The numbers are in!

KanYe West and Nicki Minaj released their much antipcated albums last week, leaving them both fighting for that all important number 1 slot. Well, the numbers are in and as ever, there can only be one winner – can you guess who that was?

Nicki Minaj’s debut album Pink Friday sold an impressive 371,049 units placing it at number 2 on the Billboard chart. But of course, the man with all the ‘power’ topped that by selling over 500,000 units in his first week, sending him straight into the number 1 spot. While not his biggest debut (Graduation back in 2007 sold over 900,000 in it’s first week), still very strong figures for Ye.

Regardless of musical taste, this is undeniably a great look for Hip Hop.

And…Breathe.

According to the urbanmusicscene.com Prince has “confirmed” his 2011 UK tour plans and will reveal all after his X-Factor final performance (?). This is the first time I’m hearing any of this, how true it is – I don’t know (note the question mark in the title and the reference). But we can live in hope, right?

He’ll be touring America with his “Welcome 2 America” tour, so other international dates isn’t really a far stretch. Live. In. Hope.

Saw Prince no less than 3 times when he came to London for his “21 Nights” tour. Best believe I’ll be there the next time he’s in town too – whenever that may be.

Shouts to MisterAnd

KanYe covers the latest issue of Complex Magazine. Read the feature via their website.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is out now. I highly recommend you purchase it.

James Blake has announced that his self titled, debut album will be released on February 7th 2011.

The 22 year old singer, songwriter and producer who’s debut single ‘Limit To Your Love’ surprised all that knew him before, has fast become one of my (our) favourite songs of 2011. It’s melodramatic steeze, build under a strong yet simplistic set of piano chords is something that still moves me after countless listens. Then, the drop. That drop may be one of my favourites of this year – not sure I’ve heard anything like that incorporated into such a song before. Spectactular.

With all that in mind, I am extremely excited about hearing the album. Knowing Blake it will throw up a whole host of fantastical surprises.

Lets hope the next 12 months is as exciting, musically, as the last.

New-old Missy Elliott? Produced by Timbo? Sounds like something off Under Construction to me, hardly ‘classic’ Timbo in my opinion but close enough. It’s good to hear that he was somewhat disappointed with his last “mainly pop” album because it was nothing short of completely sh*t. I await this masters return, for now – this will have to do.

Download: Missy Elliott – ‘Swat That Fly’

Janet Jackson fans will be happy this evening as their idol has announced plans to embark on her ‘biggest world tour’ to date. Watch the video to find out how YOU can effect which city she plays in.

Great news. Can’t wait to see Miss Jackson live (again!)

Rapper T.I. has released a statement via his website from prison where is serving an 11-months for violating his probation order. In the statement (which you can read in full after the jump) the rapper says “I’m certainly sick and mother f*cking tired of going to jail”. He also describes his current stint as “a pain I have never felt before” and he is unsure “what effect this will have on my life moving forward”.

Read the full, impassioned statement after the jump…

Continue Reading This Post