The 2007 Plug Independent Music Awards nominations are in full effect, featuring the favorites of a select community who champion independent music. With by far the most nominations this year, James Yancey AKA J Dilla (R.I.P.) garnered 6, including Male Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year for his brilliant Donuts . In the general music category, Alice Smith earned a nomination for Female Artist Of The Year. Her 2006 album For Lovers,...

Gnarls Barkley’s latest video for their irresistible cover of the Violent Femmes classic "Gone Daddy Gone," is receiving play across the music TV spectrum. Directed by Chris Milk (best known for his eye-popping work with such artists as Kanye West, Jet, and the Flaming Lips), the clip made its debut last week on MTV. Gnarls Barkley certainly rank among 2006's most entertaining and visually inventive live acts, having performed sold-out headline festival...

We are deeply saddened to report that R&B singer Gerald Levert of LSG fame died today after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 40 years old. The R&B vocalist was working on a reality TV show in which he lived and trained with 12 of his female fans in an attempt to lose weight. Gerald Levert’s musical gift ran in the family. His father, Eddie Levert is the lead singer of the funk band, The O'Jays. Known as G-Bear to his fans, Levert scored pop success as a...

As part of Cut Chemist’s US Tour promoting his album, The Audience’s Listening, he’ll be playing at Webster Hall, NYC tomorrow night (11/10). Providing a taster of the show to come, Chemist will do a free in-store performance with LA-based MC Hymnal at Apple’s SoHo store. Event Details Apple Store, SoHo 11/10 at 1 PM 103 Prince Street New York, NY 10012 (212) 226-3126

Can you believe the weather in NY? Sunny, 68 degrees, and we finally have a few checks and balances in the US! That’s reason enough to go out and celebrate. Something else that’ll make you feel great is Nickodemus’ new “Funky In The Middle” video. The song is off of his debut solo album Endangered Species , which is being re-released Tuesday, November 14th on Wonderwheel/ESL Music . There will be a few new songs on the ESL release, so watch out...

“Poetry,” the featured remix by soul/jazz vocalist Marlon Saunders is the third in a series of "By Invitation Only" artist remixes on Foreststorn “Chico” Hamiltons's MySpace page. Marlon Saunders tours with Bobby McFerrin as a member of his world-renowned vocal group Voicestra , records on his independent label Black Honey Records , and sings lead vocals as a founding member of Jazzhole , offering an eclectic mixture of jazz, R&B, and...

The Brownswood Bubblers compilation (released in the UK 10/16) is an amazing selection of underground grooves handpicked by Gilles Peterson for his up-and-coming Brownswood label. The tunes presented are definitely "bubbling under” the surface. Only about half the artists are recognizable from other projects, which is exactly what makes this CD so fresh. There's a cosmic vibe on most of these tracks, a sparkling mix of 21st century soul, club, and funk often...

Brazilian superstar Marisa Monte is ending her mini-US tour next week in NY and while she is in town for her Beacon Theater performance, our good friend DJ Andrea is throwing a listening party at Brazilian hotspot Samba-Le, where you can listen to both of ther most recent albums Infinito Particular and Universo Ao Meu Redor . There will also be promotional goodies giveaways and a small live Brazilian samba group will start performing for everyone's amusement.

DJ Premier’s No Talent Required mixtape is released today on his own independent record label, Year Round Incorporated . Given the title, the sticker, the CD decks, and the Serato Scratch equipment on the cover, Premo’s obviously making a statement about the ease with which today’s DJ can mix songs with current technology. DJ Premier still hauls around cases of records when he rocks a party though, and on No Talent Required he shows all of the...

DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince have decided to dust off their microphones and turntables for a tour called Boom! Shake The Land next year. The twosome first hit the scene in 1985, throwing original hip hop parties, The Fresh Prince hyping and rapping on the mic with DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning and scratching on the wheels of steel. Their productions began with ”Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble” and since then have gone on to create international hits such as...