Joe Budden’s self-titled debut album went gold in 2003, earning him a Grammy nomination for best male rap solo performance (”Pump It Up”). Despite his successful debut, Budden’s sophomore album sat on the shelves at Def Jam for nearly four years; a setback that most artists would not have survived; but most artists are not Joe Budden.
Despite numerous setbacks, Jump Off Joe Budden kept very busy during those years, besides years of legal wrangling and politicking very loudly for his release from Def Jam (which resulted in a very public feud with Def Jam’s then president Jay-Z) Joe was forced to rely on a then new unproven method (Internet) to release music to his very loyal fan base and did so by releasing the critically acclaimed and highly buzzed about “Mood Muzik” mixtape series collaborating with artists such as Fabolous, Clinton Sparks and Joell Ortiz; and in the process engaging in highly publicized feuds with The Game, Prodigy and Ransom.
After finally gaining his release from Def Jam in 2007, Budden immediately became an A-List free agent and was courted by a slew of major labels. Always one to go against the grain, Joe circumvented traditional thinking and used his forward thinking mentality to sign with the rising new media outfit Amalgam Digital; a booming independent label responsible for launching hip-hop’s first genre-specific digital retail store. The move initially raised some eyebrows with the Hip-Hop populous, but Joe’s foresight was the guiding force behind the move; as Joe’s proactive use of the Internet and the response his Mood Muzik mixtapes received online (going from Nahright.com to your neighborhood in a single click), foretold a massive shift in the commercial landscape (coupled with the dramatic decrease of physical CD sales) and Joe was ahead of the curve in realizing that the Internet would not only be the guiding force where the masses would listen and decide upon what music and artists they liked, but also would eventually support and purchase. Fast forward to 2008 and Joe’s move seems even more revolutionary, as there has been a dramatic decrease of physical CD sales and Joe’s recent “digital only” precursor (Halfway House which was only available on Amalgamdigital.com and was the first digital-only Hip-Hop release employing both traditional marketing methods—radio, video, commercial radio, advertising campaigns, etc) to Padded Room debuted on the “Hot 200″ sales chart—as only a strictly digital release. Halfway House also featured a track from Joe’s super-group, Slaughterhouse, (which also includes Joell Ortiz, Royce 5′9 and Crooked I). Further, Amalgam Digital is now a rapidly ascending record label with established stars such as Joe Budden, Max B and Peedi Crakk on its rapidly expanding roster and the labels shirts are quickly becoming a fashion statement.
Throughout his trails and tribulations with Def Jam and sparring with Hip-Hop’s heavyweights, Joe Budden has largely reinvented himself without losing what endeared himself to fans; his deep thinking lyrical brilliance (can anyone forget Joe’s brilliant “Who” trilogy?). In fact, with his “Joe Budden TV” videos going viral and becoming a staple on blogs worldwide, Joe has to a large extent become Hip-Hop’s “peoples champion” as Joe’s personality and “every man” personality transcends and fans can undeniably relate to his daily life (could a reality series be far behind?).
Joe’s relentless grind culminates on 2-24-09 with the release of his official sophomore LP Padded Room (which has already received rave reviews from XXL, Spin and Smooth Magazines) and the LP’s lead-single “The Future” featuring former adversary The Game is already burning up the Internet and the duo will also be filming a video for the track shortly.
