DJ Hero 2 Coming Soon

Tags: DJ, Video Game

Following the release of DJ Hero last year, Activision will be releasing the second volume of the interactive game this fall.  It apparently got tested over the weekend by someone at Kotaku who wrote up this report on the new game.  It sounds like there are some actual improvements which allow for more creativity by it’s players…

“The first big difference I noticed was freestyle scratching. Instead of directional arrows telling you how exactly to scratch the turntable, some scratch indicators are blank, letting you cut loose with your own patterns. McSherry said this was to give players a feel for what it’s really like touching your fingers to the vinyl. It’s a nice effect.

The biggest change in DJ Hero 2 is the ability to screw with your opponent.

Take the rewind. When a player gains enough power, they can spin the platter backwards, going over the track again, accumulating more points. In DJ Hero this was left out of multiplayer, as it leaves your opponents standing there looking stupid.

In DJ Hero 2, they leave the feature in, as it leaves your opponent standing there looking stupid.

It’s a prime example of the new design direction FreeStyle has taken with DJ Hero 2 in order to make it a more competitive game.”

So what do you think?  Will you be picking the game up?

Deadmau5 Named Musical Maestro For VMA’s

Tags: Deadmau5, DJ, Music News

DJ/Electronica artist, Deadmau5 has been named the “musical maestro” for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.  Following up his headlining gigs at Coachella, Ultra Music Festival and Electronic Daisy Carnival, he will be the house artist of the event and will be creating original remixes on the spot.  Here’s what he had to say about the news…

“It’s a wicked honor and privilege to do whatever the hell it is I am doing at the 2010 VMAs, and I am super stoked.”

Sounds like he may also be a bit confused.  Past artists to fill role include DJ AM, Travis Barker, Mark Ronson and Wale.  The show takes place on Septemeber 12th in Los Angeles.

The Weekend’s Bad News

Tags: Dance, DJ, Festival, Kings of Leon, Media, Music News, Rock, Tour

Over this past weekend, there were 2 live performances which made headlines.  On Saturday (7/24), a dance music festival called The Love Parade took place in Germany.  Its an annual event which has taken place since 1989 (originally in Berlin) and features a number of the world’s leading DJs and dance artists.  Somewhere around 1.4 million people showed up however the grounds were unable to support that many people.  Although it’s not entirely clear how it happened, 19 people were killed when a stampede occurred in a tunnel leading to the site of the event, an old industrial railway station.  An organizer for the event held a press conference afterward stating there will never again be a Love Parade out of respect for those who lost their lives.

On a much lighter note, Kings Of Leon stopped playing after just 3 songs in St. Louis on Friday (7/23), due to an infestation of pigeons who continuously crapped all over the stage and the band themselves.  The group’s bassist, Jared Followill, even got some in his mouth, according to reports.  He told the press “We couldn’t believe what [opening acts] The Postelles and The Stills looked like after their sets.  We didn’t want to cancel the show, so we went for it. We tried to play. It was ridiculous.”

Live Nation said they are giving full refunds to ticket holders and the band said they will return as soon as possible.

Here is some amateur footage taken as the staff of the venue announced the show was over…

New Fat Joe Track

Tags: DJ Premiere, Fat Joe, Hearsay, Hip Hop, Music News, New Music

In a week from today (7/27) Fat Joe is releasing his latest album, The Darkside.  Young Jeezy and Trey Songz are some of the featured artists also included on the release.  The album’s closing track is a tune called “I’m Gone.”  It’s produced by DJ Premiere and was supposedly recorded the night that Premiere’s Gang Starr partner, Guru passed away.  Have a listen here.  Just know that the song is basically over after the first two and a half minutes.  After that, Joe is just talking.

New Kelly Rowland Video

Tags: Dance, David Guetta, DJ, Kelly Rowland, New Music, Pop

Kelly Rowland must have enjoyed working with French DJ David Guetta on last year’s “When Love Takes Over,” cause she tapped him to do some production work for her own album.  Check out the video above for her new single “Commander” where Kelly has a dance battle with… well… Kelly.  The song will be on her upcoming solo album.

Pauly D… America’s Best DJ??

Tags: DJ, Hearsay, Music News, Pauly D

The DJ world is up in arms right now as the list of nominees for this year’s “America’s Best DJ” competition has been announced.  The winner will be chosen via votes and the list is comprised of 100 names.  However, it seems like 99 of them are pissed to see Pauly D of “Jersey Shore” fame included.

Last year’s winner was Z-Trip, a long time veteran in the game who has released albums as a producer, played major festivals such as this year’s Coachella, and toured the world many times over.  Well Z-Trip did not hide his feelings on the Pauly D… situation (pardon the pun).  He took to his Twitter with the following…

“Being last years winner, I have 2 say, it’s a bit of a knock 2 all the OG’s 2 include Pauly D on Americas Best DJ 2010 ballot.”

“While I respect his hustle to get over on people, I personally don’t feel he’s done the work needed to be included on the list…2 me, he is on that list based mostly off of the show, not his skill level. I’m hoping people vote 4 the right DJ’s based on skill, not fame.”

“Again, Pauly, get yours in this world. But if you win, I can’t help but feel let down. U R no Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, Craze, etc. Not yet anyway. Keep practicing, like the rest of us, let UR skills rise. If U keep at it, eventually U can earn it. But nobody knew who U were b4 the show.”

We do know that Pauly has secured himself a lot of DJ gigs around the country, including at hot spots in Vegas (which means he must have SOME sort of skill level), but it does seem like the rest of the list has put a bit more work in while Pauly has been able to find a shortcut.  So what do you think?  Should he be included?  Or does it bring down the credibility of the competition as a whole?

These Are The Breaks, Episode 3

Tags: DJ, Media

Vevo unleashed the 3rd episode fo their mini DJ documentary, These Are the Breaks.  This one focuses on technology as we hear a number of popular DJs discuss the evolution as well as the introduction of tools like Serato and Twitter.  Check it out above.

DJ AM Cameo Staying In Iron Man 2

Tags: DJ, DJ AM, Hip Hop, Music News

The highly anticipated Iron Man 2 movie will be in theatres on May 7th.  Those who check it out, will notice a scene in which DJ AM makes a cameo as Tony Stark (played by Rober Downey Jr.) requests the song “California Love” by 2Pac.  The decision was made to leave the scene in the film.  Director Jon Favreau had this to say about it…

“We tried to make it respectful, and for people who know him, they’ll get a kick out of it and for people who don’t, it will sort of slide by without much notice.”

DJ Grandma

Tags: Dance, DJ, Media, Music News

A few months ago, we introduced you to the DJ with no arms.  That was special.  However this is something to see as well.  Ruth Flowersis nearly 70 years old and is a DJ in Paris.  Think I’m lying?  Check it out for yourself.

A DJ… With NO Arms

Tags: Dance, DJ, Media

And you thought you had it tough because your Bose headphones snapped and you had to listen to your new Lady Gaga remix on the dinky ipod earbuds.  Check this guy out… he’s a DJ… with no arms!  He uses his feet to do everything… pull out the cds, cue up the songs, wave to the crowd, even to have a smoke during his set.  No joke.

Ok, so the house music might not be your cup of tea, but the guy’s got no arms!!!!!!!!!  If you see him in the club, show him some appreciation.  Give him a hug.  Offer him a cigarette.  Throw him a high five.  Ok, well forget the high five.  But show this guy some love!!! 

We salute you no arm DJ.  Well done.