METALLICA SCHOLARS INITIATIVE ENTERS FOURTH YEAR

EXPANDING REACH ACROSS THE US

“You guys are seriously a lifesaver. I applied for so many scholarships throughout my time in college and never received any of them. I honestly didn’t think I was special enough. I had to take out a loan and put myself in debt to follow a dream. Thanks to you, I don’t have to take out any more money! I can just focus on school and not worry about money. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!” – Samantha Sparks, Welder, Columbia Gorge Community College

Since establishing the Metallica Scholars Initiative in 2019, All Within My Hands (AWMH) has been working with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to provide direct support for career and technical education programs across the US. Having grown from a concept to a thriving educational strategy that focuses on enhancing skills while providing services to students looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program, the Metallica Scholars Initiative has generated a proven and measurable impact. AWMH will replicate the program further by adding ten more schools to the roster, investing $1.8 million to expand in year four. 

“Our goal for the Metallica Scholars Initiative is to shine a light on workforce education and support the next generation of tradespeople,”said Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director of All Within My Hands. “With the addition of the 2022-2023 Metallica Scholars program, our grants will reach over 2,000 men and women in 32 community colleges across 27 states. We are honored to support these students of all ages and backgrounds and look forward to growing the program even farther in the future.” 

Direct impact on job and wage growth drives the Metallica Scholars Initiative. On average, students who complete the program see new job opportunities and increased salary potential up to three times higher than pre-program. Countless testimonials from Metallica Scholars tell firsthand what it means to them, and it is these stories that inspire program expansion. 

“The fact that Metallica is spending their time and effort to support our students brings them to a different level and they are more responsible. They’re the first people to show up for class and some of the last to leave. They’re the most dedicated students because of the investment that the band has made in them.” – Tom Brown, Program Outreach Coordinator, Clackamas Community College

As in years past, AWMH has welcomed partners like Wolverine Boots & Apparel, whose annual work boot collaboration has furnished financial support while outfitting Metallica Scholars along the way. This year promises new surprises for Metallica Scholars and Wolverine’s Project Bootstrap in supporting the next generation of trade workers. The goal is to invite other great corporate partners like Wolverine into the program.  

“I drive into Grand Rapids from White Cloud every day [approximately 50 miles each way] for this training, so receiving the Metallica Scholarship was like winning the lottery, and the beautiful boots from Wolverine were a bonus, too! I’m just so thankful!” – Armondo Medina, Metallica Scholar, Grand Rapids Community College. 

Working closely with the AACC, a Washington D.C.-based advocate for not-for-profit, public-serving institutions, AWMH has selected ten schools to receive $100,000 each to transform the future of students in their communities. The extensive proposal process received an incredible amount of interest, and the applications were of the highest quality. Each of the ten institutions chosen intends to prioritize students interested in the skilled trades as a pathway to economic development. 

The ten schools are:

• Clark State Community College – Springfield, Ohio 
• East Central College – Union, Missouri 
• Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown, North Carolina 
• Hudson County Community College – Jersey City, New Jersey 
• Middlesex Community College -Lowell, Massachusetts 
• Milwaukee Area Technical College – Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Perkinston, Mississippi 
• Rockland Community College – Suffern, New York 
• Salt Lake Community College – Salt Lake City, Utah 
• San Juan College – Farmington, New Mexico 

The newly added community colleges are joining an already established core of 22 schools that have been invited to continue as a Metallica Scholars school. Each year the returning colleges play an integral role in onboarding, to help the new schools hit the ground running. 

