Kanye West

Top 10 Concert Highlights From Gibson Amphitheatre

Yesterday's news that the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City will be closing in September was met with mixed reaction. Haters weren't too fond of the venue's location, (frankly who wanted to navigate through thousands of clueless tourists?) nor the ridiculous parking fees. But one thing that was ... More >>

Dilated Peoples

Observatory

Five Hip-Hop Artists Who Would Make Absurd Adult Film Stars

Careers in music, especially today, are among the rockiest paths of employment one could venture into. That said, it's understandable certain artists would want to make a little extra on the side or have a safety net if music stops paying the bills. But when rap artist Mystikal recently boasted that ... More >>

The Five Best Concerts in O.C. This Week

See Also: *Free Ticket Wednesday: She Wants Revenge at the Observatory*The Hives - The Observatory - September 11, 2012 [w/Video]*Jim Norton Wants to Sleep With You, if You Can Stand His Sleep ApneaMonday, September 17Martin Sanchez (Residency)Detroit Bar Martin Sanchez is an absolutely manic rappe ... More >>

Adventure Club

The Observatory

Azealia Banks at Coachella, April 21, 2012

See also: Our Complete Coachella Coverage One assumes that thousands of people shouting, "I guess that cunt getting eaten" in unison has never happened at Coachella before. Yet you could hear just that yesterday during Azealia Banks' set; it was afternoon, and most of us weren't even drunk yet.

Bon Iver

Fox Theater

Top 10 Craziest Outfits Worn By Musicians In 2011

​Once a year, the normal people of the world take the opportunity to dress oddly in public. But in the music industry, there's no real need for Halloween--every day and every award ceremony is the opportunity for a new (and increasingly weird) costume debut.  We bet you can guess who tops the ... More >>

Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne Tour Dates Changed

​According to a press statement sent out today, the demand for Jay-Z and Kanye West's groundbreaking Watch the Throne tour is so overwhelming, additional shows are being added as we speak. As a result, the tour schedule has been modified. The new presale date moves to Tuesday, August 2, and the n ... More >>

Kanye West Jay Z = The Throne: They're a Hip-Hop Supergroup About to Go on Tour

​Now they've done it. Jay-Z and Kanye West have formed a hip-hop supergroup called The Throne. And yes, there will be an album, and yes, there will be a tour called (wait for it) Watch the Throne. It will be available digitally on August 8, exclusively on iTunes. On the same day, tickets will be ... More >>

Mid Year Music Sales Numbers Are In--and Up

​Nielsen Soundscan's mid-year numbers are in, and despite the economic doom and gloom being reported by news outlets across the land, it would seem Americans have a lot to be optimistic about. Soundscan is the music industry's data information service and tracks sales at the point of purchase. It' ... More >>

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon: From Bluegrass to Kanye

Lilledeshan Bose​Pitchfork refers to Justin Vernon of Bon Iver as a "bearded dude with an instrument that feels warm and personal and close regardless of setting." But, as every modern day hipster knows, there's more to Vernon than Bon Iver. A look into the various projects of Justin Vernon after ... More >>

Ice Cube

Honda Center

Coachella Set Times Reveal That a Bunch of People Will be Camping Out on the Main Stage for Most of the Weekend

​Now that Coachella set times are FINALLY out, we can map out our weekend without tearing our hair out. So which days are we running across the Empire polo field to catch 10 minutes of which act? What time of the day will we be snoozing outside the Sahara tent? When are we doing potty breaks and e ... More >>

The 2011 OC Music Awards

[Mental Notes] Stan Freese, Wildboys, Dahga Bloom, Micah Brown and BLOK all made the OCMA pretty memorable

Top 5 Most Hilarious Comedy Songs

​We all know comedians are funny (at least they'd better be), but they really take "funny" to a whole new level when they parlay their humor into a song. Whether it be a parody of something that deserves to be made fun of or an original bit, comedic genius is usually the outcome. Here are our top ... More >>

Kanye West to Produce Justin Bieber's Next Album?

​In what sounds like something made up specifically for or by the music blogosphere, Kanye West has expressed interest in producing at least one song for the Biebs. West already released a Justin Bieber remix with Raekwon, so maybe this turn of events isn't all that shocking. However, Consequence ... More >>

Kanye West: An Appreciation (Or, Why George W Isn't a Kanye Fan)

The MOST disgusting moment, Dubya? Really?​As Republicans were taking over of the House of Representatives, the first excerpts of former President George W. Bush's interview with NBC's Matt Lauer were released last night. Ahead of his new book, "Decision Points," which comes out next Tuesday, Duby ... More >>

Jimmy Buffett

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Five Rock Stars Who Should Be 'American Idol' Judges

Now that both Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell are leaving American Idol, rumors abound over who's going to be the next arbiter of taste on the Fox show. J Lo's supposedly signed a deal. Allegedly, Steven Tyler's been asked to join the show. P Diddy's thrown his hat into the ring. Elton John, Jessic ... More >>

Record Review: Rick Ross, 'Teflon Don'

​Borrowing the nickname of iconic crime boss John Gotti, Rick Ross' newest effort employs an Escalade-full of gaudy, bone-rattling beats to remind us exactly how hard he's shining with his latest album, Teflon Don (out today on Def Jam).

