For Royce da 5’9″ to call his latest album Success Is Certain, one has to assume the Detroit MC is feeling pretty good about his chances. Of course, when you lead your album with a track featuring Travis Barker, selling a few more album copies becomes all that much easier. “Legendary”, as the cut’s called for undoubtedly grand purposes, is available for streaming below (via RollingStone.com). Like Barker’s other work with hip-hoppers, it’s a bangin’ fusion of street slang and rock noise.

Success Is Certain is in stores August 9th via Gracie Productions.

Success Is Certain Tracklist:
01. Legendary (feat. Travis Barker)
02. Writer’s Block (feat. Eminem)
03. Merry Go Round
04. Where My Money
05. ER (feat. Kid Vishis)
06. On the Boulevard (feat. Nottz and Adonis)
07. I Ain’t Coming Down
08. Security
09. Second Place
10. My Own Planet (feat. Joe Budden)
11. I’ve Been Up I’ve Been Down

After a couple of delays from the originally planned April release, Royce Da 5’9″ has set a new date for Success Is Certain, accompanied by some juicy names. According to HipHopDX, Royce’s fifth album will now be out August 9th via Gracie, and feature the likes of Joe Budden, Travis Barker, Kid Vishis, Nottz, Mr. Porter (a.k.a. D-12′s Kon Artis), Adonis, The Alchemist, DJ Premier, StreetRunner, and The Futuristics. That’s not all, either. If you thought collaborations with Eminem only extended as far as Hell: The Sequel, think again. The two will reunite on “Writer’s Block”.

The LP, which is meant to serve as a contrast to Royce’s 2004 LP Death Is Certain, sports 11 tracks with titles like “Legendary”, “I Ain’t Coming Down”, and “I’ve Been Up I’ve Been Down”. Check out the full tracklist below.

Success Is Certain Tracklist:
01. Legendary (feat. Travis Barker)
02. Writer’s Block (feat. Eminem)
03. Merry Go Round
04. Where My Money
05. ER (feat. Kid Vishis)
06. On the Boulevard (feat. Nottz and Adonis)
07. I Ain’t Coming Down
08. Security
09. Second Place
10. My Own Planet (feat. Joe Budden)
11. I’ve Been Up I’ve Been Down

But earlier this year, the hip-hop duo of Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish signed up with the Mountain Dew-sponsored Green Label Sound. The beverage-flavored label helped them drop a few singles throughout the years, including 2008′s “Delivery Man” and this year’s “Bundle Up”. Now, the label has given When Fish Ride Bicycles a release date: July 12th.

The 12-track effort features collaborations with Travis Barker, Bun B, Ghostface Killah, and Asher Roth, as well as production credit for Pharrell Williams on the track “Summer Jam”. Grab your coat and “Bundle Up” to the first single, which is available for streaming below.

When Fish Ride Bicycles Tracklist:
01. Rush Hour Traffic
02. GMC
03. Boomin’ (feat. Tennille)
04. Sour Apples (feat. Travis Barker)
05. Penny Hardaway (feat. Ghostface Killah)
06. Bundle Up
07. Gas Station (feat. Bun B)
08. Get Right
09. Swimsuits (feat. Mayer Hawthorne)
10. Roll Call (feat. Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, Boldy James)
11. Summer Jam (feat. Maxine Ashley) (prod. by Pharrell Williams)

Festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella tout themselves as music and arts experiences, but Cali’s Spring Gathering is pairing its musical heavyweights with another type of activity — the Weedmaps Medical Marijuana Expo. Presented by Guerilla Union, the June 11th festival takes place at San Bernardino’s NOS Events Center and features cannabis connoisseurs Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Travis Barker with Mix Master Mike, Stephen Marley, Dilated Peoples, and Tommy Chong. Earlier in the evening, attendees will also be treated with a bevy of speakers, including Dr. Greenthumb (B-Real of Cypress Hill), and panel discussions surrounding cannabis cultivation.

To help preserve your munchie funds, Consequence of Sound is giving away tickets for the price of a tweet. Simply follow @coslive and @cluster1tv, then tweet “Hey, @coslive and @cluster1tv, I want to go to Spring Gathering” and you’ll automatically be registered to win a pair of passes.

