMG 1
American War Pitbull & DJ Noodles 305 Inc 2
High Price Ciara feat Ludacris Sony BMG 3
Comfortable Lil Wayne feat Babyface Cash Money 4
I Love You Girl The Dream feat Fabolous IDJMG 5
My Life The Game feat Lil Wayne Interscope 6
I Like It A Lot Bubba Sparxxx New South / Koch 7
Big Balla Mack 10 feat Birdman Hoo Bang 8
My Girl Santino Seven Star 9
Lay Away Love Notch One Stop Music 10

#1 – Everybody – Fonzworth Bentley feat Kanye West, Sara & Andre 3000
Fonzworth started his illustrious career as the personal assistant to Sean Diddy Coombs. He’s also a top notch fashion designer and he currently hosts “From G’s to gents” on MTV. He’s also the dude that plays the violin in the music video of “Yes We Can” put together by Will I Am in support of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. This joint is highly infectious and the more you listen to it, the more you wanna hear it! He’s inlisted the services of a couple of his all star celebrity friends to help him out on it and his debut album C.O.L.O.R.S has been penciled in for an October release. Watch out Henry Winkler, there’s a new Fonz on the block!

Nas gets nasty with Fox News.
After topping the charts with his latest album, Nas took teamed up with political groups Move On and Color of Change to deliver a box of petitions to Fox News. “We’re here to make a stand,” Nas told a small crowd as he delivered the more than 600,000 flyers to the network. Nas called out Fox News labeling Michelle Obama “Barack’s “baby mama” and O’Reilly’s “lynching party” references as “racist.” “Stop standing behind a desk and dictating this bullshit to the public. Come outside with the people and let’s see what kind of man you are fool,” Nas later said. According to reports, Fox News declined to accept the petitions, but Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report accepted them instead.

Fiddy sues Taco Bell
In late June advertising representatives for Taco Bell made what they call a “good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent.” In a written letter, the company propositioned 50 to change his nickname to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for a day while rapping his order at one of their restaurants. In return, the company would make a $10,000 donation to any charity the rapper chose. The Mexican-style fast food chain released the following letter to the national press in June, before the original copy eventually reached the 50’s offices. “Dear Mr. Jackson: We know that you adopted the name 50 Cent years ago as a metaphor for change. We at Taco Bell are also huge advocates of change. In fact, for just a few spare coins, we’re giving consumers more variety for less money with our new 79-89-99 Why Pay More value menu . . . So here’s our offer of change to you: For one day this summer, change your name either 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent by showing up to one of our more than 5,600 locations nationwide and rapping your order in the drive thru with your new moniker.”
According to legal documents filed in a New York federal court, 50 and his legal team allege “Taco Bell made him the star and focus of its nationwide advertising campaign by using his name, persona and trademark to promote Taco Bell’s business and products.” Currently 50 has deals with Right Guard, Vitamin Water/Coca-Cola, Steiner Sports, Reebok and other major corporations. Fiddy’s asking for a cool 4millon bucks in damages!

Finally Dre speaks on Detox.
According to Dr. Dre, his long-awaited third studio album “Detox” is nearing completion - and could be here before the year is up. “I’m just now — over the last couple of months — starting to feel that it’s going to be right and it’s something I can be proud of, and everybody is going to love it,” said Dre to USA Today. “In a perfect world, I’m shooting for a November or December release.” According to Dre, who does not often speak on the project, his goal is not necessarily to raise the bar for Hip Hop production values, like 2001 and The Chronic before it. “I’ve never set out to do that,” says Dre. “I just make the music feel the way I want it to feel and I don’t put it out until I’m totally happy with it. Then it does what it does.” Since he first hinted at the project in 2002, Dre’s Detox has been a subject of speculation ever since. The project was slated to some out in 2004, yet faced constant delays. Mentions of the project appeared on albums by Eminem, The Game and Snoop Dogg, yet never amounted to anything. Further speculation was fueled by mixtapes like Pretox, hosted by Mick Boogie, as well as countless artists and producers revealing they had contributed to the album in some way.
“We have an entirely new thing going with the drums that’s incredible, and we’re still developing that.” says Dre, who revealed all “the usual suspects” will make guest appearances, including Nas, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne.
And if you thought Detox was a long wait, the next one (if there is a next one) will be even longer. “I’m going to put this record out, promote it, tour and then become a hermit. I’m going to stay in the studio and produce.” As for future plans, Dre, who was instrumental in launching the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem and 50 Cent, is interested in working on new artists rather than established ones. “All I want to do is sit in the studio with that person for a year and try to create another masterpiece.”