In addition, AmalgamDigital.com also plans to re-launch the website store with a new design, enhanced functionality and new features in unison with the same date of Padded Room’s release. To celebrate the release of Padded Room and the site’s re-launch, Joe budden his record label, Amalgam Digital are offering fans exclusive hidden bonus tracks when the Padded Room album is purchased in digital format direct from www.AmalgamDigital.com
“The Padded Room album is crazy. Go out and get it” – Joe Budden
Tracklisting and credits for Joe Budden’s Padded Room:
01. Now I Lay (produced by Blastah Beatz)
02. The Future f/ The Game (produced by Fyu-chur)
03. If I Gotta Go (produced by the Klasixs)
04. Don’t Make Me (produced by Blastah Beatz)
05. Blood On The Wall (produced by Moss)
06. In My Sleep (produced by Blastah Beatz)
07. Exxxes (produced by the Klasixs)
08. I Couldn’t Help It (produced by the Klasixs)
09. Adrenaline (produced by Dub B)
10. Happy Holidays (produced by Quan)
11. Do Tell (produced by Blastah Beatz)
12. Angel In My Life (produced by Blastah Beatz)
13. Pray For Me (produced by Versatile & Dilemma)
www.myspace.com/AmalgamDigital
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Atlantic Records/Rhino Entertainment will release a limited- edition CD boxed set containing Japanese imports of all 10 of the quartet’s albums in mini-LP replicas with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. The LED ZEPPELIN DEFINITIVE COLLECTION OF MINI-LP REPLICAS boxed set will be available on November 11 for a suggested price of $199.98. The mini-LP replicas CD boxed set includes Led Zeppelin (1969), Led Zeppelin II (1969), Led Zeppelin III (1970), Led Zeppelin IV (1971), Houses of the Holy (1973), Physical Graffiti (1975), Presence (1976), The Song Remains the Same (1976), In Through the Out Door (1979), and Coda (1982). The sleeves included in the boxed set feature the original LP album artwork released in the U.K., including the original printing of the group’s debut, which used turquoise ink on the cover for the band’s name and the Atlantic Records logo. Additionally, the set includes all six covers released for In Through the Out Door, Led Zeppelin’s final studio album.
Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Listening Party
Listening Party Track list
Good Times Bad Times
No Quarter
Whole Lotta Love
Kashmir
Heartbreaker
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Rock And Roll
All My Love
When the Levee Breaks
Led Zeppelin Official Site:
and MySpace page:
Like Music? Got 3 million dollars to spare? Check this out:
The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.
New York City’s much buzzed about songstress L.P. has just released the first single “Good With You” off of her soon to be named and highly anticipated record set to hit in early 2009 via SoBe Entertainment. L.P. was featured as Clear Channel’s Artist to Watch for their NEW! program in June and the single is quickly gaining traction in the AAA format.
“Good With You” / ”Cling To Me” video streams:
Armed with a voice that weaves seamlessly between being fierce and vulnerable, L.P. can captivate an audience with a single note, and turn a crowd of strangers into rabid fans with just one song. Nothing iterates this point better than the story of SXSW 2006 where her live performance inspired a label bidding war. This ultimately led to her being signed by LA Reid himself to Island Records. While L.P. says it’s “nice” that she inspired the competition, the singer ultimately walked away from the deal with her songs in hand, the material that will be included on her forthcoming album on SoBe Entertainment.
L.P. has invited comparisons to Janis Joplin, Joan Jett, Gwen Stefani and Chrissie Hynde and has worked with go-to rocker Linda Perry who is a self confessed fan. The Washington Post call’s L.P. “. . . a punky rocker with the pipes of a belter,” while Entertainment Weekly exclaims “NYC moptop songwriter L.P. has toured the country and back, but nothing much spins her wheels off their axles” and Cincinnati City Beat offers up this piece of advice, “Tell a friend: L.P. is going to be huge.”
L.P. YouTube Channel:
L.P. Official Site:
and MySpace page:
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It seems like Tokyo Police Club has been an “it” band for like 3 years now and they’re still riding on the buzz of a few EP’s… They’re apparently nearing completion of their first LP, but in the meantime its been the aforementioned EP’s, some scattered touring and this song, “Your English Is Good”. I believe the song will be on the upcoming debut, and if its any indication of what we can expect, then all the built up and delayed buzz for these guys will be justified. I think they’re one of the most exciting new bands out there and really can’t to hear some more from them. Do yourself a favor and check them out immediately:
Tokyo Police Club - “Your English Is Good” (right click, save as)
Check out more online:
http://www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub
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