Concert Dates, Concert Tour News, Artist Information

Lupe Fiasco is quitting hip-hop—but is he just getting started in post-punk?

Officially, the answer is no. But NME is raising the question anyways, citing the fact that Kanye protegee Lupe Fiasco has announced recently that he’ll be quitting hip-hop after the release of his next and last album, LupE.N.D. The NME claims rumors are floating around that Lupe may be leaving hip-hop simply to establish himself in a post-punk band called Japanese Cartoon. As rumors go, this one has a sliver of truth to it—Lupe is actually financing a post-punk band called Japanese Cartoon, as well as lending his production touch in the studio. The lead singer of Japanese Cartoon, known publicly as Percival Fats, is rumored to actually be Fiasco.

According to the rapper’s site, Percival is not actually the same person as Fiasco, though they are good friends. Fiasco does take a hand in the band’s songs, but mostly stays behind the mixing table. There are samples of the band’s songs up on their MySpace, along with some notices about their relationship with Fiasco.

Looking for concert tickets to a show? Check StubHub.com.

Jay-Z and Radiohead, together at last

Remember at the start of the millennium how everyone seemed enthralled by mash-ups? There are plenty who still are. And they’re turning in some very interesting variations on your favorite songs. The most recent to join the club? Minty Fresh Beats, who produces some decent electronic stuff and has recently garnered the attention of Pitchfork for creating an album’s worth of mash-ups from the music of Radiohead and Jay-Z that, despite Pitchfork’s negative sentiments, really isn’t that bad. Give a listen to it here (scroll down for the player), or check out Minty Fresh’s other tracks at his MySpace.

Jay-Z fans should be interested to hear their favorite rapper rhyming over some of indie-rock’s coolest riffs. You may recall this isn’t the first time this has happened for Jay-Z—DJ Dangermouse basically launched himself by fusing the Black Album and The Beatles’ White Album for The Grey Album. Maybe if he likes it, he’ll even play it as some of his live shows. Do you have concert tickets yet? Better get them before they sell out at StubHub.com. Just look up Jay-Z tickets.

Classic Cruisin’ With Van Halen

All classic car fans should try and catch up with Eddie Van Halen.  The famed rocker is selling two Chevrolet classics from his own personal classic car collection during the 33rd Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 11 through 18.  The lucky winning bidder will drive home with the classic old car, and if that wasn’t enough, he or she will also get a matching one-of-a-kind EVH Brand “Wolfgang” guitar as well as a pair of red, white and black EVH striped sneakers.
The cars that are up for grabs include his 1956 Chevrolet 210, which is a maroon Pro Street hot rod that was built by customizer Jim Van Gordon.  The second automobile is a 1956 Chevrolet Nomad in Cashmere Blue with a white paint scheme.  The latter car was once part of the famed “Harrah Collection” in Reno, Nevada.  So how badly to you want a cool car….or striped sneakers???  Also treat yourself to a music concert with a pair of Van Halen tickets from Stubhub.com.

Jaydiohead: When Jay-Z Meets Radiohead

You’ve heard of the Grey Album (when Danger Mouse paired Jay’Z’s lyrics with music from the Beatles’ White Album) but the next “mash-up” is Jaydiohead. New York DJ Minty Fresh beats coupled songs from Jay’s Black Album with music from several Radiohead albums (Kid A, OK Computer and In Rainbows). The album, which is currently streaming at Jadiohead.com, includes tracks like “Lucifer’s Jigsaw,” “Dirt Off Your Android” and “99 Anthems.”

Jaydiohead made its debut Dec. 30 on Minty Fresh’s MySpace page and both Radiohead and Jay-Z fans have been giving the mash-up positive reviews. Mash-ups have become increasingly common in recent years, with OJayZis: Jay-Z vs. Oasis causing a rift between Jay and Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher and Viva la Hova, a masg of Jay and Coldplay’s Viva la Vida. No threat of legal action arose from wither of those projects so it looks like Minty Fresh is in the clear.

They may not be taking the stage together, but you can still get Jay-Z tickets and Radiohead tickets at StubHub.com.