We were lucky enough to get the invite to the release party for the new Motorola Droid smartphone at the Angel Orensanz Foundation last Friday night. At the party we got to try out the new phone, meet some cool celebrities and watch the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs rock that stage. Check out the pictures below and read this great review of the Droid on Mashable.

Check out these posts

By Evan Kessler

Back in 2005, three veterans of the Austin, Texas music scene, bassist Steve Terebecki, drummer Josh Block and singer-guitarist James Petralli, joined forces for what would become White Denim. The band debuted with their 2008 release, Workout Holiday, and the single, “Let’s Talk About It” garnered them a healthy following in the UK. But it’s their latest album, Fits, that they hope will give them some due attention back home. (more…)

Today, on my way to the COED offices in Chelsea, I walked by this street poster announcing the November 3rd re-release of Nirvana’s 1989 debut album, Bleach. We’ve all seen Nirvana’s iconic “Unplugged” performance, read all the stories about the bands quick rise and fall with the death of 27 year-old front man, Kurt Cobain. So to celebrate this awesome re-release we want to give you something a little different.  (more…)

Roslynn Cobarrubias, Senior Director of Urban Marketing at MySpace Music and member of Billboard’s 2009 list of “30 Under 30″ in the music industry is always ahead of the curve on emerging Urban music acts. She was nice enough to give us the list of “The 9 New Urban Music Artists You Need to Know,” which only includes newly-signed or unsigned artists with one album or less. So sit back, relax, and get up-to-date on the latest urban musicians on the market.

1. J-Cole

J. Cole used college as a tool to chase his dreams. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship, choosing the school so that he could be in the heart of the music industry: New York City. After polishing his sound and graduating Magna Cum Laude, he continues to drop mixtapes filled with a mash up of dusty, soul filled sound beds, raw, energetic drums and an endless range of topics—everything from the carefree days of college to the seemingly endless plight of those have-nots scrapping for change. Recently signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, we can’t wait to watch this guy grow.

Myspace.com/jcolemusic

2. Melanie Fiona

Born in Toronto, Canada to a musical family, Melanie Fiona embodies the word “soul” in her music and live performances. Recently opening up for the Kanye West Tour, she helped new fans to see how her music “crosses the barriers between ethnicities, genres, age groups, and genders. It can’t be defined as just one thing. It’s got a soul that’s something old, yet something new.” United by a singular passion, Melanie Fiona’s sound bridges past and present with an artistic and consistent blending of classic soul samples.

Myspace.com/melaniefiona

3. Mateo

In Mateo’s world everything is merging together, it is a mixture rather than one flavor only; R&B/Pop/Alternative/Soul. Mostly recorded in a humble apartment studio in Los Angeles, MATEO’s upcoming album releasing on MySpace Records, artfully avoids the assembly line of modern pop music by having thoughtful lyricism and sweeping melodies at its core. It was his live show and songwriting that set him apart from the other artists that we’ve come across. You need to see him live and feel the emotion of his songs, to really appreciate his music.

Myspace.com/mateo

4. Jasmine Solano

Philly Motown born, current Brooklyn resident carrying the torch for female MCs that write their own lyrics in a passionate, truth yet fun way. She can not only hold a mic but she can rock any set of turntables as a DJ from any genre from reggae to soul to hip hop. Representing on the airwaves and turntables since she was 17, nowadays you’ll find Jasmine Solano DJing in NYC, Brooklyn and on Integrated Radio. Known for her contagious hip hopster spirit and unwavering allegiance to old soul, Jasmine effortlessly combines the cutting edge with the timeless in a mix of R&B, Soul, Reggae, Electronica, House and Hip Hop

Myspace.com/jasminesolano

5. B.o.B

Bobby Ray has a unique talent in that he produces, writes, raps, arranges, and mixes his own music. He is a one-stop-music-creation-shop from top to bottom. This allows B.o.B the rare opportunity of recording with reckless abandon. It is a freedom that he willingly accepts. “I am constantly coming up with songs and concepts because I want to sound different. Nobody made it by sounding like everyone else.” B.o.Bo’s unique sound caught the attention of two industry heavyweights, Jim Jonsin and TJ Chapman, who are poised to make the rest of the world believers. Nominated this year for “MySpace Music Rookie of the Year” at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards, we are excited to see what comes next.

Myspace.com/bobatl

6. Kid Sister

Growing up in South suburban Chicago due to her bi-racial parents’ financial circumstances during the 1980s and ’90’s, she started rapping as an MC to co-host her brother – Flosstradamus’ DJ’s parties. She recently just finished her first full length album releasing on Downtown Records that features not only her single “Pro Nails” with Kanye West but also her latest, “Right Hand Hi.” Kid Sister is apart of the select few that will be featured in MySpace Music’s new “Introducing” programming showcasing new artists on the rise you should be on the lookout for.

