Kendrick Lamar Joins Quadron On “Better Off”: Hear The Sultry Track

May 23rd, 2013 // Leave a Comment

It’s looking to be a big year for Danish duo Quadron. Singer Coco O. appeared on the Great Gatsby soundtrack and Tyler, the Creator‘s Wolf, while producer Robin Hannibal recently saw success as a member of smooth R&B project Rhye. But now the two are focused on Quadron and looking to capitalize on their respective momentum for their forthcoming album Avalanceh. And for that record’s first salvo they’ve dropped “Better Off,” featuring Kendrick Lamar.

Coco recently stopped by our New York office and told us initially K-Dot  approached them to be on his album. But after hearing some Quadron demos, he was hooked, and agreed to do a verse on one of their songs. The result is the album’s only feature, and “Better Off” is a laid-back groove with some velvety vocals and horns underpinning Lamar’s whispered verse. Head below to hear the sultry collaboration.  More »

Watch Loreen’s “We Got The Power” Video, Directed By Loreen

May 23rd, 2013 // 1 Comment
Loreen We Got The Power Video
#thatpower

Call it the millionth reason Loreen is the Swedish chanteuse to beat: Her new single “We Got the Power” is blisteringly great, penned by Ester Dean (all of your favorite Rihanna songs) and produced by Patrik Berger (Robyn‘s “Dancing On My Own,” Icona Pop‘s “I Love It” and Charli XCX‘s “You’re the One,” among others).

But a song that sounds like a lost Pat Benatar classic blasted into space isn’t good enough for Loreen — she had to go and direct the video herself. She directed it herself! And it’s great: Elegant in its simplicity and lovingly rendered, trading a real narrative for a lot of nicely evocative shots.  More »

Birdman Discusses Signing Paris Hilton To Cash Money Records

May 23rd, 2013 // Leave a Comment

The stars might be blind, but Birdman isn’t — to Paris Hilton‘s raw talent! (It took me an hour to come up with that opening line.)

The rapper-turned-Cash Money Records co-founder opened up to The Los Angeles Times about signing the vocally gifted chanteuse: “Controversy and all of that, it works for your benefit,” he said. “[Her Cash Money deal] being so talked about shows the strength of her popularity. I’m very excited. I’m very appreciative that she’s part of the team. She’s very talented, and a beautiful young woman.” More »

Beyonce Posts New Picture Of Blue Ivy Carter

May 23rd, 2013 // Leave a Comment

Blue Ivy Carter is a grown woman! Yes, the adorable tot is assuming directorial duties, if the new picture Beyonce posted to her Tumblr last night is anything to go by. Who run the world? Blue Ivy, and literally nobody else, because Blue Ivy is more powerful than her mind can even comprehend.

Showing the 45-year-old toddler seated in a white chair monogrammed with “BIC,” sporting a pink tee (hopefully House of Dereon, hand-woven by LaTavia Roberson) and a white tutu, the photo doesn’t give us much new information about what Blue Ivy is up to. Is she working on a new album? Directing her latest music video? Launching a fragrance line? Sabotaging Kelly Rowland‘s career? Rendering your faves irrelevant? Probably all of the above, honestly.  More »

The Saturdays’ “Gentleman” Video: The Girls Get Sexy As Housewives

May 23rd, 2013 // Leave a Comment
The Saturdays "Gentleman" Video
So 1995!

The Saturdays‘ weird-amazing new single “Gentleman” isn’t necessarily my very favorite effort from the British girl group — although it is one of their most interesting tracks to date — but the just-premiered video is a nice complement to the song, as much as it looks like a Desperate Housewives promo from a few years back. (There was one that used Jennifer Lopez‘s “Mile In My Shoes” that this echoes for me. Hopefully I’m not the only person in the world who remembers that. Right, guys? Right.)

Following the girls in sexy ensembles as they garden, hang up laundry, and generally get domestic, the concept fits the song effectively. A gentleman needs a lady, okay?  More »

Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift Lead 2013 Teen Choice Awards Nominations

May 23rd, 2013 // 1 Comment

Hey, it’s the Teen Choice Awards — you know, the annual ceremony where extraordinary achievements in politics, science and literature are recognized! Ha, no it’s not. It’s an awards show with a category called “Choice Smile.” Sorry, haters.

Anyway, the nominations are out, and it’s pretty much the usual suspects — in the music categories, Taylor Swift takes the lead with three nods (for Choice Female Artist, Choice Female Country Artist and Choice Smile), while Justin Bieber has two (Choice Male Artist and Choice Male Hottie, obvi).

