Kanye West

Portland Cello Project @ Crescent Ballroom

Tumblr of the Week: Kanye Plus Comics

​Tumblr blogger Chris Haley has proclaimed that he loves comics and he loves Kanye. Put 'em together and you have, you guessed it, Kanye Plus Comics.This blog has got all of the comic drawings with captions that have been replaced with Kanye West's lyrics. Each entry lists the artist, the son ... More >>

Boys and Frogs, Buck 65, Cloud Nothings, 12th Planet, and More in This Week's Issue

Our new issue is on stands now (look for that big, tabloid-y looking cover), but you can catch up on all our stories online now. Our main feature showcases Boys and Frogs, a visually minded indie-pop band whose videos have quickly earned them internet attention. Christina Caldwell explains that th ... More >>

Joey Bradfisch, What Are You Listening To?

Joey Bradfisch (center) with musical group Karmin ​Joey BradfischBradfisch is a producer for the Johnjay and Rich radio morning show on 104.7 KISS-FM. His segment, What'cha Doin At The Courthouse?, airs on the station every Friday at 7:40 a.m. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the ... More >>

Year in Review, Kickstarter, Top 15 Local Releases in This Week's Issue

​In this week's issue of New Times, I join our friends in café, art, and stage in a look back on 2011, observing trends and noting the good, the bad, and the ugly of the year in the review. I focused on the crowd-funding site Kickstarter. We featured a couple Kickstarter projects this year, (my ... More >>

Five Major Musicians Who Left Us in 2011

​Each year, we regretfully feel obligated to make this list. Musicians that touch our hearts and change our lives come and go. Some of these musicians had long, fruitful careers, while others seemed like they were just getting started. Gil Scott-Heron Poet-musician Gil Scott-Heron left a lasti ... More >>

Top 10 Songs of 2011: Christina Caldwell

White Denim​Welcome to another installment of Up on the Sun's 2011 Review. Over the next week, we'll be counting down our favorite songs, shows, national and local releases of 2011. This installment comes from Christina Caldwell, who came on board as a major contributor to Up on the Sun this y ... More >>

Miss DJ MJ on Mouse Powell, Ladylike, and Sluggo ft. HavocNdeeD

Clockwise from top left: Miss DJ MJ, Mouse Powell, Ladylike, Sluggo​"I know hits when I hear them," Miss DJ MJ says, hanging out in the New Times office. I believe her. She's been on the air for ten years, working as music director at Power 98.3. She recently left the station, but not before ... More >>

Random and Mr. Miranda Team for "Planet Silk"

​I don't want to get too hyperbolic here, but this year Jay-Z and Kanye teamed up for one of the year's biggest albums, and I can't help but make the comparison when I think about Phoenix emcees Mr. Miranda and Mega Ran hooking up for a combo album. Titled The Memorandum, and due out in December, ... More >>

Jay Z and Kanye Drop "Otis" Video With All The Spike Jonze, Aziz Ansari, Models, and East African Drought Relief Needed to Rule

​The charm of "Otis," Jay Z and Kanye West's "Otis," the first single from their collaborative album Watch the Throne, is simple: Jay and 'Ye spit great verses over a killer Otis Redding sample. But the track doesn't make all that much sense as a single -- it's infectious, yeah, but there's not mu ... More >>

Chris Brown Carelessly Infuriates His Neighbors

​It's tough enough to have a regular bad neighbor, but your living situation will be made particularly difficult if your neighbor is Chris Brown, according to the Boom Box.Residents of the same West Hollywood condos as Chris Brown have been complaining about the late night dog races that he holds ... More >>

When Crowds Attack: Concert Edition

Local and national sports pundits are still somewhat befuddled by the degree of ferocity with which Arizona fans brought the hate on Monday and Tuesday nights. But don't let this uproar fool you. Unruly crowds can appear anywhere. And not just in sports.

Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music Label Signs Deal With Def Jam

​Kanye West's label G.O.O.D. Music has signed a "longterm worldwide label agreement" with Island Def Jam, according to MTV News.G.O.O.D. Music is now officially a subsidiary of Def Jam. Many future G.O.O.D. Music releases will see release under Def Jam's name, including Big Sean's F ... More >>

June 28 In Blogs: The Lexington, A Silent Film, Chili Cook-Off, and Octavio Von Borstel

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Seven Suggested Songs For the Morning Commute

Kholood EidThe morning commute can be a zen experience with the right playlist.​The morning commute can be a drag. A lack of sleep, caffeine or motivation can take its toll on a person. Luckily, there's music to at least help make the trip to work/school more bearable. Up on the Sun threw togethe ... More >>

June 6 In Blogs: Steve Rude, Kanye West, Sweet Republic, and Joe Arpaio

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

It's a Rap

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Pazz & Jop Announced. Kanye Won. Duh.

​Our sister paper, The Village Voice, has announced the results of their annual Pazz & Jop critic's poll.If you're unfamiliar, basically like 1,000 music critics get to vote on their favorite albums and singles, assigning points to the top 10. Then those points are tabulated and Kanye West win ... More >>

Top 25 Lists of 13 New Times Contributors

​Our sister paper, The Village Voice, has announced the results of their annual Pazz & Jop critic's poll.If you're unfamiliar, basically like 1,000 music critics get to vote on their favorite albums and singles, assigning points to the top 10. Then those points are tabulated and Kanye West win ... More >>

The Top 10 Music Videos of 2010

​We've nearly got another year in the books, and with a great year came a great collection of fabulous music videos from musicians representing a wide variety of genres. So we're counting them down, in the far-too-usual fashion.The best part of this year end list?Kanye West is not #1.Crazy, I know ... More >>

Kanye West - Lost In The World

​Song: Kanye West, "Lost In The World"Context: I'm pretty sure this is my favorite song of 2010. Yeezy - Lost In The World by R0M30

T.I. - How Life Changed

​Song: T.I., "How Life Changed" Context: Everyone's apparently too busy wetting themselves over the new Kanye West record that they're not thinking much about the fact that T.I. just dropped a new album, No Mercy, yesterday. It's excellent. This track, "How Life Changed," stands up to anything ... More >>

EPMD @ Celebrity Theatre

​Song: T.I., "How Life Changed" Context: Everyone's apparently too busy wetting themselves over the new Kanye West record that they're not thinking much about the fact that T.I. just dropped a new album, No Mercy, yesterday. It's excellent. This track, "How Life Changed," stands up to anything ... More >>

Kanye West - Power

​Song: Kanye West, "Power" (Remix featuring Jay-Z)Context: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was released today. Another strong effort from 'Ye. Certainly a lot better than that shitty new Dre single, "Kush." KANYE by ahasver1

Celine Dion Gives Birth to Her 2nd, 3rd Children

Celine Dion gave birth to twin boys over the weekend, according to Billboard. Despite having just popped out more kids and, ahem, getting old, Dion is still booked for a three-year concert stint in Las Vegas. Oh, and her nine-year-old son will be a teenager soon. Actually, speaking of old peop ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 10/21 Issue

T​his week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. Is selling two minutes of silence the weirdest thing Thom Yorke has ever done?What are the five best musical mome ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 10/14 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What's up with the Dodge Theatre's new name?Is Kanye West the busiest mofo in America?How were concerts by Jack Jo ... More >>

World Cup Theme by Shakira Plagiarized?

While Americans don't take to football ("soccer" in our land) the way the rest of the world does, there's something special about the World Cup. Something so special, that even musicians can't help put take part in all the excitement. While R. Kelly wrote an official theme for the global quadrennial ... More >>

Suge Knight Now Beefing With Kanye? Rapper Vs. Has Been Label Boss in Miami Suit

​If you've ever doubted Kanye West's place in the music game consider this: The man is now scrapping with legendary Death Row Records founder Suge Knight. You know, Suge. The guy who broke up N.W.A, dangled Vanilla Ice off a hotel balcony and stole Dr. Dre's long time lady.Though seemingly separat ... More >>

Great Scott

Influential poet and rap prototype visits Tempe

2010 Grammy Nominees Announced- Young'ns Dominate

Taylor Swift may have to keep Kanye off-stage again if she wins at the Grammy's​After getting chummy at the 2009 Video Music Awards, Beyonc é and Taylor Swift will go head-to-head once again at the 2010 Grammy Awards, when they compete in several categories, including Album of the Year. Swift, ... More >>