The returning schools are:

• Central Community College – Grand Island, Nebraska
• Central Piedmont Community College – Charlotte, North Carolina
• Clackamas Community College – Oregon City, Oregon
• Clinton Community College – Clinton, Iowa
• College of Lake County – Grayslake, Illinois
• Columbia Gorge Community College – The Dalles, Oregon
• Community College of Baltimore County – Baltimore, Maryland
• Elizabethtown Community and Technical College – Elizabethtown, Kentucky
• Gateway Technical College – Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Grand Rapids Community College – Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Lone Star College – Houston, Texas
• North Idaho College – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
• Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Virginia
• Northwest-Shoals Community College – Muscle Shoals, Alabama
• Pima County Community College – Tucson, Arizona
• Polk State College – Winter Haven, Florida
• Spokane Community College – Spokane, Washington
• Valencia College – Orlando, Florida
• Victor Valley College – Victorville, California
• West Virginia University Parkersburg – Parkersburg, West Virginia
• Westchester Community College – Westchester, New York
• WSU-Tech – Wichita, Kansas

The 32 colleges across the country are encouraged to use the AWMH grant as the local industry dictates in terms of program and training. To provide skilled and educated tradespeople ready for the local workforce, Metallica Scholars programs include:

Automation and Robotics 
Automotive Technology
Aviation
Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology & Carpentry
Diesel Technology
Electrical Engineering
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking
Welding

To learn more about the Metallica Scholars Initiative, please visit AllWithinMyHands.org/Metallica-Scholars.

About All Within My Hands (AWMH)
Established by the members and management of Metallica in 2017 as a means to invest in the people and places that have supported the band, the Foundation is focused on supporting sustainable communities through workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. All expenses of the Foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends so that 100% of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

About American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the AACC delivers educational and economic opportunities for 12 million diverse students searching for the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s nearly 1,100 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.

DANGER MOUSE & BLACK THOUGHT

“BECAUSE” VIDEO OUT NOW

Cheat Codes out August 12 via BMG

“The Roots MC kicks off the song by strolling through the luxurious, retro-soul Danger Mouse production, itself complemented by Cartilidge’s seemingly time-warped hook. Though the new track reveals more of the intriguing dynamic between its two main stars, it’s an even better demonstration of their abilities as team players while sharing the mic with younger, cypher-ready talent. The moment is not lost on the featured rappers either, and both verses confirm they recognize the rare opportunity of earning co-signs from two music legends.”
– Consequence

“Chock-full of dynamic, dextrous, lyrical ciphers and is another example of the chemistry between Danger Mouse and Black Thought….The song comes right on time for the summer and offers an array of stylings from the featured artists, over Danger Mouse’s signature retro slow-burning beats.”
– Relix

“This new track is sure to have fans excited for more, and Danger Mouse and Black Thought are two legends who will always have anticipated releases.”
– HotNewHipHop

“Atlanta rapper Russ and New York darling Joey Bada$$ ease into the pressures of being on a track with two legends with dexterity, floating over the nostalgic groundwork set in place by Danger Mouse.”
– Paste
 “Because” the critically acclaimed and second “promising preview of Cheat Codes” (Stereogum) from Danger Mouse & Black Thought now has a new visual accompaniment. 

Directed by UNCANNY, the video takes place through the eyes of a pedestrian within a 3D rendering of Times Square as the artists take over screens and billboards performing their verses. The single take music video features the collaborators in a mixture of real footage and AI altered imagery. Watch “Because” HERE

The highly anticipated full-length, Cheat Codes will be available worldwide on August 12th via BMG.

For all updates, stay tuned at:
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube

Credit: UNCANNY

BROKEN BELLS 

“WE’RE NOT IN ORBIT YET…”

SINGLE AND VIDEO LIVE NOW

FIRST OFFERING FROM THEIR UPCOMING ALBUM, INTO THE BLUE

It’s the wrong time to decelerate
We’re not in orbit yet

Broken Bells, the musical partnership of Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) and James Mercer (The Shins) are back with the first song from their third full-length album, INTO THE BLUE, coming soon via AWAL. 

In the unique and unmistakable signature style that Broken Bells have perfected since their Grammy-nominated 2009 debut, “We’re Not In Orbit Yet…” conjures interstellar soundscapes via sublime melodies undercut with the slightest tinge of the sinister. As is Broken Bells’ wont, the song is both gorgeous and ominous, featuring quasi-hypnotic backing vocals that emulate the siren song of a master brainwasher. The band’s lush soundscapes complement its dark lyrics perfectly as always. It’s not the Shins, it’s not Danger Mouse, it’s Broken Bells. 

