Kanye West Audio

The Umbrella power... to sell lipstick. Rihanna’s hit song is featured in Cover Girl commercials, and she is just one in a sea of superstars who are the voice and the face of the new jingles on TV, from Dylan and Cadillac to The Eagles and Wal-Mart. Josh Rabinowitz , Billboard columnist and music executive at Grey Group advertising and David McGinnis , Head of licensing for Mute Song, discuss the new sound of the ad jingle.

Rapper and actor Ice-T is set to perform tonight with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In the performance, he will narrate "Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz," a poem from the 1960s by Langston Hughes. And while an ISO performance of Ice-T's classic album "O.G.: Original Gangster" is not on the program, tonight is not the first time classical music has backed an MC. We talk with writer Jayson Greene Our blog : John Schaefer at the crossroads of hip hop and classical

At many pop concerts, the audience is so busy filming and recording the experience with their cell phones, they forget to pay attention to the music. Today, a "Soundcheck Smackdown" debate over whether cell phones are enhancing or ruining concerts. We're joined by Thor Christensen , pop music critic for the Dallas Morning News, and Eliot Van Buskirk , columnist for Wired.com. Our blog : John Schaefer on cell phones at concerts. Plus, A listener submits a cell phone photo from a concert Tell us : Do you have an opinion about the impact of cell phones on the concert experience? Do you have a story to tell about a cell phone at a concert? Leave a comment .

Lil’ Wayne claims to be the best rapper alive, but it took New Orleans' most famous guest MC two years to put out his new album. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate Lil’ Wayne’s claim to greatness and his new album, "Tha Carter III." Joining us in studio: Sasha Frere-Jones , pop music critic for the New Yorker magazine, and Jake Paine , senior editor of the website Hiphopdx.com. Our blog : John Schaefer on Lil' Wayne Tell us : Is Lil' Wayne the best rapper alive? Why or why not?

Membership in a lighthearted vocal group is a fond memory for many college graduates. For others, including more than a few celebrities, a year or two in a cappella is something they'd rather forget. Mickey Rapkin , author of the book “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory” and a senior editor at GQ magazine, explains why a cappella is a polarizing force -- one that might be going mainstream. Our blog : John Schaefer on a cappella groups. Tell us : Are you an alumnus or alumna of an a cappella group? How do you look back at your time in one?

The hot months ahead are the busiest for concert-goers and there are events all over the city. Yancey Strickler from eMusic.com brings some help, picking the ten events you can’t miss. Top ten New York summer concerts, compiled by eMusic editor Yancey Strickler 5/30 Wire at South Street Seaport 6/12 Isaac Hayes at Prospect Park 6/14 Vampire Weekend at Summerstage 6/28 Obits at East Side Ampitheatre 6/28 Mos Def Big Band with Gil-Scot Heron at Carnegie Hall 7/4 Sonic Youth + The Feelies at Battery Park 7/19 Siren Festival 7/29 Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center 8/3 Rock the Bells at Jones Beach Tribe Called Quest, Santogold, Nas, Spank Rock, Cool Kids 8/10 All Points West at Liberty State Park Radiohead, Cat Power, New Pornographers 9/21 My Bloody Valentine, Yo La Tengo at All Tomorrow's Parties, Catskills, NY

Like Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, Madonna will spend 2008 attempting to reclaim the diva crown she once held. Her new album out today, "Hard Candy," is either the Material Girl's return to dance-pop form, or an aging star's sad trip down memory lane. (Either way, collaborators Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and the Neptunes are along for the ride.) We'll debate Madonna's relevance with Los Angeles Times chief pop music critic Ann Powers and Greg Kot , Chicago Tribune pop music critic and co-host of the radio program "Sound Opinions." Tell us : What do you think of Madonna? Is she a diva ... or done? Our blog : Find out what John Schaefer thinks of Madonna .

After its release in 2006, Peter Bjorn and John's catchy hit "Young Folks" seemed to be everywhere, including TV shows "Gossip Girl" and "Grey's Anatomy" and ads for Target and a Samsung mobile phone. Even though the group toured almost constantly for two years, member Peter Morén somehow managed to record a solo album called "The Last Tycoon." He talks about the album's F. Scott Fitzgerald-inspired theme, and he plays live in our studio. Peter Morén performs at Mercury Lounge on Monday, April 21 at 10 p.m.

He’s been called the "Andy Warhol of Japan": Takashi Murakami is a contemporary Japanese artist who blurs the lines between fine art and pop culture. He draws on Japanese comics and animation to mak....

Music industry watchers have been obsessed with the future of hip hop ever since the genre's birth 30 years ago. But sales were down 30% in 2007 and superstars like 50 Cent have lost their luster. We talk about the future of hip hop with longtime MC Del the Funky Homosapien and New Yorker staff writer Kelefa Sanneh . Kelefa Sanneh's picks for bright spots in hip hop: Lil' Wayne, “Lollipop” The-Dream, “She Needs My Love” from Lovehate UGK (Underground Kingz) featuring Outkast, “Int’l Players Anthem” from Underground Kingz Tiny Tempah, “When I Was Young” from Room 147 Yo Gotti, "Walkin in Memphis"