We’ll select a winner at random on Sunday, May 15th.

I suppose that, after the Nickelback lead vocalist’s Spider-Man contribution, him and Santana finally came full circle post-2001. During the new millennium’s first decade, pop stars gave the craftsman behind “Black Magic Woman” a reward for his lifetime well-spent in the music business, so when a bevy of rappers and rockers break bread together over Blink-182′s fully-tatted man of few words, Travis Barker, can 2011′s Give The Drummer Some be a repeat of Supernatural’s remarkable success?

In all fairness, there are three primary problems with this release: presentation, kitsch, and an annoying number of “hits” on percussionist puns. Get it? Hits? Ehem, moving on.

The gamut of stars on this release is something you shouldn’t be able to top with a charity case circa “We Are The World”. I mean, come on…the death-defying Tech N9ne inclusion titled “Raw Shit” (which cribs a rather slick sample from Fort Minor’s “In Stereo”), the Tom Morello/RZA/Raekwon killer “Carry It”, the Beanie Sigel & Bun B-featuring throwback to Lil’ Troy’s “Wanna Be A Baller” called “Just Chill”, all of this is worth listening to. Unfortunately, while there are tons of redeemable verses interspersed throughout these selections, there are spots I don’t even see the point of, and half of the album holds about as much weight as “Welcome To My Hood” by DJ Khaled on repeat.

Corey Taylor’s track “On My Own” reminds me of Fred Durst’s misplaced appearance on Snot’s guest-reliant sophomore LP, compared to Cypress Hill blending in on a funk-boosted “Beat Goes On”. Everything bounces all over the place, and it sinks the whole record; every track present amounts to nothing more than a glorified mix-tape. Midway through the effort, Travis Barker — whose remix to Soulja Boy’s breakout hit was admirable and catchy — wears out his welcome as a beat that could be duplicated anywhere. No offense to the man, he has talent, but frankly, anybody could have done this record…he just did it, put a drum track over some rap songs, and called it all his own.

What was the purpose here? Just a fun project? If so, then kudos. If Barker’s goal was to give drummers another horizon to aspire toward, well…

To quote Lil’ Wayne’s lame-ass verse from album opener, “Can A Drummer Get Some?”: “Pull out my dick and just pee on flames.” Yeah, Lil’ Wayne pees on flames to put the fire out kindergarten-style, and after the embers of hype die off, the only thing you leave behind is a drippin’ wet and ridiculously stinkin’ piece of plastic. Probably better off that way, and Barker could simply resign himself to other remix projects.

A whole album of subtly punk drummer-laced singles, compiled for his posterity, and lacking a hefty amount of rhyme skills or dramatic effect. The gimmick of ensemble casting has resulted in a little less It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, and a little more Rat Race rip-off.

Travis Barker is sure as hell making the most of his new lease on life. Since he barely survived the 2008 plane crash that nearly took his and DJ AM’s life, the 35-year-old best (known for his role as Blink 182’s drummer) has reunited with his old band, collaborated with a laundry list of other artists, remixed Jay-Z and Kanye, and is set to release his own solo album – Give The Drummer Some – on March 15th (via Interscope).

The album will feature Rick Ross, Lil’ Wayne, and a host of others, but last night Barker took to the stage at Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform the title track for a live studio audience. In tow were Mix Master Mike, Swizz Beats, and fellow Los-Angelino, The Game. While it’s safe to say that there have been a lot of rap-rock collaboration that don’t live up the expectations (Blakroc anyone?), this performance isn’t all that bad. The three-and-half minute gig has the feel of a crunk backyard barbeque (Swizz Beats even walks into the crowd), name drops Raekwon and the the Ruff Ryders, and features Barker flailing around like a madman. The boy should make an exercise tape because this is obviously how he stays so skinny.

Check it all out (thanks to Some Kind Of Awesome) above, and if you like what you hear, then pre-order the album  on Amazon.com.

