If you’re having a shitty day Pharrell has something for you. ‘Happy’ is the infectious and unapologetic new mood-lifter produced and performed by Williams for the upcoming ‘Despicable Me 2′ soundtrack. Although the track is a bit of a novelty it does feature some dope production and beautiful/classic harmonies. It also feels perfectly suited for the film, not to mention like his performance on ‘Get Lucky’, has Pharrell sounding better than he ever has. The track will feature alongside two other new songs he’s produced for the movie – one of which will feature Cee-Lo Green.

In other Pharrell news – he recently sat down with Usher to film an episode of ARTIST TLK – take a look at their lengthy (and interesting) discussion after the jump.

via RS

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While Beyonce continues to befuddle the world with her seemingly unpredictable campaign strategy, a full length version of her Timbaland produced, The-Dream penned new single ‘Grown Woman’ has mysteriously appeared online. A short snippet of the afro-beat song was first previewed during Bey’s Pepsi commercial in April and she’s been performing it live during her The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour concerts but until now the full song had not been heard. Listen below…

After an relatively lengthy break away to focus on new material London pop duo 14th return with a sensational new cover track of Indo’s ‘Are You Sleeping?’ and Tina Moore’s ‘Never Gonna Let You Go’. Producer Tom Barber steers the production into an aphotic epicentre where singer Tracey Duodu has enough space unleash a stirring vocal performance – her voice has noticeably grown in power and technical prowess since the last time we heard from her.

14th are currently on tour supporting British producer Bonobo, go here to find out where you can catch them.

Presented by the first and second lady of modern funk, Prince was honoured with Billboard’s Icon Award during last night’s awards ceremony. Erykah Badu & Janelle Monae, donning their ‘Q.U.E.E.N’ get up introduced the legendary enigma before he performed an explosive rendition of ‘Lets Go Crazy’ and his new single ‘Fix Up Ur Life’ backed by his all-female band 3rdEyeGirl. Although I’m not sure I’ll ever be down with that new afro, watching this man do what he does will never ever got old. Nor will seeing Badu & Monae side by side for that matter.

Following the release of her singles ‘Before I Ever Met You’ and ‘Fall Over’ earlier in the year, L.A based singer Banks returns with a serene new track called ‘Warm Water’. Helmed by British producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, the lustful ballad features an angelic sounding Banks serenading over a tropically soulful backdrop of twinkling synths and murky percussion. This is a beauty, definitely enjoying her progression here.

Katy B premiered her brand new single ‘What Love is Made Of’ on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show earlier today; The track is taken off her much anticipated (much needed) sophomore album, the follow up to 2011′s On a Mission. ‘What Love is Made Of’ incorporates everything we love about Miss Brien – summery synths and a vibe made strictly for the dance and of course a typically badass vocal/hook. But really, what’s not to love about Katy B?

Solange’s cult-status appeal seems to be growing day by day; Her (in-demand) side hustle as an international party DJ and the release of her critically acclaimed True EP late last year, along with a handful of special performances with British band The xx have all helped build on her growing muso-fanbase. She’s now teamed up with Absolut Tune & Refinery29 and director Alan Del Rio Ortiz (who also filmed her ‘Losing You’ short) to create another “mini-music video” for ‘Locked in Closets’ (taken off True). The snappy clip follows Solange around South-Brooklyn on foot and on bike before making stops at her Red Hook studio and EP listening party in Soho. Watch the video after the jump.

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Lana Del Rey’s latest visual offering for ‘Young & Beautiful’, her contribution to the star-studded ‘Great Gatsby’ soundtrack is a typically vintage affair – she does love a grainy plug-in. Accompanied by a huge orchestra Del Rey effortlessly pays homage to the Gatsby era in a simplistic but dramatic performance of one of the soundtracks most cinematic pieces.

Mariah Carey premiered the music video for her new single ‘Beautiful’ featuring Miguel last night and as suspected – it turned out to be a lacklustre, slightly awkward affair. Putting aside the fact that the song is borderline mundane (not terrible, not awful – just mundane), you would have at least hoped that it’s accompanying video would have offered something a little more engaging – instead it features Carey awkwardly trying to seduce Miguel in a barn full of crystal chandeliers.

In other (hopefully more promising) MC news, Carey just announced that she’s been working with producer Mike Will Made It – if he’s unable to give her a song that sounds like it belongs in 2013, no one can. If Mariah steps back and lets the producers do their work – there may still be hope yet.

Our “mysterious duo/artist” list continues to grow with ASTR, an upcoming musical outfit from NYC who have just released their first music video for their superb future-pop single ‘Operate’. If Rihanna had an awkward, slightly edgier younger sister – her music would probably sound a little like this. The infused trap-snares and R&B-tinged vocals blend well into the songs pop-drama sensibility; And like all respectable pop gems it’s armed with a killer hook that’ll be bouncing around in your head for hours.