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Esther Bejarano says music helped keep her alive as a Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz and in the years that followed. Now, 65 years after the liberation of the Nazi death camp, the 85-year-old has teamed up with the hip-hop band Microphone Mafia to spread her anti-racism message to German youth. more -

The Black Eyed Peas TV Takeover

Fuse, Madison Square Garden's national music television network, continues its Artist Takeover Mondays on February 1st with an entire day dedicated to The Black Eyed Peas.

Starting at 11am ET, viewers can catch exclusive interviews, music videos and concert performances from the Grammy-winning group in a block of artist dedicated shows like "The Black Eyed Peas: Then & Now" and "Loaded: The Black Eyed Peas."

The globally recognized hip hop group broke through the music scene with their 2003 Elephunk album. Since then, The Black Eyed Peas have won over fans of all genres through their energizing songs, lyrics and music videos. Watch their seven-year career develop from classics like "Let's Get it Started" and "Shut Up," to today's hits – "Boom Boom Pow" and "Meet Me Halfway." - more on this story

Dirtball Joins The Kottonmouth Kings

The Kottonmouth Kings have revealed the next era in their ongoing legacy by announcing the addition of the group's newest member, the Dirtball. This notorious party monster has been a label mate of Kings for years, releasing a series of cult classic albums under the Suburban Noize banner and doing countless tours alongside the group.

The group initiated the Oregon based rapper by having him get a KMK crown tattooed on his chest. The logo is a symbol of pride worn by not only the group, but it's thousands of die-hard fans who have it tattooed all over their bodies. Fans can watch Dirtball's initiation into the group online here

"This is most definitely a huge step for me in the rap path," commented Dirtball about joining the group. "I am honored to be joining such a strong force as the Kottonmouth Kings, and I'm proud to have found a band of brothers who not only have an endless array of talent, but they smoke just as much weed as I do." - more on this story

Ananesworld Coming

On April 20, Nervous Records will release the sophomore album from Anane entitled Ananesworld. A fitting title as it's composed of music ranging in styles from dance, reggae, rock, R&B soul, world and the Caribbean; and because there's a level of honesty that connects Anane with every note that's performed on the album. Dance albums often come across as "tracks," but what we have with Ananesworld is something more…It's a rich album that throws back to a meaningful time and place.

Produced by Grammy Award Winner Louie Vega and co-produced by Anane, it won't take very long to get fully immersed in Ananesworld. The opening track is a sparkling bass-heavy cover of Yoko Ono's "Walking On Thin Ice" that brings some serious chic disco flavor. "Plastic People" offers a dance rock hybrid with tropical island flair while "Rock The Cradle" delivers a poignant message through whispers of reggae (both tracks co-written by Anane and Lisa Fischer).

Straight out of a vintage movie soundtrack the smoky and sexy "Terra Longe" and "Bem Ma Mi" are pure class from the French Riviera. Next, an interlude provides a clear transition between the two sides of Ananesworld. "Bigger Than Life," "My Sexy Way" (co-written by Anane and Duane Harden) and "A New Born Day" reflect a love of classic R&B; "Let Me Love You" and "Let's Get High (Life Love Music)" reveals Anane's dancier side; and Dancehall King Mr. Vegas and MC Tony Touch help tear it up on "Shake It" (co-written by Anane and Duane Harden). A thick slice of 80's NYC punk on "Standing In Line" leads to a massive surprise that's "Love To Love You Baby." While there's no doubt you're familiar with Donna Summer's original, we're positive you've never heard it quite like this. That's because Anane teamed up with iconic Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli for a stunning rendition of the classic. - more on this story

Neal McCoy and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Embark on USO Tour

Country music icon Neal McCoy recently departed on a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to the UK, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, January 25-31, 2010. Joining McCoy on his 14th USO tour are four of "America's Sweethearts"- the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC). As part of the week-long USO European trip, McCoy and the DCC will perform for troops and their families, sign autographs and pose for photographs.

