Results tagged “Jay-Z” from FlipSide Blog

Five links to start your day off right: Part of a complete, balanced breakfast.

Five links to start your day off right: Part of a complete, balanced breakfast.

Five links to start your day off right: Part of a complete, balanced breakfast.

• Dan Brown sold a quick million copies of his new book "The Lost Symbol." (Who does he think he is? Stephenie Meyer?)
• Speaking of best-sellers, Jay-Z's latest album "The Blueprint III" reached No. 1 meaning Hova passed Elvis for most top albums. (Is he The King now?)
• Oprah is going to interview "Mad Men" cast members Monday. (Will Don Draper charm his way into her heart to sell some ads in her magazine?)
• Attention Dead heads: Dark Star Orchestra performs Nov. 8 at the Strand-Capitol. Tickets go on sale today.
• The primetime Emmys air Sunday. Make your predictions now. (Hint: Go with "Mad Men" and "30 Rock.")

Five links to start your day off right: Part of a complete, balanced breakfast.

Rapper Drake's recent rise to fame was sudden, unforeseen and controversial. The Canadian artist played Jimmy Brooks -- a basketball star who became physically disabled after he was shot by a classmate -- on the TV series "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Now he's trading rhymes with the likes of Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. His songs (including "Best I Ever Had" from the video to the left) are blowing up the charts.

I think he's talented, but I really don't know why so many hot acts are falling all over themselves to collaborate with him. (I guess it's good to be so hot right now.) Drake spits game on the track "Forever" with Eminem, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. The song was inspired by the LeBron James documentary "More Than a Game" due out Oct. 2. Drake's also featured on the leaked Jay-Z track "Off That." His official debut, "Thank Me Later," is expected to drop later this year.

Jay-Z and Lady Gaga perform at the 2009 MTV VMAs Sept. 13. I'm going nuts. (Get a preview to the left.) The lineup also includes Taylor Swift and Green Day.

Jay-Z drops his highly anticipated "The Blueprint 3" album days before. And Gaga, well, her outfits and music are out of control. Russell Brand (looove him) hosts. Is it too soon to predict a ratings bump for MTV? Check out the nominees here.

If you haven't heard Hova's new single "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)," you don't know what you're missing. Consider your mind blown.

The video, which was unveiled at the 2009 BET Awards, was inspired by anti-establishment Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni.

His short summer tour starts Thursday. His album "Blueprint 3" drops Sept. 11. Early prediction: It's his best work yet.

Morgan Freeman reveals that Kenny Chesney's his homeboy. (Who knew?) Chesney breaks out into a heartfelt ballad. Confession: I don't know a lot about country music. I realize that I should get on that, especially after listening to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's tunes.

Diddy, Natalie Cole and Herbie Hancock present the award for Record of the Year to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for "Please Read the Letter." (BTW Diddy appears on "CSI: Miami" Monday night.)

The spotlight centers on Chris Martin, who plays a quietly powerful version of "Lost." Holy Hova! Jay-Z emerges from the shadows to freestyle over the piano solo.

When the first chords of "Viva La Vida" sounded, the crowd went nuts. The band was wearing their signature military-inspired jackets, of course. The performance was good, but it needed little shards of confetti to fall from the sky to make it great.

Jay-Z + Radiohead = Jaydiohead

There was just one word that came to mind when I listened to ten tracks of Hova rapping over Radiohead beats. Genius. New York City beatmaker DJ Minty Fresh Beats is the mastermind behind this mashup.

In 2004, Danger Mouse took Jay-Z's lyrics and paired them with the Beatles' "White Album" to make the "Grey Album." Who should Hova rap with next?

Call him Mr. Carter

All seems right with the 2008 Grammy nominations. Lil Wayne picked up eight. Coldplay picked up seven. Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West picked up six. Up-and-coming British singer Adele also picked up noms in three top categories. For a complete list, click here.

Local rock group Head Case was selected to play at the 105th Harley-Davidson Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee, Wis. on Labor Day weekend. Other acts playing the event include Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Daughtry.