As you all may or may not know, Coldplay has announced that they will be making a new album in 2008. They have not released any news on the album at all, which makes fans want to know even more about it!!! Besides the fact that it will be released in 2008, there have been rumors claiming that the name for this album could possibly be called "Prospekt." Now I'm not saying that this is the actual name and I still do not know if that name is 100% correct, but thats whats been circulating around the web for a little bit. If Coldplay is a band that you have never heard of, well then I must ask you the question, do you live under a rock? Coldplay has been one of the more sensational bands to come out of the London, England area. Every single one of their albums that has been out in the U.S. has been at #1 on the charts. Their latest album, "X&Y," was probably their most popular album, landing the #1 spot in the UK, U.S., Italy, France, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Nederland, and Austria. Their first album, which debuted in 2000 sold 8.5 million units. Their second album followed up 12 million units. Their third album saw a 2 million unit decrease, putting up 10 million units. I am personally excited for their upcoming release which is rumored to be coming out 2008. WHen more news surfaces, I will make sure to blog it!

This weeks Unknown Artist of the Week is Miri Ben-Ari. Miri Ben-Ari was raised in Tel Aviv Israel and began her career there. Her style of music is of something that not many are used to hearing. She is a hip-hop violinist who has won many Israeli music awards. The only way I can think that you have possibly heard her name would be in some of the songs she has participated in with some of the many popular American Hip-Hop/Rap musicians living around the world. She has worked with Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Subliminal, Twista, Akon, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, and Maroon 5. Now that you know who she has produced some music with, go ahead and give a listen to some of her stuff. It is pretty good and is a bit different then what you probably listen to now.

Popular Songs With Miri Ben-Ari:

Kanye West:
- Freshman Adjustment 3: Fly Away
- College Dropout: Graduation Day
- College Dropout: Jesus Walks
- College Dropout: We Don't Care
- College Dropout: Two Words
- College Dropout: Breathe In Breathe Out
- College Dropout: New Workout Plan
- Late Registration: Late (Bonus Track)

Akon:
- Trouble: Miss Melody

Alicia Keys:
- Songs In A Minor: Fallin'

John Legend:
- Get Lifted: Live It Up

Twista:
- Kamikaze: Overnight Celebrity

Wyclef Jean:
- Masquerade: Masquerade

Album Productions:
1999 - Sahara
2003 - Temple of Beautiful
2005 - The Hip Hop Violinist

Jay-Z is planning on selling his 10th album of his career which was inspired by the movie "American Gangster." Some songs have leaked on the internet, but he also has his singles on iTunes. I gave his single, Blue Magic, a try and I just wasn't feeling the song. That is just me though, I am sure that there are people out there who loved the single and thought it was fantastic, but it was just not my cup of tea. I liked Jay-Z's earlier stuff, "The Black Album" was a good album, and his "Jay-Z Unplugged" provided by MTV was also good. I wasn't really feeling his last album either, "Kingdom Come." I don't know what it is about his newer stuff, but I hope he gets back to what he used to be singing. Although I am not a fan of his upcoming album my opinion can change once I hear the full album in its entirety. Def Jam Senior Vice President has stated that for each track on the album, there will be a "mini movie" clip. I think this is an interesting way to go about producing the album and I have never really seen this method done before. All in all, I am still excited for the new release from Jay-Z. I may not have liked the single, but that can easily change depending on the rest of the album! Jay-Z's album hits stores November 6, 2007.

The Track Listing:
"Amen"
"Blue Magic (Feat. Pharrell)"
"Untitled"
"Alright, Alright"
"You Don't Know"
"And The Winner Is"
"American Gangster (Feat. T.I.)"
"Welcome"
"Ignorant -Censored-"
"The Demise"
"I Get Money (Song By 50 Cent) (Billion Dollar Remix) (Feat. Jay-Z and P. Diddy)"

Previews For The Album:
Movie Trailer For American Gangster

Kevin Michael has released his first album which is self titled. I did not even know who this Kevin Michael was, but I decided to give this young 22 year old out of Philadelphia a chance. As I listened to track after track, I got more into it! His voice is great, the lyrics are also fantastic. I was really impressed by the album and after listening to the whole thing through, it left me wanting more. His album has been out for two days now, and if you are looking for a new type of music to listen to, go out and buy this mans' album!

