As previously reported, Michael Jackson’s estate is readying the release of a deluxe edition of the King of Pop’s 1987 Bad album, marking it’s 25 year anniversary. The box-set will include remastered versions of the original songs featured on the iconic album, but will also come packaged with a previously unreleased concert DVD of MJ performing at Wembley Stadium in 1988. Not only that, but the reissue will also include a separate CD of audio from the concert, plus previously unreleased material recorded by Jackson during the Bad era.

Songs like ‘Streetwalker’ and ‘Fly Away’ will already be familiar to fans, but others like the oddly titled ‘Song Groove (aka Abortion Papers)’ and ‘I’m So Blue’ appear new. And of course, not ones to miss the opportunity of a possible chart hit, Jackson’s estate has also ensured the inclusion of remixes featuring Nero and Pitbull – for good/dire measure.

For the most part though Bad 25 seems to be the most respectable, genuinely exciting posthumous Michael Jackson release to date. Looking forward to watching that Wembley show.

Bad 25 is due out September 18th, check the full tracklist after the jump…

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After months of heated speculation, Drake and Blackground Records have separately confirmed the release of a new posthumous Aaliyah record. In a video interview with MuchMusic, Drake authenticated rumours that he and producer Noah ’40′ Shebib are exec producing the late singers first original album since her passing in 2001. Drizzy excitedly shared: “People should be really excited… A lot of people thought ‘Enough Said’ was my single. It’s not my single. It’s all off of an Aaliyah project that me and 40 are commanding… We’re gonna pull in some classic people… Anybody who used to work with Aaliyah or that was essential in her career, we definitely hope to have them involved”.

The drama doesn’t necessarily end there though. In a statement to Billboard confirming the project Blackground Records refuted claims that Drake & 40 were executive producers, but instead confirmed that they would be “heavily involved”. Their statement was then shockingly retracted hours later and in another embarressing twist, were forced to acknowledge Drake & 40′s roles as “co-executive producers”.

… The mishandling of this album has certainly dampened my hopes. The unfortunate slew of public contradictions and premature announcements from all sides is enough to unsettle even the most optimistic fans. But it does beg the question – what on earth happened in the hours between issuing their statement and refuting it, that prompted such a radical 360? What is clear at this point however is that all sides look contentious, not least of all Drake – who to some may appear a little ruthless in his quest to control the project.

Read more album details after the jump, including info on the producers involved, how many songs it’ll feature and why Blackground feel now is the right time to release it…

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And just like that our dreams are crushed…

Yesterday we reported a story that had emerged from producer Jim Beanz that Justin Timberlake had begun work on his 3rd solo album. The producer said that Timberlake was working with Timbaland on songs for the producers upcoming Shock Value 3 album, but also had started work on his FutureSex/LoveSounds follow up. However this morning a rep for the singer refuted reports, saying that while JT is recording with Timbaland, there are no plans for a third solo album. In fact, he’s currently shooting a movie ‘Runner, Runner’ in Puerto Rico.

No plans for a third album? At all? Damn.

Cultural influencer M.I.A has announced that her new album Matangi will be released this December and will be released in conjunction with a book, film and exhibition. And, in her words, is a result of the “blows” she’s experienced in the industry over the past 3 years. And will serve as a “fuck you to them and thank you to you [her fans]“.

Answering questions from fans on twitter, the ‘Paper Planes’ singer revealed that the new music sounds like “Paul Simon on acid” and will feature no collaborations (with the exception of Missy Elliott & Azealia Banks who appeared on her ‘Bad Girls’ remix). She also appeared to take a jibe at producer and ex-boyfriend Diplo, claiming the only producers involved are the “ones that don’t act like a fame whore coloniser”. Deep.

The Roc Nation signed singer also revealed a partial tracklist too – peep that here.