Despite being the drummer for legendary pop-punk band Blink-182, Travis Barker is using his efforts as a new found solo act to thoroughly ingrain himself within the hip-hop community. With a debut chalk full of rappers from Game to Rick Ross to Nicki Minaj and a spot on Lil Wayn’e upcoming “I Am Music II Tour“, the drummer’s gettin’ himself some street cred in a big way. Barker’s hip-hop-ification continues as he also readies his first mixtape, Let The Drummer Get Wicked, which is scheduled to drop via XXL on February 21st. Below, you can hear a sample of the DJ Whoo Kid-presented mixtape with Barker’s remix of Kanye West and Jay-Z’s “H.A.M.” courtesy of Some Kind Of Awesome.

Give The Drummer Some hits stores March 15th via Interscope Records.

Kanye might not be ready to abdicate his thrown, but Lil Wayne is set for an all-out takeover of 2011. In support of the forthcoming release of Tha Carter IV (supposedly set for release this April), Sir Weezy will embark on an extensive North American tour this Spring.

The “I Am Music II” tour consists 25 dates and features a star-studded supporting cast that includes Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, and Beastie Boys DJ Mix Master Mike. Beginning March 18th in Buffalo, the trek will see Weezy and friends hit cities across the country — including his hometown of New Orleans on April 14th — before capping it all off with an appearance at The Bamboozle in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 1st. Find all confirmed dates below.

Lil Wayne 2011 Tour Dates:
03/18 – Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena
03/19 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
03/20 – Baltimore, MD @ First Mariner Arena
03/23 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
03/24 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
03/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
03/27 – Long Island, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
03/30 – University Park, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
04/01 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
04/02 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
04/03 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
04/06 – Miami, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center
04/08 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
04/09 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
04/10 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
04/14 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena
04/15 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Arena
04/16 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
04/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Arena
04/23 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
04/24 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
04/26 – Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
04/28 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
04/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
05/01 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ The Bamboozle

After yesterday’s announcement of the release date and cameo list for Travis Barker‘s eagerly-anticipated debut solo album Give The Drummer Some, many of you undoubtedly wondered what the sweet sizzurp-y tones of Lil Wayne might sound like backed up by the maniacal yet masterful drumming of Barker. Well, your wait is substantially shorter than the one for this album as, courtesy of 2DopeBoyz, we have “Can A Drummer Get Some” to enjoy on this most glorious of days. Not only do we get Weezy, but also throwing down verses are Rick Ross and The Game, not to mention sonic support from Swizz Beatz. That should be enough until you get some more when Give The Drummer Some hits stores March 15th via Interscope Records.

When Travis Barker announced on Twitter that his solo effort, Give The Drummer Some, had a release date, he apparently forgot to tell his record label (or maybe they just don’t follow him). Guess you can’t trust everything you tweet. Interscope Records has stepped in to put an end to the misinformation and given the officially official release date of March 15th, 2011.

That’s not all the good news, though. Indeed, Interscope has shunned the whole slow drip of tweeted information route and given tons of details on the record, including the album cover artwork above.

In addition, they’ve confirmed some of the track titles and their guest appearances. We’ve already heard Tom Morello, RZA and Raekwon on “Carry It” and “Jump Down” with The Cool Kids. We also knew about first single “Can A Drummer Get Some” with The Game, Swizz Beats, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne; “Devil’s Got A Hold of Me,” featuring the supergroup Slaughterhouse; and “On My Own,” featuring Corey Taylor of Slipknot. What’s been newly confirmed is “Misfits,” with guest Steve Aoki; the Kid Cudi featuring “Cool Head”; “Don’t Fuck With Me” featuring Paul Wall, Kurupt, and J Roc; and “City of Dreams” with Clipse and Kobe. Barker has promised 12 tracks with a 16-track deluxe edition, so expect the Slash, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B, and other collaborations to be confirmed before long.

It turns out the Blink-182 drummer isn’t only pooling musical resources for the record; he’s also gathered artists from the worlds of fashion, tattooing, street art, music, and graffiti to provide original works for each and every track. The list is long, but worth mentioning: Slick, David Choe, Mike Giant, Chris Peters, Usugro, Nate Dino, Mr. Brainwash, Munk One, Haze, Dire One, Mr. Cartoon, Jeff Soto, Richard Sanchez, Risk One, Chase Tafoya, Haze, Skinhead Rob, and Mazz242. Oh, and that album cover? That’s done by Pushead, the same guy who did Metallica’s St. Anger and “2 of One” artwork. The art for each song will be released individually at TravisBarker.com over the next few weeks (okay, so they haven’t totally shunned the slow drip).

