Heave Media

Friday: I hate when people lie. Didn’t Jay-Z say he was going to retire a couple of years ago? And then he didn’t? Perhaps that’s why I’m having trouble giving credence to the news that Jay has left Def Jam. While he still technically owes them an album, he bought himself out for $5 million, according to Hits Daily Double. Thankfully though, it sounds like they actually parted on nice terms, as Rap Radar reports. He spoke directly to Doug Morris, the chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group, and he publicly thanked the label for letting him be an independent artist. Who knew retirement could keep a person so busy and diplomatic?

Saturday: Mmmk, so remember last week when I said that the Danger Mouse collaboration with Sparklehorse wasn’t happening anymore? Scratch that shit. Dark Night of the Soul is out there…but you’ve got to find it yourself. It’s going to be released as a blank CD-R, and the buyer will have to find the music and burn it for themselves. Also, when you buy the blank CD, you’ll get a 100+ page limited edition book of David Lynch’s photography, inspired by the music. This is officially cooler and more mysteries than In Rainbows. 

Sunday: Jay Bennett, former member of Wilco, died today in Urbana, IL at the age of 45. This comes right after Bennett sued Jeff Tweedy for royalties stemming from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and the documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. The cause of death is unknown, and Wilco was unavailable for comment due to touring.

Monday: Happy Memorial Day, everyone! I should probably post a video of “God Bless America” or something like that, but I’d much rather everyone watch a video of a cute, all-girl Swedish band. Enjoy!

Tuesday: You gotta love when former lovers (or rumored siblings) can get along no matter what. Meg and Jack White might have a confusing relationship, but Meg’s recent marriage to Patti Smith’s son, Jackson Smith, happened right in Jack’s backyard. Precious, right?

I’ve got to hand it to T.I., because he seems to be one of the only rappers in the world that’s remorseful about being a criminal. He reports to prison today, only after finishing “T.I.’s Final Goodbye Bash” and loads of community service. See you in 366 days, T.I.

Wednesday: While August is always a sultry month, things just got a little dirty. Jay Reatard, Mr. Garage Rock, will be releasing a full-length LP entitled Watch Me Fall on August 18. Here’s something to keep you entertained until then.

Oh hey guys—did you hear that Chris Brown “ain’t a monster” and that we’re all just being haters? Check it. Yeah, you ain’t a monster, Chris Breezy. You just pummeled your girlfriend’s face in and said you were going to kill her. Sorry, ALLEGEDLY pummeled and threatened. The only thing that would have made this message better would have been if he accused all those “haters” of jockin’ his style. He gets the You, Sir, Are a Bag of Dicks award for the rest of his life.  

Thursday: New album rundown: Sigur Ros is recording their new LP, due out at some point next year, Vivian Girls will have their second album for us on September 8, and Yoko Ono is releasing a four-song EP on June 9 entitled Don’t Stop Me!