He did announce G.O.O.D Friday’s last week, could this be the beginning? I don’t want to get too hyped, but I don’t see why he’d lie (LOL!). We now wait…

D’Angelo >>> Everyone else.

Producer Mark Ronson (who recently worked with the the legendary Soul singer on a track for his own album Record Collection) has confirmed to Billboard he is “going into the studio [with D'Angelo]…to work a bit on his record, and I have equal parts intimidation and awe and excitement”.

I just got one thing to say to Ronson: DON’T F*CK IT UP BRUV!

The idea of a new D’Angelo record does stupid things to me (#nohomo), it’s been way too long. The way Brown Sugar and Voodoo remain in constant loop in my life – it’s mad. But definitely time for a new album. How it’ll turn out, I do not know. He’s going to have a big job on his hands but if anyone can produce something magical, it’s the mighty D’Angelo.

Shouts to Diego

Speaking to MTV, singer Miguel says he’s looking to “push boundaries” and “take [R&B] forward” with his music, saying “that’s what we as artists are here for: to push those boundaries and explore outside and push things further”. While readying his debut album entitled ‘All I Want Is You’ (the same name of his incredible first single featuring J.Cole) he wants to come with something that will surprise people “it’s actually pretty cool for people to take a step back and go, ‘what is that? I don’t know what that is, but I like it’ – that’s really cool”.

I’m really eager to hear Miguel’s new album. ‘All I Want Is You’, produced by the great Salaam Remi, is probably one of my favourite songs from 2010. It’s superb. So if his album is anything like that – it’s gonna be hot.

Previous: Miguel Feat J.Cole – ‘All I Want Is You’ (Video/Download)

Missy Elliott recently spoke to MTV to remember her good friend Aaliyah 9 years after her passing…

MTV: When you look around today at some of the current R&B stars, who do you see traces of Aaliyah’s influence in?

Missy Elliott: I think it’s hard for Aaliyah to be duplicated, because she had her own lane. But Ciara is an R&B singer who loves to dance, and Aaliyah was that same kinda artist. We knew when she dropped a record, we couldn’t wait for the video. I think Aaliyah has influenced artists like a Ciara.

MTV: How do you spend a day like this, where everyone is mourning the anniversary of your friend’s passing?

Elliott: I plan to spend my day the same as any other day, because there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of [Aaliyah] or watch a video or play her music. I miss her every day.

MTV: Do you know of any update on the plans for an Aaliyah movie?

Elliott: As far as a movie for Aaliyah, I’ve been hearing some things but don’t know how true they are, and out of respect for her family, I would wait until they announce it. That way we will know it’s a fact.

MTV: I’m sure you have so many memories of Aaliyah. What was it like the first time you met her?

Elliott: When me and Tim first went to work with her, we were so nervous. She was such a big star, and I was scared she was gonna be some diva, sipping on tea, with people fixing her hair and nails, and she would say, “What is this music you got! It’s wack!” But when we walked in the studio, her smile made the whole room glow! She was like “Heyyyyy!” and gave us big hugs and made us feel like we were her cousins from down South. She was a very sweet spirit! Never seen her angry as long as I’ve known her, and in this business, that’s unheard of!

MTV: What memory do you revisit most when you think about Aaliyah?

Elliott: We’ve had so many memorable times. My most memorable is when me, her and Tim wore outfits alike! It was burgundy Pony outfits to the awards. Mind you, Aaliyah was petite so her Pony outfit looked so cute on her, but I kept looking at mine during the awards whispering to her saying, “I feel like a big-ass pony for real!” And we laughed and laughed! Too many memories to state them all! If she was still with us, she would still be at the top. Because she always stayed pushing herself to be better.

Very, very excited about the new Foreign Exchange album. If it’s anything like Leave It All Behind, then I’ll be more than happy. The albums official artwork and tracklist were released today. The LP’s lead single ‘Maybe She’ll Dream of Me’ is a “playful, synth-driven Hip Hop groove, featuring a rapped verse from Phonte that evokes the bands Connected era, while the epic opener ‘The Last Fall’ finds Phonte singing some of his most cynical lyrics to date (“love is at worst an excuse/at best it’s a truce…”)”.

Authenticity drops October 12th. Cannot. Wait.

