Mickey continues to drop that heat – this time going in over KanYe West’s ‘Power’. This feels like 08, when I first started this blog this dude was releasing tracks pretty much every other day. That’s how I initially became a fan, simply because while most people would struggle with quality while releasing so much music – Factz never faulted. Quality was always on point.

Download: Mickey Factz – ‘Powder’

Corinne Bailey Rae returns with a brand new video for ‘Closer’ which is taken off her new album The Sea. I’ve never really been a big fan of Rae’s, but I really do like her voice and actually quite like this song and video.

Shouts to SB

Ciara took to her twitter to announce the official release date for her new album Basic Instinct saying “BASIC INSTINCT ALBUM RELEASE DATE!!!! AUGUST 24!!”. The album’s first single ‘Ride’, which I’m still obsessed with, will be followed by another up-tempo number which Ciara says will make folk ‘dance the roof off’. She’s said to be revisiting the style of her debut album with the new LP – I hope this is true because then it will be fire.

Written by Zainab Jama

Sonar By Night.

Friday night saw the first instalment of Sonar by Night. Situated in an air hangar on the outskirts of town, you’re greeted by three enormous main rooms, (30,000, 10,000 and 7000 respectively) an equally large room selling food (4am crepes were a great decision), t-shirts and possibly the highlight of the festival bumper cars!

But back the music, Friday nights was the night I was most excited about. With in the main room the headliners included New York’s mighty LCD Soundsystem, playing the main room at 1am. Singing their heart out and playing tracks from their last three stunning LPs, they set the 30,000 strong crowd alight with their energetic performance.

To the left I went to check out BBC Radio 1 Mary Anne Hobbs stage. Having curated the Friday night Sonar by Night stage on Friday for the past four years, past guests have included Martyn, Gaslamp Killer, Joker, Skream, Benga and Mala. This year saw an equally impressive line up, starting off with bringing back Los Angeles biggest electronic musician Flying Lotus (he’ll be back in London this summer, check the dates here), UK Funky don Roska and Joy Orbison. First up was Joy, playing a set full new school Dubstep and 2-Step rhythms, he gave an impressive display, bowing out on his massive ‘Hyph Mngo’, it was easy to see that the tune was made for a stadium, as the scene of 10,000 strong putting their hands in the air was immense. Roska played a dancefloor set full of his own productions, with ‘I Need It’ to ‘Wonderful Day ft Jamie George’ on the playlist it translated perfectly to the Sonar Lab stage while up next Flying Lotus did what he does best. With a simple laptop and MPC he set the stage alight not only with his infectious personality with cuts from his Los Angeles series being played he also dropped a couple from his new LP Cosmogramma which had a great reception too.

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Queen Badu performs New Amerykah, Part 2: Return of the Ankh‘s opening track ’20 Feet Tall’ live at  the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s a short, but well put together piece and it deserves a post simply because it’s Erykah Badu. Cannot wait for my annual pilgrimage to see this lady live in London this summer. ’20 Feet Tall’ has grown to be one of my favourite songs on the album – the words are so captivating.

Shouts to OKP

J.Cole talks to IllRoots about his video for ‘Who Dat’ and the fact that it was shot in just one take, he also discusses his live shows and why he tries to convey emotion doing them, his upcoming album and the message he’s trying to push with it.

Sidenote: ‘Who Dat’ is getting rinsed HARD on my end – that tune is too much.

Princess Janelle Monae talks to Nylon TV about her influences in music and fashion and not really ‘idolizing’ anyone.

According to Stones Throw ‘Classic’, produced by Madlib and features Talib Kweli, may ‘possibly’ be from MED’s forthcoming album. They also say they’ll be announcing more about the project in the coming weeks. For now though, just enjoy this because it’s dope – Madlib’s production is so sweet here. MED & Talib Kweli do their respective thing too of course.

Download: MED Feat Talib Kweli – ‘Classic’

Pure. Summer. Vibes.

