The Social would like to introduce you to some new hawt wearable art coppables at GREATeclectic‘s online superstore.

First up is the new “Janelle” tee of my favorite collage of Janelle Monae. People kept asking for it, and hey, he aims to please. The DJ, Artist also dropped the three new t-shirts to celebrate the release of his upcoming musical project Planet of the Ape$. Due Jan 31, the album finds GREATeclectic collaborating with an array of guests including Karima Harrison (Noot D’ Noot), Madam CJ, Sye Spence (Arrow in the Air) and many more. Take a closer look at the t-shirts which display the album and single art for “LIGHT$” and “BEA$T.” At $25 a pop, this isn’t a bad deal.

Seventeen of 2012′s Highly Anticipated Albums to look forward to.

1. Madonna – MDNA
Her twelfth studio album will be the first since 2008′s ‘Hard Candy’ and is set for release in March. Her new single ‘Gimme All your Luvin’ was leaked late year and will be performed at the Super Bowl alongside M.I.A and Nicki Minaj both of who are also releasing new albums later this year.

2. Brandy – TBA
After her not-so-successful fifth album ‘Human’ released back in 2008, Brandy Norwood’s return to music is highly anticipated and so has called upon names such as Frank Ocean, Timbaland, Sean Garrett and Jim Jonsin to ensure she comes back with a bang.

3. The XX – TBA
The group gave listeners a snippet of what they’ve been working on, on their blog entitled ‘Open Eyes’ and if Jamie XX’s production on Drakes ‘Take Care’ ft Rihanna is anything to go by this should be a great follow up to the Indie Pop trio’s first self entitled album released in 2009.

4. Kanye West – Good Music
Kanye’s compilation album which features, wait for it…Big Sean, Mr Hudson, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Pusha T, Common, CyHi Da Prince, Malik Yusef, Mos Def, Teyana Taylor, D’banj is set for release early this year with Mr West putting the finishing touches on his Getting On with Our Dreams MUSIC label collaborative album in London.

5. Lady Gaga – TBA 3rd album
One female on a mission is Lady Gaga, with the success of 2011′s Born This Way selling over 8 million copies worldwide she just wants to keep going and giving to all her little monsters…

6. Air – Le Voyage Dans La Lune
The 16 minute French short film released in 1902 entitled ‘Le Voyage Dans La Lune’ (A Trip To The Moon) is the inspiration behind the duo’s album which is released in early February

7. Of Montreal -Paralytic Stalks
Since the seven-piece’s birth in 1996, ‘Paralytic Stalks’ marks their eleventh album in fifteen years and is due for release in early February.

8. Sleigh Bells- Reign of Terror
The duo’s second album is due in February with rumors of a Valentines day release. Check out their teaser trailer for Reign of Terror below.

9.Lana Del Rey – Born to Die
She managed to mesmerize everyone with ‘Video Games’ which now boasts over 15 million You Tube hits. Set for release at the end of January, the 25 year olds debut album will definitely be a must have of 2012.

10. Santigold -Master of My Make Believe
Her 2008 album titled ‘Santogold’ which included the hits ‘Creator’ and ‘L.E.S. Artistes’ blew us away and it looks as though the 34 year old who signed to Roc Nation last year is set to do it all over again. Her new album includes collaborations from Switch from Major Lazer and Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s to name but a few.

11.The Killers -TBA
Anticipation for this album is high. Front man Brandon Flowers released his solo album ‘Flamingo’ back in 2010 but nothing has been heard from the Las Vegas band since 2008 with ‘Day and Age’ which brought us the hit ‘Human’

12.No Doubt -TBA
We haven’t heard from Gwen, Tony, Adrian and Tom since 2001′s ‘Rock Steady’ but over ten years later the gang are finally back, good things come to those who wait right?!

13. Major Lazer -TBA
Diplo and Switch are back. The new album is said to include the likes of No Doubt and Vybz Kartel. Check out their single ‘Original Don’ below.

14. Janelle Monae -TBA
Fans are in for a real treat as Miss Monae is set to release not one but TWO albums later this year following the success of her debut album Arch-Android in 2010.

15. Kanye West/Jay-Z -Watch The Throne 2
Both have their own solo projects out later this year, but have also managed to jam in a collaborative project to further the success of the first album.

