Mus World

Fans of rap, R&B and soul have been shafted so far this year. Beyond the release of Jim Jones’ Harlem’s American Gangster last week, so far there really hasn’t been much with which to get your groove on in 2008. But that’s all about to change this week, as the urban floodgates open wide and usher in new tuneage from the likes of Janet Jackson, Shawty Lo, Joe Budden and more. Here’s a look at what’ll be shaking in the streets and banging in the clubs quicker than you can get your booty on the dance floor:

Discipline-ary Action: After peaking at #2 on the sales chart with her past two albums, Janet Jackson is hurting for her first #1 LP since 2001’s All for You.

(Full article in Janet Jackson, Shawty Lo, Joe Budden, Erykah Badu Lead An R&B Revival, In New Releases…)

Madonna’s eleventh studio album has been described as “very different”, by one of its producers. American producer Nate ‘Danja’ Hills is currently working on the as-yet-untitled LP alongside Timbaland at a London studio. Speaking about the sound of the record, Hills said: "She wanted up-tempo, dance, club music, and for everything to have a hip-hop underlining,” Hills revealed that Madonna asked him and Timbaland to work on the record following their work on Justin Timberlake’s ‘Future Love/Sex Sounds’ album. "She would just come in, sit in her chair in the corner and just vibe with us," he told Rolling Stone.
(Full article in Madonna Working On ‘Very Different’ Hip-Hop Album…)

The music of Halou is as varied as the cast of characters they’ve worked with or performed with: DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born, Frank Sinatra, Galactic, Blackalicious, John Cale, Low, No Doubt and even a Rod Stewart remix which hit #1 on Billboard. The band's music was included on one of TV’s hottest shows, CSI, and they’ve scored two award-winning films.

On the other hand, the music is easily identified as trip hop, a name that a number of the groups so tagged and I share a dislike for, although I’m not sure if for the same reasons. The tag of trip hop apparently evolved from hip hop’s migration to the UK, and their musicians putting a local spin on the music.

(Full article in Music Review: Halou - Sawtooth…)

VH1’s newest show features Lance Krall as a dimwitted radio host who has some infuriating opinions and isn’t shy about expressing them. He also has a weekly blog here where he discusses his innermost thoughts.

(Full article in Free Radio: Lance’s Worst Date Ever…)

After headlining a show at the Apple Store, Linkin Park broke out the big guns for their encore at last night’s sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden.

(Full article in Jay-Z Joins Linkin Park On Stage for Encore Jam…)