This video captures a Ted Talk by UK producer Mark Ronson, examining the ways that sampling has transformed music.  Sampling isn’t about “hijacking nostalgia wholesale,” says Mark Ronson. It’s about “inserting yourself into the narrative of a song, while also pushing that story forward”. Check it out and let us know what you think of…

Republic Records has announced that David Nathan, SVP of promotion and artist development, will move up to Big Label Machine Group, where he will service as a high-level executive intermediary between the companies. “David has been one of the pioneers of Republic since its inception,” says the label’s co-founder and chief executive Monte Lipman. “As…

“I never felt more alive, riding shotgun in Klein’s green five,” rapped Jay Z on his Black Album track “Allure.” Now the man mentioned on those bars is speaking out about his history with Jay Z. [ALSO READ: Jay Z & Drake Show Respect To Each Other’s Basketball Team] Calvin Klein Bacote connected with VladTV, and the author…

Dr. Dre filed a lawsuit against his former label, Death Row Records, for $3.05 million in unpaid royalties earlier this year, and now a judge has dismissed his claim. The rap producer and self-proclaimed billionaire, as of last week’s reported deal between his company Beats and Apple, was seeking money the label brought in during…

At Communikey 2014 in Boulder, Colorado, Dubspot hosted a series of free Ableton Live workshops with Thavius Beck. http://www.dubspot.com/ableton-live/ In this video recap, electronic music producer and Dubspot LA Instructor Thavius Beck demonstrates live performance possibilities and DJing using Ableton Live and the Keith McMillen QuNeo. Head over to our blog for more info: Check…

You’ve heard his recent work on Pharell Williams’s “Happy”, JAY Z, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Boyz II Men, and more. Mix Engineer Leslie Brathwaite joins Dave and Herb on the 162 episode of Pensado’s Place. [Pensado’s Place]

Remember to cherish your mother while you can and not just on, “Mother’s Day.” [RealTalkNY]

[SonicState]

Diddy received a honorary doctorate from Howard University and delivered a commencement…

Despite claiming that he would shortly be the first billionaire in hip-hop, Dr Dre won’t reach that milestone even if yesterday’s reports that technology giant Apple are in talks to acquire Beats Electronics for USD$3.2 billion are true….