Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum hip-hop superstar Drake who recently returned with his sumptuous new single “Hold On, We’re Going Home” (#5 in the UK chart), follows up with the release on September 29th of his feverishly anticipated new album “Nothing Was The Same”. Nothing Was The Same is released on Young Money/Cash Money Records/Island Records and promises to be one of the biggest releases of the year. Drake recently also featured on friend, and fellow Toronto native, The Weeknd’s single “ Live Fo r“. The album was produced by long time musical partner Noah “40” Shebib and Jay Z features on the track “ Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2 ” which contains elements of Ellie Goulding’s “ Don’t Say A Word. ” Other featured tracks include Started From The Bottom”, “Tuscan Leather”, “Worst Behaviour”, “305 To My City” and “Wu-Tang Forever”. Nothing Was the Same - Drake available on iTunes   http://www.drakeofficial.com/ WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Drake is “the genre’s stylistic ...

Undisputed Hip Hop Queen, and Global superstar, Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest, most colourful and exciting stars to emerge in music in recent years, has her new single “High School” released on May 6th through Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Records. In the US the single has given Minaj, a relative newcomer, her 44th Hot 100 hit, equalling the record of fellow 'American Idol' judge Mariah Carey. "High School", featuring friend and label mate Lil Wayn e, is taken from Minaj's recent album " Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up," and Wayne also appears in the accompanying video. Nicki’s original multi-platinum Pink Friday album entered the UK chart at no. 1 and she followed that feat with a triumphant sell-out UK Arena tour. With more than 3 million albums sold globally, almost 30 million likes on Facebook, over 16 million followers on Twitter, and her own signature perfume “Pink Friday” launched, this 5’ 2” phenomenon is unquestionably one of...

Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest artists on the planet, and indisputably the biggest breakthrough artist of the last year, releases her feverishly anticipated new album “Pink Friday Roman Reloaded” released through Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Records. The release of the album follows the exciting news that Nicki will be returning to the UK this June for the ‘Pink Friday’ Tour. She will perform in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The full track-listing is as follows : 1. Roman Holiday 2. Come On A Cone 3. I Am Your Leader Feat. Cam’ron & Rick Ross 4. Beez In The Trap Feat. 2 Chainz 5. HOV Lane 6. Roman Reloaded Feat. Lil Wayne 7. Champion Feat. NAS, Drake & Young Jeezy 8. Right By My Side Feat. Chris Brown 9. Sex In the Lounge Feat. Lil Wayne & Bobby V 10. Starships 11. Pound The Alarm 12. Whip It 13. Automatic 14. Beautiful Sinner 15. Marilyn Monroe 16. Young Forever 17. Fire Burns 18. Gun Shot Feat. Beenie Man 19. Stupid Hoe 2011 was an incred...

Fresh from his recent triumphant sell-out UK Arena dates, Grammy nominated superstar, and without question one of the most interesting rap artists to emerge in years, Drake, releases his brilliant new single “The Motto” released on April 16th through Young Money/Cash Money Records. The single features friend and mentor Lil Wayne as well as label mate TYGA and is taken from the Canadian’s hugely acclaimed new album “Take Care” which has already sold over 200,000 in the UK more than doubling sales of his debut set “Thank Me Later” which went Gold in the UK. The huge success of the album coupled with the sell-out UK tour including 2 consecutive nights at the O2 in London performing to over 38,000 fans, proves that Drake is a genuine superstar and is about to get a whole lot bigger. Facebook likes stand at well over 23million, Drizzy can count on almost 7 million followers on Twitter while combined Youtube views are in excess of a staggering half a billion, not to mention his UK number 1...

Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest artists on the planet, and indisputably the biggest breakthrough artist of 2011, has announced that she will be returning to the UK this June for the ‘Pink Friday’ Tour. She will perform in London, Birmingham and Manchester. Nicki Minaj tickets are available from www.livenation.co.uk 2011 was an incredible year for Nicki, with her multi-platinum selling debut album PINK FRIDAY boasting the most charted singles by any female rap album in Billboard history. Nicki also became the first artist to have 7 singles on the Billboard HOT 100 chart simultaneously. She criss-crossed the US playing to massive sell-out audiences with friend and mentor Lil Wayne on the sold–out “I Am Music II” tour and then slayed audiences as the special guest on Britney Spear’s US tour. In addition to winning Best Hip Hop Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards along with Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album and Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist at the 2011 American Music Awards, Nicki was recentl...

