For their style issue, Complex hooked up with N.E.R.D. and Lupe, two artists well known for their style choices. "In my Fall of Rome jeans, my headporter wallet/My Neighborhood shirt and my Eddie Chen clock shit." Anyways, last year Kanye broke down both the alphabet and his style and I expect Pharrell is doing the same thing in this year's issue. The N.E.R.D. cover was done by graffiti master KAWS, and the Lupe side was Todd "REAS" James. My shift button didn't know what it was in for before that sentence.
Here are a couple videos that show how it all went down:
Two months ago, I was pretty excited about all the albums coming out this summer. On Wikipedia (where people like me spend hours looking up information that is most likely false), I saw some good stuff. Seeing Sounds and Tha Carter III was a great start. Sure Tha Carter III was a dissapointment for most heads out there, but I'm still listening to Dr. Carter and Tie My Hands. As far as Seeing Sounds is concerned, it was everything I hoped and expected in an N.E.R.D. album. Was it for everyone? No, not even close. But it was for me, and that is the only person I care about when it comes to buying music (I'm also the only person I care about in general, which explains why I never get anyone else Christmas gifts but still expect presents on my birthday. Just kidding. But seriously, I'm aweful about that. Just ask my brother. Regardless, my birthday is coming up so I expect big things from my family... assuming you are reading this.).
Beyond that, I was looking forward to seeing the works of Common, Gym Class Heroes, and Busta Rhymes. For those that didn't know, Common's Invincible Summer is ironically being pushed back to September. Also, Gym Class Heroes new album (AKA. The Quilt) is looking to join Common in September. Then again, with Travis' recent fight club aspirations (scroll down for more info), that album could very well be in jeopardy altogether. On the bright side, Busta Rhymes' Blessed is scheduled for launch in "mid-late August." For those that don't know what "mid-late August" means, Blessed will hit shelves in early September. I would be more depressed, but I found this gem on illroots. It features Busta, Lil Wayne, and the only rapper who seeks musical inspiration in an Austin Powers flick, Ludacris.
Simply put, we can't help it. I haven't been this hyped for an album to come out since all the way back in 2007. I'm not against bootlegging albums, but its important to let record labels know what they want to hear. I don't want a ton of N.E.R.D.'s getting heavy promotion, but I do want bands that push boundaries (which happens to be every music journalist's way of describing Pharrel & Co.). Having said that, here's a little sampler to wet your pallet. These songs didn't make the cut for the American albums, so you don't have to worry about ruining your initial listening experience tomorrow.
Tuesday may quite possibly have been the greatest and most proud moment of my life...the GITDT(i know thats bad). It was like watching the 1992 U.S. Dream team obliterate opponents in Barcelona. I was most anticipating N.E.R.D., though, and cherished the 1800 seconds or so that they blessed that precious stage. That played a lot of new tracks, and maybe the one that got the crowd most hyped was "Spaz"(even Chris Breezy joined the fun). I'm loving this single, and its a good look for the new Zune spot on your TVs. Here is "Spaz" which has just leaked into the airwaves. Seeing Sounds is out June 10th!!!
I know everybody else is all about Lapdance and Rockstar, but I feel like this is the band reaching their full potential. I can't wait for N.3.R.D. to come out this spring. This song makes me think of...
The video was made by a kid for a project at his school. I think its really cool and wish Lupe (the king of cool) would take this video to all the music-illiterate executives at MTV and BET and make them play it becuae I'm getting really tired of seeing Flo Rida.