Yeah, that’s a whole lot of names. Let’s not forget that Barker is also back with his old bands Blink-182 and The Transplants, both of whom have albums planned for this year. With so many collaborations going on in just one year, Give The Drummer Some evidently means “give the drummer a shit load.” (PRNewswire via Interscope Records)

It’s fair to wonder how a drummer, who has never attested to any singing ability, pieces together an album of more than just instrumentals. Barker’s answer is pretty simple: get everyone whose name doesn’t end in “West” to pitch in. The album hears collaborations with Eminem, B.o.B, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, RZA, Raekwon, Slipknot/Stone Sour singer Corey Taylor, Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington, Tom Morello, Slash, Rick Ross, Drake, Lupe Fiasco….. hell, just about everybody (yes, the list goes on)! Those helping Barker produce include The Neptunes, DJ Khalil, Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, and Dr. Dre on at least one track (yep, there’re more producers, too). And you thought Kanye had some wicked collaborations.

Barker’s Twitter account also promises a tour behind the record, as well as a 2011 return of his group The Transplants, featuring Rancid’s Tim Armstrong and “Skinhead Rob” Aston. Be on the lookout for more on both of those. The star studded Give The Drummer Some lacks a complete tracklist, but a partial, tentative one can be found below (note “Hard Liquor” is absent here, though it can be found on Tech N9ne’s Bad Season mixtape and is expected on this album). Look for the first single, “Can The Drummer Get Some?”, later this month.

Give The Drummer Some Tracklist (Tentative):
01. Carry It (ft. Tom Morello, Raekwon, RZA. Produced by Travis Barker and RZA)
02. Saturday Night (ft. The Transplants, Slash. Produced by Travis Barker)
03. Jumpdown (ft. The Cool Kids. Produced by Chuck Inglish and Travis Barker)
04. Can The Drummer Get Some? (ft. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz, The Game.
Produced by Swizz Beatz)
05. If U Want (ft. Lupe Fiasco, Pharell Williams. Produced by The Neptunes)
06. On My Own (ft. Corey Taylor, produced by Eric Valentine)
07. Right Away (ft. B.O.B. Produced by Travis Barker)
08. Devil’s Got A Hold Of Me (ft. Slaughterhouse. Produced by DJ Khalil and Travis
Barker)

Here’s “Hard Liquor”, a Dr. Dre-produced, Tech N9ne-featuring track off Travis Barker‘s much-anticipated, long-delayed solo debut, Give The Drummer Some. Between Tech N9ne lyrics like, “me and my people be so drunk, we don’t drive, we take the trolley because of hard liquor,” and Dr. Dre’s slow funk-inspired grove, the track feels like it could have easily been a California lush anthem in the early 2000s. Regardless, Give The Drummer Some is on target for a February 22nd. Better late than never, I guess.

Audio via Some Kind of Awesome.

According to Hoppus, Blink are currently “working with the better part of 10 or so songs.” And while the self-titled LP touted a more mature band, Hoppus commented that the currently untitled new album would please new and old fans alike. The songs “are both taking a step even further than we took on the last album, while also going back to the sound of some of the earlier albums.” So, like, “What’s My Age Again” with a weepy guitar line?

In support of the release, Blink-182 have already announced a five-date UK tour for next July. In other Blink-related news, Hoppus has his own show on FUSE,  and drummer Travis Barker is readying the release of his debut solo effort, Give the Drummer Some, which should be out soon. Stay tuned for news on both albums as details are announced.

Blink-182 2011 Tour Dates:
07/08 – Manchester, UK @ MEN Arena
07/12 – Newcastle, UK @ Arena
07/13 – Nottingham, UK @ Arena
07/15 – Birmingham, UK @ LG Arena
07/18 – London, UK @ 02 Arena

The whole rap-rock thing is usually pretty hit or miss, but if you’ve got RZA and Raekwon spitting their unique flows over some fairly steady drumming and a jagged, expressive guitar, then maybe that marriage can work after all. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Barker and Morello understand the company they’re in and do their best to make the MCs shine as the most booming element on the track. That and saying the line “My UZI weighs a ton, son. Carry it” makes even us feel badass.

