What The Hell Just Happened In Music This Week?

The Summer Jam 2014 lineup has been announced, Jay Electronica spoke his mind on Twitter, and Frankie Knuckles passed away.

By 
Apr 06, 2014
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

What the hell just happened in music during the first quarter of the year? Don't worry, we've got you covered—don't forget, 2014 has already brought rumors surrounding Outkast's return to music, Lil Boosie’s return from jail and Justin Bieber’s badass lifestyle to the table.

This week alone, Drake dropped two tracks on back to back days—"Draft Day Freestyle" nabbed an ill Lauryn Hill sample, and adressed whatevers going on with him, Jay Z and art. On "Days in the East," Drake dives deep down in his feelings and tells a story about going to Erykah Badu's house for tea. And while we're admittedly a few months late, we broke down Spooky Black's stunning video for "Without You," and the numerous durags he's rocking in the video. You can thank us later for those tips.

Plus, Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2014 lineup was revealed in record time this week and will include performances from 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, Nas, Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino and more. Oh, right, Wale confronted someone who was trolling him on Twitter while at a WWE event in D.C. All that and more on What The Hell Just Happened In Music This Week?

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Thanks to NBC, Pharrell will teach some lucky stars-in-the-making how to sing on the next season of "The Voice."

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Date: March 31

"The Voice has officially welcomed its newest voice coach, Pharrell Williams. The celebrated 40-year-old artist will be joining the NBC television series for its seventh season, though this doesn't mark his first time on the show. Pharrell served as a mentor for coach Usher during the fourth season. Now, Pharrell gets to take his place in the big red seat." —Edwin Ortiz 

RELATED: Pharrell Performed "Happy" and "Marilyn Monroe" on "Saturday Night Live"

Sorry Australia, but we couldn't be more relieved that Kanye West cancelled a ton of tour dates to reportedly finish his upcoming album.

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Date: March 31

Live Nation's Australian branch has announced that due to 'unexpected timing requirements to finish his new album,' the Australian leg of the "Yeezus" Tour has been postponed. However, there is now a full slate of rescheduled dates already prepared. 

This isn't the first time Kanye has postponed dates for the show but, then again, this gives us a bit of a hint on his new album's progress. Given the rumors that have come out about producers working on the new album, and Kanye's own heightened activity with features, fans may not have to wait very long. The big question is will this be 'another Yeezus' like he rapped on Rick Ross' "Sanctified," or something completely new?—Justin Davis 

RELATED: Kanye West To Release "Yeezus" Film in Theatres

The inimitable Godfather of Chicago House music Frankie Knuckles passed away this week at 59 years old.

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Date: March 31

After multiple reports on Monday night, it was confirmed that Chicago House legend Frankie Knuckles passed away at 59 years old after complications from Diabetes II. On Tuesday, an official statement on his death will be issued, according to his business partner Frederick Dunson.

Chicago house artists DJ Deeon and Paul Johnson took to social media to confirm the news, and artists including Questlove and Just Blaze took to Twitter and Instagram to express their shock and send their condolences. —David Drake

RELATED: Our Love: Remembering Frankie Knuckles, 1955-2004

Internet thugs, you are not about this life: Wale confronted someone who threatened him on Twitter while at a WWE event in DC.

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Date: March 31

Wale, who spent the better part of his day releasing a new remix to his hit "Sunshine," seems to have gotten into a bit of a squabble with a member of the audience at a live World Wrestling Entertainment event in Washington D.C. just days before the huge Wrestlemania event in New Orleans.

In an interview with MTV, the rapper says the incident wasn't that serious, although he did think about the possibility of it escalating beyond some words and a shove. Wale also expressed his amazement at how people view him responding to a heckler as showing weakness. —Justin Davis 

RELATED: Wale's 25 Favorite Rap Albums

Hot 97's Summer Jam is right around the corner and this year, they've got Nicki, Wayne, Nas, 50 Cent and more performing on the main stage.

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Date: April 2

Hear ye, hear ye: Hot 97 announced the full lineup for Summer Jam 2014 this week, which goes down at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 1.