16. Frank Ocean -TBA
With the success of his 2011 mixtape Nostalgia-Ultra and having worked with the likes of Beyonce, Jay-Z, John Legend, Kanye West and Nas on his new album ‘Life is Good’ out later this year. It would seem safe to say we can all expect good things from the OFWGTKA singer’s debut album which is set to be released in the Spring.

17. D’Angelo- James River
Having heard nothing from the Neo-Soul/RN’B singer since Voodoo in 2000. Finally D’Angelo breaks his twelve year silence with the help of ?uestLove, Cee Lo Green, Q-Tip and Raphael Saadiq as well as producer Mark Ronson to give fans his third studio album entitled ‘James River’ In the meantime here’s his cover of Sound Gardens ‘Black hole Sun’
D’Angelo ” Black Hole Sun ” (Demo) by FUNK★U

In a land far, far away there is metropolis. It’s a metropolis filled with urbanites and artists striving so hard for Hollywood fame. It’s a barrel of people filled with high hopes and the criteria to be able to afford hope is getting higher and higher. This town I speak of is my home. This town I speak of is more commonly referred to as Atlanta.

Here’s a bit of backstory of the popular city. It became lucrative for music and black business. The streets were filled with snap-backs, trap music and baggy jeans. Of course, the more left of center artists of this town weren’t quite satisfied with this commercial and rather suffocating portrayal of their city, and it spawned a mean underground movement of more substantial movers-and-shakers. There were parties, bow-ties, Basquiat enthusiasts, Studio54-obsessed socialites and the whole nine yards. This new wave spawned artists that went on to accomplish amazing things, namely Janelle Monae and B.O.B.

The success of these few people made others official local celebrities, sometimes for no other reason but being associated with these artists before they became bonafied stars. Fast forward to now, and this metropolis is a mess. It’s filled with faux stylists, wobbly brands, and more all in hopes that they might too be part of the next wave of stars that are abducted from Atlanta. While dreamers do dream dreams that come true, Atlanta isn’t a city of dreamers like Wonderland. Atlanta is a city filled with opportunists and social climbers with little talent to their name and nothing to offer besides a contact for bookings e-mail address on their social media pages. This is Atlanta.

Like the rest of America, Atlanta is going through a money drought. More horrifying, Atlanta is not only low on money, but its low on integrity and hope (yes, this is a double entendre for the college students still pissed about H.O.P.E. scholarships. Thank me later.) Even in the sacred confines of the underground, where talent should reign supreme, it takes very little to be offered a microphone, stage, audience and set-time. Really, all you have to do is ask or know the right person. I remember my dad, who is a jazz musician, would tell me times of countless auditions, practices, and rejection he’d have to go through just to perform for free at his favorite pub on amateur night. I can only wonder what he would say about the ease that Atliens can acquire what is musician’s biggest privilege. Even sadder, the hope of stardom or discovery hardly exists because talentless fame-seekers have over-saturated the artists’ market making it almost impossible to see, hear, and feel something actually worthwhile.

This metropolis is in even more grave danger, the ones that actually have the chance to taste sweet success are so focused on their success that they forget what makes a community strong; having a community. There are so many stars, but everyone is thirsty for the shine when that should be a star’s last concern. A star effortlessly shines; the real challenge is getting someone to notice. The real challenge is to create a galaxy, a constellation, and a community vivid and strong enough that star-gazers will actually want to gaze. Plainly, nobody visits a city for one artist, brand, or designer; they visit because there is a collection of amazingness going on underneath a single groove. These little dippers looking to acquire fame seem to not comprehend the idea that their own success could very much so depend on the success of those around them, especially if they plan on being successful in a city that isn’t L.A. or New York.

