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Kanye West and Jay-Z enjoyed plenty of ink for their ability to keep Watch the Throne from leaking early. Not so much for  Kanye’s latest, Yeezus. Ye’s sixth solo album has leaked onto the interwebs. Peep the tracklist below.

Yeezus Tracklist

1. “On Sight”
2. “Black Skinhead”
3. “I Am God feat. God”
4. “New Slaves” feat. Frank Ocean
5. “Hold My Liqour” feat. Chief Keef & Justin Vernon
6. “I’m in It”
7. “Blood on the Leaves”
8. “Guilt Trip” feat. Kid Cudi
9. “Send It Up” feat. King L
10. “Bound 2″ feat. Charlie Wilson

The rest is between you and Google.

Run the Jewels (El-P and Killer Mike) just revealed the tracklist for their self-titled album. To further whet your appetite, the pair also shared a free song, “36″ Chain,” from the set (download link below).

Run the Jewels Tracklist

1. Run The Jewels
2. Banana Clipper (feat. Big Boi)
3. 36″ Chain [Stream/Download]
4. DDFH
5. Sea Legs
6. Job Well Done (feat. Until The Ribbon Breaks)
7. No Come Down
8. Get It
9. Twin Hype Back (feat. Prince Paul as Chest Rockwell)
10. A Christmas Fucking Miracle

Run the Jewels arrives June 26th. You can pre-order the vinyl here.

Artwork © Fool’s Gold

I remember my exact reaction to J. Cole’s “Work Out.” I recall saying that his flow on that song was so bizarre it sounded like he was literally rapping at gun point. I know many other J. Cole fans who disliked the song. Cole’s childhood idol Nas wasn’t feeling it, either.

Cole raps about that single on Born Sinner highlight “Let Nas Down.” He also addressed it in a recent Fuse interview. “It was the worst response I’ve ever gotten on any song I’ve ever put out. It was a terrible response,” says Cole. “When I made that song, it was a triumph.”

J. Cole got the news from Nas collaborator No I.D. “I was in the studio with Nas and we was talking about you and he was like, ‘Yo, why did he do that? Why did he put out that song? Don’t he know he’s the one? He ain’t gotta do that,’” the producer told Cole at the time.

“Work Out” would go on to reach #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, further complicating Cole’s relationship with the single. It’s also certified 2x platinum in the U.S.

(Photo © Henry Adaso)

Q-Tip sat down with Jeff “Chairman” Mao for the latest episode of Red Bull Music Academy. If you only watch one video about rap this week it should be this one. In the video, Tip gives us rare insight into his production process, deconstructing and reconstructing various pieces from his vast discography.

A real treat arrives around the 1 hour, 36 minute mark, when he plays “Mama’s Boyfriend,” a song he produced for Kanye West. Some of you will recognize the song — Kanye performed it at Facebook offices during his promo run for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Fake versions of the song would later turn up on the web, but the original remained a mystery. Until now.

Peep game.

• Watch: Red Bull Music Academy with Q-Tip

Here’s one of Armida’s famous and difficult arias – “D’amore al dolce impero.”  The vocal range, technique, control, and execution needed to sing this aria well is only possessed by the most well-trained and experienced sopranos, but this YouTube clip of Renee Fleming makes it seem effortless.  Follow along with Renee and read these lyrics to “D’amore al dolce impero” from Rossini’s opera, Armida .

Rossini’s opera, Armida, is considered by many to be home of one of the most challenging soprano roles in operatic repertoire., and after listening to several of Armida’s arias, it’s easy to understand why.   (I’ll post one of Armida’s arias with lyrics and translation for you to see what I mean.)  Learn the story of Rossini’s opera, Armida, in this opera synopsis.