Enjoy “Carry It” below. You can check out a teaser trailer for the song’s video here. Give the Drummer Some is due out some time soon.

First off, let’s get the technical out of the way. In order to view this video in 3D, you need those plastic glasses. Besides just picking them up in a store, fans can receive a free pair if they download an mp3 of “Jump Down” on Travis Barker’s website and share it with someone. If that doesn’t work (sounds kinda convoluted to us), you can also get them by purchasing any of the official “Jump Down” t-shirts over at Karmaloop.com.

The video itself is pretty simple, featuring Barker pounding out the beat while the duo of Chuck Inglish and Sir Michael Rocks rap over it. Friends hang out around the trio, riding around on bikes, spraying graffiti, and showing off their cars. The whole project goes for that early 90s West Coast feel and succeeds at it except for one problem. This would make for a really dull video in 3D. There’s not much that pops out to make getting the glasses worthwhile.

You can still view the video below, albeit with it being a little blurry due to its 3D nature. As previously reported, the song appears on Barker’s debut solo album, Give the Drummer Some, due sometime soon.

Speaking of Blink-182, Antiquiet points to a recently leaked stream of “Up All Night”, the long rumored new single from the pop-punk rockers. Yes, in between Mark Hoppus’ new TV gig, Travis Barker’s upcoming solo album, and Tom DeLonge’s attempt to save the music industry, Blink-182 have indeed managed to record their first new material since 2003.

The track, which is believed to be the first single off the band’s still untitled new studio album, sounds like classic Blink-182. That’s sort of a cop out description I suppose, but since elements of Angles and Airwaves style arena rock and bass and drum music are also said to be included on the new album, I think you can see what I’m getting at. The old school fans, who are probably pushing 38 these days, will likely rejoice upon listening to the four-minute number.

According to Wikipedia, Blink-182′s sixth studio album is due for release in spring 2011. Take or leave it, but at we now know it’s a reality. You know, because Strokes fans can’t say the same.

Steam “Up All Night” on Antiquiet.

Since then, as XXL reports, Barker has recruited even more hip-hop heavyweights, including Eminem, Drake (duh), T.I., Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, RZA, Lupe Fiasco, Clipse, Yelawolf, and The Cool Kids. In other words, basically everyone except Kanye… but he has an excuse.

XXL reports the still-untitled record is due for release in October, and that Barker not only handled the album’s drumming but its production as well.

Of course, we’ll update you as more details become available.

As reported here, Epicenter 2010 will feature headliners KISS and Eminem on Saturday, September 25th, with Blink 182 and Rise Against featured on the 26th. Supporting the first day will be the reunited Bush, Papa Roach, B.O.B., The Knux, Travis Barker (I guess he is working both days?), and New Politics. Sunday will feature more of a punk influence, with Suicidal Tendencies and Bad Religion on the bill, not to mention 30 Seconds to Mars, A Day To Remember, and Black Pacific.

Though it seems many more will be added to accommodate two days of programming, the hipsters who find this to be a hardly relevant event will be happy to stay near the coast, where Muse w / Passion Pit, Band of Horses, and the Vampire Weekend at Hollywo0d Bowl are all going on at the same time. Hell, even nostalgic punks can go to The Music Box for Rancid. Los Angeles: there is something for everyone!

Finally, there is a venue change from last year’s event at the hardly-inland Pomona Fairplex. This year’s festivities go down at the Auto Club Speedway, home of NASCAR. Inland enough for you? If you thought last year’s Tool, Atmosphere, and Alice In Chains rock party was big, this place can hold 100,000 +. We’ll see how big they let it get, but the potential is huge..

Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 26th at 10am PST through Ticketmaster at $149.50 for both days and $79.50 for one day. There are also packages available with hotel and  camping included that can run you up to $1,300.

For 2010, organizers have once again round together quite the overwhelming bill. Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Swedish House Mafia, and Benny Benassi top the festivities, while noteworthy acts like Moby (DJ Set), Kaskade, Basement Jaxx (DJ Set), Infected Mushroom, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Sasha, DJ Z-Trip, Boys Noize, and the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am are also set to perform.