01. The Last Fall
02. Authenticity
03. Eyes To The Sky
04. All Roads
05. Fight For Love
06. Maybe She’ll Dream Of You
07. Don’t Wait
08. Make Me A Fool
09. Everything Must Go
10. Laughing At Your Plans
11. This City Ain’t The Same Without You

KanYe West just announced ‘G.O.O.D Fridays’ via twitter – as the tweets explain, this means he’ll be giving away a new track (from his ‘camp’) every Friday til’ Christmas. That’s a lot of music. Good to see this guy finally embrace social networking in this way.

Ryan Murphy, creator of the smash hit show Glee has expressed a strong interest in doing a special Prince episode on the show. Recently speaking at the ‘Eat Pray Love’ premiere, Ryan said:

“I want to do something on Prince. I love Prince. I think he is just a genius, and I would love to feature him and his music on the show. Everything about him is dreamy and fantastic, and more than that, he meant a great deal to my life growing up. So I’m saying, ‘Prince, help me out’”.

…Obviously I think this would be awesome, but will Prince agree to it? I’m not sure, he’s crazy protective about his material. I can’t think of a better way to expose his music to a new generation though – it would be a very good look.

Let’s hope he agrees.

One of my favourite emcee’s, Pharoahe Monch, is readying the release of his new album W.A.R (We Are Renegades) which drops via Duck Down Records on October 26th. The LP will see collaborations with Styles P,  Jill Scott, Phonte, Royce Da 5’9, Jean Grae and more. The tracklist for the album has just been revealed via hhdx which can you peep below. After hearing the new single ‘Shine’, I’ve been really looking forward to this album – this dude is a beast and still disturbingly underrated.

1. Intro – Skit (feat. Idris Elba)
2. Evolve
3. W.A.R. (feat. Vernon Reid)
4. Clap
5. The Hitman
6. Black Hand Side (feat. Styles P & Phonte (of Little Brother))
7. Let My People Go
8. Shine (feat. Mela Machinko)
9. Haile Selassie Karate (feat. Denaun Porter)
10. Assassins (feat. Jean Grae & Royce Da 5’9”)
11. Illusions
12. Mama’s Boy
13. Still Standing (feat. Jill Scott)

Previous: Pharoahe Monch Feat Mela Machinko – ‘Shine’

Erykah Badu has paid a $500 fine for getting naked in public while shooting her ‘Window Seat’ video in Dallas, and will serve 6 months probation for the offence. The Grammy award winner was “charged with disorderly conduct” after a number of witnesses complained to the authorities.

…Yea, I know

[Source via PF]

Stones Throw recording artist Aloe Blacc will return to London on October 19th performing at the legendary Jazz Cafe venue. Tickets are on sale now via the Jazz Cafe website and are priced at £15. I haven’t seen Blacc live yet, so definitely gonna check him out this time round.

Aloe’s new album, Good Times, is release via Stones Throw on September 28th.

Shouts to Danny

**Don’t forget to check out our monthly ‘Live In LDN’ gig round up**

Tinie Tempah is without a doubt one of the biggest artists in the UK right now. Having released one of the biggest songs of the year, the number 1 selling ‘Pass Out’, he quickly released ‘Frisky’, a solid follow up track (which went straight in at number 2). Now, on his 3rd single ‘Written in the Stars’, Tinie is preparing the release of his debut album Disc-Overy on October 4th.

Recorded over a 11 month period in London and Sweden, the album features an “array of production that encompasses gritty grime, tempo-shifting drum and bass and dark, brooking pop”.

“On every single song you’ll get a line that reveals what life was like for me. I recorded a lot of it after ‘Pass Out’ went to No.1, so that gave me a chance to reflect on life before and after achieving success,” says Tinie. “Going to No.1 gave me a chance to consider how far I’ve come, but also how far I intend to go”.

The tracklist below reveals that that long-rumoured collaboration with Kelly Rowland came to fruition – she appears on a track entitled ‘Invincible’. Other appearances include Ellie Goulding, Emelie Sande and Range. Peep the full tracklist below.

1) Intro
2) Simply Unstoppable
3) Pass Out
4) Illusion
5) Just A Little (featuring Range)
6) Snap
7) Written In The Stars (featuring Eric Turner)
8 ) Frisky (featuring Labrinth)
9) Miami 2 Ibiza  – Swedish House Mafia vs Tinie Tempah
10) Obsession
11) Invincible (featuring Kelly Rowland)
12) Wonderman (featuring Ellie Goulding)
13) Let Go (featuring Emeli Sande)

It’s official – KanYe West will return to the MTV Video Music Awards this year.