The son of an Irish American father who served in the U.S. Army and a Filipino mother, McCoy is a strong supporter of the U.S. military. Having worked with the USO for nearly a decade, he has performed for thousands of troops and their families, and delivered countless words of encouragement to service men and women stationed around the world. Some of the countries McCoy has toured include Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Bosnia and Italy.

"Touring with the USO is something I always look forward to," said McCoy. "Having the opportunity to perform for the men and women who protect and serve this country is truly an honor and being able to share the stage with the DCC is an added bonus." - more on this story

Joyo Velarde Announces Album Release

Joyo Velarde's debut full-length album Love and Understanding is set to be released on February 16, 2010 (Quannum Projects). Joyo was born in Manila but later relocated to the Bay Area, where she is known as the female voice behind the seminal independent label Quannum.

Love and Understanding – preceded by her 5-song self-titled EP (released digitally in May 2009) – consists of twelve tracks that were specially assembled by Joyo, Lyrics Born and fellow producers Jake One, Emmy Award winner Asa Taccone, RJD2, Tommy Guerrero, Headnodic (Crown City Rockers), and the Lifesavas' Jumbo the Garbageman.

Think Vanessa Williams meets Amel Larrieux (Groove Theory). Joyo blends soul and hip hop stylishly with her stunning vocal range at the forefront. Pulling from Minnie Riperton, Chaka Khan and Tina Marie as well as contemporary R&B singers like Alicia Keys, Solange, Angie Stone and Raheem DeVaughn, Joyo has truly mastered her craft. On "You Got Me (In the Mood)" Joyo reminds you of a female version of Marvin Gaye, while on "Lower Deck" she is truly reminiscent of Denise Williams on her hit song "Silly." Joyo's classical study with an opera company in Rome resonates throughout the album, particularly the track "On And On." - more on this story

The Souljazz Orchestra Announce New Album and Tour

Since their creation in 2002 in Ottawa, Canada, The Souljazz Orchestra have become one of the most potent bands in their field. Drawing on the rough, raw grooves of the '60s and '70s and effortlessly fusing soul, jazz, Afro and latin rhythms within their music, they have moved forward the blueprint of Fela, Fania and the funk in entirely new ways, whilst keeping the vital analog grit intact. As a live unit, the Orchestra have become an in-demand fixture at venues and festivals worldwide.

Having turned heads with two fine albums on Toronto label Do Right!, Freedom No Go Die (2006, featuring their breakthrough single "Mista President") and Manifesto (2008), Strut are proud to announce the band's third album, Rising Sun. Drawing on a wider canvas of styles than ever before, touching on spiritual jazz, deep African rhythms and Ethiopian modes, the Orchestra take their sound to new heights with stunning musicianship and virtuoso arrangements throughout. Long-time fan Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio One) has already acclaimed this album to be their best yet.

The tracks themselves flow as a sinuous whole. The reflective intro overture, Awakening, originally came to composer Pierre Chrétien in a dream; the hard Afrobeat of Agbara whips up a heavyweight groove, driven by prepared marimbas rather than traditional electric guitar lines; Negus Negast touches on dark Ethio-jazz, inspired by Strut label-mate Mulatu Astatke; Lotus Flower is a spiritual soul-jazz piece featuring the muted trumpet stylings of guest Nicholas Dyson (musician with Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations and The Coasters); Mamaya moves us into heavy 12/8 Afro-jazz territory, based around traditional Guinean rhythms; the more laid back 12/8 Afro-jazz of Serenity features the flute and clarinet work of multi-instrumentalist Zakari Frantz; Consecration explores modal territory, a track composed during the very early days of the group; and the album closes with Rejoice, a storming cover in two parts of the Pharoah Sanders' 1981 classic. - more on this story

The Constellations Set Release, Offering Free MP3

The Constellations will release their debut album Southern Gothic on EMI's Virgin Records on June 8. Rising stars of the Atlanta scene, the band—which is fronted by charismatic vocalist Elijah Jones—is set for a breakout year in 2010. Southern Gothic was produced by Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley), and features guest appearances by Cee-Lo and Asher Roth.

