Dr. Dre's Headphones: Chronically Good

Posted 7/24/2008 by IGA

Not too long ago, I went to a friend's house here in Northern California for a wine tasting. The host had already put the wines, which ranged from $12 to $200 a bottle, into burlap bags—the better to test the palettes of the wine-loving guests.

Of course, having sipped a lot of wine in your life doesn't necessarily make you an expert. No one had a clue what they were drinking. Yes, most of us could distinguish the cheapest bottle of swill from the best one. But beyond that? We may as well have had flannel socks on our tongues for all the good our taste buds did us.

Until sampling Dr. Dre's Beats — a high-end headphone that goes on sale at Best Buys and Apple stores everywhere, I felt the same way about personal listening devices. And I've been trying out many different kinds lately, in ear, over the ear, wireless, noise cancellation, etc., at a variety of price points.

» Full story at Time.com

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Highly Anticipated "Beats by Dr. Dre"

Posted 7/22/2008 by IGA

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Highly Anticipated "Beats™ by Dr. Dre™"
High Definition Headphones
Exclusively Available at Apple® and Best Buy®

 The Most Advanced Headphones Ever Developed, Monster's "Beats By Dr. Dre" Let Consumers Hear What They've Been Missing –
 Music the Way the Artist Intended

Brisbane, CA, July 22, 2008 –Legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre, Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine and Monster®, the leader in audio/video accessories, announced that their new Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ high definition powered isolation™ headphones will be available on July 25th at Apple® retail and online stores (www.apple.com), Best Buy® stores and BestBuy.com®, as well as the official website beatsbydre.com, for a price of $349.95.

To provide consumers with a brand new level of headphone audio performance with extreme clarity, deep bass and full power which had been lacking in conventional headphones, Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and Monster set out to develop a new type of headphone with the capability to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that musical artists and producers hear in professional recording studios.

Noted Dr. Dre: "Artists and producers work hard in the studio perfecting their sound, but people can't really hear it with normal headphones. Most headphones can't handle the bass, the detail, the dynamics. Bottom line: the music doesn't move you.  With Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear and listen to the music the way they should – the way I do."

The Quest for True High Definition Headphone Sound

After endless acoustical engineering research, Monster finally achieved the kind of rich, high definition sound Dr. Dre was seeking. By combining new advanced materials, sophisticated construction, extra large drivers, and a powerful digital amplifier, Beats™ By Dre™ deliver clear vocals, detailed highs, and super low, deep bass.  Furthermore, to recreate the quietness of an isolated recording studio listening experience, they also feature powered ambient noise-isolation, allowing consumers to hear all the details and nuances in their music.

Since hearing is believing, Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphones are exclusively available at Apple and Best Buy, which are providing special demonstration stations at select stores that give consumers the opportunity to experience the headphones for themselves.

Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ are designed to provide maximum performance when used with all of today's portable music devices – and they're being released just in time for use with the new Apple® iPhone™ 3G.  In fact, for consumers who have an iPhone, Blackberry®, and other music-enabled phones, Beats™ By Dr. Dre™ comes with additional Monster iSoniTalk™ headphone cable with integrated high grade microphone and answer button.

"Dre and I have been developing these headphones for a while and in Monster we found a partner that could work with us to crystallize his vision and develop them to the quality level he expects," said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "Beats™ By Dr. Dre™ is yet another example of Interscope's commitment to working together with its artists in developing new avenues to experience music."

Kevin Lee, VP of Product and Marketing for Monster, noted: "After three years of hard work, we're extremely excited about launching Beats™ By Dr. Dre™.  This is the most advanced headphone ever built and delivers a music experience I think people will find amazing."
Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ feature a unique stylish look and fashion, and come with a convenient, hip carrying case. The wide adjustable headband, soft plush hinged ear cups and high-quality Monster cable makes the Beats listening experience unmatched for comfort and sound.  