Reviews:
Rolling Stone: "On his debut, Afro’d newcomer Kevin Michael makes bright R&B for people who think Chris Brown isn’t pop-friendly enough. At his worst, the young Philadelphian sounds green, relying too much on vocal swoops and falsettos and over-employing cutesy singsong choruses. But on friendly jams like the lovestruck “Hood Buzzin” and the slinky, Prince-esque “We All Want the Same Thing,” Michael is a confident hookmeister and born crowd pleaser. The reggae-tinged, Wyclef-assisted “It Don’t Make Any Difference to Me”-- about the difficulty of growing up biracial -- is by far the most interesting thing here. But Michael’s pop instincts -- not to mention some warm, jumpy beats from up-and-coming producers like Shea Taylor -- keep him afloat. "

Rhapsody: "Sure, Philadelphia songwriter Kevin Michael borrows elements of reggae, contemporary R&B and post-Stax strut, but his self-titled collection of buoyant tunes feels most deeply connected to the musical legacy of his hometown's soul '70s movement. An early guest spot by Wyclef Jean displays his omnivorous appetite for affable, melodic urban hybrids, and the best here, like "It Don't Make Any Difference to Me" and "Weekend Jumpoff" are catchy as all get-out. Still, our fave is the ode to undies, "Vicki Secrets.""

The Track Listing:
"We All Want The Same Thing (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)" (8.7 out of 10)
"It Don't Make A Difference To Me (Feat. Wyclef Jean)" (9.2 out of 10)
"Can't Get Enuff (Feat. Shorty Da Kid)" (9.1 out of 10)
"Ha Ha Ha" (8.3 out of 10)
"Vicki Secrets" (8.7 out of 10)
"Hood Buzzin" (8.9 out of 10)
"Ain't Got You" (9 out of 10)
"Stone Cold Killa" (8.9 out of 10)
"Weekend Jumpoff" (8.7 out of 10)
"Love Letter" (9.3 out of 10)
"Ghost" (9.4 out of 10)
"Liquid Lava Love" (8.6 out of 10)
"Too Blessed (Feat. Q-Tip)" (8.1 out of 10)
"We All Want The Same Thing (Acoustic) (Feat. Akil Desan)" (8.4 out of 10)
"It Don't Make A Difference To Me (Acoustic) (Feat. Akil Desan)" (8.9 out of 10)

Previews To Album:
-Preview #1
-Preview #2
-Preview #3
-Preview #4
-Preview #5
-Preview #6

I know i am really late on reporting how Kanye West was on SNL, and LeBron James hosted the show and yada yada yada, but here is a video of Kanye in a skit from his SNL appearance. It is very funny, and it is good to see Kanye poking fun at himself. As you all have probably heard or saw on YouTube or some over video sharing site, Kanye lost his temper yet again at the VMA's after not winning an award and said some stuff he probly regrets now. It is classic Kanye to do such a thing, and in a way, it is one of the reasons we all enjoy listening to him and his "words of wisdom" To see his SNL skit performance, Click Here! To see his blow up at the VMA's, Click Here!

See His Live Performances On SNL:
Stronger/Good Life
Champion/Everything I Am

Clips From SNL Episode:
LeBronologue
Clip 1 of 7
Clip 2 of 7
Clip 3 of 7
Clip 4 of 7
Clip 5 of 7
Clip 6 of 7
Clip 7 of 7

The album artwork above for the new Chris Brown album, which is supposed to hit stores Oct. 20, 2007, is subject to change. There have been rumors stating that the album artwork would in fact be the one shown above. Now we are hearing that this may not be the case! On Chris Brown's official website, there are three different types of album art to choose from. Chris Brown has stated on his site that he wants the fans to choose the album artwork for his upcoming album. If you want to have a say in what Chri Brown's album artwork for Exclusive will be, then Click Here! More news will be posted when I hear more about the album!

Music Video: Kiss Kiss (Feat. T-Pain)

*Alternate Album Cover*

August 21, 2007, Talib Kweli's much anticipated album "Ear Drum" was released. His album debut numbers were extremely solid, coming at #2 on the U.S. billboard 200. In only the first week, Talib sold 60,000 copies of his new album, whose tracks were described and available to listen to for free on his website. After two weeks of sales, Talib had sold over 85,000 copies of his albums. Talib's album consists of many beats and lyrics in which the listener understands. Out of all the hip-hop and rap music artists out there, Talib Kweli is one of the best lyrical geniuses to ever write music.

Reviews:
Entertainment Weekly: "A procession of sharp cuts."
NOW Magazine: "That both 50 Cent and Jay-Z have named Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli as their favourite rapper hasn't changed the fact that sales of his last five albums have never reflected the level of respect shown to hiphop's smooth-flowing street poet laureate. Kweli appears determined to change that with the long-awaited Ear Drum. It's the debut release for the new Warner-distributed Blacksmith boutique label run by his manager, Corey Smyth, whose roster includes Jean Grae and the Xzibit-fronted Strong Arm Steady.

Throughout the 16 varied tracks of the collabo-crazy disc (which benefits enormously from the on-point production of Madlib, Hi-Tek, Kanye West, Kwame and Will.i.am), Kweli's curse- 'n' clich&eacute-free rhyme-ripping proves he needs no help on the microphone. He outshines his celebrated guests, including labelmate Grae, KRS-One, Norah Jones (!), Sonia Sanchez, UGK's Pimp C and Bun B, Musiq Soulchild and Raheem DeVaughn.