Following recent tours with the Greyboy Allstars and RJD2, The Constellations' upcoming touring plans will include a run of headlining dates with a stop at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City (Feb. 3), opening dates with Hockey (March 11-April 8), and their SXSW debut (March 18-21).

The band will also head to the UK for a five night residency in London (March 1-5), and release the 7" "Setback/Love Is A Murder" in the UK through the indie label Parallel Lines on March 8.

The band is currently giving away a free mp3 of the album's opening track "Setback" at - www.theconstellationsmusic.com.

Andrew Anderson Hitting The Road

There is a new sound on the popular Austin music scene and oddly enough it comes from the smooth, driving rhythm of a mandolin. Andrew Anderson is the 23-year-old Idaho native who is getting the music scene, of new hometown Austin, talking. Anderson's new self-released album, As Long As This Thing's Flyin', captures the rebellious, independent American spirit of a country crooner, wrestling with nature, with God, and with his own quest for the elusive prizes of love and righteousness in a troubled world. To support his new album, Anderson will be hitting the road starting on Saturday, March 6 in Boise, IA and continuing through the west coast and south before closing out the tour on Friday, March 31 in Seattle, WA.

As a songwriter, Anderson can cite his nomadic life on the road from Idaho to Seattle to Boston and back again as the spark that lit his creative fire. While studying at Boston's Berklee College of Music his professors helped Anderson to realize, and pursue his true talent of touring, writing and performing music during his study in Mandolin performance. His songs paint the crooning cowboy lifestyle -- lonesome highways that stretch into nowhere, that neighbor with the gun, or that dame he just couldn't win. Through Anderson's eyes all life's lessons are learned from mistakes, consequently the ghosts of which still haunt him. In the track "Fists up, Chin Down" he sings, "I left her. I'm not saying I regret it, but I've paid dearly for it. Now what am I to do?" In "Necessary Casualties", Anderson tells of loss and poverty, the effects of war on his own family, and a country torn over self-serving motives. His lyrics rebuke the country's leaders, "I don't see your sons heading off to war. All I see are the sons of the laid off, the jobless, the poor". With such vulnerability and truth no one could mistake Anderson's cowboy attitude swagger as an act.

Anderson's musical influences range from the melancholy of Townes Van Zandt to the artful blend of folk and rock from Chris Thile as well as David Bazan's raw composition and the soulful vocals of Adam Duritz. One thing is certain, Anderson's mandolin playing commands attention. Anderson admits he would like to be the next Hank Williams, but obviously without the tragic ending. Sure enough, he sings just like him, incapable from hiding his demons even from his dear old mother. In "The Hawk" he laments, "Momma, I just don't want you to worry. Momma, I just don't want you to cry. So, Momma, it's just best if you don't see me when I die." - more on this story

Urban Legend Set EP Release

Dynamic production duo, J-Radical and Kool Kojak, AKA Urban Legend, are gearing up for the release of their new EP, Tropical Techniques. The joint is slated for a February 16 release.

In the meantime, the guys have been doing their own thing as they prepare for the big release. J-Radical has been busy working on the upcoming film project for Sony Pictures, "Mardi Gras", while Kool Kojak, who is best known for his work on Flo Rida's "Right Round", continues being superproducer Dr. Luke's right hand producer. Recent work includes production on the new albums from rock-hip hop cats, Shwayze and pop sensation Ke#ha.

Tropical Techniques is the follow-up to the critically-acclaimed debut, Tranqulidad Cubana—the aftermath of a dizzying trip to Havana, and numerous red-eyed recording sessions lasting until the break of dawn. The debut EP earned 4 CMJ Top 5 hits with countless spins on tastemaker radio, including KCRW and KPFK. But who the f*** is Urban Legend? - more on this story