Myspace.com/kidsister

7. U-N-I

We’re from LA so you can’t get a list of risers without including some music from the West Coast! Born from the ashes of gangsta rap Los Angeles, California – Inglewood rap duo U-N-I are the talk of the Internet and guiding hip-hop’s path in the city by juxtaposing music with customized fashion. Their progressive swagger and throwback fashion sense may initially compel comparisons to “hipsters,” but the duo’s truth is life-affirming rhymes that revolve around everything from limited-edition sneakers to cosmic existentialism and old-school video games to down-home musings on life, declaring their love for music.

Myspace.com/unimuzik

8. Hal Linton

This Barbados native was literally born into a world of music, both his parents are classically trained musicians whose passion saw Hal constantly immersed in a heady musical cocktail of Nat King Cole and Al Green blended with bits of reggae dancehall legend Bob Marley and stirred with The 3 Tenors and countless other great artists. Recently featured on BET’s Rising Icons, come to a show or watch a music video and you will see why we all predict where his going.

Myspace.com/hallinton

9. Mr. Hudson

Formerly from the British band – Mr Hudson & The Library, Mr. Hudson signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, and will release his album “Straight No Chasers” in the first quarter of 2010. His memorable voice is featured on Kanye West’s “Paranoid” and Jay-Z’s “Young Forever” and has been compared vocally to Sting. Kanye West has stated: “I believe Mr Hudson has the potential to be bigger than me, to be one of the most important artists of his generation.”

Myspace.com/mrhudson

Written by Roslynn Cobarrubias, Senior Director of Urban Marketing at MySpace Music

Jay-Z performed a guerrilla show on Wednesday night at the a 600-capacity Blender Theater in Manhattan, with help from MySpace Music and DJ Hero, a new video game that adapts the Guitar Hero model for hip-hop. It was announced barely 24 hours before, and 250 fans were given free tickets. (The other 350 or so in attendance were assorted V.I.P.’s from the companies involved, and from the news media. They didn’t pay, either.)

Jay-Z’s 74-minute, 25-song set, played with a 10-piece band that included two drummers and a three-part horn section, was a muscular, virtuosic and totally satisfying performance, both in older hits like “Big Pimpin’” and “99 Problems” that are now hip-hop standards, and in material from “The Blueprint 3.”

Read the full review here, watch videos from last night and check out pictures below!

<pics via wireimage>

Everything seems to be falling into place for London’s hottest newcomers White Lies.

On September 26th they are set to embark on a fall trek with Kings of Leon that will have the rock trio playing to packed crowds across the US.

They will also make their US television debut with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 10th.  In addition, the band’s massively successful single “Death” is on the soundtrack for the film Jennifer’s Body, alongside bands including Silversun Pickups, Little Boots, and Black Kids.

Numerous publications including Rolling Stone, who called the album “polished synth rock…full of pulsating bass lines and high def keyboard atmospherics” have been raving about White Lies so make sure you check out their debut album To Lose My Life which shot to No. 1 on the UK albums chart when it was released earlier this year.

If you’d like a seven song musical sample of White Lies check out their MySpace page right now!

September 11, 2009 is going to be a memorable day for New York City and one of it’s most well know residents, Jay-Z.

To commemorate the 8th anniversary of the 2001 World Trade Center attacks, Fuse is putting together a little fund raising concert at MSG featuring Jay-Z himself. (more…)

Blink-182 is back together and out on a rocking tour with a ton of great supporting bands including Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Panic at the Disco, Taking Back Sunday and one of my favorite musical duo’s Chester French.

To celebrate this ridiculously awesome tour, Travis Barker (the drummer of Blink-182 and the man behind the killer YouTube remixes) and tour sponsor State Farm will allow a lucky fan to drive away in his personally customized 1966 vintage Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Not only that but the winner will also will receive an all expenses paid trip for two to see Blink-182 perform in Charlotte, NC on October 1, 2009, along with the cherry red 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, valued at over $80,000 US dollars.

Yup, you heard that right! One of you out there is going to be a pretty happy camper on September 22nd when the winner is selected.

If you want to win visit http://www.theretown.com/Blink182 to register for the sweepstakes or visit the on-site State Farm booth at any of the Blink-182 concerts and complete an Official Entry Form (while supplies last).

I checked out their recent show at Jones Beach in Wantagh, New York and I can personally tell you that the car is sick…and so are Travis’ drumming skills – just check out the bootleg video below from the show to see what you can expect from Travis.

The big news across Twitter, the Interwebs and every other celebrity gossip site this past week is that Paula Abdul is leaving her role as judge on American Idol, presumably to focus on her other hobbies like ingesting enough prescription medicine to hallucinate that cartoon cats are dancing beside her. With her exit, it’s time to take a look at some possible candidates to fill in her role as the person responsible for giving the “batshit crazy opinion” of the panel. Here are the top ten choices: (more…)

This weekend, hipsters young and old will converge en masse at Chicago’s Grant Park for the annual Lollapalooza musical festival. Hundreds of acts will perform during the festival’s three days, spanning all kinds of genres, and I bet you’re wondering what the hell you should go see. Well, lucky for you, I’m here to help. I’m going to let you in on 9 must-see acts at Lollapalooza.