And judging from the fact that the track Nature doesn't appear to have made the final cut, Kweli's confident enough in his combination of righteous rhetoric and funky beats not to need to use his throwdown with Justin Timberlake as an added sales incentive."

The Onion (A.V. Club): "On seminal early albums with Black Star and Reflection Eternal, Talib Kweli rapped as if each line might be his last, and he'd stopped to stockpile words in case he never had another chance to use them. The results were exhilarating and exhausting. Kweli's recorded output has grown much spottier since, but last year's nifty collaboration with Madlib, the Liberation EP, found Kweli in a nice, relaxed groove that continues with his stellar new Eardrum.

Kweli has learned to use his voice as a warm, relatively diverse instrument, and not just a conduit for rapid-fire ideas and pop-culture allusions. Just Blaze's "Hostile Gospel Pt. 1" delivers the same goosebump-inducing heavenly rush as "Get By," and though Kweli still regularly speeds through tracks like a racehorse fearing a trip to the glue factory, the overall vibe takes its cues from the laid-back, chilled-out production of ringers like Madlib, Kanye West, Hi-Tek, and Pete Rock, as well as the ubiquitous Will.I.Am, who in spite of his death-penalty-worthy crimes against music, cooked up some mean beats for "Hot Thing" and "Say Something." Sexual and spiritual, conscious and just plain fun, Eardrum is a master class in lyricism from a man supremely comfortable in his own skin. While other rappers pump out music for ringtones, Kweli makes art for the ages."

The Track Listing:
"Everything Man" (8.5 out of 10)
"NY Weather Report" (8.3 out of 10)
"Hostile Gospel Part 1 (Deliver Us)" (8.9 out of 10)
"Say Something (Feat. Jean Grae)" (8.3 out of 10)
"Country Cousins (Feat. UGK & Raheem Devaughn)" (8.4 out of 10)
"Holy Moly" (8.6 out of 10)
"Eat To Live" (8 out of 10)
"In The Mood (Feat. Kanye West & Roy Ayers)" (9.3 out of 10)
"Soon The New Day (Feat. Norah Jones)" (8.5 out of 10)
"Give Em' Hell (Feat. Lyfe Jennings & Coi Mattison)" (7.8 out of 10)
"More Or Less (Feat. Dion)" (8.6 out of 10)
"Stay Around" (8.4 out of 10)
"Hot Thing (Feat. Will.I.Am)" (9.5 out of 10)
"Space Fruit Interlude" (N/A out of N/A)
"The Perfect Beat (KRS-One)" (8.1 out of 10)
"Oh My (Feat. Musiq Soulchild)" (7.8 out of 10)
"Listen!!!" (9.1 out of 10)
"Go With Us (Feat. Strong Arm Steady)" (8.4 out of 10)
"Hostile Gospel Part 2 (Deliver Me) (Feat. Sizzla)" (8.6 out of 10)
"The Nature (Feat. Justin Timberlake)" (8.7 out of 10)
"Hot Thing (Remix) (Feat. Jean Grae, Ne-Yo, and Luther Vandross)" (9 out of 10)

Will.I.Am has put out his first album called "Songs About Girls." Will was with the Black Eyed Peas, who had a ton of success and had won many music award before they all decided to go their separate ways. I was really surprised by this album...I am not a Black Eyed Peas fan, but this album was just fantastic. Will.I.Am has definitly got a great career ahead of him if he is able to produce an album like this! Unlike most albums, "Songs About Girls" has a three bonus tracks (Spending Money, Damn Damn Damn, & Mama Mia). All three bonus tracks are really great and were surprisingly good! Overall, this album was very solid, beats and music was great. Lyrics and singing style is very similar to the Black Eyed Peas, but if you like that type of stuff then you will enjoy this album!

The Track Listing:
"Over" (9.2 out of 10)
"Heartbreaker" (8.3 out of 10)
"I Got It From My Mama" (8.7 out of 10)
"She's A Star" (7.5 out of 10)
"Get Your Money" (8.1 out of 10)
"The Donque Song (Feat. Snoop Dogg)" (7.6 out of 10)
"Impatient (Feat. Dante Santiago)" (7.3 out of 10)
"One More Chance" (8.9 out of 10)
"Invisible" (8.3 out of 10)
"Fantastic" (8.6 out of 10)
"Fly Girl" (8.1 out of 10)
"Dynamic Interlude" (8.4 out of 10)
"Ain't It Pretty" (7.7 out of 10)
"Make It Funky" (7.4 out of 10)
"S.O.S. (Mother Nature)" (8.75 out of 10)
"Spending Money (Bonus Track)" (9.4 out of 10)
"Damn Damn Damn (Bonus Track)" (9.1 out of 10)
"Mama Mia (Bonus Track)" (9 out of 10)
"I Got It From My Mama (Remix Feat. Busta Rhymes) (9.2 out of 10)

Totally Separate From The Album, I Know That Will.I.Am & Common Did A Song Together Called, "A Dream." If You Want To See The Live Performance That They Did Together, Click Here!