Other scheduled acts include MSTRKRFT, Travis Barker & A-Trak, Steve Aoki, Spank Rock, Felix Cartal, Wolfgang Gartner, Duck Sauce, Armand van Helden, Dada Life, Christopher Lawrence, Claude von Stroke, Dieselboy, Evol Intent, Xample, and Andy C. A full list of confirmed acts can be found here; day-by-day schedule here.

Electric Daisy Carnival 2010 takes place from June 25-26. General admission tickets for Friday and Saturday (priced at $65 and $75 respectively), two-day passes ($129), and VIP packages are now available.

“I am a Led Zeppelin fan,” Blige expalined in an interview with MusicRadar.com. “I’ve listened to their music since I was a child, and it’s always moved me, especially ‘Stairway To Heaven’. I loved soft rock as a child. I’m full of this stuff, naturally.”

In fact, she’s such a fan that her covers of “Stairway To Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love”, which have spent the last month getting either heckled or applauded and are included in the UK release of her latest album, are finally available for the entire world to download via iTunes. Of all the things to fall through the cracks.

While “Whole Lotta Love” was handled by music executive Ron Fair and hotshot producer RedOne, the team behind “Stairway To Heaven” is downright impressive. Try Fair and Tal Herzberg on production, guitar work by Steve Vai and Orianthi, Mr. Randy Jackson on bass and Travis Barker keeping the rhythm. You say it’s no Zeppelin, but at least she tried to make up for what is an insurmountable deficit.

And if you’re looking for someone to blame, look toward U2 frontman Bono; he suggested Blige take a crack at Zeppelin. Probably thought she’d kill it after her 2005 rendition of the Irish band’s “One”.

Either way, enjoy both songs below.

There is, however, one thing Barker hasn’t done in the last year, play along side a DJ. Since the unfortunate end of TRV$DJ-AM, Travis hasn’t added his powerful touch to another recognized turntablist. This will finally change when Barker teams up with A-Trak, Kanye West’s touring DJ and producer of several Kid Sister tracks. The collaboration began last spring when the two met at Coachella, leading to an invitation from Barker for A-Track to come jam in the studio. After an hour, the two knew that they could take this on the road “pretty easily.”

During the performances, the two will perform versions of each other’s remixes plus new material that’s being layed-out in Barker’s home-studio. The possibilities of a set-list become innumerable as you compile as list of prior re-mixes, including: Snoop Dog, Kanye West, Steve Vai, Slash, Black Eyed Peas, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Simian Mobile Disco.

The two are currently scheduled to perform March 9-10 at Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre, followed by appearances in Las Vegas. The duo also revealed that they will be making appearances at SXSW, and the Winter Music Conference. However, to begin speculation, with A-Track appearances at Ultra Music Festival and Sasquatch! might the duo be readying some festival love?

Travis Barker/DJ A-Track 2010 Tour Dates:
03/09 – Hollywood, CA @ Roxy Theater #
03/10 - Hollywood, CA @ Roxy Theater #

# = w/ Kid Sister and Rob Roy

While Tom DeLonge flirts with Love and Angels & Airwaves, Barker plans to keep busy by releasing his first solo album in the very near future. And wouldn’t you know it, the forthcoming effort features the likes of Lil Wayne, RZA, Rick Ross, The Game, and Beanie Sigel. And from the way Barker describes the process (via Spinner), this should be an innovative collaboration: “I just love music. The more I can be around it the better, so with my album it’s no one genre.”

Adding to the impressive line up of contributors is Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. Now, unlike say One Day As A Lion, which features Zack De La Rocha and Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore and sounds exactly like what you’d expect from Rage Volta, this sounds like an attempt to reinvent the music rather than showcasing the sum of its parts.

“Over the last five years, when Blink wasn’t around, I played a lot by myself or did a whole bunch of stuff with just me. Whether I was playing with T.I. or doing whatever, it just opened another world for me.” If Barker can turn the Grammys into a redeeming experience then he’s already off to a good start.

We’ll find out eventually.

But, where’s Kanye West, you ask? Given that West appears in the hit single “Forever”, which includes all of the aforementioned rappers, one would think he’d be involved, too. However, he’s nowhere on the bill. The reason? Anyone’s guess, though it’s one of two things. Either the award show wasn’t happy with his performance in last year’s all-star rap collaboration or West just isn’t welcome at award shows anymore.