As aforementioned, money is dry and this is no secret. That should mean people in Atlanta hustle harder to afford the services they might enlist with their fellow creative types, right? Wrong. It turned Atlanta into a city where nobody wants to pay for anything. Graphic designers get gipped, writers get over-looked for horrible wordsmiths looking for shine from a blog, great musicians don’t get booked because some bloke is willing to perform for free, and so on and so forth. Atlanta is the official, unofficial city of the hook-up and the faux-internship. It’s not strange to encounter someone looking to get a service for free or someone to offer you the time of your life as an ‘intern’ for their homegrown company in lieu of cutting a check. It’s blasphemous, I know.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my metropolis. You know, forever I love Atlanta. This is a cry from frustrations and constructive criticism than just some mean-spirited critique. This solution is simple, as most solutions are. Atlanta, do the right thing. No, not just like the Spike Lee film, but really do the right thing. Pay for services. Book artists that make good music, built their buzz, and have good live performances. Support others, no matter how big or small their goals are, if you like what they’re doing. Stop riding the coattails of people just because they might one day be famous. If you’re older and more experienced, stop using the eagerness of younger and less experienced people as a way to source free labor. (Want a general rule? If you can’t afford two employees, you can’t afford one intern.) Be altruistic about business, sometimes. It doesn’t hurt to help someone or guide them just because it’s the good thing to do without having a big payback to be returned. Don’t steal ideas, this city is entirely too small to copy your fellow Atlanta brethren. Be good at what you do. There are so many people in Atlanta trying to reach their goals, don’t add to the clutter if you haven’t taken the time to perfect your craft. You’re getting in the way. Being a follower is amazing. Everyone isn’t meant to be a leader and usually the best leaders follow. It’s okay to help somebody or be part of something special that you believe in than just wanting to steer your own sinking ship just because you’re afraid you might not get as much recognition. Give props when they’re due. You never know where someone may advance to in their career and they might just remember your kind words, besides its nice. Hire the right people. If you can’t write, don’t write. If you can’t produce, don’t produce. If you can’t design, don’t design. If you’re representing Atlanta with a half-ass website, song, or whatever the case might be, you’re representing the city poorly and making it just that much more difficult for all of us to get recognition and be taking seriously. Step up to the plate or fall back. That goes for everything. Some do-it-yourself projects come out swell, but a lot just end up making Atlanta look even more cheap and laughable.

See, it’s really just doing the right thing. Atlanta, we’re not a New York or L.A. We’re hardly a solid community with a creative face, even after our Cee-los, Andre 3000s, Janelles, and etc. We’re still proving we’re more than ‘crank that’ dances and A hats. We still have to prove that we are a progressive and creative city with a distinct attitude and taste unique from anywhere else in the world. It’s our first responsibility to build a place where people will actually care about what we like artistically, what we wear, what we create, what we listen to, and who we are. I dream of a day where my manic metropolis could turn into a creative utopia. In fact, I know it can, if we just stop the bullshit and do what’s right.

Good Experimental Pop is a scientific masterpiece… while this is not necessarily Experimental Pop, it is quite a superb starting point for UK newcomer, TALA – anatomically speaking #intheaurallyartisticsense “Heartstrings” sounds like La Roux the Jedi Mercenary’s trek through Janelle Monae’s Cold War. It merges the lush electro-lounge feel synonymous with UK synth-pop, and the classical deft of a four-piece string quartet. The juxtaposition between synthesized and symphonic instrumentation is emphasized in the video which plays off of visual echoes, stark lighting contrast, screen and scene cuts, and thematic and technical polarities; while standing nothing short of a theatric display of this beautifully manic romance, viewed through the paranoid lens of razor blades and rose-colored eyelashes.

I could orchestrate a personal vendetta for her
If I thought it would make things better
How did we wake up to such a bitter symphony
How did we break up the strings between you and me

Sounds like: La Roux going in for Janelle Monae’s Cold War Killer vocal harmonies over Jedi laser light synth meets less noose-inducing Clint Mansell/Cronos Quartet

Looks like: Steven Klein’s kaleidoscopic Greek tragedy… caught in the sleeper psycho cell of a distressed damsel’s cerebral dome… when “she” was “me.”

Watch This Space

Two massive tours announcements: Rihanna’s LOUD Tour is bringing Cee Lo along for the ride, and on the other side of Planet Pop, Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars are set to launch their Hooligans in Wondaland Tour; while both shows are undoubtedly about to go a yeah, yeah, yeah so hard… it’s a Cold War, so: grenades – don’t leave home without ‘em.