US superstar in the making Tyga, whose number 1 monster hit “Rack City” introduced him as the latest superstar to emerge from Cash Money Records, the red-hot hip hop label and home to Lil Wayne, Drake & Nicki Minaj, has his eagerly anticipated debut album ”Careless World : Rise Of The Last King” released on March 12th. The album includes “Rack City” one of the biggest tracks of the year so far with well over 1 million downloads sold to date. Tyga, whose cousin is Travie McCoy from Gym Class Heroes, is joined on ”Careless World : Rise Of The Last King” by a stellar cast including Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Big Sean and J Cole. The album stormed in at number 1 on the US iTunes chart and European fans will have a chance to see Tyga live as he is close to confirming an extensive European tour during the month of May. Born in Compton 1989 Michael Stevenson - the same town as Hip Hop Legends Dr Dre, NWA, The Game & more, Tyga first came to prominence as one of the featured ...

US Superstar Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest artists on the planet, and indisputably the biggest breakthrough artist of 2011, releases her brand new single “Starships”. The single was produced by multiple Grammy-winning producer, musician, and songwriter, RedOne, whose 35 international hit singles include a staggering 18 #1 singles, for the likes of Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, and Mary J Blige, to name but a few. “Starships” shows Minaj headed straight into clubland territory, that means heavy synths, an infectious chorus and fist-pumping breakdowns, and is taken from Nicki’s feverishly anticipated n ew Young Money/ Cash Money album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”, which will be released on April 2nd Nicki Minaj| ‘Starships’ – Released March 19th - myspace/nickiminaj

Multiple Grammy-winning, multiplatinum hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne joins forces with fellow US superstar Bruno Mars for the release of his brand new Young Money/Cash Money single “Mirrors”. The video for the single has already racked up an astonishing 30 million views and looks set to give Weezy his biggest UK hit single to date. “Mirrors” is taken from Wayne’s current no. 1 album “Tha Carter IV”, the follow-up to his game-changing 2008 set “Tha Carter III”. “THA CARTER IV” is Wayne’s 10th album in all, and sees the New Orleans rapper returning to his hip hop roots and cementing his reputation as the greatest rapper alive. The last decade has seen Weezy establish himself as arguably the most influential artist hip hop has seen in years, with more than 10 million records sold, a staggering eight Grammy nominations for the seminal Tha Carter III, and shattering records by selling over one million copies in its first week of release. LIL WAYNE FT. BRUNO MARS MIRRORS New Single out 5th M...

Grammy nominated superstar, GQ US Man Of The Year, and without question one of the most interesting rap artists to emerge in years, Drake is releasing his brilliant new single “Headlines” on October 24th through Young Money/Cash Money Records . The single is released on Drake’s birthday, the same day as his highly anticipated new album “Take Care”, the follow up to his 2010 debut “Thank Me Later” which established the Canadian as one of the breakthrough artists of the year. “Thank Me Later” went Gold in the UK, no mean feat considering the absence of a top ten hit, and went on to sell steadily throughout the year, easily outselling the last Kanye West album. The anticipation “Take Care” has reached fever pitch with the two recent leaked tracks, “Club Paradise” & “Free Spirit”, holding the number 5 and 6 slots on Hype Machine, while Drake is 150,000 likes shy of 20 million on Facebook, has well over 3 million followers on Twitter, has combined Youtube views in excess of a staggerin...

Multi-Grammy-winning, multiplatinum hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne released his latest album “Tha Carter IV”, on August 29th. The feverishly anticipated follow-up to his game-changing 2008 set “Tha Carter III”. The album, released via Young Money/Cash Money Records,  includes the new single “She Will” featuring Drake, as well as recent singles “6 foot 7 foot” (ft Cory Gunz), “John” (ft Rick Ross) and “How To Love”, all of which debuted in the Top 10 on US iTunes. “THA CARTER IV” is Wayne’s 10th album in all, and sees the New Orleans rapper returning to his hip hop roots and cementing his reputation as the greatest rapper alive. The last decade has seen Weezy establish himself as arguably the most influential artist hip hop has seen in years, with more than 10 million records sold, a staggering eight Grammy nominations for the seminal Tha Carter III, and shattering records by selling over one million copies in its first week of release. The New Orleans native who hails from the rough...

Nicki Minaj, the hottest new artist on the planet, has her brand new Young Money/Cash Money single “Super Bass” released on June 20th. The brilliant video for “ Super Bass ” went online last week and has rocketed to a staggering 11 million views! The track has already been a massive internet sensation with virals of versions by Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez racking up over 4.5 million views. “Super Bass” is taken from Minaj’s wildly acclaimed 2 million selling debut album “Pink Friday”. Nicki has just finished slaying audiences across the US co-headlining with friend and mentor Lil Wayne on the sold–out “I Am Music II” tour and is confirmed as the special guest on Britney Spear’s forthcoming US tour. With 2 million albums sold globally, Nicki’s latest feature on David Guetta’s “Where Them Girls At” topping the charts worldwide, 8 million likes on Facebook, 3 million followers on Twitter, a gold album in the UK and a profile that is rising by the day, here are some of the things the U...

