Talib Kweli Speaks On ‘Gutter Rainbows’

September 21, 2010 JUKEBOXDC Staff Interviews, News No Comments  
From XXL:
Earlier this morning (September 20), Talib Kweli announced via his Twitter account that he’s getting ready to release a new album, Gutter Rainbows. Currently just four months removed from the May release of Revolutions Per Minute, his album with Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal, the BK MC spoke with XXLMag.com to give details on his upcoming solo project.
“I don’t have a [release] date, per se,” explained Kweli, who began seriously writing and recording for the album in August and says it will come out before Christmas. “I’m not on a label right now and it’s exciting to just be like, ‘You know what, I’m just gonna put this out.’ And I’ve don’t that before—I put out Liberation with Madlib and I didn’t even tell anybody; one day it was not out, and the next day it was [and] like 100,000 people downloaded that for free.” Gutter Rainbows, however, unlike Liberation, will be an album for purchase, likely for around $10, according to Kweli. Production credits for the release will include Hi Tek, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, E. Jones and Symbolyc One.
Read more after the jump.

“With Blacksmith, we’ve had deals with Warner Brothers and deals with Koch before, but I wanted to experiment with just putting something out on my own, and just seeing what my worth really is to the fans,” he continued.
Known as a voracious reader, Talib explained that the title was a combination of a reference to J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye and an idea that he had previously been kicking around in his head.
“I read The Catcher In The Rye when I was in Europe a few months ago and I didn’t really enjoy, but one thing that I took from it was that reference,” he recalled. “The character actually says ‘gasoline rainbows’ in the book. I was like, ‘Wow.’ I’ve always wanted to call a song ‘Gutter Rainbows’—just because of the rainbows that you see when the oil and the water mix in the gutter—and do a song based on that. I just remember being a little kid and finding beauty in that, and how you have to find beauty in stuff like that when you in the hood. But that reference—him noticing the gasoline rainbows in New York City, and just the character’s love for New York City—are what attracted to me to that phrase. Somebody else got it, so it made me feel like it was more than just a song. Maybe it was an album.”
“This is the first time in my career since I’ve been known to rap where I haven’t been attached to any sort of major label,” Talib said, acknowledging he’s taking a risk doing it all on his own, but assuring he’s ready for the challenge. There’s no one to say, ‘You can’t put it out because you have a contract with us.’ But, at the same time, there’s no one to distribute it on a major level. Who knows what it’s gonna end up being.”
There had been previous reports that Kweli’s next solo effort would be entitled Prisoner of Consciousness; however, Gutter Rainbows will indeed come first. Still, Kwe does plan to drop that project in the near future, as well. “I have some deals on the table [for Prisoner of Consciousness],” he disclosed. “This project is sort of an offshoot of Prisoner of Consciousness. Prisoner of Consciousness I want to be more of a departure from what people might be used to hearing from me; so, with that, I really want to take my time on it. But, at the same time, in order to maintain relevance in the marketplace, I feel like people need to hear from me.”
Within the next month, Talib will be releasing Community Mixtape, with roughly twenty tracks that were submitted by fans and artists from around the world and compiled into a cohesive project. —Adam Fleischer

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Coca-Cola Secret Formula Apprenticeship At Universal Motown

September 21, 2010 JUKEBOXDC Staff Videos No Comments  

This is what dreams are made of. Spotted on Nah Right:

The Coca-Cola Secret Formula Program connected three young people to the worlds of Entertainment, Fashion, and Music for a once-in-a-lifetime apprenticeship experience. Follow Quanie B. as she takes on a week at Universal Motown – the legendary record label known for it’s roster of unstoppable talent including: Drake, Lil’ Wayne, Kid Cudi, and more. Follow Quanie B. as she helps to launch Kelly Rowland’s new album and finds out what it takes make it in the Music business.

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Young Dro x Greg Street – Dro Street (Mixtape)

September 20, 2010 JUKEBOXDC Staff Music No Comments  
What the hell is Greg Street looking at? Tracklisting and download link after the jump.

01. Young Dro – Greg Street Intro (0:30)
02. Young Dro – Freeze Me (Remix) (Feat. Rick Ross, Gucci Mane & T.I.) (5:31)
03. Young Dro – What Else (Skit) (0:17)
04. Young Dro – Crazy Love Affair (1:30)
05. Young Dro – Sittin’ High (2:25)
06. Young Dro – Imma Boss (3:15)
07. Young Dro – Sucdroful (3:09)
08. Young Dro – Anybody Can Do That (Skit) (0:19)
09. Young Dro – Anybody Can Do That (3:53)
10. Young Dro – Dear Lord (3:18)
11. Young Dro – Greg Street Prayer (0:35)
12. Young Dro – Tell Em Don’t Hate (2:58)
13. Young Dro – She Probably (3:00)
14. Young Dro – Interlude (0:24)
15. Young Dro – He Lyin’ (3:07)
16. Young Dro – Toilet Bowl (3:27)
17. Young Dro – Who The F*ck Are Yall (4:09)
18. Young Dro – Interlude (0:27)
19. Young Dro – Really Wanna Ride Wit Us (2:11)
20. Young Dro – What Else (Skit 2) (0:24)
21. Young Dro – Buss It (Feat. Jose Guappo) (3:35)
22. Young Dro – Greg Street Outro (0:37)
Download
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Lupe Fans Planning To Protest Outside Of Atlantic Records

September 20, 2010 JUKEBOXDC Staff News No Comments  
Will this really make a difference? From The LupE.N.D. blog:
2 months ago the WeWantLasers Petition was started and over 28k people signed it so far but the only reaction we got from Atlantic Records was a tweet saying “Lasers is coming” and that’s not enough!
If you think the petition would be the only thing we’d be doing to get this album released – you’re wrong! On October 15th, Lupe Fiasco fans will gather in New York City to protest in front of the Atlantic Records Headquarters!
So if you’re in New York or close – be there! Wear the Lasers Uniform and bring picket signs! – If you have friends in New York – tell them about it!
And for all people who aren’t able to be there, spread the word online! (Twitter / Facebook, Blogs etc.) or if there’s an Atlantic Records building in your city, you can go there, too.
For more info’s, the exact location & time check/join THIS Facebook group!
(also check the RSVP Page!)
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