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Courtney Rose

Janet Jackson Announces Upcoming Tour

Even though today is Janet Jackson’s birthday, she gave her fans an exciting surprise.

The songstress took a major announcement to twitter at midnight EST. May 16th, when she linked a video of her speaking in what seems to be a studio setting. “I promised you would hear it from my lips, and now you will,” she began. “This year: new music, new world tour, a new movement. I’ve been listening. Let’s keep the conversation going.”

The 49 year old accompanied the video link with “My Conversation” which we can presume that it has something to do with the upcoming album. Jackson also hashtagged another possible album hint  “#ConversationsInACafe.”

Producer Jimmy Jam, who has been a longtime collaborator of the pop sensation, dropped several hints of his own via Twitter hours before the surprise was revealed.

This will be the first we’ve heard from Janet Jackson musically since she released “Discipline” in 2008.

You can also watch the announcement video here.
 

Jessica Alba Stars in Taylor Swifts "Bad Blood" Production

Taylor Swift has been assembling a team of superheroes and possibly villains for her ‘Bad Blood’ video. Teaser posters have been released for the characters that are starring in the music video. Some of the characters are being portrayed by some of Hollywood’s favorites including Kendrick Lamar, Ellie Goulding, Hayley Williams, GiGi Hadid, Zendaya and more.

Swift tweeted another teaser, announcing that beauty bombshell and actress Jessica Alba will be starring as Domino. Taylor Swift mostly kept the production on the down low, but did let fans know that all the stars got to choose their own character and persona.

With the tagline “Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes” the star filled production “Bad Blood”  will open up the 2015 Billboard Music Awards this Sunday at 8 PM on ABC. Performances from Imagine Dragons, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West and more were announced for the annual award show earlier today (Tuesday, May 12).

Follow Taylor Swift on Twitter (@taylorswift13) to keep up with any news and posters on “Bad Blood.”

Paramore to set sail in 2016 for Parahoy!

Climb aboard! Paramore announced earlier today that they’ll be setting sail for their return at the Parahoy! Festival in 2016.

The cruise will begin March 5th, 2016 in Miami, Florida and will reach destination Cozumel, Mexico before sailing back home on March 9th.

Guests from last years voyage will have the first opportunity to book their stay for the second edition of Parahoy! A presale will kick off May 11th where you can begin to book your cabins. For those who didn’t join the first cruise will have a chance to register for the presale on May 13th.

The Parahoy! experience includes a four night stay, all meals, beverages, 2 shows on the pool deck by the hosts (Paramore), Q&A/Paraoke with the band, pools and hot tubs plus more.

No other performers have been announced, but you can visit the website to find more information on the 2016 voyage here.

Earl Sweatshirt finds his "Solace"

Last month Odd Future rapper Earl Sweatshirt dropped an album titled I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside. This album was the first drop we’ve seen from the MC in almost a year. He surprised us again after he dropped a second project in less than a few weeks later Solace.

The ten-minute stream was released yesterday on Youtube. It may seem like it’s one lengthy  track but the beat changes throughout the project. Earl describes Solace with the caption: “Music from when I hit the bottom and found something,” referring to what could easily be defined as his “solace.”

Finding his comfort in the art of this project, Earl talks about his mom who he said initially sparked the effort to start the project. “When they drag me out the gutter/ mail the ashes to my mother,” he raps. Continuing to transport his message lyrically he later adds “Try to make some sense of all this shit in my brain/ one foot stuck in a tar pit of my ways.”

Two drops in less than a month is unexpected, but apparently Earl had this in the works for a few months. In March, he briefly spoke of the short endevor with NPR. “We set up a studio in my house and I did a project real fast,” he began. “It’s called Solace. And that, I’m just sitting- it’s more for my mom.” 

Earl Sweatshirt took a different approach to this project by challenging himself to be more transparent; taking his career to a new level of depth.

 

Juvenile Returns to Cash Money Records and Drops new Mixtape

Rapper Juvenile is back at again after he returning to Cash Money Records. The 40 year old has big plans for 2015 with a solo album lined up to be released later this year. Juvenile dropped a mixtape today titled Mardi Gras 2. The mixtape gives us a little preview of what we can expect from him in the future.

Mardi Gras 2 is a 20-track mixtape that consists of features from well known artists such as Birdman, Skip from UTP, Mannie Fresh, Future and others. The New Orleans native himself features other rising artists from the area in spirit of the title of the mixtape one of those including his son.

In an interview with MTV Juvenile talks about the expectations and pressure about being back with Cash Money.

“There are definitely expectations. I expect everybody to have expectations and the label to have expectations so I’m not saying I have to top anybody or compete but I am gonna compete with everybody and try to top everybody, it’s just the nature of this business,” he explained to MTV.