This years’ Red Bull Music Academy, due to take place in New York City in September, has been postponed until April 28th – May 31st 2013. The delay is due to the venue (being build specifically for the Academy) not being ready in time for the original opening date of September 30th, an official statement read: “Due to delays at the venue, we are not able to complete the build-out in time for the original opening date of September 30 without compromising on the quality of the facilities that are currently being built in Manhattan to house the Academy and our future projects in NYC”. 

Every year RBMA houses world class music facilities (custom built) in cities around the world for the 60+ producers, vocalists and instrumentalists who take part in the 2 week long Academy. Their studios, workshops and other venues are all equipped with state of the art gear aimed to educate and inspire the participants – this delay will only benefit those taking part.

“The Red Bull Music Academy is fully committed to bringing the program to New York in 2013 – especially since it now marks the kick off to the project’s 15 years anniversary celebrations offering a slew of workshop sessions, festivals, concerts, and club nights hosted in cultural metropolises around the world“.

Lecturers and full details on shows taking place in New York will be announced early next year.

After the announcement that the three original Sugababes, Mutya, Keisha & Siobhan were officially reuniting comes the exciting news that their comeback debut (oxymoron in there somewhere) is complete and presumably ready to be released. Earlier this week the girls, known collectively now as MKS, announced that they were in the studio with All Saints lead singer/writer Shaznay Lewis and since then Siobhan tweeted: “With the girls in the studio. I think the album is finished!!!”.

If they get this right, and there’s really no reason why they wouldn’t (these three are brilliant together) this could be quite the offering. Revisit their 2000 debut One Touch and listen to what at just 15 years old they were able to achieve; That first long player is rammed with fantastically written R&B-Pop records – tight harmonies, honest lyricism and absolutely killer melodies/hooks. In retrospect, One Touch really was a highly sophisticated, edgy debut, often eclipsed by their later chart topping Pop singles (which to be fair up until around ’05 were all really good also). If you’re looking for real early millennial R&B/Pop – re-up that One Touch. 

This this could be great news for long time fans and Pop purists… Welcome back ladies.

According to Digital Spy, Justin Timberlake is finally ready to release a follow up to his ’06 classic FutureSex/LoveSounds. The reports come from producer Jim Beanz, who is closely connected to long-time JT collaborator Timbaland. On speaking to DS, Beanz said: “When I get back to the States I’m going to be helping out on Shock Value 3 with Timbaland and the Justin Timberlake project. It’s still in the early stages, but they have a lot of tracks. While I’ve been over here in the UK they’ve been working, so by the time I get back they’ll have a whole load of ideas and I’m going to have to catch up! He has some crazy, crazy stuff”.

When asked whether Timberlake felt under pressure to deliver a worthy 3rd album, Beanz replied: “There are certain artists who live in the moment and the reason why FutureSex/LoveSounds was so amazing is because he didn’t try to top Justified… There are certain artists who can get inside with great charisma and energy and make great music every time. So it’s not really about topping the last record, it’s more about topping music that comes on the radio. Everything is so similar that it’s about topping that and doing something different, and that’s what they are going for. He’s going to kill it”.

… Fingers, toes and everything else crossed please.

And the story continues. After weeks of reports of a postumous Aaliyah album and with the release of a new single featuring Drake, the late singers brother, Rashad Haughton, has taken to facebook to denounce any involvement or support in any upcoming project(s), saying: “there is no official [Aaliyah] album being released and supported by the Haughton family”.

This is a particularly strange development considering ‘Enough Said’ was released officially via Aaliyah’s record label Blackground Records (a company set up and run by her uncle), whose logo is also featured on the official artwork. To further fuel the confusion a source close to Miss Info has confirmed that a new album is underway and will feature at least two songs from Timbaland. She also confirms reports that the majority of the project will be produced by Noah ’40′ Shebib, but that so far Drake isn’t featured on any other songs.

Rashad also commented on the on-going rumours of an Aaliyah biopic, saying: “No female I’ve seen can play my sister”.

At this point, who knows what’s going on but it’s safe to say, regardless of which side of the fence you’re on, any project released without the support of Aaliyah’s immediate family wouldn’t feel right.

