A rap legend unveils his new album, Metallica tour dates teaser and what album make it to the top of the list for 2016? Here’s the latest in music news.
Incoming: album of the year lists
The end of 2016 is almost here and with it comes multiple Album of the Year lists. While there is still a month to go, Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian have published their top picks of 2016. Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Frank Ocean’s Blonde and David Bowie’s Blackstar were albums that appeared consistently on several lists, which should come as no surprise.
Here are the lists. They’re worth checking out, especially because they’re a good place to find any albums you’ve missed. Several other artists appeared consistently:
Work – Rihanna ft. Drake
Stop Desire – Tegan and Sara
Hurtin’ (On The Bottle) – Margo Price
Sister – Angel Olsen
Urban beats
Mos Def, now know as Yasiin Bey, is back – the veteran rapper has announced his long-awaited new record. December 99th is a collaborative project between Yasiin Bey and Chicago-based artist Ferrari Shepard. The album is set for December 9 release and exclusive to Tidal.
In more hip hop news, Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, is about to release his third studio album, Awaken, My Love. The rapper/actor announced pre-order album packages, one of which is a “virtual reality limited edition vinyl” edition. I actually have no clear idea of what that means, but attempting to clarify Donald tweeted this:
— childish gambino (@donaldglover) November 30, 2016
PHAROS Earth seems to be a mobile VR application and also contains 360-degree footage from one of Glover’s concerts.
In more album news, rap duo Run The Jewels announced the release of their third album due out next year. Titled “RTJ3” the highly anticipated album will be in our hands on January 13. The duo also released a new track taken from the album, “Legend Has It”.
The heavy stuff
Former organiser of Soundwave festival AJ Maddah got us all buzzing with excitement earlier this week when he Tweeted a semi-vague, semi-obvious announcement:
START SAVING YOUR PEENNIES AUSTRALIA! #Metallica
#2017
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) November 28, 2016
He then quickly corrected a typo.
Maybe even your pennies…
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) November 28, 2016
This seems pretty clear: Metallica will tour Oz next year! Maddah is probably still ironing out the details, but this will be the first time the thrash metal giants have played shows in Australia since Soundwave 2013.
New release Friday
Childish Gambino is back with his third album, Awaken, My Love. Progressive house producer Deadmau5 drops album number eight, titled W:/2016ALBUM/. The Rolling Stones return with Blue and Lonesome, their first album in 11 years. Californian metalheads, Avenged Sevenfold release a greatest hits compilation, The best of 2005-2013. – Compiled from online sources by Ben Rochlin
Top image from Beyoncé’s Instagram account.
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