A glimpse and what the future holds…

I got an accent – see I’m from The South – but some of the most beautiful things come out my mouth…

… when in doubt: tainted love

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aforementioned only girl’s world reside a Bruno Martian and ArchAndroid…

Watch This Space: … all good things

Hooligans in Wondaland 2011 Tour Dates
5/4 – New York, N.Y. | Roseland Ballroom*
5/7 – Boston, Mass. | Agganis Arena*
5/8 – Camden, N.J. | Susquehanna Bank Ctr.*
5/10 – Atlanta, Ga. | Fox Theatre*
5/11 – Miami Beach, Fla. | Fillmore Miami Beach*
5/17 – Grand Prarie, Texas | Verizon Theatre at Grand Prarie*
5/18 – Houston, Texas | Reliant Arena*
5/20 – Montgomery, Ala. | Jubliee CityFest*
5/22 – Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Caesars Windsor*
5/24 – Milwaukee, Wis. | Eagles Ballroom*
5/25 – St. Paul, Minn. | Roy Wilkins Auditorium*
5/27 – Chicago, Ill. | Aragon Ballroom*
5/28 – Kansas City, Mo. | Uptown Theatre**
5/29 – Broomfield, Colo. | 1st Bank Center**
5/30 – Oren, Utah | McKay Events Center**
6/2 – Seattle, Wash. | WAMU Theater @ Qwest Field**
6/3 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Rogers Arena**
6/4 – Portland, Ore. | Roseland Theatre**
6/7 – Reno, Nev. | Grand Sierra Resort & Casino**
6/8 – San Francisco, Calif. | Bill Graham Civic Auditiorium**
6/10 – Coachella, Calif. | Spotlight 29 Casino**
6/11 – Del Mar, Calif. | San Diego County Fair**
6/12 – Universal City, Calif. | Gibson Amphitheatre**
6/15 – Phoenix, Ariz. | Comerica Theatre**

*Dates featuring Plan B
**Dates featuring Mayer Hawthorne

2010 may have sucked when it came to substance and clear common sense. Chris Brown I’m talking you. And of course underage four loko lovers around the world. But at least we had a full 365 days of awesome music. I can’t say enough about the amount of exceptional material artists put out this year. Indie darlings like Theophilus London & J*DaVeY kept us content with the most ingenious tracks and music heavyweights like Kanye West & Cee Lo gave us albums. Yeezy’s twisted fantasy, Katy Perry’s sugar coated pop bliss, Gil Scott Hering’s rebel anthem, this is our soundtrack for 2010. Find out what albums made the top 9 of our list from Art Nouveau editor Kendrick Daye aka GreatEclectic and pop culture journalist Swiper Bootz.

08. Janelle Monae- The Arch Android

Swiper Bootz: janelle monae gets a 9.75 only not a 10 because of gil scot
scott and she’s young and i anticipate a masterful career

GreatEclectic: i’d give her a 7.5.

Swiper Bootz: haha please do tell before i reach through the screen

GreatEclectic: Honestly, and that’s based on her being a completely different artist. I admire what she’s doing. But, honestly the album is okay, I expected more. It had it’s moments. And then there was just space. trimmed down five or six tracks this would be more bearable. it’s tedious as hell this way.

Swiper Bootz: hahahaha “trim it down to dance or die and it’d be perfect” when you have overtures i understand it’s going to be a long trip. good moments dont get lost so much as highlighted. its a journey keep coasting along until you hit the sights, ride ride ride – oh look the eiffel tower! ride ride ride – oh look the aqueducts! ride ride ride – oh look the hub of the city! it’s another journey through metropolis
GreatEclectic: All I can hear is, Cold war, Come alive, Sir Greedown, Faster & Oh Maker.

Swiper Bootz: faster
57821
say youll go
come alive
but i like her
so it can stay

Final Rating: 8.375

07. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

Swiper Bootz: 9

GreatEclectic: i’d give them a 8.

Swiper Bootz: okay fair enough, it’s a good good album

GreatEclectic: i wanted to give them a 7. #oops

Swiper Bootz: concept

GreatEclectic: :\

Swiper Bootz: #biteyourtongue

GreatEclectic: concept is awesome, but it’s lacking on something simple: enjoyable music

Swiper Bootz: true true but at least they pulled it off better than m.i.a. and they integrated conceptual features with mos def, the orchestras and such they cared about their concept and didnt mind it being too much so i could ride to it, it reminded me of gta vice city which i love as a game and as a soundtrack my little sister brought up a good idea sleazy remix with GaGa and minaj digress

Final Rating: 8.5

06. Black Keys – Brothers

Swiper Bootz: we needed that this year, we needed someone to slow it down and take it back and be timeless and lament but not whine. make the simple beautiful and show that music can be acoustic and not boring

GreatEclectic: agreed

Swiper Bootz: people are afraid to be that raw on record now, even when GaGa bleeds it’s glossed

GreatEclectic: she bleeds?