Nicki Minaj, the hottest new artist on the planet follows her wildly acclaimed million selling debut album “ Pink Friday ” with the release of her new Young Money/Cash Money single “ Girls Fall Like Dominoes ”. The single which samples The Big Pink’s cult single “Dominos”, looks set to give the US pop diva her biggest UK hit single. Nicki is currently slaying audiences across the US co-headlining with friend and mentor Lil Wayne on the sold–out “I Am Music II” tour and with 1.5 million albums sold in the US, 8 million likes on Facebook, 3 million followers on Twitter, a gold album in the UK and a profile that is rising by the day, here are some of the things the UK press are saying about this 5’ 2” phenomenon. Buy Download - Single "Girls Fall like Dominoes" Buy CD Pink Friday Bonus Tracks http://www.myspace.com/nickiminaj WHAT THE PAPERS SAY “THE noisiest noise on the block right now. Scrums at the Dorchester, ridiculous wigs inspired by Marge Simpson, watch out Lon...

Nicki Minaj, without question the hottest new artist on the planet right now, follows her wildly acclaimed debut album “Pink Friday” with the release on February 21st of her new Young Money/Cash Money single “Moment 4 Life”. The track features label-mate, friend and fellow hip hop superstar Drake and is taken from the 25 year old rap phenomenon’s feverishly anticipated debut. Nicki Minaj’s star has been on the rise since she released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over, in 2007. Themixtape featured Lil Wayne and the cover showed Nicki posing as a Barbie Doll. A second mixtape “Sucka Free” released a year later, increased the heat around Minaj and was followed in 2009 by mixtape number three “Beam Me Up Scotty”. Shortly thereafter Nicki, aka Harajuku Barbie, aka Nicki Lewinsky, aka Roman Zolanski, aka Ms Step Your Cookies Up, signed to Lil Wayne’s new label Young Money Entertainment and featured heavily on Young Money’s debut album “We Are Young Money” which spawned the massive hit sing...

Nicki Minaj, the first lady of Young Money/Cash Money Records and one of the hottest artists on the planet right now, has her new single “Right Thru Me” released on November 22nd. The track is taken from the 25 year old rap phenomenon’s feverishly anticipated debut album which is also released on November 22nd.  Nicki Minaj’s star has been on the rise since she released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over, in 2007. The mixtape featured Lil Wayne and the cover showed Nicki posing as a Barbie Doll. A second mixtape “Sucka Free” released a year later, increased the heat around Minaj and was followed in 2009 by mixtape number three “Beam Me Up Scotty”. Shortly thereafter Nicki, aka Harajuku Barbie, aka Nicki Lewinsky, aka Roman Zolanski, aka Ms Step Your Cookies Up, signed to Lil Wayne’s new label Young Money Entertainment and featured heavily on Young Money’s debut album “We Are Young Money” which spawned the massive hit single “Bedrock”. Minaj has also made her name from her many fea...

Nicki Minaj, the first lady of Young Money/Cash Money Records and one of the hottest artists on the planet right now, has her debut official single “Your Love” released on September 20th. The song, which samples Annie Lennox’s “ No More ‘I Love You’s’ ”, is taken from the 25 year old rap phenomenon’s feverishly anticipated debut album which is scheduled for release on November 22nd. Nicki Minaj’s star has been on the rise since she released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over , in 2007. The mixtape featured Lil Wayne and the cover showed Nicki posing as a Barbie Doll. A second mixtape “ Sucka Free ” released a year later, increased the heat around Minaj and was followed in 2009 by mixtape number three “ Beam Me Up Scotty ”. Shortly thereafter Nicki, aka Harajuku Barbie, aka Nicki Lewinsky, aka Roman Zolanski, aka Ms Step Your Cookies Up , signed to Lil Wayne’s new label Young Money Entertainment and featured heavily on Young Money’s debut album “We Are Young Money” which spawned the...

From Florence to Dappy, from Jay-Z to Alici a, they’re all agreed Drake is amazing and about to explode…The marquee signing to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Records , and without question the hottest, most exciting artist to explode onto the US music scene in recent memory, Drake will be playing his first ever UK headlining dates at London’s 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Monday July 12th and Tuesday July 13th . The sense of anticipation for this 23 year old Canadian’s arrival in the UK is such that a second date had to be added after the original show sold out within hours of going on sale. Tickets are £25.50 in advance (plus booking fee) and are available at www.livenation.co.uk . The shows, ( featuring special guests ) will be the US superstar’s first headlining dates in this country and follow his recent special guest performances on Jay-Z’s June Manchester and Birmingham dates . Drake is also confirmed as special guest of Jay-Z for the Wireless festival on July 4th . The June dates prec...