This song is terribly cheesy. Whose idea was it to put Rihanna in a Grace Jones outfit anyway?

Directed by Jason Goldwatch

Here’s a new video from Ev’s upcoming EP, The Layover, due November 25. Is it just me or does it sound like he’s flowing behind the beat?

Donny Goines is one of the hardest working rappers around. I respect his grind, because his passion for hip-hop is undeniable. Watch as Donny chops it up with the world famous Dallas Penn of Internets Celebrities. Goines’ new album is slated for release sometime in December.
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Jada wanted to pull a Nas and call his Def Jam debut Kiss My A$$, but the men in suit shut him down promptly. The Last Kiss drops on December 9, 2008.

Speaking of album covers, Akon has just unveiled the artwork for his upcoming 3rd album, Freedom. As you can see, he’s dressed sharply in a suit that rivals only his complexion for blackness. An incredibly blue sea has been photoshopped into the background probably to symbolize Akon’s journey to the United States where, after a brief stint as a car thief, he figured out how to turn tragedy into triumph, street songs into hit songs, and most importantly, chipmunk vocals into platinum plaques.

Freedom arrives on December 2, 2008.

You’re looking at the official album cover for Guns n Roses’ much ballyhooed album, Chinese Democracy. Sure, Axl is a tool and Duff McKagan is a creep, but the point is they make great music and they sure as hell make some interesting album covers. The only thing this cover has in common with a typical rap artwork is the redundant self-promotion: GNR appears on it 3 times. Rappers already have that part down to an art.

The focal point of this cover, however, is a simple yet strong visual. Something that most hip-hop covers lack today. An effective album cover not only speaks volumes about an artist’s source of inspiration, but it also conveys an album’s core message. Besides a handful of imaginative artists (The Roots and El-P come to mind), most rappers are content with uninspired album covers that feature one of the following 3 cliches:

i) the bored look headshot
ii) the “tough guy” mean mug shot, and
iii) the “LL Cool J” pose

Why are hip-hoppers so reluctant to attempt anything beyond the norm? The technology is readily available, and there are people who would gladly design a creative artwork for cheap. My guess is that many rappers are scared of being pigeonholed for being “too different” or esoteric. I find that funny, because what ends up happening is they get placed in a box anyway, for not trying. Only this time that box is boldly labeled “complacent.”

In a music environment rife with complacency and with bazillions of artists competing for my attention, I want an album cover that speaks to me. Hell, I want an artwork that reaches out and grabs me by the arm as I’m strolling through the aisle. Is that too much to ask for?

This is some pretty funny stuff: Kobe Bryant, A-Rod, Michael Phelps & Tony Hawk putting it down musically. Kobe didn’t even need Auto-Tune for his powerful vocals. He might want to save some of that firepower, because he’ll need it against Rockets in the western conference finals.