Lil' Wayne

All 80 Similes on Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being II

Lil Wayne has just released his 10th studio album, I Am Not a Human Being II. It's been 18 years since his first album, True Story, as one half of The B.G.'z. In that time, he's been a lesser-known member of an embattled Southern hip-hop group, a scrawny kid, a mixtape hero, the greatest rapper aliv ... More >>

Open Mike Eagle on Indie Rap's Breakthrough Year

So there's punk-rap, nerd-rap, avant-rap, and...oh, only about a gazillion other hyphenated hip-hop subgenres. Open Mike Eagle describes his style as "art rap." At least for now. "I'm unable to replace it," he laughs, speaking with me via phone from his home in Los Angeles. "And it's not even that ... More >>

The Worst Moments from SXSW 2012

The last few days, Village Voice Media's indefatigable music staff has been regaling you with stories of the best from SXSW 2012. In the midst of these discoveries, we've been culling another list: the worst shit. The acts that ranged from huge bore-fests to downright lame. Below, you'll find our cr ... More >>

The Best of SXSW Music: Thursday 3/15/2012

If you're familiar with chaos theory, which in its basic form is the attempt to find patterns in the random acts of shit on Earth, then you may understand the difficulty that comes with describing a full day at SXSW. To break down the bright, scintillating chaos, Village Voice Media's roving music e ... More >>

Most Outrageously Offensive Outfits of 2011

Welcome to another installment of Up on the Sun's 2011 Review. We've been counting down our favorite songs, shows, national and local releases of 2011. This installment takes a look at 2011's most outrageously offensive musical outfits. Enjoy! We're not particularly renowned for our sense of style ... More >>

What's Selling: Zia Record Exchange (Phoenix) Top 10 Selling Albums of the Week

​Want to know what new release discs and platters are moving across the Valley at local record stores? We've got you covered with another installment of What's Selling. It's been a little over a month since we last scoped out Zia Record Exchange's list of top sellers. Since then only one arti ... More >>

Felice Brothers' Christmas on Celebration, Florida

​Released back in May, Celebration, Florida, by New York band The Felice Brothers, is a confusing record. Take the first track, "Fire at the Pageant," with its chorus of screaming children, stomping cadence, and menacing, howling vocals. It's the sound of Americana set loose in the record stor ... More >>

Thump Day

The Winter Soulstice 2011 -- Who Do You Think Should Play?

Last year's Winter Soulstice lineup...​You have to give it up to the folks organizing the 2011 Winter Soulstice event presented by Walking Stick. Rather than just guess who the people want to see, they are allowing Facebook fans of their page to actually vote on who is going to get booked at this ... More >>

May 17 In Blogs: Ethnic Studies, Corey Busboom, Killing Joke, Big Macs, and Ben Quayle

​​​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:

Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis Still Hate Each Other. Surprise.

​Take the L out of "lover" because it's over. Liam and Noel Gallagher of British rock group Oasis, are essentially calling it quits as brothers, according to Spinner.Is this the fiftieth or the fifty-first time they've declared this? I've lost count. We get it, they hate each other and they'r ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our April 21 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. Why was Steve Nash hanging out with Arcade Fire?How was Lil Wayne's show in Phoenix?Why is The Sound Strike bloc ... More >>

April 19 In Blogs: Sound Strike, Marijuana, Steve Nash, Mellow Mushroom, and Matt Salmon

​​​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:

YouTube Tour Comes to Tempe Tuesday

​YouTube brings it's first national tour, the 6 week, 27 city "DigiTour" through Club Red in Tempe tomorrow night.   The line-up features many of the video site's most popular novelties, accounting for more than one billion views combined.MysteryGuitarMan, Dave Days and AutoTun ... More >>

Lil Wayne, David Hernandez, Stevie Nicks, Black Keys and More in This Week's Issue

​Is Weezy sober as good as the Weezy who was getting blazed and freestyling about Al Sharpon in a 9 minute song? Now that Lil Wayne is out of jail and on probation he's supposed to stay straight, which is bound to have an impact on his work. So is it for the better or not? Ben Westhoff tackles tha ... More >>

Incoming: Dashboard Confessional, Dokken, Lil Wayne, The Twilight Singers, Foreigner

Foreigner circa 1981​No, you don't have double-vision -- veteran rockers Foreigner are playing a show at Wild Horse Pass' Ovations! Live Showroom this April. The band, formed in 1976 by former Spooky Tooth member Mick Jones, have cranked out numerous smash hits -- "Cold As Ice," "Feels Like The Fi ... More >>

Feb. 4 In Blogs: Kyrsten Sinema, Spraygraphic, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bolotnik, and Abortion

​​​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:

Beyonce and Sleigh Bells Collaborate in the Studio

​Diplo says noise pop duo Sleigh Bells have been hitting the studio with Beyonce, according to NME.The producer recently blogged about being in the studio together with the three musicians. Sleigh Bells' album Treats was played for the good people who work for Beyonce, and now they're working on s ... More >>

Paramore Writing New Album, Find New Members For Tour

​Paramore have recruited two new band members, according to NME.Recovering quickly from guitarist and drummer Josh and Zac Farro's recent split from the band, Paramore have announced that Justin York and Josh Freese will temporarily fill the Farros' spots for the duration of the band's South Ameri ... More >>

What's Selling Faceoff: Stinkweeds vs. the Zia Records chain

​What's Selling is now a battle of the best, a local music duel of sorts. Stinkweeds and Zia are going head to head with indie versus hard rock, rap and hip-hop.Which of two record stores had the best compilation of top 10 albums this week?

Miley Cyrus Plans a Normal Birthday Celebration

​A young celebrity has decided not to go all out in acknowledgment of their birthday for once, according to Celebrifi.Miley Cyrus, who will be turning 18 on November 23, isn't planning on celebrating her birthday Kim Kardashian style with five parties around the world. Her biggest birthday wish is ... More >>

Rap Songs Fit for a Tea Party: Hip-Hop Songs with a Right Wing Bent

​Maybe you've heard: Today is election day.This year's election is a little different than the 2008 one, though. It seems not everyone is happy with the progress the Kenyan/Indonesian/Martian guy who usurped the presidency has been making toward converting our economy to socialism. Crazy, right? S ... More >>

July 8 In Blogs: Bragg's Pie Factory, Templar, Arizona, Weird Al, Cafe Zuzu, and Lil Wayne

​​​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

June 21 In Blogs: Neo-Nazis, Fight Club Sadisco, Club Red, Petite Maison, and Lil' Wayne

​​​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:

50 Cent Talks About His Upcoming Album, The Power of YouTube, Losing 50 Pounds for an Acting Gig, and Why He's Always The One Shooting

​Ten years ago, 50 Cent was laid up, recovering from nine bullets fired by an attempted murderer sent, rumor has it, by a drug kingpin who'd been offended by a song where he discussed the drug game in his native Queens in too much detail. The shooting, which happened on April 24, 2000, set the re ... More >>

Lady Gaga Bruce Springsteen Elton John = Journey Cover Last Night

Photo from Kane/Wireimage.​So last night, Carnegie Hall was the place to be. Rolling Stone wrote a review of a star-studded benefit for the Rainforest Fund that included Sting performing a Fine Young Cannibals cover, Elton John doing an over-the-top rendition of Madonna's Like a Virgin, and the fi ... More >>

March 17 In Blogs: St. Patrick's Day, Job for a Cowboy, Bread Pudding, and Lil Wayne

​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: Feathered Bastard: St. Patrick's Day in Arizona: the Irish, the Mexicans, and the Nativists Up on the Sun: ... More >>

Marilyn Manson Evan Rachel Wood = Engaged

Wonder what colors they'll use at the wedding...​Evidently, this is the week for shocking celebrity engagements. Less than 48 hours ago, it was Russell Brand and Katy Perry. Now this. As Spin mentions, the news is a whole new kind of creepy. He's said publicly that he fantasizes about smas ... More >>

The Scourge of Aesthetic Atrophy, and the Top 50 Albums of the Aughts

December 14 In Blogs: Mariah Carey, Phoenix Tequila Festival, Chicanos Por La Causa, and Lil Wayne

​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: Feathered Bastard: Joe Arpaio's Goon Squad Blasted by Chicanos Por La Causa, MCSO Fishing Expedition Under W ... More >>

Lady Gaga Meets Queen, Kid Cudi's All-Star Video, Cuomo Improving

Electric Mustache: SNL Jabs JuggalosElectric Mustache: Photos: Little Dragon & Black Carl @ Modified Arts 12/2/09Idolator: Catch Kid Cudi's All-Star 'Pursuit Of Happiness'Idolator: Lady Gaga Meets The Queen And Miley CyrusNME: Eminem: 'I wasn't sharp enough on 'Relapse''Pitchfork: New Liars: "Sc ... More >>

10 Music Documentaries You Should See, Pop Music Takes Over Broadway, New Magnetic Fields

Electric Mustache: 10 Music Documentaries You Really Should SeeElectric Mustache: Turn Back O Man @ Local First Festival 11/7/09Idolator: Fergie Calls Kanye West "Gay Friendly" (But Not a Gay Fish)Idolator: Eat It, 'Les Miz': Pop Music Takes Over BroadwayNME: Steven Tyler onstage with Joe Perry: 'I' ... More >>

Jimmy Rollins in Old MC Hammer Video, Jackson Film a Hit, Nirvana Live at Reading Trailer