An accompanying music video featuring Broken Bells’ cosmic imagery and ominous sci-fi visuals was directed by Johnny Chew and can be viewed here: https://brokenbells.ffm.to/orbitvideo

Full details of INTO THE BLUE are shortly forthcoming.

For all updates, stay tuned at:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Youtube

Gonna make new tracks 
as we turn our backs on the stars
Warning us 
“Stay where you are”

Photo by Shervin Lainez & Nikki Fenix

GORILLAZ

NEW TRACK 

‘CRACKER ISLAND ft. Thundercat’

OUT NOW!

LISTEN HERE
WATCH VISUALIZER HERE

A new dawn is coming. Cracker Island (ft. Thundercat) — an energetic, upbeat firecracker from Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D —is out today, featuring the virtuosic bassist, mercurial talent and twice-Grammy winner Thundercat and with production courtesy of eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter extraordinaire Greg Kurstin, Gorillaz, and Remi Kabaka Jr.Listen here. 

The world’s biggest virtual band have relocated to Silverlake, California where it turns out that the answer to life’s question – the one truth to fix the world – is to invite fans to join ‘The Last Cult’, with Murdoc as its self-appointed Great Leader.
2D said “It’s nice to be back, I’m well into our new tune, it brings back weird and scary memories of stuff that hasn’t happened yet.”
The Gorillaz World Tour 2022 which started in South America earlier in the year continued at Primavera to ecstatic crowds and travels on throughout Europe, and to Australia for the band’s first visit in 12 years, before one-off shows in London at All Points East on 19th August and Dublin’s 3Arena on 17th August and on to the US in October. Full dates below.

Download press shot here

ABOUT GORILLAZ
Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz is singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle. The BRIT and Grammy-winning virtual band formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre-digital world. Based at Kong Studios in West London, Gorillaz settled into a life of musical innovation with an eye-wateringly exciting roster of collaborators, a list that includes musical legends, geniuses and future stars from Elton John to Little Simz, MF Doom to Jean-Michel Jarre, Grace Jones to slowthai, Kali Uchis to Sidiki Diabaté, plus so many more. With seven albums to their name, Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018) and Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez (2020), Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely new and unique ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor.

THE TAYLOR HAWKINS TRIBUTE CONCERTS

ADDITIONAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED

TICKETS ON SALE TODAY AT 9AM LOCAL TIME
 
September 3 at Wembley Stadium 
September 27 at The Kia Forum

Foo Fighters and the Hawkins Family are happy to welcome the following newly added guest artists to The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts.

London at Wembley Stadium: John Paul Jones, Alain Johannes, Nandi Bushell, Nile Rodgers, Krist Novoselic, Greg Kurstin and a special appearance by Chris Rock

Los Angeles at The Kia Forum: P!NK, LeAnn Rimes, John Paul Jones, Alain Johannes, Nancy Wilson, Krist Novoselic and Greg Kurstin

More guest artists to be announced!

Tickets for both concert events are on sale today at 9:00AM local time

London tickets: https://foofighters.lnk.to/THUK22 
Los Angeles tickets: https://foofighters.lnk.to/THCA22 

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will benefit charities in both the UK and the US chosen by the Hawkins family. Beneficiaries and further details will be announced shortly.

Paul McCartney

McCartney I II III Box Set

Paul’s three iconic solo albums (McCartney, McCartney II and McCartney III) available together for the first time as a limited edition box set – August 5th, 2022

Written, performed and produced entirely by Paul McCartney, his three eponymous career-spanning solo albums (1970’s McCartney, 1980’s McCartney II, and 2020’s McCartney III) will now be packaged together and available in one special box set for the first time.