We’re betting on the latter, although that conclusion doesn’t make much sense either, especially considering that the Chicago rapper is nominated for three of the five songs under “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” (oddly enough, “Forever” is not one of them). In hindsight, it’s a pretty special performance with or without West as this might be your last chance to see Lil Wayne perform live (at least for quite some time). Next month, the Grammy nominated rapper will be in prison for last year’s gun charges.

This all-star collaboration, however, is the latest addition to a lineup that already features Beyoncé, Roberta Flack, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Dave Matthews Band, and Taylor Swift. But, that’s not all. The Grammys have also announced some stranger performances, such as Green Day performing with its American Idiot musical cast and Jamie Foxx and T-Pain (nominated together for “Blame It”) performing with Slash and Doug E. Fresh (not nominated). The show will also feature a couple tributes: Jeff Beck and Imelda May honoring the recently-deceased Les Paul, and Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson doing a Michael Jackson tribute with 3D video.

In the meantime, CBS has been running Grammy commercials claiming a duet will commence the show; the duet is rumored to be Lady Gaga and Beyoncé performing “Telephone” off Gaga’s The Fame Monster.

For those of you interested in the awards, you can see the full list of Grammy nominees here.

In an interview with MTV News at the Ulalume Music Festival, Cudi spoke about another project (other than the Man on the Moon followup and the Chip Tha Ripper collabo) entitled Cudder. The ablum, Cudi said, would be all songs performed with a different artist that directly impacted Mr. Solo Dolo.

“Cudder is basically an album of me working with artists that have inspired me or artists that have helped me grow and people who I’ve always admired,” Cudi said. “So far, we’ve got Snoop, Travis Barker – trying to get Green Day onboard, hopefully, Kings of Leon, hopefully. I’m really trying to do all the collabs that I couldn’t do for the [Man on the Moon] album, and then some, because the album was so themed that I had to strip a lot of features. We’re going to have the Clipse on this compilation, Robin Thicke, hopefully we’re going to get in the studio, I just did a record for his upcoming album; it’s amazing.”

But these aren’t simply guest spots on each other songs. No, the man who shoots for the stars is going to try something most collabos could only dream of: True synergy.

“… I don’t want it to be, like, a Green Day song with me rapping over it,” he said. “What I want to do is, have the triangle effect. Have Green Day involved and have them co-produce with someone like a Ratatat or my producers, do like a joint thing, and then we all create from the ground up. That way, it’s like a fusion of each sound and each inspiration.”

Cudi plans to get Cudder out sometime by summer 2010. Cudi’s also got an album with electro duo Ratatat, whom he’s previously made music with, in the works. More details all around once we get them. In the meantime, check him on tour with Lady Gaga.

Kid Cudi 2009 Tour Dates:
11/27 – Montreal, QC @ The Bell Center *
11/28 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Center *
11/29 – Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place *
12/01 – Boston, MA @ Wang Center *
12/02 – Boston, MA @ Wang Center *
12/03 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center *
12/09 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre *
12/10 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre *
12/13 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic *
12/18 – Las Vegas, NV @ TBD *
12/19 – San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena *
12/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre *
12/29 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theater *
12/31 – Miami, FL @ Knight Center *
01/03 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock *
01/07 – St. Louis, MO @ The Fox *
01/08 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre *
01/09 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre *
01/12 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theater *
01/16 – Atlantic, NJ @ Borgata *
01/20 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall *
01/21 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall *

* = w/ Lady Gaga

As 2009 approaches, we are only days away from when Hanukkah Harry, Kwanzabot, and Paul Giamatti’s character from that shitty Vince Vaughn movie come and bestow gifts upon us. This means one thing, year end recaps and best of lists. Oh, this is definitely my favorite time of the year.

Personally speaking, 2008 blew for music. If it wasn’t for the last bastion of respectable music coverage, we would have probably all killed ourselves. We all owe TRL a big debt of gratitude. Unfortunately, that seems to have gone awash, as well.