The news that Drake will reportedly executive produce an upcoming Aaliyah album has sparked debate across parts of the blogosphere and twitter. But despite the fact that these reports remain very much unconfirmed, they seem to carry enough merit for the man behind the sound Aaliyah forged her legacy on, to speak out about it. In an interview with Power 105, super-producer Timbaland said: “I know they trying to drop some Aaliyah records, but if he do it, it should be with me and Missy.  The proper way for him to do that would be for me, him and Missy to be all on the record.  But to put it on his record, would just not be right”. 

Now a couple things need be addressed here. Firstly, “I know they trying to drop some Aaliyah record…” is pretty exciting – it gives some legitimacy to the spreading rumours. It’s worth mentioning Aaliyah’s family / label have not released a posthumous album of original songs thus far (greatest hits with unreleased bonus songs don’t count). Secondly, I think most would agree with Timbo’s sentiments – an Aaliyah record without the inclusion of him and Missy Elliot wouldn’t feel right or totally authentic. However, the fact that he has suggested collaborating with Drake on the project is (in my opinion) a sign that even he thinks Drizzy is up to the challenge of curating (an executive producers main job) an album of genuine legitimacy. It’s ultimately not enough at this stage of Aaliyah’s legacy to simply “recreate” what was in 1996, which is essentially what Timbo & Missy may do if left to their own devices. With that they run the worrying risk of failing to recapture the magic they once created together – not really worth thinking about. What’s needed, to truly honour an artist so completely ahead of her time, is to craft her voice and style around something that she could (probably would) have released today. And with that, who better to trust than Drake and his producer Noah ’40′ Shebib?

The main issue some seem to have with Drake being involved is largely due to the misunderstanding as to what an “executive producer” really is. It isn’t someone who composes music, it isn’t someone who produces records (some do, obviously) – it’s someone who curates and manages the direction and execution of a record. And if an Aaliyah album is truly on the horizon, who better to entrust than a man not only passionate about the artist, but also one who has a definite understanding (both musically and intellectually) of the cultural landscape from which she comes and represents.

Not to mention – how truly awesome would it be to hear Aaliyah over a 40 beat? C’mon! And let it be known (as if it wasn’t already) we are die-hard Timbaland, Missy, Aaliyah purists. Those beats, those songs, those albums, that entire era quite literally shaped our formative (y)ears and are among some of the most important records of our lives. But lets not let traditionalism get in the way of pushing art forward.

Whether it’s a full album or just a single feature, lets hope we hear something new from our beloved Baby Girl soon.

Drop us a line with your thoughts.

Drake’s obsession affection for Aaliyah is no secret – his admiration for the late singer reflects many from his generation. But now some news has emerged that could see his fandom taken to the next level. According to HipHopDX (via VIBE), a “reliable source” has revealed that Drizzy will be executive producing Aaliyah’s upcoming (still unconfirmed) postumous album.

Moreover, their sources also reveal that Drake will be debuting his new single which will feature Aaliyah at the upcoming OVO Festival 2012. Potentially marking the second time her vocals have featured on his record.

Information on this is still very much unconfirmed but reports of an Aaliyah feature have been rife since Aubrey appeared on Tim Westwood’s radio show back in March during which he divuged “I have some great Aaliyah news coming soon. Just some special things. Just gave you that, just a little, because I said, I’m wish Westwood, so I can’t not. But great things, great things for music period”.

The feature seems plausible. It’s obviously happened before. And although it’s certain to ruffle some fuddy duddy feathers, could (if done right) be dope – hopefully it involves some previously unheard vocals. The “executive producer” report would also be interesting but after producer Jeffrey ‘J. Dub’ Walker prematurely tweeted that he’s contributing to a new posthumous project, Aaliyah’s brother quickly quashed sentiments, tweeting: “there is no official album being released and supported by the Haughton family”.

It’s worth noting – “executive producing” is very different to “producing”.

Time will tell.