Jay-Z assembles an all-star cast for the soundtrack to The Great Gatsby. The Roc Nation mogul, who serves as executive producer of the film and soundtrack, has worked closely with writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann on the eclectic project over the past two years, blending the Jazz Age sensibility of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel with hip-hop and traditional jazz.
“The Great Gatsby is that classic American story of one’s introduction to extravagance, decadence, and illusion,” said Jay-Z. “It’s ripe for experimentation and ready to be interpreted with a modern twist. The imagination Baz brought to Moulin Rouge! made it a masterpiece, and Romeo + Juliet’s score wasn’t just in the background; the music became a character. This film’s vision and direction has all the makings of an epic experience.”
Jay-Z’s own “No Church in the Wild” is included in the film, along with a new song entitled “100$ Bill.” The first single will be the haunting “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey.
The diverse lineup also includes original music from Fergie, Q Tip, Florence + The Machine, and will.i.am. Beyoncé and André 3000 duet on a cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” Emeli Sandé remakes Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” and Jack White reinterprets U2′s “Love Is Blindness.”
The soundtrack arrives on May 7, while the movie hits theaters on May 10. See the tracklisting and hear a clip of “Back to Black” in the trailer below.
Cassie rolls with the Bawse in the video for “Numb,” the first visual off her new mixtape RockaByeBaby. The Bad Boy singer takes a walk down Hollywood Blvd., strolls on the beach at sunset, and cruises down a dark road at night in the clip, directed by Alex Nazari (2 Chainz, 50 Cent).
“I make music to numb your brain,” she sings, while Rozay stunts on his verse.
RockaByeBaby drops April 11 featuring Meek Mill, Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, French Montana, Too $hort, Fabolous, Jeremih, and Ester Dean, plus production from Mike WiLL Made It, James Fauntleroy, Rob Holladay, Da Internz, and Young Chop.
“This mixtape is about more than just music, it’s about the art, the visuals and the people,” said Cassie. “I wanted to release RockaByeBaby to show my appreciation to the supporters that have been there from day one and always believed in me and my art. My goal was to make a tape that you could vibe too and that people could enjoy from the beginning until the end. I want this to be what you listen to when you need to escape.”
Watch the “Numb” video and see the tracklisting below.
Kid Cudi goes up in flames on the cover of his third solo album Indicud. With less than a month until its April 23 release, the G.O.O.D. Music MC has revealed the explosive artwork.
“The album art represents me. A ball of flames in a rose gold frame,” explained the 29-year-old.
In addition, the tracklisting has surfaced on Walmart.com (via Complex).
Cudi has set the bar high, comparing the project to Dr. Dre’s The Chronic 2001. “Its the best. No one will top it or come close and thats just what its gonna be. Ahead of everyone forever,” he previously said.
The 18 tracks include the singles “Just What I Am,” “King Wizard,” and “Immortal,” plus collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Too $hort, A$AP Rocky, RZA, Haim, and even Michael Bolton.
Snoop Lion is getting some help on his journey to reincarnation. The rapper-turned-reggae star assembles an all-star team of collaborators for his dancehall-influenced album Reincarnated.
The 16 tracks were executive produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer production team, and feature Chris Brown, Rita Ora, Miley Cyrus, Busta Rhymes, Akon, Drake, Snoop’s daughter Cori B, and more.
“We were searching for true reggae music and the message of peace and hope it reflects,” said Snoop. “It’s so much a part of who I am, and this record is all about paying homage and giving respect to those who created and love reggae music, and hopefully introducing it to a whole new audience. I feel truly honored to make this album and respect to all who blazed the path for me.”
The album arrives in stores April 23. See the tracklisting below.
Tyler, the Creator gathers some of his favorite people for his third solo album Wolf. The Odd Future leader shares the 18 tracks with his OFWGKTA gang including Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, Hodgy Beats, Jasper, Taco, Left Brain, Domo Genesis, and more.
Due April 2, the follow-up to his 2011 album Goblin also features superstars Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, and his idol, Pharrell.
Tyler is currently on a headlining tour across the U.S., which wraps April 11 in Portland, Oregon.
Don’t call it a comeback. Nearly 30 years after releasing his debut, LL Cool J is still a force to reckoned with. The hip-hop icon has assembled a diverse lineup for his upcoming 14th album Authentic, due April 30.
The 12 tracks feature appearances from rap, rock, R&B, and country all-stars including Eddie Van Halen, Snoop Dogg, Charlie Wilson, Travis Barker, Brad Paisley, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Bootsy Collins.
“I think that it’s going to break a lot of boundaries and give people who may not necessarily be into hip-hop a way to come in and listen to something,” the 45-year-old entertainer told ET. “And it’ll give the people who are into hip-hop a chance to kind of expand their minds a little bit.”
He will also launch his “Kings of the Mic” tour with Ice Cube, Public Enemy, De La Soul, and DJ Z-Trip on May 23 in Tucson, Arizona.
Tyga made plenty of noise with the original cover art for Hotel California. Now the Young Money rapper unleashes the tracklisting (and revised artwork) for the album, due April 9.
The 15 tracks include the Rick Ross-assisted single “Dope,” plus collaborations with Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Future, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Jadakiss, and even Tupac.
“I’m comfortable. I’ve built my own sound, but I’m not going to drift away from that sound too much,” he previously said of the follow-up to last year’s Careless World: Rise of the Last King.
Lil Wayne is calling on some of his famous friends for his new album I Am Not a Human Being II. The Young Money chief took to YoungMoney.com to unveil the star-studded lineup.
In addition to the Kanye West-designed cover art, the sequel to his 2010 album features 15 tracks with appearances from Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Soulja Boy, Drake, Juicy J, Future, Gunplay, and 2 Chainz, who appears twice.
“That’s what’s unusual about the album. I’m usually a two or three feature-type guy,” said Weezy. “But this album, I have a lot of features because I have a lot of friends, a lot of people that wanted to help out. And I have a lot of different production on it too.”
Young Money president Mack Maine added, “It’s lyrically insane. When he does the I Am Not a Human Being, he actually taps into a different part of his brain where he just talks out of his mind and out of this world. Just expect him being Wayne, but more edgy, saying what he wants, a lot of fun, a lot of high energy.”
Find out what you can expect when the album drops on March 26.