New Smashing Pumpkins Will Be Free, Boy George Writes A Song About Amy Winehouse, New Kanye West Film

Idolator: Ticketmaster Brokers A Criminally Vulgar Tie-In With Morrissey's Upcoming ShowElectric Mustache: Photos: Elliott Brood, Matthew Reveles & Wooden Sky @ The Rhythm Room 10/14/09NME: Billy Corgan to give away new Smashing Pumpkings songs for freeNME: Boy George writes song about Amy Wineh ... More >>

Howl At The Moon Piano Bar Opens Tonight in Old Town Scottsdale

Sing us a song, you're the piano man.​The peeps in Tempe have one, as do the folks over in Glendale. And starting tonight, Scottsdale gets its own version as well. We're talking piano bars, that curious kinda club where the wanna-be Elton Johns and Billy Joels of the world tickle the ivories ... More >>

Sean Kingston

Sing us a song, you're the piano man.​The peeps in Tempe have one, as do the folks over in Glendale. And starting tonight, Scottsdale gets its own version as well. We're talking piano bars, that curious kinda club where the wanna-be Elton Johns and Billy Joels of the world tickle the ivories ... More >>

Sean Kingston

Sing us a song, you're the piano man.​The peeps in Tempe have one, as do the folks over in Glendale. And starting tonight, Scottsdale gets its own version as well. We're talking piano bars, that curious kinda club where the wanna-be Elton Johns and Billy Joels of the world tickle the ivories ... More >>

Black Pearl Poetry Grand Kick Off feat. Alvin Lau

Sing us a song, you're the piano man.​The peeps in Tempe have one, as do the folks over in Glendale. And starting tonight, Scottsdale gets its own version as well. We're talking piano bars, that curious kinda club where the wanna-be Elton Johns and Billy Joels of the world tickle the ivories ... More >>

Phoenix Blog Takes The Edge 103.9 To Task, Possible Phoenix Date For Kanye West/Lady GaGa Tour, Kevin Murphy's Blog Hearts Wavves

Electric Mustache: Is The Edge 103.9 Due For A Change? So Much Silence: Best Coast: The Sun Was High (So Was I) State Press: Krug's latest fresh, enjoyable Idolator: Lady GaGa fan site is claiming to have dates for Gaga/Kanye West tour NME: Two members of Panic At The Disco quit band NME: Limp ... More >>

Skitzo Idea

Penn indie-popsters, Kanye West should hook up. You’re welcome.

Good Riddance, NBA All-Star Weekend

NBA All-Star Weekend made me loathe drinking in downtown Scottsdale this past weekend more than usual. Hanging out in Arizona's wanna-be L.A. conjured up bad memories of covering celeb-heavy and douchebag-filled Super Bowl parties last year for the East Valley Tribune. Here are three reasons why I ... More >>

The Mighty Underdogs

NBA All-Star Weekend made me loathe drinking in downtown Scottsdale this past weekend more than usual. Hanging out in Arizona's wanna-be L.A. conjured up bad memories of covering celeb-heavy and douchebag-filled Super Bowl parties last year for the East Valley Tribune. Here are three reasons why I ... More >>

Mighty Morphin Hip-Hop Rangers

NBA All-Star Weekend made me loathe drinking in downtown Scottsdale this past weekend more than usual. Hanging out in Arizona's wanna-be L.A. conjured up bad memories of covering celeb-heavy and douchebag-filled Super Bowl parties last year for the East Valley Tribune. Here are three reasons why I ... More >>

T.I.

Paper Trail
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Common

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Common Purpose

Paper Trail
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Hot Links: Phil Gordon recall sigs due, Joe Arpaio arrests landscapers (ignores criminals), Lush gals get nekkid, LPGA's English-only rule slammed, plus Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, and Bono.

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Maverick Mavis

This Staples Singer still wants to change the world

RIAA-holes

How they misspell relief

Top 10 selling CDs at Hoodlums Music (ASU Main Campus, Tempe)

Chart-busters for the week

God Save the Scene

Sassy Brits, hoochie mamas and a dude named Beans attempted to invigorate a stagnant year for hip-hop

BEST VENUE FOR NATIONAL ACTS

Marquee Theatre