You have to give it to Kanye West, anytime he releases material he finds a dope and refreshing way to supply it to the masses. Late Friday evening (May 17), many of his fans were delighted to see his tweet announcing the release of new music.

The 35 year-old is currently finalizing his upcoming sixth studio album and premiered a very raw and real video across 10 cities internationally. The video, which featured only a black and white close up shot of Kanye reciting lyrics, was displayed and projected on over 60+ buildings in the select cities.

Fans in NYC, Toronto, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Paris and Sydney tweeted and instagramed the images across their social media channels. The song, reportedly titled “New Slaves” depicts a story of a person tired of being a puppet and also speaks on racism, materialism and greed. Check out the full lyrics below and the fan made video above.

My mama was raised in an era when clean water was only served to the fairer skin. Doing clothes you would have thought I had help. But they wouldn’t be satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself. You see its broke nigga racism. That’s that “don’t touch anything in the store”. And there’s rich nigga racism. That’s that “come in, please buy more”. What you want a Bentley, fur coat and diamond chain? All you blacks want all the same things. Used to only be nigga. Now everybody playin’. Spending everything on that Alexander Wang. New Slaves.

You see it’s leaders and it’s followers, but I’d rather be a dick than a swallower. You see it’s leaders and it’s followers, but I’d rather be a dick than a swallower.

I throw these Maybach keys. I wear my heart on the sleeve. I know that we the new slaves. I see the blood on the leaves. I see the blood on the leaves. I see the blood on the leaves. I know that we the new slaves. I see the blood on the leaves. They throwing hate at me. Want me to stay at ease. Fuck you and your corporation. Y’all niggas can’t control me. I know that we the new slaves. I know that we the new slaves.

I’m about to wild the fuck out. I’m going Bobby Boucher. I know that pussy ain’t free. You niggas pussy ain’t me. Y’all throwing contracts at me. You know that niggas can’t read. Throw him some Maybach keys. Fuck it, c’est la vie. I know that we the new slaves. Y’all niggas can’t fuck with me. Y’all niggas can’t fuck with Ye. Y’all niggas can’t fuck with Ye. I move my family out the country, so you can’t see where I stay. So go and grab the reporters. So I can smash their recorders. Yeah they confuse us with bullshit, like the New World Order. Meanwhile the DEA. Teamed up with the CCA. They tryna lock niggas up. They tryna make new slaves. See that’s that private-owned prison. Get your piece today. They prolly all in the Hamptons, braggin’ ’bout they maid. Fuck you and your Hampton house. I’ll fuck your Hampton spouse. Came on her Hampton blouse. And in her Hampton mouth. Y’all ’bout to turn shit up. I’m ’bout to tear shit down. I’m ’bout to air shit out. Now what the fuck they gon’ say now?

Kanye will be the musical guest on SNL tonight (May 18), where he will probably perform the song for the first time live. Should be interesting to see..

It’s been five years since the release of Janet Jackson’s last album, and on the 20th anniversary of her legendary fifth studio album, janet., she decides to take an exclusive sit down with Billboard Magazine.

In addition to talking about the impact of that album, she also reveals some information about a new project.

I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music. I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don’t want to rush it… I don’t want to put a time constraint on the creative process. [SOURCE]

Robb the street reporter turns his mic to Harlem and finds out what a few black men and women have to say on the issue of gayness and same-sex marriage. Through a slew of random (yet funny) questions and commentaries about sexual orientation, Robb delves into what otherwise would be a serious matter, and explores in a comedic fashion.

Check out the interesting and hilarious video above. Great job Robb!

Solange has taken her sartorial talents overseas. The “Looks Good With Trouble” singer looked gorgeous as ever on the red-carpet at the Cannes International Film Festival earlier this week.

She attended the festival opening ceremony and ‘Great Gatsby’ premiere clad in couture silk gown by French designer Stéphane Rolland. The sandy colored long-sleeve gown featured immaculate draping, feathered accents on the skirt, and a skinny gold belt detail at the waist. A peachy lip and neutral accessories pulls the look together.

Solange recently announced that she was starting a new record label, Saint Records. Check out more details in the related links below.

Rapper-producer Missy Elliott brought her lyrical skills to HAZE Nighclub out in Vegas Thursday (May 16). She performed live for the club’s special industry night.

The busy Misdemeanor has dabbled into more music this year featuring on longtime friend and collaborator, Timbaland, single “The Party Athem” with artists Lil Wayne and T-Pain. 41-year-old, Missy also added her bars to British pop group Little Mix (“How Ya’ Doin’?”), Fantasia (“Without Me”) and Eve(“Wanna Be”).

We can also look forward to hearing some callabos with Beyonce’s upcoming fifth album.

Maybe we’ll see Wu-Tang’s reunion LP A Better Tomorrow really manifest this time around. Or maybe not. But either way “Execution in Autumn” is only a previously unreleased Wu-Tang cut.

The Frank Dukes produced track comes close to classic Wu-Tang, even if those heydays are over. Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, RZA, and U-God summon the muses for this song and wax poetics over razor sharp instrumentation.

Take a listen after the jump.

A shirtless Drake was spotted poolside at a hotel in Miami, Florida on Thursday afternoon (May 16). The 26 year-old, who was in town shooting the “No New Friends” music video with DJ Khaled and Rick Ross, opted to lose his black tank and soak up some rays with a few friends.

He was also spotted showing off his Calvin Klein undies and getting some digits from a blonde hair chick who was trying to holla at him. The life of a celeb..

in related news,

Drake announced the lineup for his fourth annual OVO Fest. This year he will be joined by James Blake and Frank Ocean as headliners. For more info visit his official blog, October’s Very Own.

Actress Octavia Spencer, actor Michael B. Jordan, Director Ryan Coogler and actress Melonie Diaz were all smiles at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival in France. The cast appeared at the exclusive festival with their critically acclaimed film, ‘Fruitvale Station’..

‘Fruitvale Station‘, tells the tragic story of 22-year-old Oscar Grant who was fatally shot dead in 2009 by a Bart police officer.

Also in attendance was director, Ryan Coogler, the 26-year-old who grew up in the Bay Area. Coogler, who was inspired by the story of Grant pitched his movie to producer/actor Forest Whitaker.

In Thursday, May 16th’s telecast, South Carolina’s own Candice Glover was crowned winner of American Idol season 12. The 23 year-old is the first female singer to win in six seasons, Jordin Sparks having been the last female to win the title. Candice, a native of the tiny island off of South Carolina, St. Helena, is the oldest of seven children, and has been influenced by music her entire life.

She had previously auditioned in seasons 9 and 11, but the third time was a charm as she took the cake for season 12. The night was full of excitement and star-studded performances, including Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Lopes, and Emeli Sandé, to name a few, to mark the momentous event.

One of the most spectacular performances of the beginning belonged to winner Candice, in a duet of “Inseparable” with former Idol-winner, Jennifer Hudson. Check the video of the performance below.

OTHER PERFORMANCES:
– J. LO’S PERFORMANCE W/ PITBULL
– EMELI SANDE & AMBER HOLCOMB’S PERFORMANCE

Slum Village digitally released their first single, “Forever” and shortly afterward, debuted fresh visuals to accompany the head-bobbin’ tune. The Detroit Hip-hop collective kept us waiting for news of an impending album release date, but today it’s official. SV’s latest studio LP Evolution drops this Summer, June 25.

Slum Village will be touring worldwide in support of the release. Remaining tour dates, with more to be announced can be found HERE.