McCartney I II III box set will be available in three different formats – Limited Edition Color Vinyl, Black Vinyl Edition and CD – each including three special photo prints with notes from Paul about each album. The newly created box set cover art and typography for the slipcase are by Ed Ruscha. To pre-order McCartney I II III, please click HERE.

Bookending 50 years of unparalleled work, each album demonstrates Paul McCartney’s restless creativity and adventurous artistic spirit. McCartney, the Number One Album was Paul’s first solo album released in 1970 and features timeless tracks “Every Night”,  and “Junk,” along with the immortal classic “Maybe I’m Amazed”. This album saw a global music superstar pioneer a novel homespun approach to recording that would in time become a sought-after sound, and the highly influential precursor to the “lo-fi” alternative genre.

Just as McCartney marked the end of an era with Paul’s first release after leaving the biggest band in history, Paul did it again in 1980, this time signaling the end of 70s rock giants Wings. Taking a fresh approach to things, Paul wrote, performed, and produced the avant-garde masterpiece McCartney II, which reached Number One in the UK, and Number 3 in the US producing such classics as “Coming Up,” “Waterfalls,” and “Temporary Secretary”.

With McCartney III Paul went back to basics again to create some of his most revealing work to date. Released in December 2020, just two years after Paul’s Billboard-topping Egypt Station album, “Rockdown” saw Paul turn unexpected time on his hands into an opportunity to get into the studio on his own. An intimate and loose record featuring “Find My Way” and the now live favorite “Women and Wives,” McCartney III features Paul’s melodic gift at its forefront throughout. Upon release, McCartney III charted at Number One on the UK’s Official Album Charts and Number One on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart.

In an unrivaled career Paul has always been willing to take risks and have fun along the way – his musical projects have included classical albums, electronic albums, ballet scores, writing for video games, and left-field collaborations — along the way breaking chart records, box office records, winning countless awards and remaining one of the world’s most influential and revered artists of all time. McCartney, McCartney II and McCartney III captured and documented landmark moments of his singular career, each offering a personal snapshot of a unique artist at a particular moment in time.

Paul will headline the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday 25th June.

FORMAT INFO:
Slipcase cover art and typography by Ed Ruscha (all formats)

1)    Limited Edition Color Vinyl
·       Three-disc 180g audiophile vinyl set (McCartney – clear, McCartney II -white and McCartney III – creamy white vinyl)
·       Three x 8 x 10” photo prints with introductions from Paul

2)    Limited Edition Black Vinyl Edition
·       180g audiophile vinyl set
·       Three x 8 x 10” photo prints with introductions from Paul

3)    CD
·       Limited Edition three-disc set
·       Three photo prints with introductions from Paul

Please click HERE for publicity assets.

© Paul McCartney / Mary McCartney

THE TAYLOR HAWKINS TRIBUTE CONCERTS

FOO FIGHTERS TO BE JOINED BY
CHRIS CHANEY, STEWART COPELAND, MILEY CYRUS**, LIAM GALLAGHER*, OMAR HAKIM, JOSHUA HOMME, CHRISSIE HYNDE*, JOAN JETT**, GEDDY LEE, ALEX LIFESON, BRIAN MAY, ALANIS MORISSETTE**, MARK RONSON, GENE SIMMONS**, NIKKI SIXX**, CHAD SMITH**, LUKE SPILLER**, SUPERGRASS*, ROGER TAYLOR, RUFUS TAYLOR, JON THEODORE**, WOLFGANG VAN HALEN, BRAD WILK**, PAT WILSON** & A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY CHEVY METAL!

PLUS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

September 3 at Wembley Stadium (*Appearing in London Only)
September 27 at The Kia Forum (**Appearing in Los Angeles Only)

Foo Fighters Together with the Hawkins Family Present Two Global Events Celebrating the Memory & Music of a Rock Legend

The first wave of confirmed guests to join The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts in celebration of the life, music and love of one of modern music’s most beloved figures has been confirmed.