Alright, so back in March of '07 'Ye appeared on MTV and mentioned "The Glow in the Dark Tour" which would feature both Mr.West and Chad, P, and Shae on the same stage (!!!). At first i thought nothing of it, but after checking a post on Kanye's blog which said, "This is my shit... GET READY FOR THE GLOW IN THE DARK TOUR!!!!!!!!!!!" with pics from Fly or Die on it, i realized this is actually going to happen. This could be the greatest collabo to ever tour the US (for me, at least) and i would prob do just about anything to get to catch a glimpse of that. If you don't believe me or you're just in shock, check out the site place holder here, and i'm sure theres a load of info over the web. You're welcome *UPDATE* 1/29/08 Above is a "snippet," if you will, of the tour's poster, according to 'Ye's blog. If i am reading correctly, I'm pretty damn sure it not only names N.E.R.D. and Kanye, but also Lupe. Honestly, i have dreamt of this day but was almost positive this would never be a reality. We'll keep you posted...
This is what Timbaland and P were workin on earlier. This is a slightly different version of Everyone Nose than the one released a few days ago. I was hoping the Super Producers would be making something a little bigger than this, but oh well.
If you haven't got it yet, here's the leaked first single off of the upcoming N.E.R.D. project. The chorus is kinda stupid in my opinion, but its got a good sound to it. Big Ups to The Fader for this one.
Now that i've talked about my favorite up-and-comers for the year, its time to get into the hip-hop heavyweights. Last year was a little disappointing, with only a few albums worth your money, but '08 is definitely looking good.
Lose Sleep Anticipating:
Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne- The master of the mixtape and self-proclaimed king of hip-hop finally comes out with a new studio album. Last year, the music game really was Wayne's World as he was featured in almost every song on the radio. Now its time for him to make some real money. How good is Wayne? Dude's whole album was leaked onto the internet so he made a new cd like it was nothing. He's keepin all his songs underwraps for now so I dont know whats gonna be on it, but I guarantee it will be nasty. Tha Carter III drops February 15th.
N*R*3*D by N.E.R.D.- Pharrell and Chad's funk band is back. For some, thats a big deal. For others, who gives a F*%K? Im on the side of those celebrating because, well, im all over Pharrell's cock, no homo. I love everything he does and you can believe I'll be buying the album the day it comes out (no official date yet, sometime in the spring). The group promises to go back to its roots. This means, musically, the album will be all over the place. I'll keep you posted as songs start to drop. For now, here is N.E.R.D.'s debut album, In Search Of...
N****r by Nas- I dont feel comfortable with Nas' new album name. I know that since I'm white, I am not allowed to have an opinion on these issues, but, if I did, I would think its retarded. The N-word is not like calling a white man a cracker, as much as Nas wants it to be. I dont know any white person that gets offended by cracker, but i know A LOT of black people that get offended by the N****r. Now, onto the music. Despite his last album's failure, Nas is still the man who made Illmatic so I have faith in the man. I think Nas is gonna drop a gem with this one. It comes out in February.
The Greatest Story Never Told by Saigon- The dude who became popular when he got signed by Turtle on Entourage is a real rapper. And despite his threats to quit the business, his long awaited debut album is gonna be hot. Fire hot. He can spit it as good as anyone i've heard outside of Lupe and his cd is handled completely by Just Blaze. To get the Come on Baby remix featuring HOVA and Swizz Beats, click here. The album is projected to drop early in the year.
Unnamed Gnarles Barkley Project- Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo are set to return this Spring and they promise to improve on the success of St. Elsewhere. In interviews, Cee-Lo has stated that the album is, "pretty damn good. What else can I say?" If you ever get a chance check out the duo live in concert:
Its pretty trippy, but its tight.
Rising Down by The Roots- One of the best hip-hop groups of all time will return in April according to ?uestlove. One of the first and only groups to utilize live instruments, I really love The Roots and can't wait to see what they've got cookin. Here is a little classic Roots to tide you over.
And maybe, just maybe:
CRS- If it happens, it'll be the biggest album of the year, hands down. Lupe is a genius and lyrically the best rapper in the game, Pharrell is the best producer money can buy, and Kanye is the best overall musician in hip-hop. Put it together and create a rapper's delight (i know its corny, but im just so excited). When US Placers debuted, I was happy but I knew the song only realized about half the groups' potential. Its like having Kobe, LeBron, and D-Wade on your team. All other rappers are gonna get destroyed.
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