ABOUT DR. DRE
In addition to being a multiple Grammy award winning producer, Dr. Dre is an artist who helped create groundbreaking records with the group N.W.A. and landmark multi-platinum solo albums The Chronic and Dr. Dre 2001.  He is currently working on his third and final album, Detox.   Dre has also shaped the careers of numerous artists including Snoop Dogg and Eminem, who is signed to Dre's record company, Aftermath Entertainment.  Dre has been associated in producing countless hits for a range of artists including 50 Cent, Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige and Eve with a combined worldwide sales total of more than 80 million records sold over the past two decades. 

ABOUT JIMMY IOVINE
Jimmy Iovine is the Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records whose artists include U2, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Nelly Furtado and The Black Eyed Peas,   Prior to founding Interscope in 1990, Iovine was an acclaimed record producer and engineer and was twice voted Producer of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine.  He produced chart-topping albums for artists including U2, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Dire Straits, Bob Seger, Patti Smith and Stevie Nicks and engineered albums for John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen.

ABOUT MONSTER
Monster, under its Monster Cable brand, is the world's leading manufacturer of connectivity solutions for high performance audio, video, car audio, computer, console and computer gaming, professional audio and sound reinforcement. Monster, under its Monster Power® brand, is also the leading manufacturer of high performance AC power line conditioning and protection products for audio/video systems.                                                          
Explore the world of Monster at www.MonsterCable.com

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GRAMMY PRODUCER OF THE YEAR MARK RONSON PARTNERS HIS ALLIDO

Posted 4/11/2008 by IGA

Album From New Artist Wale Expected By End Of The Year

SANTA MONICA, CA - April 11, 2008 -- Mark Ronson, Grammy Award winner for Producer of the Year, Record of the Year and Pop Vocal Album (the latter two for his work with Amy Winehouse) will bring his Allido Records label to Interscope Geffen A&M Records. The joint venture between Allido, co-owned by Ronson and Rich Kleiman, and the Interscope Records label will be home to a wide range of artists and projects.

"One of the foundations of Interscope has been partnering with producers who can move the needle of popular culture," said Jimmy Iovine. "Mark has that rare ear for great songs and artists who will have extraordinary careers. We're thrilled to be in business with him." Ronson, as an artist or producer, will not be exclusive to Allido/Interscope.

The first artist signed to Allido/Interscope is Wale (pronounced wah-lay), a young, go-go influenced, hip-hop sensation from Washington, DC, who has been touted in both Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly as an artist to watch in 2008. His debut album is expected by year's end.

"Jimmy Iovine is a dude," explains Ronson. "The plain fact that he started out as an engineer on Born To Run, went on to produce records for U2 and Patti Smith, and then formed one of the most influential labels in the history of American music encapsulates every reason why I would want to be in business with Interscope Records. I've always tried to balance discovering brilliant new talent and producing great records; and, along with Rich Kleiman, then putting those records out through Allido Records. Interscope is the perfect place for us to do that. What a dude."

"Although we've signed individual artists to majors since our inception, Allido has always developed organically and independently. However, the time has arrived to formally bring the label to a place that has the infrastructure of a major but that is still willing to think outside the box," explained Kleiman. "Interscope has a reputation for being a true partner in their joint ventures and this is an invaluable characteristic."

"Mark and Rich have an incredible working partnership that's resulted in a true melding of artistic and business vision," commented Luke Wood, the executive at Interscope Geffen A&M who brokered the deal for the company. "We're looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Allido."

Ronson was nominated for three Grammys at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, winning for Producer of the Year (for Winehouse's Back To Black album, its "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good" tracks, Lily Allen's "Littlest Things," and his own album, Version), Record of the Year ("Rehab") and Pop Vocal Album(Back To Black). The other nomination was for Album of the Year (for Back To Black). An internationally renowned DJ, Ronson has also recently worked on albums from Christina Aguilera and Robbie Williams.

Allido Records, based in New York City, was launched in 2004 as an independent imprint and has since released a handful of albums via individual artist deals, including releases by Rhymefest, and Ronson himself, and Daniel Meriweather later this year. Allido has worked on numerous music supervision projects and released soundtracks to the Oscar-nominated movie Half Nelson and a compilation series for the Hard Rock Hotel Group.

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Win Jimmy Eat World Tickets!

