The Roots are the band known to listeners of different ages and loved by followers of various genres. They started out as one of hip-hop pioneers and then went on to add touches from other schools. The ability of these musicians to evolve and transfigure their sound is the key to holding on to the elite league for so long. However, many were set to believe that the 2008 release of Rising Down was the last long player in The Roots collection. That was the group’s darkest work that planted seeds of pessimism in the hearts of its numerous fans. There was a widespread opinion that, before leaving the stage for a long-deserved rest, The Roots decided to preach about the stigmas of the contemporary global community. Nevertheless, in less than year, the ensemble premiered a single called How I Got Over that later was announced as the title track to the upcoming full-length effort. How I Got Over is the ninth album from The Roots that puts it more than clear that the band has not sung the sawn song yet, no matter what the age.

Multitude of guest artists and plenty of excellent lyrics

The album is opened by A Piece of Light that may easily fling you into confusion. The Roots have long been reputed for their experiments with rap and modifying it at their will this way or another, but playing modern days jazz with funk marking is something in their arsenal. And then comes the time for The Roots traditional type of music. Walk Alone has a very sad story and understated keys that distract you from anything else so that you do not notice how these keys carry you over to the next Dear God 2.0,one more effort by one more artist to get a straight answer from the Almighty. The songs are different to the largest extent because of the choruses in many cases decorated by the voices of the guest singers. Particularly many parts are entrusted to P.O.R.N., and Dice Raw. You will enjoy the singing of John Legend who did his work for The Fire. The vocals and supreme lyrics often overshadow the hard work done by other participants of the project, specifically ideally timed beats fitting perfectly house parties. Only in the last track of the album, Hustla, beats flow to the top thank to especially heavy and thick basses. This composition does not have much in common with the rest of the material from The Roots; and this, as strange as it sounds, helps you get more focus on the other songs of How I Got Over.

Too early to say good bye

The Roots have only one more step to make to reach the landmark of ten studio albums. We have to admit that today the band’s CD do not sell as massively as they did ten or fifteen years ago; but these musicians have not realized their potential to the last yet, which is proved by their new long player. The subjects raised in the texts of The Roots freshly released album are again connected with issues of religion, politics and culture. Yet, this time, the musicians decided that there is still hope. The lines in the chorus of How I Got Over saying that there must be someone who cares become the motto of the entire album. While the music, arrangements and flawless vocals of How I Got Over remind us that The Roots had the right reason to call themselves a ‘legendary crew’, the lyrics reminds us that although there are many bad things in this world, men must find the inner strength to resist the band fight for the good.

Kanye West has finished filming of the music video for his new single Power. Its director Marco Brambilla described the clip as “apocalyptic”, adding that it features Kanye West with a chain around his neck, nude females and an executioner.

“It had this very dark, personal conflict within it. Because of Kanye West’s own concept of celebrity and his own notoriety, he’s keenly self-aware of all these things. And it all came out in the music”, said Marco Brambilla.

Director added that Kanye West himself suggested an idea for music video and he liked it very much because it was “very personal”.

Power is the first single from Kanye West’s upcoming new album. This week rapper announced that the record would not be released under the name Good Ass Job – although he is still thinking about new title.

Kanye West already performed three songs from his upcoming album at the Facebook headquarters. Rapper played tracks Lost In The World, Chain Gang and Mama’s Boyfriend during a special show for the companies’ employees.

Rapper’s new album is set to be released in September. According to Billboard, the album will feature tracks produced by Q-Tip, Pete Rock and Wu Tang Clan’s RZA.

Kanye West’s previous album 808′s And Heartbreak hit the stores in 2008.

Some new information about upcoming Michael Jackson’s album was revealed. It will feature 10 remastered versions of earlier unreleased songs by late King of Pop. The album is set to hit the stores in November.

It will be produced by Michael Jackson’s brother Jackie and Rodney Jerkins, who is famous for his work with such artists as Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson, Beyonce and others. Jerkins also produced Michael Jackson’s album Invincible that hit the stores in 2001.

There were rumors earlier that Michael Jackson was working on the new album before his death.

Michael Jackson has died from a heart attack last year on June 25 at the age of 50.

Sir Paul McCartney shared his opinion about upcoming UK general election day, which is set for May 6. Ex-The Beatles member claimed that he felt dissatisfied with all three candidates for prime-minister position – Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and David Cameron. He also wished he had an opportunity to vote for Barack Obama.

«I’m not awfully impressed with the people who are in it. You know, I want a Barack Obama. If Obama was running here I think I’d be able to say: «Yeah, change, this is good, this is something different». That is what I want», said he.

Paul McCartney also claimed that he was recently invited to Houses Of Parliament to watch debates: «It was a very boring debate. But that’s not the point, it’s kind of seeing democracy at work».