The lineup for the Main Stage includes Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, the rest of Young Money, 50 Cent, Nas, Wiz Khalifa, Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign, DJ Mustard, YG, The Roots, Trey Songz, Bunji Garlin, Troy Ave, and Kid Ink.

The Festival Stage this year will feature COMPLEX cover girl Jhene Aiko, Chinx Drugz, Nipsey Hussle, Mack Wilds, August Alsina, Iggy Azalea and Childish Gambino. Ready to get on the NJ transit bus and push your way through crowds of drunk people just to watch your favorite artist perform a few songs? We are, too. —Elva Aguilar

RELATED: The 25 Best Summer Jam Moments 

Someone, somewhere, in this world, has offered $5 million for the upcoming Wu-Tang Clan album.

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Date: April 2

Not more than a week after Wu-Tang Clan announced they would be auctioning off a special one-of-one album called The Wu - Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, RZA reveals the group has already gotten several offers from prospective buyers. Some of them in the millions.

"Offers came in at $2 million, somebody offered $5 million yesterday," RZA tells Billboard. "I've been getting a lot of emails -- some from people I know, some from people I don't know, and they're also emailing other members of my organization." —Edwin Ortiz 

RELATED: The 100 Best Wu-Tang Clan Songs 

Spooky Black's "Without You" video is an exercise in style and influence—and he probably rocks a durag better than you.

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Date: April 2

Who is Spooky Black? Oh, just a motherfucking Internet monster with the voice of an angel. From the looks of his Soundcloud, he hails from St. Paul, Minn. and is America's answer to Yung Lean. But nevermind that. Back in February, he hit us in the head with the video for my wedding song, "Without You." I

t's a simp's definition of simp muzik-and it's an exercise in style and influence. Imagine singing this to your crush while rocking a turtle neck, a 14K First Communion chain, and either a white stocking cap or black durag even though you can't get waves. All that equals waterworks, she won't be able to resist. Trust. —Angel Diaz 

RELATED: Caucasian Sensation Spooky Black Rocks a Durag Better Than You 

#OwlHoursBack: Drake drops the "Draft Day Freestyle" and "Days in the East" on back to back nights.

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Date: April 3

A day after dropping his "Draft Day" freestyle, Drake takes it back to "owl hours" with the release of his new record "Days in the East." The track is produced by Party Next Door and 40, who lace Drizzy with a moody backdrop that puts the Toronto rapper in a pensive state of mind.

Or maybe he chose this specific beat for a reason, as he raps/sings cryptically about a girl in his life who he holds dearly despite past issues. He even recounts a recent meet-up with Erykah Badu, who offered him advice on love. —Edwin Ortiz 

RELATED: Listen To Drake's "Draft Day Freestyle"
RELATED: Drake Denies Taking Shots at Kanye West in "Rolling Stone"

Vybz Kartel has been sentenced to life in prison and has to serve 35 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

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Date: April 3

Vybz Kartel and four other co-accused were found guilty of murder last month after a trial that lasted over 65 days.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, has now been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams in August 2011. While Kartel was recently found not guilty for the murder of a St. Catherine businessman Barrington 'Bossy' Burton, he will now have to serve 35 years before he becomes eligible for parole. —Lauren Nostro 

RELATED: Vybz Kartel Found Not Guilty in One of His Two Murder Cases 
RELATED: How Will Reggae Rebound From The Vybz Kartel Verdict? 

Jay Electronica has been in England so long that he finally spelled favorite with a 'u' in his mini Twitter rant about "so called thugs," the music industry, and more.

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Date: April 4

A week after dropping his freestyle over Soulja Boy's "We Made It" with Jay Z, Jay Electronica went on an early morning Twitter rant to call out everyone from bloggers and journalists to people riding the current trends in rap—a "circus," as he calls it. Jay Elec ended the series of rants with a video of 26-year-old Dornell Breaux's illegal arrest by a New Orleans Sheriff deputy. When Jay Electronica speaks—or tweets—people listen. —Elva Aguilar 

RELATED: An Open Letter to Jay Electronica

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