Liberated Beyonce Covers the Power Issue for Out Magazine
Photos by Santiago & Mauricio
Beyoncé Knowles steals the spotlight once again as she channels her inner Marilyn Monroe on the cover of Out magazine's annual May Power Issue, on newsstands April 22. The issue was beautifully photographed by Santiago & Mauricio and styled by Lysa Cooper, and it's actually her first major cover since dropping her self-titled album back in December. With a sultry glance, platinum blond wig, and strands of pearls draping down her breast, the superstar embodies the legendary sex symbol effortlessly.
Aside from the stunning photo spread, the article includes an exclusive interview where she shares her opinion on the double standards in the music industry, and on the release of her most sexually liberated album to date. Going even further, the singer released exclusive remixes of tracks 'Blow' and 'XO' for the article. In defying typical marketing strategies for the release of her surprise self titled visual album, and wrapping up a successful world tour, there is no question as to why she was selected for this issue.
Check out the following photos from Beyonce's photo spread and let us know what you think.
[Via Out Magazine]
[Album] Pretty Lights: "A Color Map Of The Sun Remixes"
Earlier this year, 32 year old electronic dance music artist Pretty Lights released his first full-length studio album comprised fully of his own self-produced tracks. The project, which was released on July 2, charted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its debut and solidifying the DJ as a real artist to be dealt with amongst the greater music landscape. Never one to be finished with anything, given the intrinsically infinite amount of options available to DJs today to distort sounds, Pretty Lights decided to remix his entire album with the help of some friends.
EDM high-flyer GRiZ takes a spin on a few tracks, most notably adding his unique, soulful horns and crafty mixing to "Vibe Vendetta", which is the perfect complement to the original. Pretty Lights also taps EDM big names such as Datsik, Opiuo and heRobust to round out the re-worked music. All in all, the second take on the project is an impressive building on earlier work and progresses each track to a sonically different area than they originally occupied. Check out the preview stream of the project below and be sure to scoop the full release, due out December 10.
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Placebo: "Too Many Friends" (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)
The Bloody Beetroots has made a name for himself in the EDM world through his blending of punk rock aesthetics and high-end instrumentality with a penchant for "bringing music back to dance music." On this track he remixes Placebo's "Too Many Friends" to a pop sensibility that is a bit of a departure for Sir Bob, check the track out here below.
[RH Interview] Legitmix wants to revolutionize the way you consume remixes
(Photo via Malcolm Hearn)
Remixes and mash-ups of songs have existed in one form or another for a multitude of years as rappers and musicians have released a capella versions of their songs to encourage such projects. You can't go into a club or dance party without hearing a DJ spinning one of their own original remixes. However, the nature of remixes doesn't easily allow audiences to acquire such remixes unless the DJ releases their own version. Of course, such releases run the risk of being shut down due to copyright laws protecting the properties of the original artists featured in the mixes. So what's the solution?
Omid McDonald and Booker Sim feel like they found one with Legitmix. The service allows DJs to upload their remixes, and by utilizing an algorithm the developers put together, remixes are broken down to separate original music from sampled artists' songs. With such illustrious artists like Diplo and The Hood Internet backing up the service, and a platform for aspiring DJs and producers to showcase their remixes, Legitmix represents a revolutionary way for both fans and artists to share and discover new music.
Read on for my full interview with both Omid and Booker. At the end of the interview is an exclusive look at "The Vapors Pack," which is a remix created by Pickster, Riot Earp, and Melo that fully showcases how the Legitmix service organizes each remix in the pack.
Kid Cudi: "King Wizard" (Na$im Williams Remix)
Anything released by Na$im Williams is always welcomed around here, but this remix of Kid Cudi's "King Wizard" is definitely a standout mix by the Treated Crew producer. This is the perfect joint for your summer parties now that the weather is finally heating up!
Beyonce: "Party" (Million $ Mano REMIX)
Million $ Mano has cemented himself as a true trendsetter in fashion (check out his latest feature on Nylon Guys Mag), but it should not be forgotten that he's as influential in the musical scene. There's a reason why a Million $ Mano co-sign is so valued in Chicago and also why he's Yeezy's go-to DJ, dude is a master at his craft. He recently flipped Beyonce's "Party" and gave it a Mano sound, check it out below.
Game Rebellion: "Searching For Rick Rubin"
In simplest terms, Game Rebellion is just a bunch of black kids making rock music. That's how they introduce themselves on their mixtape Searching For Rick Rubin, which is a collaboration effort with DJ J. Period. But Game Rebellion is much more complex than that. Parts Mos Def, part Sex Pistols, Game Rebellion is nothing short of exactly what the music industry needs: a total and complete middle finger to fitting in, selling out, dumbing down, and whatever the fuck else the music industry makes artists do.
Perhaps the best example of that ethos is the band's version of "Peter Piper" where Netic spits:
J Period's skill behind the boards and turntables are on full display, when matched with Game Rebellion's poignant lyrics they make this mixtape a great addition to any music collection. Game Rebellion's rock out mentality and musicianship make the music come to life, and revitalize songs such as "Public Enemy Number 1," "Going Back To Cali," and "99 Problems."
Along with the Rick Rubin revisits, the CD also boasts a biting freestyle over Eminem's "Toy Soldiers" in which Netic questions gangsterism in Hip Hop. He spits:
"Before we imitated Scillians in all our raps/f**king Moolis, we're just imitating movies/stupid rappers, our favorite gangsters are actors/ Al Pacino's and Little Bobby Deniros/Now James Gandolfini, I'm just trying to be me/ I hate to see my people humiliated on TV/ Damn 3 6 Mafia, you just make it so easy."
Searching For Rick Rubin turned up a bunch of dope remakes, and uncovered the talent that is Game Rebellion. The groups motto is "If You See Something, Say Something." I see you Game Rebellion, and now I'm just letting you know!...again!