However, there are, of course, a few stipulations. For one, these aren’t the only must-see acts, these are just 9, three from each day. Second, this doesn’t include headliners. I’m not here to break bands like Depeche Mode and Kings of Leon to you–besides, let’s face it, you’ve already made your decision regarding those bands anyway. The point here is to tip you off to some acts you may have otherwise not given any second thought. Well, now’s the time to start seriously pondering.

1. Fleet Foxes – Friday, 5:00-6:00, Playstation Stage

Fleet Foxes epitomize the classic festival band. This indie folk 5-piece has made quite a storm in the past year, and with good reason. A mix between Iron & Wine and Band of Horses, the sound of Fleet Foxes is pastoral and peaceful. Lay out your blanket, have a seat, and settle your nerves as you listen to lead singer Robin Pecknold’s incredible pipes.

2. Crystal Castles – Friday, 5:00-6:00, Vitamin Water Stage

With the emergence of indie electro we have seen a much wider acceptance of bands that somewhat go against the grain. Case-in-point: Crystal Castles. This duo consisting of multi-instrumentalist, Ehtan Kath and vocalist, Alice Glass combines punk-rock, hip-hop, Nintendo noises, electronica, and a slew of other unknown sounds. Regardless of how we label them, they know how to rock out a set.

3. A-Trak – Friday, 5:45-7:00, Perry’s Stage

One of the most impressive changes to Lollapalooza this year is the expansion of Perry’s Stage. Once a spot to check out mid-level deejays during one’s off-time has now become a showcase of the best DJ talent in the world. Perhaps at the forefront of this is A-Trak, a renowned magician on the decks. He hit the “mainstream” scene touring as Kanye’s DJ, and has been on a rampant hot streak ever since. For those of you who may not be into the whole dance music thing, this guy is worth checking out for his scratching and beat-juggling skills alone. The dude won DMC’s World DJ Championship in 1997 – at age 15. He’s so good, it’ll make you puke.

4. Santigold – Saturday, 5:30-6:30, Playstation Stage

Chances are you’ve heard Santigold plenty of times – even if you don’t own any of her music. Featured on Bud Light Lime commercials, Entourage episodes, and who knows where else, Santigold has exploded onto the scene in the last year-ish. A mix of hip-hop, electro, and rock, with a tinge of that Jamaican flavor, Santigold has done a great job making these elements work in harmony to create an incredibly likable sound. Her shows are just as likable, so don’t miss this one.

5.TV on the Radio – Saturday, 6:30-7:30, Budweiser Stage

I remember fondly my first time seeing TV on the Radio: a drunken, debauchery-filled Friday during my college days, highlighted by one of the best shows I have ever seen. While those days might be long gone, it’s good to know one can still channel those experiences. TV on the Radio received a lot of acclaim for their most recent album, Dear Science, and the only thing better than listening to them pre-recorded is seeing them live. Driving bass lines, roaring drums, and lead singer Tunde Adebimpe’s voice make for an incredible combination when right in front of your eyes.

6. Animal Collective – Saturday, 7:30-8:30, Vitamin Water Stage

Psychedelic favorites, Animal Collective perhaps offer the most complete package on this list. Known for offbeat lyrics and unpredictable song structures, these Baltimore natives always impress.  A band that can slow it down, go completely nuts, or keep a happy medium, Animal Collective has an eclectic sound perfect for the festival atmosphere.

7. Bat for Lashes – Sunday, 1:30-2:30,Vitamin Water Stage

As Sunday arrives and you drag your dehydrated, hungover carcass to the final day of Lollapalooza, a good way to ease back into the thick of things is to go see Bat for Lashes. Relatively unknown, Bat for Lashes just released Two Suns, a wonderful album full of emotion and lush sounds. I really have no way of describing the sound without misplacing terms, so just check out the video.

8. Boys Noize – Sunday, 5:30-7:00, Perry’s Stage

Glitchy, distorted, thumping – Boys Noize is the man who is bringing electro into its next era. In many ways the natural progression from Daft Punk, Boys Noize is everywhere you might not guess. Remixing tracks for Feist, A-Trak and – believe it – The Black Eyed Peas, Alexander Ridha (aka Boys Noize) has supplanted himself as a premier producer/DJ. His sets are all-out, loud-as-hell dance parties. The only question is: are you going to have enough energy by then to hang with it?

9. Silversun Pickups – Sunday, 7:30-8:30, Vitamin Water Stage

As your Lolla journey comes to an end, a good way to setup your final headliner is by checking out Silversun Pickups. Often mistaken for The Smashing Pumpkins, this 4-piece from Los Angeles does plenty to distinguish themselves from their grunge predecessors. Great vocals, coupled with some of the best guitar riffs of late help achieve a powerful, unmistakably rock ‘n roll sound that is the basis for the traditional American music festival. So, pay homage to tradition and make your way to see Silversun Pickups.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to have a great festival experience, get out there and enjoy yourselves. Oh, and on a final note, please don’t be the jackass moshing in everyone’s personal space – I’d hate to see you get kicked out.