After last years shambolic stage crash, no one knew for sure if he’d make it back this year, but I guess it takes 12 months to forgive and forget because MTV have clearly invited him to perform (they’d be stupid not to have, really). The Grammy Award winning rapper took to his twitter to officially announce his upcoming performance.

Speaking this week in an interview, West said that the backlash he received after last years show helped him a lot – saying “I needed that. I have to have humility. I had the truth and confidence, but I had to add humility and empathy. I added those after I got beat up”. I really hope that’s true and I really hope he means it – and while I stay somewhat sceptical – I will give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

Either way, make sure you’re right here on September 12th for our usual award ceremony coverage.

This is gon’ be good show.

Oh, this is really sad…

According to TMZ Fantasia Barrino was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville around 8.55pm, the report says her condition was not life threatening. It is not known at this stage whether or not the overdose was intentional or accidental.

The American Idol winner was recently accused of making a sex tape with a married man and destorying his marrage. She has adamantly denied these rumours.

…Story developing. Hope she’s ok.

Update: In a statement, a rep for Fantasia said “Last night, Fantasia was hospitalized. She took an overdose of aspirin and a sleep aid. Her injuries are not life threatening. She was dehydrated and exhausted at the time. Fantasia is stable now. She will be released from the hospital soon…” It continued, saying the singer was feeling” overwhelmed by the lawsuit and media attention” surrounding her relationship with her on-again, off-again (married) boyfriend Antwaun Cook

Glad she’s alright, but really hope she gets back on the straight and narrow. She has a child.

Just recieved a press release from Universal/Island Records about a new joint venture they’re taking out with superstar producer RedOne (the guy behind most of Lady GaGa’s hits).

The Grammy winning producer, who was named Billboard Producer of the Year and BMI Songwriter of the Year has previously worked with Michael Jackson, Akon and of course, GaGa. The venture is specifically with Universal Music International which means each artist RedOne signs will be “strategically placed with the label within the UMG Group that offers the best fit”.

RedOne’s first artist to sign to 2101 (his ‘label’ wthin the deal) is a singer, songwriter, performer named Mohombi. The two are currently writing new music and are in the process of recording his debut album. The first single from which will be ‘Bumpy Ride’ (out October 4th 2010). You can peep the video for that here. As stated, each artist will be “strategically placed” with a label within Universal – Mohombi has found home at Island Records.

Speaking of the new deal RedOne says: “I am so privileged to be in business with the Universal Family in this new venture.” Says RedOne. “We already have had so much success together, I know that this is the best home for my music and for my artists. Lucian and I share a common vision for creating sounds and platforms for new Artists, not only writing hit songs, but building brands. We are incredibly fortunate to be launching with an Artist like Mohombi, who has so much potential. He is a powerhouse talent … writing, singing, performing, dancing… a true entertainer. Mohombi lifts my spirits and I believe he will elevate the world with his music. DANCE ON .”

I always find these types of deals interesting.

And 20Ten’s winning musical streak continues.

Kings of Leon have announced that their 5th studio album Come Around Sundown will be released on October 19th. The album will follow their massively successful breakthrough LP Only By the Night which spawned the massive worldwide hits ‘Sex On Fire’ and ‘Use Somebody’.

The Grammy Award winning band has been ‘testing’ out the new material during their current North American tour and have been receiving very positive feedback from their fans  – “the ones we’ve been playing on tour, man, they’ve been going over very well. A lot better than we thought they would” said drummer Nathan Followill, “some of them get better reactions than the older songs, which is bittersweet”.

Come Around Sundown will feature 13 new tracks and was recorded in New York City with producers Angelo Petraglia & Jacquire King.

I’m really excited to hear their new material! I guess I’m a ‘new’ fan of Kings of Leon – my friends (long standing fans of the band) introduced me to them when their Only By the Night album was released. That album is so good, I still listen to it on a regular. Been meaning to listen to their earlier albums too (heard they’re all pretty great) but haven’t had the chance as yet, I will do eventually.

The thing I like about these guys is that a lot of what they do is really soulful. I’m not the biggest fan of ‘indie’ bands, but these guys bring something I can relate to musically. I reckon if you like the music we feature on PinBoard, you’ll like these guys too. If you haven’t already – check them out.

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