Swiper Bootz: in the midst of monster red glitter #soihear. she bleeds glitter and greatness. also the vocals did the electronic thing where they took a back seat with the black keys but it wasnt electronic airy it was like ben carson a bit

GreatEclectic: yeah, very indie

Swiper Bootz: the album cover made it awesome. umm… so this is what it is and the im so artsy i dont give a fuck
Kari: you cant say we didnt warn you attitude. this was definitely one of my favorite albums this year dont lie and say you thought it was taylor swift ummm but everyone said that so i dont want it to be one of my favorite albums of the year but it is

GreatEclectic: they are actually right this time lol

Swiper Bootz: “they”

GreatEclectic: 8.5

Swiper Bootz: i’ll give it an… an 8.5

Final Rating: 8.5

05. Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Swiper Bootz: i thought it was a lot darker than the other one

GreatEclectic: much darker and to think i didn’t know you could get darker

Swiper Bootz: haha exactly it didnt seem like a proper release, but he released proper, well-proper it was raw. it was 808s and heartbreakish in concept he’s in a dark place, so he has to create which is a product of a kanye protege, compared to say

GreatEclectic: don’t say it

Swiper Bootz: a lil wayne protege

GreatEclectic: Ha, well when you are taught a certain way you act a certain way

Swiper Bootz: right but the key is to find someone you dont have to necessarily teach cudi had the baggage and material to work with kanye’s carving and crafting wayne is building from the ground up

GreatEclectic: kanye and wayne are two different egos wayne gets off on knowing all them wouldn’t exist without him, all of them are him kanye wants wats best but to have anyone,let alone his artists be compared to his greatness is not his idea of success for Cudi

Swiper Bootz: the first to say free weezy but then you gotta ask yourself… would weezy free me

GreatEclectic: but the album is insane…and the beats

Swiper Bootz: yep and it’s long and not in a gratuitous way in a cathartic way just releasing

GreatEclectic: well it’s made for a smoker too.

Swiper Bootz: come on, it’s like wiz khalifa for people who also read in their spare time… because they can read ok Cudi gets a 8.7 from me. wild’n cuz im young is great

GreatEclectic: is that a single? it should be. Cudi gets an 8.5

Final Rating: 8.6

04. Cee Lo Green – The Lady Killer

Swiper Bootz: it was maxwell with a splash of synth soul and it was what trey, usher, drake even couldn’t do

GreatEclectic: definitely. and that voice is ridiculous. let me turn off dirty money and play some cee lo lol i need a duet with him and solange now

Final Rating: 8.75

03. Ellie Goulding – Lights

GreatEclectic: Ellie’s album is the first album we’ve talked about today that i can listen to all the way through
every track

Swiper Bootz: hmmm maybe ross i could but definitely ellie effortless gapless feel without being gapless it’s a release like everyone else but calmer which is indicative of environments coming from cudi black man in america in the midst of american fame and celebrity and hiphop versus hipsterhop so to speak katy perry trying to be that teenager again for the market but speaking from a foreign place ellie is universal and authentically what she is, which is the market and britain is good at making artists make themselves and let the masses choose accordingly look at lily allen and duffy and adele and amy winehouse never wouldve happened in america theyre too real to make ideal but instead britain has the ideals stem from reality

GreatEclectic: muse, coldplay, radiohead.

Swiper Bootz: florrie who btdubs had a dope EP http://swiperbootz.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/sunday-best-florrie-introduction-ep/ just scroll to the download link, you know how i am if you read it it’ll just… yeah, she actually ended up reading the review on tgri and tweeted out a thank you but back to ellie it’s a great album.

GreatEclectic: That’s awesome when that happens

Swiper Bootz: isnt it!

GreatEclectic: ellie for me. 9.

Swiper Bootz: she entered the pop consciousness i’d give it a 9 as well maybe i should give it an 8.75 to diversify from devil’s advocacy.