More »

Wyclef Jean Plays Pop Associated, Talks Lil Wayne, Shakira, Diplo, Will.i.am & More

May 23rd, 2013 // Leave a Comment
wyclef jean interview
The Associate

Wyclef Jean has now been a solo act for far longer than he was a Fugee. But Clef has never truly been “solo” – his album The Carnival was a veritable carnival of guest spots, and his April Showers mixtape is equally feature-heavy. As Wyclef told us in last week’s on-camera chat, he’s at his best when he’s bringing in other big names to toss ideas back and forth, or bringing in new names to cultivate their talent. Needless to say, dude has worked with just about everyone in the business.

And that makes him an especially apt subject for Pop Associated, so we got him to spit out the first things that came to mind when we mentioned some of his biggest collaborators, including Shakira, Lil Wayne, Snoop Lion, and Diplo. Head up top to see whom he calls a modern day rocker, who’s the revolutionary and whose hips don’t lie. OK so you can probably guess that last one.

Demi Lovato Puckers Up With The New ‘X Factor’ Judges: Morning Mix

May 23rd, 2013 // Leave a Comment

Did You Hear?

:: Looks like Demi Lovato is excited for The X Factor‘s return! The pop star posted the above selfie with fellow judges Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio in Charleston, SC at the first round of auditions. Demi tweeted: “LOVE THESE GIRLS!!! @KELLYROWLAND & @paurubio #Xfactor #girlpower.” [MTV]

:: Speaking of The X Factor, the show’s accountants are probably breathing a sigh of relief after Britney Spears‘ departure. Simon Cowell saved a lot of money with new judges Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio, who will be receiving about $1.5 million, compared to Spears’ massive check of $15 million. [The Hollywood Reporter]

:: Giorgio Moroder, one of the OGs of  electronic music, has made a return partly thanks to his feature on Daft Punk‘s Random Access Memories. Our friends at SPIN spoke to the legend and looked back on his extensive career. [SPIN]

:: In the wake of his state’s massive tornado tragedy, Oklahoman Blake Shelton is organizing an NBC benefit concert for the victims. The country singer, who recently performed a tribute to his home state on The Voice, said he’s “hoping it will raise a lot of money. Obviously it will be televised and will happen really quickly.” [Billboard]

:: Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong, who called PSY “the herpes of music,” won’t like this news. The South Korean entertainer is planning to follow up “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman” with a full album to be released this summer. [MTV]

:: Justin Bieber will give people more reasons to boo, after TMZ got hold of his ridiculous release agreement. The singer forces invited guests to sign the document, which orders them to keep their mouths shut about his parties. If guests reveal anything, they’ll be sued for a cool $5 million. What happens in Bieber’s crib, stays in Bieber’s crib. [TMZ]

After the jump, find out which music acts you can catch on TV today. More »

Daft Punk Plan To Remix ‘Random Access Memories’: First Up Is “Get Lucky,” Set For June Release

May 22nd, 2013 // Leave a Comment

If Daft Punk‘s Random Access Memories wasn’t enough of an adrenaline rush for you, you may not have to wait much longer to get some sweatier sonics from the French duo. Speaking to BBC Radio 1, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo revealed that they’re already working on remixes to their RAM material. ”We’re working on some mixes ourselves,” Bangalter said. “So, yes, there will probably be Daft Punk mixes of Daft Punk. Usually, we never mix ourselves, that’s something we feel we’re interested in doing this time.”

The first track they’re tackling will be a “Get Lucky” remix, slated for a June release. We’re praying the release coincides with the Robots using their Robot skills to destroy every single goddamned copy of that unsanctioned Pitbull version of the song. More »

Rihanna Posts NSFW Denim Thong Photo On Instagram

May 22nd, 2013 // 2 Comments

Rihanna earlier today (May 22) posted a photo of herself rocking a denim thong. What more can we say? Yes, there was a regular lingerie thong underneath, but she is most definitely wearing what could only be described as a D-string. Or maybe a J-string. Was this the result of her cutting her daisy dukes too short? Kind of like when you try to even out your sideburns so you go too high on one side, then you attempt to balance it out on the other side, but you go too high there, so you just keep going up and up and up until there are no sideburns left. Or was this constructed with the explicit aim of becoming a denim thong? Existential questions for trying times!

Based on the accompanying note, this particular piece of attire was part of RiRi’s her stripper-themed “Pour It Up” video. But for once, the star wasn’t so unapologetic: she quickly deleted the image. Luckily, The Cut got a screencap before the offending post was scrubbed from the Web. Up top we’ve just given you the whale tail portion, so head below to see the NSFW, full moon photo. More »