You can watch the full interview with MTV here.

You can also listen to Mardi Gras 2 here.

Chrissy Teigen & Ludacris to Host the 2015 Billboard Music Awards

It’s been announced that supermodel Chrissy Teigen will host the 2015 Billboard Music Awards alongside co-host Ludacris who hosted last years award show. The duo will be presenting some of the industries hottest music stars.

“I had so much fun hosting the Billboard Music Awards last year and I can’t wait to be back,” told Ludacris according to Billboard.

The 2015 Billboard awards will make it’s return to ABC on May 17th at 8pm EST.

“If my extensive collection of all 53 Now That’s What I Call Music compilations is any indication, I am both qualified and honored to join Ludacris in hosting this amazing show that spotlights the best music and artists of the year,” said Teigen in an statement.

The yearly ceremony will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The finalists chosen for the 2015 Billboard Music Awards will be announced Tuesday, April 7th on Good Morning America featuring a special appearance from Ludacris.

April Album Releases

April is just around the corner which means new albums. Here’s a list of upcoming releases that you should definitely be excited for.

April 3rd

  • Pilot Talk 3 by Curren$y
  • Into the Wild Life by Halestorm

April 6th

  • Glitterbug by The Wombats
  • Culture of Volume by East India Youth
  • Two Hands by Turbowolf

April 7th

  • Future Hearts by All Time Low
  • My House by Flo Rida
  • Dark Red by Shlohmo
  • No Pier Pressure by Brian Wilson
  • What For? by Toro y Moi
  • Whats Real by WATERS

April 8th

  • A One by Ayumi Hamasaki

April 14th

  • Handwritten by Shawn Mendes
  • Eyes Wide Open by Sabrina Carpenter
  • Sidewalk Exec by Bodega Bamz
  • Better than Home by Bret Hart
  • Love Somebody by Reba McEntire

April 17th

  • Come Alive by Paulini

April 21st

  • Love Story by Yelawolf
  • Kindred by Passion Pit
  • Confessions by Alesana
  • From Birth to Burial by 10 Years
  • How Do You Feel Now? by Joywave
  • Jack Rabbit by San Fermin
  • Damogen Furies by Squarepusher

April 25th

  • Gemini(EP) by What So Not

April 27th

  • The Magic Whip by Blur
  • +- by Mew

April 28th

  • F.I.L.A (Fly International Luxurious Art) by Raekwon

Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction

After five years of ruling the planet with their talent One direction annoucnes Zayn Malik, one-fifth of teen crazed boy band has unfortunately parted ways with the group.

“My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart,” said Malik on a facebook statement.

Malik left their world tour shortly before the announcement of his departure because of the amount of stress he was feeling. Malik decides to move on from spotlight and the boys to make a new path for himself and his future.

“I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” he began. ” I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”

While this news might be shocking and heartbreaking to the millions of dedicated fans around the world, the band will continue to move forward with the foursome and is scheduled to release a fifth album later this year.

You can read the bands full statement on their facebook here.

Mysteryland USA Festival 2015

Kygo, Empire of the Sun, Porter Robinson and Diplo Lead Lineup

The Mysteryland USA festival is back at it, returning for its second year in a row on Memorial Day Weekend (May 22-25) in Bethel Woods, New York.

The festival released the official 2015 lineup earlier today, and according to the lineup this event is something all Techno/House music fans will anticipate when standing in that incredibly long line to enter their dreamland. Headliners for the festival include a mystery special guest, Porter Robinson, Empire of the Sun, Kygo, and Diplo.

According to Billboard, the festival has paired up with New York nightclubs Webster Hall and Verboten to create better visuals for the mainstage, concert layout and performance experience.

In the Mysteryland USA 2014 Official Aftermovie, a woman expresses the art and empowerment of the festival that takes place on the Woodstock 69’ grounds. “When people dance for three days they’re calling for something in their life,” she began. “So thats why we’re doing an open ceremony. To ask for permission to see the abundance, the joy and for all the people that are coming to find what they’re looking for whether they are conscious of it or not.”

Living in their pursuit of happiness for the weekend, the Mysteryland festival disconnects people from the real world allowing them to live in the moment and to share their experience with people from all over the world.

Other acts that are scheduled to perform involve artists such as Netsky, ILOVEMAKONNEN, TJR, GRiZ, Dillon Francis, Paco Osuna, Matthew Dear, Gramatik, Maya Jane Cole, Frontline, Bro Safari and more.

But the mystery remains: Who’s the unannounced special headliner for the Fridays Camping circus show?

You can experience your own unforgettable weekend by purchasing tickets to the the Mysteryland USA festival here. You can also check out the full 2015 lineup to the festival here.