Remember when Kanye was talking about how he’d changed the way film could be viewed? As with many of Mr. West’s more bizarre ideas, the ones most assume will go nowhere, the “seven screen experience” (above) he bragged about has rapidly grown into reality, and a reality with a purpose.

Aside from the few tracks released, not much has been said about his approaching G.O.O.D. Music compilation. Until now, that is. When any other hip hop label releases a joint effort, it’s simplistic, only meant to help market the artists on that label. Of course, this wasn’t enough for Kanye West.

The album has been revealed to be called Cruel Summer – with a film of the same title to go along with it. The film, which makes use of the 7 screen contraption, is set to debut at Cannes no less, on May 23rd. No word as of yet on a release date for the album, but if the film is anything like West’s last, it will contain much of the music thus far unheard. Following the film’s debut, it will be open to the public for two days only, for which tickets can be purchased here.

Handsome Furs, the project of Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner and his wife Alexei Perry, have decided to breakup. The group released three albums in recent years on Sub Pop. The following was posted on their Facebook:

With a heavy heart the time has come to let all of you know that Handsome Furs are no more.

The most important thing that needs to be said right now is how extremely grateful we are to all the fans all over the world that showered us with love and support over the years. Thank you for everything! It’s been an incredible 6 years and we owe it all to you.

No word on the future plans for the members or if this is any indicator about their personal relationship, but we can all hope that maybe Wolf Parade will get back to being an active band.

This has been a sad few months. I’m posting this behind most other news sources, frankly, because I wasn’t quite sure what to say. For most music listeners checking this site – or any other of our type – Donna Summer was before your time, before our times. However, chances are she’s impacted each and every one of us, at least to some extent.

Donna Summer used to ring about my house, my mom completely unwilling to let go of her period of dominance, much like any of us, sticking loyally to our nineties memories. And what a period of domination it was: once upon a time, the lady had four #1 chart toppers in a year. I’ve yet to check (and am afraid to), but I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say Drake hasn’t pulled that off.

It’s easy to ignore the pop music our parents played, but it’s far more truthful to recognize its impact. Speaking personally, I know the sounds of Donna Summer influenced my musical growth at a very young age, so it’d be wrong for me not to show respect, show respect to the queen of disco. The singing legend passed away after a long battle with cancer, which she sought to keep away from the public and her fans as much as possible. She was also working diligently on a new album, which hopefully we’ll hear one of these days. That said, a note to the label: show her the respect she deserves, if it’s going to sound anything like Michael (the crap album Epic released to capitalize on Michael Jackson’s passing), just don’t do it. I’ll leave you with what’s quite possibly Mrs. Summer’s most obvious song, but today, what could be more appropriate?

As we previously reported, two of hip hop’s most underrated voices are coming together to release an album. Southern legend Scarface and the less recognized former Roc Boy badass Beanie Sigel revealed plans to record a joint effort last month, tenatively titled Mac and Brad, but little was said about when to expect the album, or if they’d completed any of it.

Now we have a bigger reason to get excited. Scarface revealed to MTV that they’re already well into the project, with each artist recording their own songs as bases, with the other than adding verses, an interesting idea that will hopefully successfully combine both MC’s styles. Face explains, “We doin’ songs, I got six, he got six. It’s a process that we go through to do this album.”

Scarface then promptly called Beans right on the spot (the opposite of their initial announcement, when Beans called in Face), having him chime in, giving the final word to get fans going: “It’s a reality now; you know our word is our bond. We said we gonna do somethin’, we gonna do it.”

The pair said to look out for the album next year. Let’s hope the hype builds and grants them the ability to release it even sooner. The two MC’s may come from very different backgrounds, but have a history of collaboration; essentially, this could make for one of the most rewarding rap albums on the horizon.

I’d wondered how Jagger would perform sans the Stones, and now have an answer, albeit grander than I’d ever imagined. Both bands will play as the legend’s backing band. Basically, make sure you have your schedule cleared the evening of May 19th.

As you may be aware, Eminem has long been flirting with plans for another foray into cinema. While it’s been a long time since his 8 Mile “debut” (in reality he’d already gone uncredited in Dr. Dre’s The Wash), Mathers like caught the acting bug once more on the set of Entourage and his brutal Funny People appearance.

Hence, a number of projects have come and gone, a thriller titled Have Gun, Will Travel, Shady Talez, which was rumored to be some crazed take on Alice in Wonderland and, most recently, Southpaw, a boxing drama. Word was that Em was serious this time, and genuinely meant to shoot the film, even applying for Michigan film incentives, as he intended the film to be set in Detroit, and pump some money into his beloved, limping state.

Now, as reported by the Detroit Free Press, Mathers has once more put his return to film on hold: in favor of a quicker release of his next musical project. Executive Vice President of marketing and publicity at Interscope, Dennis Dennehy, explains, ““He’s focusing on his music right now, so while he’s doing that, while he’s in that space, he wanted to put this on hold for the time being.”

