It was a big night last night at the MTV VMA's, with official artist next up Ariana Grande there for the pre-show extravaganza to tear it down with "The Way" and "Baby I." Watch above.--GB
In V V Brown's highly anticipated follow up to "Samson," and in her biblical spin, the protagonist Sampson is found in a field in his elderly state, wandering through the fields until he finds V V; her help may just change the state of things for him. V V is preparing for this full length album entitled Samson & Delilah, and will release the entire story as a short film to the score of the album. Check out the short film trailer after the jump. In the UK the album will be released on September 8, and October 8 internationally.--GB
Sid Sriram used Carnatic runs to cover James Blake's "Life Round Here," and it's sweet. With Sean Tracy on electric guitar, Sid takes you on a vocal journey, with many hills and valleys along the way. The up-and-coming singer is now funding an Indiegogo campaign for his West Coast Nightfall pt. II release. --GB
Aaradhna has many hits on Treble & Reverb, but "Sit With a Slouch" is one of a different kind. It's a slug--a lyrical proverbial sock to anyone who has anything negative to say about her. It was directed by Guy Blelloch and filmed in Harlem, NY. Take that. --GB
In front of the Bowery Mural in NYC, painted by established artists Pose and Revok, Mateo performs "How Good Is Your Love" acoustic off of his EP, We've Met Before. It's on iTunes now.--GB
Sid Sriam dropped his latest cover as part of a prelude to West Coast Nightfall pt II. The vid, shot and edited by Lake Effects films, is a shortened version of Cocaine 80's "Lucid," for Sid counts James Fauntleroy and No I.D. as major influences. Watch Sid in the studio performing this guitar-laden track alongside SeanTracy.--GB
Monday night, rapper Kendrick Lamar's verse on Big Sean's unreleased song "Control" hit the net, which just missed his latest album Hall of Fame tracklisting, and which also features Jay Electronica. While the three of them collab'd, it seems as though Kendrick's verse has created the most hype, and the most controversy. In addition to calling out rappers such as A$AP Rocky, Cole, Tyler the Creator, and even Big Sean and Jay Electronica themselves, he says he is basically coming for them lyrically, and hopes their fans will even forget the sound of them. (I got love for you all but I'm tryna murder you ni****/Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you ni****/They dont wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you ni****). This has sparked a few rappers to backlash. While B.O.B. and Joell Ortiz put out some response tracks, Astro and Mickey Factz put out tracks as well. Astro's is entitled "KONY" for "King of New York," and he sampled the Newsies track of the same name, and Mickey Factz's is called "South Park." While Kendrick has probably unsettled some rappers for calling himself the King of NY, being from Compton, he has also sparked a healthy competition. While it's not safe to say which of these rappers (and all who will respond in the coming days/weeks) has won as of yet, one things for sure. Kendrick is sitting pretty knowing he lit a burning flame. Here's Mickey Factz and Astro's response, just released, below. MICKEY FACTZ
Ariana Grande performs an acoustic "The Way" & "Baby I" with guitarist Dan Kanter (Justin Bieber's guitarist) to a room full of lucky, lucky people. Check it.--GB
Drama; passion; deception; dogs; dancing, and getting caught in the act! Who said you needed to pay $12 dollars to see a movie? Expect this and more in Luke James' new "Oh God" video from his mixtape Whispers in The Dark, coming really soon to a tube near you.--GB UPDATE: Link: Watch the "Oh God" video here..--GB
V V Brown's new song "The Apple" is along the lines of her first single "Samson" with the Biblical influences, but this track is a bit more upbeat. V V orders a person who is not "the apple of her eye" not to patronize her or bring her down with an electro rhythm produced by Pascal Gabriel and Dave Okumu (of Jesse Ware fame). Will this video be pt. II to the "Samson" video? *Fingers crossed* Samson & Delilah is out in the US on Oct 8 via YOY Records.--GB
Ariana Grande has been gearing up for her Listening Sessions tour, but until then, she has dropped a song with Big Sean called "Right There," along with putting snippets of her album Yours Truly on Keek and Instagram. Look out for the release on September 3. --GB
For the love of money! Astro has his take on the "almighty dollar" in "Crazy," a track off of his upcoming album, out in September. For this he samples reggae artist Supercat's "Dolly My Baby," while focusing on monetary issues. Listen below.--GB
Birdy is surrounded by a fairytale dreamland in the video for "Wings," the first single off of her sophomore album, Fire Within, to be released this September. After a night of antics with friends dressed up in faux garb, Birdy recalls the night in flashbacks amongst the sleeping counterparts, making it clear that she can't forget that special someone. Watch above.