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will feature the likes of Miley Cyrus, Liam Gallagher, Joan Jett, Mark Ronson, members of Queen, The Police, Rush, Kiss, The Pretenders, Motley Crue, Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Supergrass, a special appearance by Dave Chappelle (in the UK only) and Chevy Metal, plus more to be announced — playing the songs that Taylor loved and created, with and alongside his FF brothers Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee.

The two all-star global events in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon will take place September 3 at London’s Wembley Stadium and September 27 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. For specific lineups — and to sign up to receive information on updates, timings, ticketing links and on sale dates — go to https://www.foofighters.com/.

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will benefit charities in both the UK and the US chosen by the Hawkins family. Beneficiaries and further details will be announced shortly.

THE SMILE
THOM YORKE, JONNY GREENWOOD & TOM SKINNER
 
DEBUT NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2022
First Ever U.S. & Canada Dates On Sale To The Public From June 17
 
A LIGHT FOR ATTRACTING ATTENTION
OUT NOW DIGITALLY
AVAILABLE ON CD AND VINYL FORMATS JUNE 17TH

With their current UK/Europe tour underway — including a recent UK performance described by Clash magazine as “a masterclass and a privilege to behold” — The Smile has expanded its 2022 tour to include an extensive North American run.

Tickets for the newly announced dates will be on sale to the general public from June 17. A full listing of North American tour dates is below. For further information, pre-sales, etc., go to thesmiletheband.com.

Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner’s first tour of the U.S. and Canada as The Smile comes in support of the new band’s debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention, which was released digitally May 13 (and will be available in physical formats June 17th), via XL Recordings to unanimous accolades including:
 “… a leaner take on Radiohead’s longstanding thoughts of alienation and malaise, pushing rhythm into the foreground”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES

“… a remarkably assured debut… The Smile contain multitudes.”
—PASTE

“Alternately combats the horrors of modern life with roiling anger and Zen-like serenity.”
—PITCHFORK

“Some of the songwriters’ most easily enjoyable music in years”
—ROLLING STONE

“A most welcome vibe flip from musicians who absolutely refuse to shy away from the unknown.”
—SPIN

“Sounds impeccable, perfectly balancing the delicacies of Greenwood’s circular, minor-key licks and Yorke’s choir-boy trilling with the more bombastic elements of the orchestra and brass sections… Skinner is too good of a drummer to be reduced to mere sideman… His spirited syncopations echo throughout the record, giving the music a relentless pull even when the music slows to an atmospheric, piano-based crawl.”
—UPROXX

“… an exceptional record… inhabiting a sound world of its own.”
—WALL STREET JOURNAL

 Produced by Nigel Godrich and featuring additional critically acclaimed singles “You Will Never Work In Television Again,” “Skrting On The Surface,” “Pana-vision,” “Free In The Knowledge” and “Thin Thing,” A Light For Attracting Attention features strings by the London Contemporary Orchestra and a full brass section of contemporary UK jazz players including Byron Wallen, Theon and Nathaniel Cross, Chelsea Carmichael, Robert Stillman and Jason Yarde. The Smile began their 2022 European tour on May 16th in Croatia with UK dates in London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, before heading back into Europe, finishing their headline shows in Taormina, Sicily, on July 20thand with a final UK date in London’s All Points East on 28th August. 

THE SMILE
North American Tour 2022

Mon Nov 14 – Providence, RI @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium 
Wed Nov 16 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner 
Fri Nov 18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre 
Sun Nov 20 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein 
Wed Nov 23 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem 
Fri Nov 25  – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
Sat Nov 26 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall  
Mon Nov 28 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre –
Tue Nov 29 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater 
Thu Dec 01 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre 
Sat Dec 03 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium 
Sun Dec 04 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern 
Tue Dec 06 – New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum Theatre
Thu Dec 08 – Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum
Sat Dec 10 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom 
Wed Dec 14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall  
Fri Dec 16 – Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater 
Sun Dec 18 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Wed Dec 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium

FOO FIGHTERS
Together with the Hawkins Family
Present
THE TAYLOR HAWKINS TRIBUTE CONCERTS
Two Global Events Celebrating the Memory & Music of a Rock Legend

September 3 at Wembley Stadium
September 27 at The Kia Forum

Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee will come together with the Hawkins family to celebrate the life, music and love of their husband, father, brother and bandmate with The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts.