Posted 3/18/2008 by IGA

Buzznet has teamed up with Paramore and Jimmy Eat World for the ultimate co-headline tour group.  When you join the group you can select from a drop down menu the city nearest you that you would like tickets for, but hurry the deadline to WIN a PAIR of TICKETS is March 26th. If you can’t make it to a show or you are feeling artistic, design a tour banner for Jimmy Eat World & Paramore’s Tour by April 5th and ENTER TO WIN a MacBook Air!!
Click Here to Enter Now!

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THE ROLLING STONES & UNIVERSAL MUSIC LINK FOR ‘SHINE A LIGHT’ SOUNDTRACK

Posted 1/19/2008 by Admin

London, January 17 2008:  The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group (UMG) are delighted to announce they have signed an exclusive worldwide recording agreement for the group’s next album due for release in March 2008.
 
The one album deal is for the soundtrack CD from director Martin Scorsese’s film ‘Shine A Light’. The movie, set for cinema release in April 2008, was shot at The Rolling Stones’ acclaimed performance at New York’s Beacon Theatre in the autumn of 2006. With special guests Buddy Guy, White Stripes’ Jack White and Christine Aguilera joining the Stones onstage, the Oscar-winning director captures an extraordinary performance from the band. The film also integrates rarely seen archival footage of the Stones in a unique cinema experience.
 
A spokesman for The Rolling Stones said, “The band are looking forward to working with Universal Music and are excited about this new venture.”
 
This new deal for the Rolling Stones comes on the back of their record breaking A Bigger Bang World Tour which ended in triumph at London’s O2 Arena in August 2007.
 
The ‘Shine A Light’ soundtrack will receive a physical and digital release across Universal Music’s labels around the world. It will be released in the US by Interscope Records.
 
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's largest global music publishing operation.

Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Emarcy, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Geffen Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal South Records and Verve Music Group, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies division, and Global Digital Initiatives.

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.

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50th Annual Grammy Awards nominations announced!

Posted 12/7/2007 by Admin

The nominations for the 50^th Annual Grammy Awards were announced this morning. Congratulations to the Interscope Geffen A&M artists who received nominations in the following categories:

Best New Artist
Feist

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
“1234”- Feist
“Big Girls Don’t Cry”- Fergie
“Say It Right”- Nelly Furtado

Best Pop Performance by duo or group w/vocals
U2- “Window in the Skies”
Maroon 5- “Makes Me Wonder”

Best Pop collaboration w/vocals
“Sweet Escape”- Gwen Stefani featuring Akon
“Give It To Me”- Timbaland featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake

Best Pop Album
Feist- The Reminder
Maroon 5- It Won’t Be Soon Before Long

Best Solo Rock Performance
Beck- “Timebomb”

Best Rock Performance by duo or group w/vocals
U2 – “Instant Karma” (from the album Instant Karma- the campaign Darfur)

Best Hard Rock performance
Queens of the Stone Age- “Sick, Sick, Sick”

Best Female R&B vocal performance
Mary J. Blige- “Just Fine”

Best contemporary R&B Album
Keyshia Cole- Just Like You

Best Solo Rap Performance
Common- “The People”
50 Cent- “I Get Money”

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
Common feat. Kanye West- “Southside”

Best Rap Song
“Ayo Technology”- 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake
“Crank That (Soulja Boy)”- Soulja Boy Tell'Em

Best Rap Album
Common- Finding Forever

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
Across The Universe

Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
“You Know My Name” (Casino Royale)- Chris Cornell

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Timbaland

Best Short Form Music Video
“1234”- Feist

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Let It Go”- Keyshia Cole feat. Missy Elliot and Lil’ Kim

Artists nominated for work w/other artists:

Best R&B performancen by a duo or group w/vocals
Chaka Khan Featuring Mary J. Blige- “Disrespectful”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“I Wanna Love You” Akon feat. Snoop Dogg

For a full listing of Grammy Nominees, please go to grammy.com

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2007 Video Music Awards!!

Posted 9/7/2007 by Admin

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2007 MTV Video Music Award Nominees!

Posted 8/14/2007 by Admin

» www.mtv.com

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2007 Teen Choice Award Nominations!

