Last night, Jay-Z played a benefit for United Way of New York City and The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation at NYC's Carnegie Hall -- he plays again tonight -- and though most of the public was…   Read Story »

Last night, Jimmy Fallon's Late Night show, in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl, played host to rap legend Nas, who performed his blistering comeback single "Nasty" with the Roots backing him up. In…   Read Story »

Shortly after Amy Winehouse passed away earlier this year, Queens rap deity Nasir Jones confirmed long-swirling rumors that Winehouse's song "Me And Mr. Jones" had been named in honor of him, and…   Read Story »

This week's music-video MVP was whoever was responsible for researching New York signage in Kindness's "Cyan" video. That must've taken a lot of work! As good as that video was, though, it couldn't…   Read Story »

Rap kings Nas and Rick Ross have gotten together to record a song for the soundtrack to the weirdly OK-looking (terrible poster notwithstanding) Brett Ratner movie The Tower Heist. It's called "It's…   Read Story »

"Nasty" is the best Nas single in forever because it's the one where Nas figures out that we don't want hamfisted concept-rap or half-asleep social commentary from him; we just want him to rap hard…   Read Story »

The 4th Annual Roots Picnic went down in Philadelphia on Saturday. Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding performed, as well as Little Dragon, Ariel Pink, Dismemberment Plan, Man Man, and Beanie Sigel. Due…   Read Story »

Here's some Friday afternoon listening for your Wednesday afternoon: Two different mash-up albums via two different DJs. DJ O-Face put various Jay-Z vocals over Sleigh Bells songs for the…   Read Story »

We're live tweeting and shooting everything 'Roo at stereogum.com/bonnaroo. Here's the best of Friday...   Read Story »

Here's a tip if you're going to one of these industry festival type things: If IAMSOUND is having a party, you should attend that party. Just like this past CMJ, the L.A.-based imprint owned their…   Read Story »