Final Rating: 8.875

02. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Swiper Bootz: that beautiful beast of burden umm it was moderate, no, obviously it was great and we all loved it
but – we all loved it and moreover we all loved it when power came out and each friday when we got a new track

GreatEclectic: i got on board after Monster….And for sure after Runaway, i understood everything then

Swiper Bootz: for me in 2010 i lived breathed ate slept sweated cried GaGa and Kanye it’s hard to talk about albums that explain themselves perfectly discussions would consist of lyrical dialogues answering his own questions

Swiper Bootz: it only allows for that

GreatEclectic: Kanye 9.5

Swiper Bootz: 9.25

GreatEclectic: duh duh duh

Swiper Bootz: someone’s going to come in my window and slit my throat a columnist from pitchfork or toure

GreatEclectic: at least they’ll be looking for you, you have to worry when they aren’t lol

Final Rating: 9.6875

01. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here

Swiper Bootz: #obvs. t’s what every rapper aims to do – or should. it spoke for the culture from a place of authenticity and truth. and he didnt give a fuck he let it exist as a sonic snapshot

GreatEclectic: it should be nominated for grammys. like multiple grammys

Swiper Bootz: a soundtrack of his life. like – all of them basically whoever wins best new artist robbed gil

GreatEclectic: i would love to hear Beyonce or Jazmine Sullivan cover I’ll Take Care Of You. Album of the Year to me

Swiper Bootz: so the other thing about me, is that im subjective so i dont like calling anything an objective anything
but he is an album of the year easily thus is the burden of the pop brain i cant call it album of the year knowing how many havent heard it – and namely those who wouldnt understand or be able to relate.

GreatEclectic: i can understand that.

Swiper Bootz: yes, but can “they”

GreatEclectic: it’s either gil scott or be like everyone else and put kanye at 1. conundrum.

Swiper Bootz: in that case gil scott hah. 10

GreatEclectic: I’ll play devil’s advocate this time. 9.7

Final Rating: 9.85

Big Boi’s recent fundraiser this past Saturday(July 17) at Mason Murer Gallery in the midtown area of Atlanta featured art pieces by Janelle Monae, Mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed, George Clinton, T.I., Ludacris, Idris Elba, George Lopez, and Sir Lucious himself all in the name of charity. All proceeds went to benefit performing arts programs for Big Boi’s Big Kidz Foundation. Take a closer look at some photos from the event shot by CP The Artist.

[View with PicLens]

Just wanted to fill everyone in on the art I’m creating. Atlanta, there are a couple of amazing art shows coming up. Get ready. The first is Super Pop! opening Aug 5, and the second is Extraordinary Machine Two opening Aug 26 at Wm Turner Gallery. Look at what I’ve been working on.

Check out these new/old pieces I did for Art Nouveau Magazine’s “Super Pop” art show at Wm Turner Gallery. It’s a pop art inspired show so I used my piece of Miss Janelle Monae. This is bound to be an amazing show! The show opens August 5th.

2010 has been a good year in terms of music. Gil Scott-Heron, Drake, Janelle Monae all dropped albums already. Not to mention this Summer we can expect hot stuff from M.I.A., The Dream and more. Here’s our favorite 12 albums of 2010. What were yours?

12. Corinne Stevie & Ka’Ra Kersey – Land of the Free

You ready to get free? Nothing will take you there like Corinne Stevie & Ka’Ra Kersey’s new project “Land of The Free.” The new age anthem “Our War 2 Freedom” opens the EP. By the time the war horns start on “Mo’Ammo” you know these ladies musically have something to say. The dub-step inspired “Turn Off,” the self-love anthem “Amazing” and Corinne’s clever freestyle “Water” are among the EP’s many highlights. Download “Land of the Free” here.

11. Nas & Damien Marley – Distant Relatives

Nas may be tight-lipped on his now ex-wife Kelis. Lucky for us he saved all he had to say for his latest album with Damien Marley Distant Relatives. Two of the best lyricists around team up for Hip-hop’s best shout ode to Africa. Nas & Damien Marley’s album Distant Relatives is out out now.

10. Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
The ArchAndroid is everything you’d except from Miss Monae & her Wondaland cohorts. It’s theatrical, moody, soulful and filled with passion that is rarely heard in contemporary music. She’s at her best on tracks like “Cold War” where she combines emotional lyrics with a funky production to create the most perfect mix of pop and soul, since Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” Janelle Monae’s The ArchAndroid is out now.

9. Kelis – Flesh Tone
When it’s all said and done Kelis is going to do what Kelis does best: be creative. The moment I heard Flesh Tone‘s first single “Acapella” I knew this album was going to be something. I mean with will.i.am backing a project how can it go wrong. David Guetta, Will and Free School provide the beats that keep coming as Kelis acends to the status of disco queen. Kelis’ Flesh Tone is set to be released July 6.

