MMIM would like to share with you the new releases that we are excited about this week. If you all have any of these albums or maybe you have all of them. We would love to hear your feedback or your favorite track from the album and even if the album is a complete bust. Please do tell and enjoy.

You all may remember Robyn from a while back. In 1997, this Swedish artist came out with a single entitled “Show Me Love.” Don’t front this song was hot!! She is back on the scene eleven years later and has turned in her bubbly beats for rock star chic.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcuS7Ce4q9I&hl=en]

I must say Neyo is a sharp brother.

You can also check out his video below for his new single Closer. His album, “Year of the Gentleman” drops on June 24th.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDTaYf7xaMc&hl=en]

According to Guerilla Union the 2008 Rock the Bells International Festival series which is sponsored by Sandisk will be taking off in July in Chi-Town. Guerilla Union has reported that ROCK THE BELLS has established itself as a world-class hip-hop platform by hosting legendary performances.

Guerilla Union has confirmed that they will be working with MySpace on this event and the headliners include Tribe Called QUEST, Wale, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, and Kid Sister.

There will be additional performances by other rock and hip hop artist acts as well.
This show is defitnetly going to be crazy!! Check below to find out if the festival is coming to a city near you.

ROCK THE BELLS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK DATES:
Sat 7/19 – Chicago, IL
Sun 7/20 – Toronto, ON
Sat 7/26 – Boston, MA
Sun 7/27 – New York, NY
Sat 8/2 – Miami, FL
Sun 8/3 – Philadelphia, PA
Sat 8/9 – Los Angeles, CA
Sat 8/16 – San Francisco, CA
Sat 8/23 – Denver, CO
Sat 8/30 – Vancouver, BC

From music collaborations, search engines, producer and more Mr. West has added one more thing to his list. The talented and fashion forward rapper has teamed up with Nike to create the Air Yeezy.

Reports say that Kanye first rocked these shoes at the Grammy’s, but now they can be seen on his Glow in the Dark Tour. Hot 97 even reported that the shoes will glow in the dark. Air Yeezy’s are expected to be released to the public but no official date has been publicized.

I may have to cop pair. The Air Yeezy image below was taken from Eukicks.com. This may be what the shoe will actually look like when it is released in stores.

Hello MMIM readers enjoy another remix of Usher’s “Love in this Club” from his upcoming album Here I Stand. Unlike the remix featuring TI, this track has a slow vibe. Let us know what you think.

Click here to listen to Love in this Club Remix by Usher featuring Beyonce and Lil Wayne

R&B singer Solange Knowles plans to release her sophomore album entitled Sol-Angel on August 26th. The album will feature guest appearances from Cee-Lo, Pharrell, Lil Wayne, Bilal, Estelle and Marsha Ambrosious. She will also have a song produced by Raphael Saddiq on the album.

With all of these guest appearances the album may have some potential, but I am still waiting to see true talent come from this singer versus her riding in the shadow of her sister.

Let MMIM know what you think.

You all know what time it is. I must say this week is going to be a challenge. I absolutely love both versions of these songs.

Artist: Goapole
Song Title: Closer
Album: Even Closer
Album Release Year:2004

Artist: Teedra Moses
Song Title: Closer
Album: Live From the Jungle
Album Release Year: 2007

The Kanye tour recently kicked off on the west coast and we wanted to share some clips from the show. It looks like a hot show!! May 10th cannot come soon enough when Kanye and friends bless the District with their presence.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV3SMFVaBRc&hl=en]

I just happened to stumble across this very interesting list and thought I would share it with the lovely readers of MMIM, to ask for your thoughts and comments in return. Yahoo! Music Blogs has compiled a list of their choice of the 25 worst rappers. There were a few rappers that I believe shouldn’t have even made the list, but who knows who decides these things. Yahoo also added that they might have a #26 if and when Bill Cosby decides to release his much controversial album. Check below to see who made the top 15. Click here to see the full list of 25.

1. Vanilla Ice
2. MC Hammer
3. Brian Austin Green
4. Dee Dee King
5. Puff Daddy AKA Diddy
6. Fred Durst
7. Mr. T
8. Will Smith
9. K-Fed
10. Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
11. Shaquille O’Neal
12. Northern State
13. Tony Yayo
14. Master P
15. Rappin’ Duke

According to TheBoombox.com, R.Kelly has plans to release another installment of ’12 Play’ this summer. He has plans to partake in the studio in light of his pornography case that is supposed to begin next month.

One would think that he would refrain from going back to the “12 Play” days due to the nature of this case..Maybe he should re-release “I Believe I can Fly.”

Just my thoughts…

So the other day my colleagues and I were at a restaurant and once again I was reminded about how important music really is. While the food at the restaurant was simply amazing, and I am not saying that because I can be greedy. But for some reason a hot topic of conversation was how terrible the music was – so terrible to the point where people’s faces were cringing like WTF are they playing. What’s interesting is how the music that was being played in the restaurant instantly changed our mood – no pun intended – we were ready to leave as soon as possible because the ambiance was not in line with what we were feeling at the time.

This just shows how music plays an integral part within our lives, that goes far beyond just hearing an artist perform at a concert or a live set. For example, when you go to a mall and you walk in a store there will most likely be music playing extremely loud in the store. They use the music to entice consumers to purchase things or simply set a tone for the store because music can make consumers feel good. A lot of times when you go in stores like H&M or Express they will play music from the Billboard Top 20 because consumers can sing along and purchase items that they plan to wear to the club or lounge that night.

In addition to restaurants or stores, the music chosen at events including fashion shows, banquets,Broadway performances, and an array of other things must be selected carefully in order to keep the audience happy. Music is used to tell a story, and if its done right – the story can come to life within your head creating vivid memories from the past or it could even cause you to daydream….

MMIM wants to know how powerful you think music is and how it has made an impact on your life…

Here is the official album cover for Ashanti anticipated album, “The Declaration”. The album is set for release on June 3rd.

Gnarls Barkley has released, elpuoC ddO ehT, which is their new album title “The Odd Couple” written backwards. The title written backwards suggests only one thing…yep you guessed it, the entire album is in reverse.

elpuoC ddO ehT is one 38:44 minute track that contains the songs from The Odd Couple in reverse, starting with the last song.

Why would the duo release a backwards version of their album? Well this isnt the first time that producer Danger Mouse has tried this technique. In 2004, he combined Jay-Z’s Black Album with the Beatles’ White Album – and it produced the Grey Album. On the Grey Album, there is a track titled “Lucifer 9″, which was the track “Lucifer” on the Black Album in reverse.

elpuoC ddO ehT is available for a free download at www.fronttobackbacktofront.com