Posted 7/4/2007 by Admin

Congratulations to our 2007 Teen Choice Awards Nominees!!

Click HERE to vote for the '07 nominees!    

Choice Music: Single
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani Featuring Akon
Give It To Me - Timbaland Featuring Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake

Choice Music: Male Artist
Timbaland

Choice Music: Female Artist
Gwen Stefani
Fergie

Choice Music: Rap Artist
Timbaland

Choice Music: Rock Group
All-American Rejects
Maroon 5

Choice Music: Breakout Artist - Male
Robin Thicke

Choice Music: Love Song
Lost Without You - Robin Thicke
Stolen - Dashboard Confessional

Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track
The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson & D.O.E.

Choice Music: Rock Track
Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

Choice TV: Reality/Variety Show
The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll

» www.fox.com

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Press Release

Posted 5/28/2007 by TennmanRecords

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 28, 2007

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE LAUNCHES TENNMAN RECORDS, JOINT VENTURE WITH INTERSCOPE RECORDS AND WILL SERVE AS CHAIRMAN AND CEO

KEN KOMISAR APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF TENNMAN RECORDS

(Los Angeles, CA)  Multi-platinum four time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Justin Timberlake has launched Tennman Records, a joint venture with Interscope Records, it was announced today by Jimmy Iovine, Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M.  Mr. Timberlake will serve as Chairman and CEO of the new joint venture, which will be based in Los Angeles and will be distributed worldwide by Interscope Geffen A&M.

Ken Komisar, former Vice President of A&R, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, has been appointed President of Tennman Records.  The first signings to the label will be announced in the weeks ahead.

“Whenever you have the opportunity to get into business with someone as gifted as Justin Timberlake, you take it,” commented Mr. Iovine.  “We are thrilled to have his label as part of Interscope.”

"We are all excited about the talent we have to offer already on our roster and I cannot wait to introduce the world to my new discoveries," said Mr. Timberlake.

"I am thrilled with the potential of this opportunity that combines the amazing creative talents of Justin Timberlake, along with the vision and passion of Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records. We are already underway with several artists in development, and look forward to sharing their work with music fans everywhere." said Mr. Komisar.

Justin Timberlake has amassed combined worldwide sales in excess of 13 million copies on his first two solo albums: Justified (2002, containing the hit singles "Like I Love You" featuring Clipse, "Cry Me A River," "Rock Your Body," and "Señorita") and FutureSex/LoveSounds with total worldwide sales of over 6 million (2006, with "SexyBack" featuring Timbaland, "My Love" featuring T.I., and "What Goes Around... Comes Around.")

Topping his list of numerous industry and consumer awards are his 4 Grammys: Best Pop Vocal Album for Justified and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Cry Me A River" at the 2004 ceremonies; and (at this year's Grammy Awards), Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "My Love" (featuring T.I.) and Best Dance Recording for "SexyBack" featuring Timbaland.  Justin Timberlake has also been honored with awards at the MTV Video Music Awards in the U.S. and Europe, BRIT Awards, American Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, World Music Awards, Mobo Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, MTV's TRL Awards, and NRJ Awards.

Ken Komisar is an industry veteran who has served as Vice President of A&R, Sony BMG Music Entertainment since 2000.  Prior to this, he spent a decade within the Sony family in various positions of increasing responsibility, starting in 1989, as Senior Director of A&R for Epic Records in Los Angeles.  In 1995, he joined Michael Jackson's MJJ Music label where he was involved in marketing and development of their acts.  Mr. Komisar began his career in music at Atlantic Records, starting in promotion, moving on to A&R, and then heading the Dance Department.

INTERSCOPE GEFFEN A&M RECORDS
Combining the legacies of three of the most influential record labels in modern music history, Interscope Geffen A&M Records embarked on a new tradition of musical achievement with its unification on January 1, 1999.  Headed by Chairman Jimmy Iovine, Interscope Geffen A&M is a major force in global music, developing chart-topping artists across a wide range of musical genres including rock, rap, pop and alternative. Interscope Geffen A&M Records is part of Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company.

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