Sound of the City: And Now Let's Play "Find Jimmy Rollins In The MC Hammer Video"So Much Silence: Dfactor: Shake ItIdolator: I Can't Wait For Lil Wayne To Create A Whole Mixtape About The Cake Created In His LikenessWaved Rumor: Sea Wolf, Sara Lov Friday at Modified (PHX)Electric Mustache: Video: Ta ... More >>

Oct. 2 In Blogs: 2012, Brian Setzer, Saturday Morning Cartoons, and Lil Wayne

​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: Feathered Bastard: 2012 Survival Conference Rocks Scottsdale October 17, Teaches You to Survive Mayan Apocalypse ... More >>

Fall Out Boy Arrest, Kings of Leon Remixed By Pharrell, Timberlake and Ronson, Madonna Works With Weezy, No Age Download

Spin: Fall Out Boy Patrick Stump ArrestedElectric Mustache: mp3: Stricken City "Pull The House Down"Idolator: The Best-Selling Album Of 2009 Is Actually A Compilation From 2003Idolator: Madonna Is Now Hung Up On Lil WayneNME: Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake set for Kings Of Leon remix albumP ... More >>

Jordin Sparks Hammered In Reviews, Chester Bennington Talks About Drugs, Pearl Jam On The Radio

So Much Silence: Alvin Band: Temple Pressure (video, mp3) Idolator: Highlights from various Jordin Sparks reviews NME: LCD Soundsystem set for new release of '45:33' Idolator: Will Lil Wayne's "Rebirth" Ever See The Light Of Day? Rolling Stone: Pearl Jam's New "Backspacer" Single "The Fixer" Hits Ra ... More >>

Incoming: Lil Wayne, Daughtry, Cherry Poppin Daddies

Robert Brandon MartinezLast time Lil Wayne came to town he was two hours late to the stage, causing a chain reaction of show-stalling shenanigans that involved the opener, T-Pain, coming back on stage wearing pajamas and a scarf to dance in a futile effort to quell the crowd. None of it worked and, ... More >>

July 6 In Blogs: J.T. Ready, Michael Jackson, Digestif, and Arizona Photo Enforcement

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: Feathered Bastard: Neo-Nazi J.T. Ready Speaks at Phoenix Tea Party Event, as Does Tasered Tempe Pastor Steven Ander ... More >>

Lil Wayne's Lawyers Making Moves in Arizona Courts, Deftones Wiping Bassist Off Record, Casey Kasem Goes For Good

Rolling Stone: Lil Wayne's Lawyer Questions Role of Drug-Sniffing Dog in Bust NME: Deftones re-record new album without bassist Pitchfork: Jay Bennett's Death: Overdose Idolator: Casey Kasem To Reach For The Stars For The Last Time Next Week Electric Mustache: Video: Know Your Enemy NME: Florence An ... More >>

June 24 In Blogs: Randi Rhodes, Phx Bux, Twitter, and Kirk Adams

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: Feathered Bastard: Randi Rhodes Returns to Phoenix Airwaves as 1480 AM Reverts Back to Progressive Radio Up on the ... More >>

Other People's Blogs: Lil Wayne's Ode to Kobe, New Yo La Tengo Mp3, Mastodon Gets Vans Deal

Spin: Hot Download: A-Camp's '80s Cover Rolling Stone: Lil Wayne Pens Ode To Kobe, "Rebirth" Pushed To August 18th Electric Mustache: mp3: Yo La Tengo - "Periodically Double Or Triple" Pitchfork: Mastodon Get Their Own Pair of Vans Idolator: The Most Beguiling "Weird Al" Yankovic Cover You Will Hea ... More >>

The Odd Couplets

Notorious B.I.G. meets Emily D in bumpin’ new book

Other People's Blogs: New Meat Puppets, No Cameras At Lil' Wayne's Trial, No Doubt Cameo on "Gossip Girl"

Electric Mustache: Cinematic TitanicWaved Rumor: Meat Puppets 'Sewn Together' out todayNME: Cameras will be banned during Lil' Wayne drugs trialIdolator: Afroman Is Here To Remind Us That Drug Abuse Can Really Screw Up Your CopyrightsRolling Stone: No Doubt Cameo on '80s-Themed Episode of "Gossip Gi ... More >>

Is The Game Over?

Hitsville: The Year in Music, by the Numbers

By Randall Roberts 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 barrier ... More >>

Dec. 19 In Blogs: Shaq, Lil Wayne, Cove Trattoria and More

We understand that in the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. Worry not! We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Valley Fever: Shaq's Big Truck Gets Loaded With Presents -- Santa Must Have Sleigh En ... More >>

Border Patrol checkpoints near Yuma nab hordes of pot users headed back from the beach

Kanye West

Graduation
(Island Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella)

The "Up Close and Personal" Tour

Or far away and anonymous, depending on your seats