Last week Paul McCartney announced that Concord Music Group company would reissue all his solo records, including the last studio effort Memory Almost Full. It will also re-release all albums by his side project Wings. Plans concerning another his side project, The Fireman, are unknown.

Shortcuts from three songs by Katy Perry have leaked online yesterday. Thirty-second fragments from the tracks In Between, California Gurls and E.T., were posted on one of the music service sites.

One of the tracks, California Gurls, is a collaboration between Katy Perry and US rapper Snoop Dogg. It is set to be released on May 25 as a first single from Katy’s new studio album.

Earlier Katy Perry revealed that her record was inspired by ABBA as well as by The Cardigans’ hit Love Fool. Singer added that upcoming record would be more «dancing» than the previous one, One For The Boy.

«It is more groove ridden and more making people dance because when I went on tour, as much as I love all the in-between songs, I felt I was missing some of the stuff that made people bounce up and down and I really love that feeling when people are all jumping in unison», claimed she.

Katy Perry is currently recording new album in Los Angeles with Dr Luke, who also produced One For The Boy.

Another new track by Eminem has leaked online yesterday. Titled Despicable, it is partly devoted to the infamous case involving NFL player Ben Roethlisberger – in March he was accused of sexual assault by 20-year-old college student.

Eminem’s song features such lyrics as «I’d rather turn this club into a bar room brawl, Get as rowdy as Roethlisberger in a bathroom stall».

You can listen to it here.

Last week Eminem has released new single Not Afraid, in which he talks about his last to date album Relapse. The record, which was devoted to rapper’s successful battle with drug addiction, hit the stores on March 2009 and became the top-selling hip hop album of the year.

However, in the new song rapper claims that he felt dissatisfied with the album. The track has lyrics: «In fact, let’s be honest, That last Relapse CD was ehh…».

Not Afraid has become the first single from Eminem’s upcoming album Recovery. According to the rapper’s words, it is not the same record as earlier announced Relapse 2 album, the follow-up to his 2009’s disk Relapse.

Shakira is the world’s most popular Latin musician, says the special research by Ovi Nokia web service. Singer, who released new album She Wolf last year, topped the chart based on the music sales in more than 35 countries.

Colombian born singer was followed by Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez and pop band Camila. The chart also features Mariah Carey’s former boyfriend Luis Miguel.

Last week it was announced that song Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) by Shakira has been chosen FIFA as the official anthem of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The singer will perform her composition at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Johannesburg on June 10. She will also take part in the closing ceremony on July 11.

At the same time, Shakira, Alicia Keys and The Black Eyed Peas are set to perform at the upcoming concert at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. This event will take place to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The show is scheduled for June 10 – the day before the official opening ceremony.

The Adventures Of Bobby Ray

There are a few times in my life that I say this dude has either seen or been through exactly what I have, witness the things that I experienced happen to people close to them. His crossover “Nothing on You” gets him airplay but that is just the tip of the iceberg. He shows intelligence beyond his years with the music he chooses for the different tracks to put his vocal flavor with.

The song “Past My Shades” is now my personal theme song because it mirrors my life in great detail and only those with scars both emotional and physical can attest to the authenticity of the words. The next one ” Airplanes pt 1″ brings to mind Fleetwood Mac and the story is aimed at all those who make excuses of why they never live up to their potential and for the even denser young people and older Eminem hits them with a what if situation ,on Airplanes pt2 about what if he would have just blamed everyone else for his lack of trying and being a lazy bum with responsibilities of trying to be an adult before he was ready by choice.

The others like “Bet I Bust” shows that he can bring new and old talent together and deliver a powerful message that is relevant to today’s issues and keep the party rocking if you will. I see more knowledge being dropped from this Kid and by then of it all we will definitely know all about the Adventures of Bobby Ray.

Klark E. Dark

Alicia Keys, Shakira and The Black Eyed Peas are set to perform at the upcoming concert at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. This event will take place to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The show is scheduled for June 10 – the day before the official opening ceremony.

Named Kick-Off Celebration, the concert will also feature John Legend, The Parlotones and a number of African musicians.

FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said: «We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration».

Upcoming tournament will be the 19th FIFA World Cup and the first one to be held in Africa.

Michael Jackson’s public memorial service is set to be visited by a number of music celebrities. Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey were announced to take part in it, as well as Jennifer Hudson and Usher. Basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson will also participate in the ceremony.

Earlier it was announced that memorial service would be visited only by Jackson’s family and close friends, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross.

The ceremony itself will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles today, on July 7. 11,000 free tickets for the memorial service were raffled through the Web, as well as an additional 6,500 tickets to Nokia Theatre, where the service will be shown on video screens. The ceremony will be also broadcasted live all over the world.

The event was staged by Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich and Kenny Ortega, the director of the Michael Jackson’s series of concerts in London.