As one of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music, Taylor’s monolithic talent and magnetic personality endeared him to millions of fans, peers, friends and fellow musical legends the world over. Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized. The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon—his bandmates and his inspirations playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life.

The all-star rock and roll shows will take place September 3 at London’s Wembley Stadium and September 27 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

The lineups for each show will be announced shortly. Sign up to receive information on timings, ticketing links and on sale dates at https://www.foofighters.com/.

Taylor Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, first appearing with the band on the tour supporting sophomore album The Colour & The Shape. He made his recorded debut with Foo Fighters with 1999’s There Is Nothing Left To Lose, playing on every subsequent FF album, including One By One, In Your Honor (the first FF album to feature him assuming lead vocal duties on his song “Cold Day In The Sun”), Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Wasting Light, Sonic Highways, Concrete & Gold (also featuring him as lead singer on “Sunday Rain”) and Medicine at Midnight. As a member of Foo Fighters, Taylor was a 15-time GRAMMY Award winner and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He lived and loved music to an insatiable degree, with Foo Fighters as well as his numerous solo and side projects and collaborations.

DANGER MOUSE & BLACK THOUGHT 
 
CHEAT CODES OUT AUGUST 12TH 
 
“BECAUSE” FEAT. JOEY BADA$$, RUSS AND DYLAN CARTLIDGE 
SINGLE OUT NOW

“The mere news of a Black Thought album would’ve been enough to draw buzz, but the fact that he’s linking up with superproducer Danger Mouse for his solo sophomore effort should excite any hip-hop head.” 
—VULTURE

From one of the most anticipated albums in recent history — “It may be premature to expect this album to save hip-hop, but we should expect it regardless” (EARMILK) — Dynamic duo Danger Mouse & Black Thought “bring their A-game” (PASTE) with summer jam “Because (feat. Joey Bada$$, Russ, and Dylan Cartlidge),” the second track to be released from their collaborative debut album, Cheat Codes. 
 
Packed with irresistible cyphers, “Because” is yet another prime example of the unmistakable chemistry between Danger Mouse and Black Thought, following  the highly lauded release of debut single “No Gold Teeth” — a banger that HIPHOPDX observed “not only flexes Danger Mouse’s creativity as a producer, but the always impressive bars of Black Thought, a rapper who has remained consistently excellent.” 
 
An early contender for song of the summer, “Because” cuts deeper still with hypnotic, dextrous lines courtesy of Joey Bada$$ and Russ, while Danger Mouse’s signature retro-infused beats provide a slinky slow-burning foundation perfectly complemented and completed by Black Thought’s urgent politically charged flow, and — no, that’s not a sample — an undeniable vocal hook by Dylan Cartlidge.

Joey Bada$$ said, “I’ve always been a big fan of Black Thought and Danger Mouse. I think Black Thought is one of the greatest rappers ever, so when they asked me to get on this record, it was a no-brainer, plus the record is fire! I still remember the first time I heard “You Got Me” the video was shot on my great-grandmother’s block and I was actually there that day when I was a child. It changed the way I looked at music. I’m very honored to be a part of this track. We’re making history!”
 
While Russ added, “Being able to collaborate with one of the greatest lyricists of all time is an honor and to do it in unison with Danger Mouse is something I’m just really proud to be a part of.” 
 
Cheat Codes, the collaborative debut from Danger Mouse and Black Thought, is out August 12 via BMG. 
 
For further information contact laura@nastylittleman.com for Danger Mouse and carleen@theoriel.co for Black Thought.