Video: Big Day Out Highlights

Arctic Monkeys - I caught about half of the Monkey's set (it clashed with Hot Chip), and they were as tight live as I had heard they were. They played a couple of new tracks, the first of which was a lot harder than previous tracks, which is saying something. I guess it was the Josh Homme influence. They played to the crowd with a healthy serving of songs from their debut, although the crowd seemed a little subdued, possibly due to exhausting themselves earlier in the day.



TV on the Radio - I already spoke about these guys. Their set was one to behold. They really embrace the live aesthetic, turning the set into a tent revival, with evangelist Tunde Adebimpe. And they were varied too, from 'Wolf like me's' frenzied, harried tornado to 'Staring at the sun's' hypnotic squall at the finale.



Lupe fiasco - Of all the artists of the day, Lupe seemed to exhibit the most energy of his peers. Given that's the coldest of winters back in his hometown of Chicago right now, that was surprising. Lupe and his live band threw it all down for the duration though, and the crowd was right there with him.

Triple J's Hottest 100 Wrapup

So, I'm a tad late on this one. I did listen to much of the countdown (from about 70 on in), and there weren't too many surprises. Triple J staples Kings of Leon won of course, and both they and MGMT featured twice in the top 10. Dance and Hip-Hop featured heavily this year, which was a pleasant surprise, though it shouldn't have been given some of the great music that came in 07. The Ting Ting's 'That's not name' made it to #9, which just goes to show that if you're annoying enough, you'll get stuck in people's heads when it comes time to vote.

• #1 - Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
• #2 - MGMT - Electric Feel
• #3 - Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
• #4 - Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream
• #5 - MGMT - Kids
• #6 - The Presets - Talk Like That
• #7 - Pez - The Festival Song(feat. 360 and Hailey Cramer)
• #8 - The Presets - This Boy's In Love
• #9 - The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
• #10 - Drapht - Jimmy Recard

Download: The-Dream f. Ludacris, Fabolous, Juelz Santana & Rick Ross, "Rockin That Shit (Remix)"

It's winter over in the US, but it's summer over here in Adelaide, and it would seem that The Dream has put out a soundtrack to our summer! He's so GD generous.

Download: The-Dream f. Ludacris, Fabolous, Juelz Santana & Rick Ross, "Rockin That Shit (Remix)"

Stream: TV on the Radio - Heroes (via Kanye's blog)

One of my favourite acts at yesterdays big day out in Adelaide was TV on the Radio. Kyp Malone and Dave Sitek were going crazy on the guitars, but Tunde's impassioned vocals threw each song into the next stratosphere. The started off with a funky 'Dancing Shoes', and each and every hit, hit its mark. 'Wolf like Me' left everyone howling forever, 'DLZ' found Tunde almost bursting a blood vessel in his neck and closer 'Staring at the Sun' saw the whole band nearly combust (the temp was over 40 degress celcius, so it was a possibility).

Stream: TV on the Radio - Heroes

Lil Wayne All-Access Grammy Special Preview (with Katie Couric)

I don't know what's more weird, regular Wayne, or Wayne gettin' serious with Katie Couric in bowling alley. Actually, it's quite refreshing to see Wayne open up about a bunch of sensitive topics. So, with his Rock Album, his documentary and a probable grammy performance (of Tie My Hands, his Katrina tribute), Weezy is startin off his year on a busy note!

Download: Q-TIP "RENAISSANCE RAP REMIX" (FEAT. BUSTA RHYMES, RAEKWON & LIL WAYNE)

The Renaissance was one of my very favourite Hip Hop albums of 2008. There was a lot of pressure on Q-Tip to make this one count, as it's been a few years since his last solo outing. Deliver he did, and this cut here (which was bundled onto the tailend of 'Move' on the album) gets the royal remix treatment with some notable guests. Thanks to Kanye University.

Download: Q-TIP "RENAISSANCE RAP REMIX" (FEAT. BUSTA RHYMES, RAEKWON & LIL WAYNE)

America's Best Dance Crew Episode 7

JabbaWockeez - Americas Best Dance Crew Episode 7 - Dance 1 - The best free videos are right here

Video: In the studio with Usher

You probably have to skip thru to 7:20 to see ya boy Usher, but you get to see a little of Jermaine Dupri's crazy producer lifestyle at the top too, so its all good. Have no idea how old this is, OnSmash were pimpin it as new, so it could be.

Oscar Nominations: Congrats to MIA

Who wouldve thunk it? First Slumdog Millionaire comes out of nowhere and starts filling seats, then the critics jump on board and call it a classic. Next thing you know it starts winning every award out there. And now, indie queen M.I.A. has her own Oscar nomination for featuring on the track "O Saya". The music was by noted indian musician A.R. Rahman and featured the great Maya Arulpragasam on vocals

Download: MIA - O Saya

Download: Ghostface and Raekwon - Criminology 09

The Ghost Deini and the Chef are together again, reprising the beat from their much vaunted 90's classic. It's pretty crazy, but not as crazy as the original, I reckon these two have mellowed with age.

Download: Ghostface and Raekwon - Criminology 09

Superstars of Dance - Season Finale Highlights

It went as fast as it came, with the Groovaloo's from the USA being the ultimate points champions. Here are some of the highlights. Hopefully the season is a little longer next time.

The Great Robert Muraine in the solo category


Team USA takes the gold


The Duet category

Download: Theophilus London - Crazy Cousins (via TheFader)

This young man here is Theophilus London, and according to the Fader, he is a Brooklyn rapper/singer who released a notable mixtape (and not just for the spiffy album cover). He covers a fairly broad area in terms of genre's, pretty much he'll freestyle over anything it seems. Here's a taste.

Download: Theophilus London - This Charming Mixtape

Myspace: Theophilus

Video: Cool Kids - Pennies

Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks are back in the premiere video for the first single off their new lp. The old school sounds are still in place, the bass is extra heavy, even for the kids. Turn it up!

Clip here via PitchforkTV

Download: Lil Wayne Tracks!

I don't have to tell you Lil Wayne is everywhere like a milli-onaire, but enough is enough. Dude is putting out like 20 records a day. I'm looking forward to his documentary, which follows him around during the recording of 'The Carter 3', I would've love to see how he constructs his schedule.

Download: Lil Wayne feat. Drake - Unstoppable

Download: Lil Wayne - Prom Queen (from his upcoming 'rock' album)

Video: Jay-Z & Young Jeezy - My President is Black (HD New Angle)