If the album is similar to Recovery, perhaps it’s nothing to be overly excited for, but as we previously reported, Marshall’s been putting in time with DJ Premier, so perhaps his new musical bug will bring him closer to the Eminem that fans have been waiting for. Stay tuned for more as it hits the rumor mill, hopefully we have an exciting project ahead of us.

In the wake of what’s likely been the year’s saddest musical event, artists have spoken out on MCA’s passing, acknowledging both his and the Beastie Boys’ impact on hip hop and culture at large.

Firstly, Coldplay again covered “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” last night in L.A., the first time they’d done so since 2009 at the All Points West Music Festival, when they first learned of MCA’s battle with cancer. Watch the piano-led tribute at the bottom.

Many other musicians, rappers and rockers alike, mourned MCA as well.

“Adam Yauch brought a lot of positivity into the world and I think it’s obvious to anyone how big of an influence the Beastie Boys were on me and so many others… They are trailblazers and pioneers and Adam will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mike D., and Ad-Rock.” -Eminem

“One of my greatest moments in music was when I worked with the Beastie Boys. … Now today I’m hearing our brother is gone. I prayed this would not happen. MCA was so cool, man. We had great talks about what it was like for them in the beginning, getting into the rap game. I’ll never forget that experience for the rest of my life. MCA is a true legend who influenced me. God bless his soul and his loved ones.” -Nas

“RIP Adam Yauch. You made my teenage years more fun and your art made it easier for me to do what I do. For a Beastie, you sure were a beaut.” -Kevin Smith

“Rip dear Adam Yauch. Words can’t express the sadness and loss. Ur humor, talent & gentle soul are just irreplaceable. Be at peace brother.” -Tom Morello

“Prayers and all the love I could ever muster for Adam Yauch. What a beautiful man. God bless his beautiful soul. A class act all the way.” -Flea

“Now playing: something’s got to give: BEASTIE BOYS R.I.P. M.C.A. One of the best hip-hop groups of all time!” -Cee-Lo Green

“#restinpeaceMCA 1 of my favorite hiphop groups. hiphop raised a lot of us & now we have to wake up because are hero’s are dying too young.” -Will.I.Am

“We are so sorry to hear about the loss of the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch a true legend & inspirational to everyone in weezers generation.” -Weezer

“Crushed to hear the news of Adam Yauch’s passing. A true pioneer of art. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.#RIPMCA” -Justin Timberlake

“Adam made amazing artwork until the very end and he was a genuinely sweet guy. He will be sorely missed.” -Jack Black

“Mca Adam Yauch RIP… Im sittin in the former g son studios. Flying the flag half mast today…. Rap/punk hero, philanthropist, legend.” -Diplo

“Lollapalooza94 talked to Yauch almost everyday. He was full of wisdom & encouragement for a freaked out kid like I was. Thank you MCA. LoveBJ.” -Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day

“God Bless the soul of Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys. RIP” -Common

Adam “MCA” Yauch, founding member of the Beastie Boys and hip-hop pioneer, has passed away at age 47.

Back in 2009, Yauch announced that he had been diagnosed with lymph node cancer. Reports would later surface that Yauch had defeated the disease and was cancer-free, but an official conflicting statement released later asserted “while I’m grateful for all the positive energy people are sending my way, reports of my being totally cancer-free are exaggerated. I’m continuing treatment, staying optimistic and hoping to be cancer free in the near future.” Though unconfirmed, multiple reports suggest his passing was cancer-related.

Yauch, along with Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz formed the Beastie Boys in 1981. Together, the Brooklyn innovators released classic albums such as Licensed to Ill, Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, and Ill Communication, each record a landmark in hip-hop.The trio released Hot Sauce Committee Part Two almost exactly one year ago today, on May 3, 2011.

Yauch is survived by wife, Dechen Wangdu, and daughter, Tenzin Losel Yauch.

Saturday Night Live is continuing its time old tradition of seemingly beginning to fade into obscurity, only to return, gradually, to the spotlight. The show’s riffs on Blue Ivy Carter and Bon Iver caught a bunch of press, and now they’ve caught a surprising musical guest for this season’s finale: Mick Jagger.

It will be the Rolling Stones legend’s 3rd time on the show, but he’s not simply playing a tune this go round, he’s actually taking on full hosting duties. Think he’ll poke some fun at SuperHeavy? One can dream. Look out for the show on May 19th.

D’Angelo may still be the reigning king of soul, but he’s been breaking music lovers hearts for years with his time away from music, not to mention a few personal struggles. Then, early this year, he began performing a few shows in Europe. The music world, quite rightly, freaked out. Now, for Americans, the real excitement can begin.

The crooner is set to appear at the Essence Music Festival, in New Orleans. This marks D’Angelo’s first American performance in ten years. That’s no small event. Essence, July 6-8th boasts many other artists, including Aretha Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Mary J. Blige, Estelle, Eve, Trey Songz, and Keyshia Cole. The legend’s third album is also rumored to be approaching, and one can only hope this means more U.S. shows in the future.