8. Massive Attack – Heligoland

Massive Attack waited seven years to release Heliogland, their previous release was 2003′s 100th Window. Their return was more than welcomed. With apperances fro TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe Massive Attack has evolved and it’s seen throughout Heligoland. Heligoland is out now.

7. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening

James Murphy throws in David Bowie and Brian Eno influences and mixes him with his vast knowledge of post punk to create LCD Soundsystem’s latest album This Is Happening. This is an album even the Strokes would have to smirk at.

6. Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Hot Chip’s new album One Night Stand proves they have a sophisicated side. This is a band that delivered rhymes about “20 inch rims” in a British accent. They’ve managed to craft some musical gems here. Hot Chip’s One Life Stand is out now.

5. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Okay, so the Gorillaz are real. At least that’s what Plastic Beach, the animated band’s third album will have you believe. This is their most engaging album yet. A diverse group of collaborators that include Bobby Womack, Mos Def & Little Dragon helps.
Gorillaz’s Plastic Beach is out now.

4. How To Destroy Animals – How To Destroy Animals
Trent Reznor may have transcended to new hiehgts of musical acheivement with his latest side project How To Destroy Animals. The EP is a collaboration with his wife–and former West Indian Girl singer – Mariqueen Maandig and is the Trent Reznor directed musical that a Nine Inch Nails record could never be.  Download How To Destroy Animals here.

3. Black Keys – Brothers
What an absolutely fabulous album this is. To those that think there is hardly any good music being made these days, you just need to switch off from top 40 radio and TV and discover gems like this. Black Keys’ album Brothers is out now.

Read The Rest Of The Review Here

2. Drake – Thank Me Later
Drake brought it with this album. After years of feeling like Hip-hop became out of touch, Drake is like braille to me. I’m more drawn to Drake’s singing songs so I forget sometimes Drake is a rapper. Lyrically, Drake is at his best. He’s cocky, witty, personal and sharp throughout the album. Listening to him rap lines like…

Read The Rest Of The Review Here

1. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here
Gil Scott Heron’s new album starts with a spoken word piece randomly paired over Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights.” But like most of this folk, blues and electronic leaning album, this works in a quirky way. Gil’s lyrics and metaphors are still on point. It’s lines like “she said I had an ego the size of Texas” or “Not running for cover, because if I knew where cover was, I would stay there and never have to run” that should make all these emcees step their pen game up. Track highlights include “New York is Killing Me,” “Where Did The Night Go” and the passion filled ballad “I’ll Take Care of You.”

“Welcome to the meeting of the minds” raps Lupe Fiasco on the recent “Wondamix” of Janelle Monae’s single “Tightrope.” He couldn’t be more correct. The remix also features B.O.B. and Janelle spitting a very BrandNu sounding verse. I love the beat switch at the end. Listen and download the track below.

MP3: Janelle Monae feat B.O.B. & Lupe Fiasco – Tightrope (Right Click + Save Target As)

Just when you thought Bad Boy was only about shelling out Diddy’s auto-tuned side project Dirty Money, the mogul finally redeems himself for past missteps and releases Janelle Monae’s debut album The ArchAndroid. All I can say is thank you! The thought of hearing or seeing an artist like Janelle Monae on mainstream platforms gives me goosebumps. Indie is in. And Janelle looks like she’ll be next to ride the wave we see artists like Vampire Weekend and B.O.B. currently on.

The ArchAndroid is everything you’d except from Miss Monae & her Wondaland cohorts. It’s theatrical, moody, soulful and filled with passion that is rarely heard in contemporary music. She’s at her best on tracks like “Cold War” where she combines emotional lyrics with a funky production to create the most perfect mix of pop and soul, since Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” My only qualm with the album, or albums is the length. At 18 tracks and clocking in at an hour and 10 minutes, the album does get exhausting. Though it’s meant to be two Suites combined by the time the third Suite begins, its hard to discern one track from the other.

Janelle Monae’s The ArchAndroid is in stores today, May 18. I won’t leave you with a sordid plea to “support good music.” But, this is good. My only hope is the masses get a chance to enjoy it as it was intended. I’m #teamMonae for life. And after one listen to this album I’m sure you will be too.

Download: “Cold War” “Sir Greendown” “Come Alive (War Of The Roses)” “Oh Maker”