Chiddy Bang Talk the Hip-Hop Talk

Can the teenage rap duo live up to it?

New Year's Eve Party Playlist

Looking for some tunes to blast at the bash you're hosting tonight? Or maybe to crank up in the car on your way to a slamming soiree? Here's my New Year's Eve Party Playlist, featuring the best from the past year and stone cold classics. Enjoy. Flickr user Sada 1988Click song title for YouTube clip ... More >>

Lady Gaga Announces Tour, Skips Orange County

​OK, so we all know by now that the Kanye West/Lady Gaga show at the Honda Center, once scheduled for November 15, isn't happening. Heck, the whole "Fame Kills" tour isn't happening. But even though Kanye is dealing with his own post-Taylor Swift issues, the hope still remained that the seemingly ... More >>

Kanye West and Lady Gaga Set to Bring VMA Controversy to Anaheim

Chris Victorio​Heard anything about Kanye West lately? The usually reserved rapper/producer/tireless self-promoter has uncharacteristically made a tiny amount of headlines these last couple of days, but you've probably missed them. (Seriously, though, it must be weird to be called a jackass by the ... More >>

Incoming: The Big Pink, Le Loup at Detroit Bar

Tom BeardThe Big Pink, lovin' life.​If you're not still reeling from the OMG TOTALLY SHOCKING AND CONTROVERSIAL MTV Video Music Awards (that Kanye West, will he ever learn?), you might be pleased to hear about some neato shows coming our way in the near future, featuring bands that may not be feat ... More >>

Last Night: The Fray, Jack's Mannequin and Vedera at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

​Last Night: The Fray, Jack's Mannequin and Vedera at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine; July 29, 2009.Alternative rockers The Fray, Jack's Mannequin and Vedera paid a visit to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Wednesday; entertaining a sold-out crowd of teenyboppers, college kids, and post- ... More >>

Jamie Foxx

The Grove of Anaheim

Before It Gets Old: 'Kanye West' on 'South Park'

Though some have decried recent seasons of South Park for being a bit too smug in its satire--"South Park has gotten so self-important it should be parodied by South Park," a friend of mine said just now--I still think it's mostly great, deftly tackling targets that (usually) deserve it. The latest ... More >>

KRS-One

The Cellar

Hitsville: The Year in Music, by the Numbers

You don't need a half-wit music critic to tell you it's been a remarkable year for America, one historians will be discussing and researching for centuries to come. War, financial collapse, politics, technology: All have been dinner-table topics for many Americans. Racial barriers in 2008 were de ... More >>

The Year in Music: 2008's Top Ten Pop Songs

BY ANNIE ZALESKIPop music often gets a bad rap for being disposable or vapid, and in many cases that's true. (Katy Perry, Danity Kane and the Pussycat Dolls, step right up!) But every year, a few irresistible bits of innovative ear candy rocket up the charts and seep into our subconscious. The foll ... More >>

This Week in the OC Weekly

In our annual music issue, "Feedback": Vickie Chang educates us about OC musician Pat Visel and his music that no one has heard.Chris Ziegler interviews Greyboy about how he looks to make a name for himself with a new Best-of compilationNed Ragget talks to KUCI DJ Sam Farzin about 'College Rock'Ryan ... More >>

[CD Review] Beyoncé, 'I Am . . . Sasha Fierce' (Columbia)

[CD Review] T.I., 'Paper Trail' (Atlantic)

Decon’s Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Tour at HOB Anaheim Tonight

Fill your backpack with the essentials: Underground-rap heat will be in full effect tonight at House of Blues. Indie label Decon is hyping a stacked lineup, featuring Dilated Peoples, the Alchemist, Aceyalone and 88-Keys, plus video installations. Expect surprise guests, too. Decon’s newest artis ... More >>

Panic! DJ Night At The Continental Room

Not panic-inducing at all but rather jovial (and free!), The Continental Room in Fullerton has dubbed Monday nights the place to be for incredibly eclectic DJ showmanship. How eclectic you might ask? A veritable shmorgasborg of music genres that spanned the decades. Like this: - Primus - Data Rock ... More >>

Real People

Common

Hits!

The Noize Music

Hits!

V.I.P. Records

Hits!

Secondspin

Hits!

Stacks the Vinyl Authority

Passing Stones

Precious Gems

In Brief: The Official Will Swaim Playlist

I'm sure by now that most of you who read this are aware our editor-in-chief, Will Swaim, has resigned. What you may not be aware of, however, is our boss's penchant for singing—constantly. Seriously. Dude sings more than Rebecca Schoenkopf does. Which is A LOT. Anyway. In memorium, I'm posti ... More >>

Get Out!

Special Summer Festival Edition: You are the star!

'Everyone's a Character'

Crown City Rockers get hype

Wotta Country

DEC. 1 DEC. 8

Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def

House of Blues, Anaheim
Friday, Nov. 4

Stacks the Vinyl Authority

A CLOCKWORK NARANJA