The legendary Omar and Maddslinky come together for something quite ‘Special’. Heard this around town, various (good music) raves etc and now the video drops. Big.

Shouts to SoulUK

Jazmine Sullivan is BACK! Oh, how I have missed her. ‘Holding You Down (Going In Circles)’ is the first single off her new album due out later this year. And ooooooh, how she is back? Hold up, did she just sample the Queen of Hip Hop Soul? Yep, I think she did. This sounds real nice, Missy killed the production. Sullivan’s soulful voice is unlike any other – it’s husky, powerful, and so distinctive. This is my tune right here.

Download: Jazmine Sullivan – ‘Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles)

Shouts to Splash

What have I been telling you about this year? Great fu*king music.

Now, Prince is set to release an album entitled 20Ten in July for free. Similar to the deal back in 2007, the Purple One will be giving his new record out via The Daily Mirror this summer. More than 2.5 million free CD’s will be distributed on July 10th 2010.

The deal is part of a ‘multimedia collaboration’ with the singer that will see the Mirror (and it’s Scottish counterpart, Daily Record) run a series of Prince-themed features – including an interview (marking his first newspaper interview in more than 10 years) and ticket givaways to his European concerts.

Lauryn HIll recently sat down with NPR for a rare and impromptu interview where the singer opened up on things that we, her fans, have been wondering for the past 10 years: why wasn’t there another album, when is she releasing new music, where is she mentally. You can read the full interview here, but check the best bits below…

On why she stopped putting out music: “There were a number of different reasons. But partly, the support system that I needed was not necessarily in place. There were things about myself, personal-growth things, that I had to go through in order to feel like it was worth it. In fact, as musicians and artists, it’s important we have an environment—and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the [music] industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society, or at least some aspect of society. And it’s important that people be given the time that they need to go through, to grow, so that the consciousness level of the general public is properly affected. Oftentimes, I think people are forced to make decisions prematurely. And then that sound radiates.”

On wanting to sing more: “I’m trying to open up my range and really sing more. With The Fugees initially, and even with Miseducation, it was very hip-hop—always a singing over beats. I don’t think people have really heard me sing out. So if I do record again, perhaps it will have an expanded context. Where people can hear a bit more.”

On why she started to perform again: “I don’t know if you know this, but I have five children. The youngest is 2 now, so she’s old enough that I can leave her for a period of time and know she’s going to be okay. That’s one reason. And I think it’s just time. I’m starting to get excited again. Believe it or not, I think what people are attracted to about me, if anything, is my passion. People got exposed to my passion through music and song first. I think people might realize, you know, ‘We love the way she sounds, we love the music, but I think we just love how fearless she is. How boundless she is, when it comes to what she wants to do.’ And I think that can be infectious.”

On staying healthy: “I think if I was created with such power or an ability, then what’s also been put in me is the blueprint for the responsibility part, as well. I have to take care of myself in order to take care of this gift, which has affected so many. I don’t treat it lightly. It’s important to me to be healthy and to be whole.”

Spotted at RU

I have a feeling this is going to get emotional. I’m about to press play on VH1′s latest episode of ‘Behind the Music’ featuring R&B powerhouse and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

Shouts to TGJ

This is that funk, that…wooooo! Zo! x Eric Roberson x Darien Brockington x Rapper Big Pooh – it’s on. This is my tune right here. Coming off Zo’s upcoming album SunStorm – which is something I am desperate to get my hands on – If ‘This Could Be The Night’ is anything to go by, we may have yet another contender for album of the year. I am LOVING twenty ten. Bigg up +FE for continuing to drop incredible music.

Download: Zo! Feat This Could Be The Night feat. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington & Rapper Big Pooh – ‘This Could Be The Night’

Click cover to download

Estelle just dropped her DJ Trauma assisted mixtape entitled #ialmostmadeamixtape. About to rip this one open myself, so can’t comment too tough, so download it now and have listen for yourself. This mixtape comes ahead of Estelle’s new album All Of Me.