Debuting to critical acclaim with 2005's 'Arular,' London-born M.I.A has been hard at work working on her follow-up, which will be produced by herself. Spending the last six months recording in Tamil Nadu and Trinidad and Tobago, M.I.A. recently stated on her MySpace blog that she will return with new single called 'Bird Flu' with an accompanying video. "The video I did out there in a fishing village in south coast of India," writes M.I.A in a recent post to her website. "The village was...

While no prize is going to be given, DJ Shadow is allowing fellow DJs and remixers to download an editable version of "Enuff," which features A Tribe Called Quest rapper Q-Tip and hip-hop artist Lateef. Available at Djshadow.com, the track can be recut using U-MYX, an interactive music software that lets users remix and recreate tracks. Sorry Pro-Tools users.

Set to be broadcast live on November 2nd from Madison Square Garden, the 7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards were announced this morning, with Giant Step favorite Marisa Monte receiving 3 nominations (for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album, Best Samba Album & Best Brazilian Song). Additional nominations include Gonzalo Rubalcaba for Best Latin Jazz Album, Shakira for Best Female Pop Vocal Album and Calle 13 for Best New Artist. For a complete listing, visit

Coming off the huge success of their debut album, 'St. Elsewhere,' Gnarls Barkley have already begun work on their follow-up. According to a statement Danger Mouse gave to NME, "We've started to throw some ideas around, and we've started on some rough demo stuff. But it's stil a little way away...But we want to make the record sooner rather than later - just go in there an continue what we're doing. We definitely don't want to make (the next album) based our reactions to what people are...

Having worked with everyone from Masta Ace, The Beastie Boys, Wordsworth, Jonell, Us3, Black Star, Venus Malone and J Sands, last year J Rawls, who is known mainly for his production skills, delivered his second solo album, 'The Essence of Soul.' Returning after only a year, J Rawls takes a new look on jazz and hip-hop fusion with 'The Liquid Crystal Project.' "Jazz-Hop" as J Rawls has calls it, blends "the boom-bap of hip-hop from the...

Whether it is the decreasing amount of money in the music industry or just musicians wanting to explore new things, we have seen more and more musicians diversifying into other related media industries (film, tv, etc) from Mos Def to Common (he's in a new movie with Russell Crowe). However, one medium that we usually don't see musicians try their hand in, is animation. Off the heals of starring in a feature length movie, 'Idelwild,' Andre 3000 will be the voice of a...

Partnering with technology giant Motorola, Swindle magaine is set to produce a series of exclusive sit down dinners in New York and Los Angeles with individuals they have selected for their forthcoming "Icons" issue. Public enemy frontman Chuck D. is just one of many, which includes people like Alan Dershowitz, Tyra Banks, Hulk Hogan, and author Judy Blume, that will be honored. According to Swindle's Editor-In-Chief Roger Gastman, "The common denominator for choosing an "Icon" for the issue...

Congratulations to Melissa Wilkins, from Dallas Texas, for being our winner of the pair of VIP passes to the Voodoo Music Festival. Now comes the tough part, choosing one lucky person to join her. So it is probably a good idea to get on her good side.

With a handful of tour dates announced a few months ago here , in support of King Britt's latest release, the 'Nova Dream Sequence,' it looks like the October 3rd show at Cielo in NYC will be free admission. It will be on a first come first serve basis, so get there early (9-2 am). He will also be doing an in-store at NYC vinyl Dancetraxx at 91 E. 3rd St at 6 pm that day.

Known for using indie tracks for their musical backdrop (e.g. Au Revoir Simone, Gnarls Barkley, etc.), the title track from Bitter:Sweet’s debut album, 'The Mating Game' will be featured on the season premier of the ABC series Grey’s Anatomy. Airing tonight at 9/8c, the episode is titled “Time Has Come Today” with a recap episode called “Complications of the Heart” narrated by Joe the Bartender beginning at 8/7c. Also, Bitter:Sweet’s tracks "The Mating Game" and "Heaven" will be featured...