Don’t believe me? Let’s turn around and trace our steps some. If you search on Wikipedia for “2008 in music,” the first entry Face to Face’s reunion announcement. That’s how special 2008 was for music, right? Wrong. Face to Face fans with an internet connection aside, actual shit happened this year. We learned that System of a Down isn’t going to reform and the Grammys continue to happen, both sad things. Furthermore, Erykah Badu made a comeback, Def Leppard and The Eagles went on tour and Scott Weiland left Velvet Revolver. A tree fell in the woods; no one heard it or cared. However, on April 5th, the newly reunited Face to Face performed in Irvine, CA. God Bless America!

Let’s continue, though…

Did you know Mariah Carey is officially only two #1 singles behind The Beatles for all time? This is cataclysmic news because I realized that my grandchildren will have framed posters of the album cover Butterfly. And you know what, I’m fucking happy about it. Who in the world didn’t enjoy the video for “Honey”? I will go on record and say Butterfly is our generation’s Sgt. Pepper. (Editor’s Note: Please folks, flame away!) This seminal album, or masterpiece as it will be known for years to come, set the stage for the Shakespearean drama that is Mariah Carey. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, she fought for her independence, grew as a musician, had a meltdown, left in exile, etc, etc.

On the flipside however, in 2008, Carey fought and clawed her way to the top, battling the likes of T-Pain and Leona Lewis to take the number one spot like all great champions before her did. Just like Air Jordan, Napoleon Bonaparte, Jackie Brown, and Ted Dibiase before her, Mariah Carey is a people’s champ. She has furthered music to almost unfathomable levels and she will overtake The Beatles’ record for most #1 singles within a decade. Welcome to the future everyone.

So, what else happened?

Oh, that Scott Weiland character didn’t leave the former Guns empty handed, as he left and rejoined the Stone Temple Pilots. You probably didn’t know that Donna Summer had a number one song again, but you might have bought Madonna’s leventh, yes eleventh, album. (She also turned 50!) A second tree fell in the woods. Donna Summer and Scott Weiland smoked it, no one cared.

This is when things get “crazy”…

The shitty mayor of Los Angeles got a whole heck of a lot better when he proclaimed April 15th as Mariah Carey Day. From April 25th to April 27th, the Empire State Building was lit up in lavender, pink, and white in celebration of Mariah Carey’s achievements in the field of music. A world rejoiced as the two leading epicenters for music in modern day America saw eye to eye, or face to face, in their appreciation of the musical titan, “Mariah.”

Meanwhile, The Offspring eleased an album, David Cook won season 7 of American Idol, and Westlife (who?) celebrated ten years of music making. A third tree fell in the woods, it killed 3 and injured 4, and again… no one cared.

Naturally, as all this happened here, Zeus and Apollo laughed from above in Olympus at the amazing creation they bestowed on us mere mortals. Built not from flesh and blood, Mariah Carey symbolizes a new future in music where singers are sent to us from the heavens.

Carrying on, George Michael played his first US Tour in 17 years, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith was actually developed and released, and a shitload of festivals happened. Oh, and Souljaboy continued to take the world by storm. By this time, the many proverbial trees have fallen down… thanks to global warming.

So, where we at? Oh, the end of the summer: LOLLAPALOOZA 2008! Need I mention that Consequence of Sound covered that shit like they own it? BOO-YAH.

Then came the seasonal changes: Katy Perry continued to do whatever the hell she does, a new Queen album came out (or is coming out), that plane crash involving Travis Barker and DJ AM happened and the two lived to tell the tale, Paul McCartney returned to Israel since being banned, Britney got another number one, Rihanna got a few ones too, and finally, Face to Face continued to search for their first one.

Of course, 2008 wouldn’t 2008 without Axl f’n Rose. How could we forget? Chinese Democracy was unleashed upon the ill prepared world! Rumor has it that only Mariah Carey is known to be able to handle the sheer awesomeness and virtuosity that the album contains. Too bad that negates 99.99% percent of the world. Speaking of the world, a lot of awesome people connected to music left it, but that’s what always happens: people die. Some can argue and say that Mariah Carey should have considered resurrecting them with her powers, but let’s get realistic people.

2009 Prediction: Face to Face will produce Mariah Carey’s next album, I Will Never Go Away As Long As People Can Handle My Voice As They Pleasure Themselves to My Videos.

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