Robin Thicke

When Robin Thicke released his debut album, “A Beautiful World”, in April of 2003, he was rockin’ the Captain Jack Sparrow hairdo, sampling “A Fifth of Beethoven” and dominating the international charts with his single, “When I Get You Alone.” In October of 2006, the Los Angeles native returned with “The Evolution of Robin Thicke,” and with the help of Pharrell Williams (and a haircut), the project was platinum-certified in roughly six months.

Now, less than two years since “The Evolution,” this mega-talented, do-it-all musician is prepping the release of his third studio album, “Something Else.” Produced in-full by Thicke and his production partner, Pro Jay, the LP will possess a mostly live instrumentation feel and feature very few guest artists. Led by the current single, “Magic,” the project is currently set for release this September.

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth’s DJ “Z,” Robin steps inside the booth to talk about his constant fear of failure, past and future collaborations with Lil’ Wayne, which famous rap group was a major musical influence, and what his ‘Dream World’ looks like.

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In stores July 08, 2008

While many major label artists are coming up short on their expected sales marks, several established and knowledgeable independent artists are doing just fine and dandy. Take veteran rapper Killer Mike, for example; after parting ways with Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon imprint, Mike started his own record company, Grind Time Official.

Set up with promotions and marketing through SMC Recordings and distribution via Universal-owned, Fontana, Mike and his label have the opportunity to reach the masses and earn plenty of moola. In fact, the Atlanta native only needs to sell a quarter-million copies of his new album, “I Pledge Allegiance to The Grind II,” in order to match what a major label artist would earn selling three million.

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth’s DJ “Z,” Killer Mike steps inside the booth to talk about his public divorce from Big Boi, the ability to grind successfully on an independent level, the upset caused by Atlanta’s “Black Hollywood” makeover, and why he is thankful for both going to college and selling drugs.

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Backstage footage with UK Hip-Hop radio personality Tim Westwood talking backstage with Mr. Carter at the Glastonbury Festival from this past weekend.

Chilli 

As one-third of the former Grammy award-winning R&B group TLC, singer Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas is widely known as music icon. Together with Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (RIP), the trio has sold 22 million albums to date and still receives worldwide recognition from a gigantic conglomerate of young female fans.

Today, the group is no longer together following the tragic passing of Lopes in 2002, but luckily that hasn’t stopped Chill from continuing to record. This September, the Columbus, Georgia native will release “Bi-Polar,” her independently-released solo debut, which will feature production work from Missy Elliot, T-Pain and Akon. The album’s first single is a playas-be-warned ode, entitled “Dumb Dumb Dumb.”

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth‘s DJ “Z,” Chilli steps inside the booth to talk about the angle behind her forthcoming solo debut, why she didn’t sign a record deal with Konvict Muzik, and how many albums TLC might have released if Lopes hadn’t suddenly passed away.

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Wrestling head Peter Rosenberg brings up the Scott Steiner comments from a few weeks back.

Skillz 

Old school hip hop heads know him by the stage name, “Mad Skillz,” and new school hip hop heads know him as “The guy who does those year end ‘rap-up’ songs.” No matter how you were first introduced to the Detroit born, Richmond, Virginia raised Skillz, though; there is no disputing his uncanny ability to pen a lyrically vibrant record.

Over the past twelve years, Skillz has been signed to several labels, including Atlantic, Rawkus and Sure Shot, but none of them were able to provide a commercially-viable platform for his music. This July, however, the emcee is set to release a new album, entitled “Million Dollar Backpack,” via the ever-growing distribution home of Koch. The project is led by the current Common-assisted single, “So Far So Good.”

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth‘s DJ “Z,” Skillz steps inside the booth to talk about the contents of his backpack, the industry becoming flooded with rappers, the many dangers of blogging, and touring with The Roots this summer.

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Forbes celebrity power issue is on newstands tomorrow, and Forbes.com already has some celebrity video interviews on their website.  50 Cent the hip-hop mogul touches bases on the music industry, Vitamin Water, and his plans to make The Forbes 400.

The Game

Once America’s infatuation with Lil’ Wayne and the birth of his new album, “Tha Carter III,” slowly fade away, the hip hop nation will gradually gravitate toward the buzz of the next biggest release. In the past, consumers have been forced to wait months (sometimes longer) before another potential “classic” made its way onto store shelves. For anyone who has a calendar and a Sharpie, however, we have the exact date to circle.

In spite of two delays over the past six weeks, rapper The Game will drop his highly-anticipated third studio album, “L.A.X.,” on July 22. Leading the project toward the ‘Promised Land’ is the Keyshia Cole collaborative single, “Game’s Pain,” which has seen an increase in radio play over the past month. Though the Los Angeles native previously insisted that his recording career would end after his third album, “L.A.X” might not yet be the rapper’s final recording chapter.

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth‘s DJ “Z,” The Game steps inside the booth to discuss the anticipation of “L.A.X.”, the influence of his music on the streets of Los Angeles, being snubbed by MTV’s “Top 10 MC’s” list, and why retirement announcements following his forthcoming project might have been premature.

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Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Michelle Williams

Since 2002, Destiny’s Child alum Michelle Williams has released two gospel albums; both received mixed reviews and neither produced notable sales. Moving on to a new stage in her musical career and personal life, however, Williams is preparing to release a new contemporary R&B project this August, appropriately entitled “Unexpected.”

A native of Rockford, Illinois, Williams started recording her new project in 2006, but after consulting with industry friends and family members she decided to scrap most of the material. Now, led by the current single, “We Break The Dawn,” the forthcoming album will include a hefty amount of up-tempo records. Collaborators on this new body of work include Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Stargate.

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth‘s DJ “Z,” Michelle steps inside the booth to clear up several misconceptions about the direction of her new music. In addition, she discusses the most unexpected moment in her life, the ability to have fun at a club without consuming alcohol, and the chances that Destiny’s Child will someday release a new album.

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