Welcome to Buzzworthy's "The Week In Pop," where we round up new album releases, talk show musical guests and TV performances by your favorite pop stars and more (so you don't have to).
It seems like 2 Chainz has been everywhere lately, from releasing mixtapes to featured guest spots on nearly everyone's singles to playing huge shows, and this week he drops his major label debut. Also, Yellowcard release their sixth studio album. The boys have been going nonstop since coming out of hiatus; in fact, fresh off the Warped Tour, they're headed straight into their European tour. Meanwhile, Fleetwood Mac gets the cover treatment by some of indie rock's finest, Incubus culls a career-spanning live CD/DVD set and Insane Clown Posse make three versions of their latest effort. Incidentally, they recently gave "Guy Code" pointers on "The Juggalo Code," in case you're planning to hit the Gathering of the Juggalos. It's also a big pop-on-TV week: 98 Degrees reunites for "VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live" and "Today" on Friday, and on Sunday, E! premieres "Married To Jonas," featuring Kevin Jonas and wife Danielle.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
+ 2 Chainz, Based On A T.R.U. Story: One of the most in-demand rappers in the game as of late (with assists on Kanye West's "Mercy," Justin Bieber's "Girlfriend" remix and Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap," as well as opening for Nicki and Drake on tour), the Atlanta MC takes center stage for his major label debut album, with help from some famous friends of course. Check out he and Minaj's "I Luv Dem Strippers," "No Lie" with Drake and "Birthday Song" with Kanye West. As for the acronym "T.R.U."? "T.R.U. is an acronym for The Real University. It was something that I felt like hip-hop was missing for a while," he told RapFix.
+ Yellowcard, Southern Air: The pop-punk quintet took a three-year break before returning in 2011 to drop When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes, followed by relentless touring. The time off also reinvigorated their creativity, as they immediately recorded their follow-up, Southern Air, which references frontman Ryan Key's return home to Athens, Ga., during their hiatus. The catchy "Here I Am Alive" was cowritten by Patrick Stump, and We Are The In Crowd's Taylor Jardine pitches in with vocals. All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and Hey Monday's Cassadee Pope also guest on the album. Other highlights include "Always Summer" and "Awakening."
+ Various Artists, Just Tell Me That You Want Me - A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac: After nearly five decades of making music, Fleetwood Mac have a wealth of landmark songs, and the all-star indie cast on this album does an wonderful job covering them with reverence along with their own personal takes. Universally adored "Landslide" (which in the past has been covered by Smashing Pumpkins and Dixie Chicks) is lovingly rendered by Antony and the Johnsons's Antony Hegarty. Other highlights come by way of The New Pornographers ("Think About Me"), Best Coast ("Rhiannon"), Lykke Li ("Silver Springs"), The Kills ("Dreams"), Washed Out ("Straight Back"), and MGMT ("Future Games").
Check out more new album releases and upcoming TV appearances and performances after the jump.
+ Incubus, Incubus HQ Live: Singer Brandon Boyd said his band may be taking another break after their Honda Civic Tour with Linkin Park and MUTEMATH, but this may tide fans over in the meantime. Last summer, Incubus celebrated their 20th anniversary by performing seven free shows for fans at a gallery in Los Angeles. Six of the nights were recorded, streamed live and comprise this set. The CD/DVD includes career-spanning material and features rarities and big hits ("Nice To Know You," "Drive," "Megalomaniac") along with new material from If Not Now, When? which at the time was not yet released ("Promises, Promises," "Adolescents"). There is also a special edition and box set version.
+ Insane Clown Posse, Mighty Death Pop!: The Detroit rap duo are releasing three versions of this album, each housing a different bonus CD. "Red Pop" features covers of Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, N.W.A. and more. "Black Pop" is packaged with an hour-plus song called "Freaky Tales," and "White Pop" reprises Mighty Death Pop! on the bonus CD, but with guests including Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, Ice Cube, Kreayshawn and more. Violent J also told Billboard, "[The CD format's] almost gone now, and the next time we put an album out it may be nonexistent... So if the CDs are going away, this is the last of the collectible 'I gotta find all three!' thing that we'll do."
TV APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES
Monday, Aug. 13
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Chris Rene
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Glen Hansard
"Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Norah Jones
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Alabama Shakes
"Colbert Report" -- fun.
Tuesday, Aug. 14
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Kevin & Danielle Jonas
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- Grimes
"Colbert Report" -- Grizzly Bear
"Live With Kelly" -- Jordin Sparks
"Today" -- Nicki Minaj
Wednesday, Aug. 15
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- Glen Hansard
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Rick Ross
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- T.I.
"Colbert Report" -- Santigold
"Chelsea Lately" -- Kevin & Danielle Jonas
"Today" -- Carrie Underwood
Thursday, Aug. 16
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- T.I. & Tiny, Rodriguez
"Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Regina Spektor
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- Neon Hitch
"Colbert Report" -- The Flaming Lips
"Today" -- Lionel Richie
Friday, Aug. 17
"VH1's Big Morning Buzz" -- 98 Degrees
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- Joe Jonas, 2 Chainz
"Sparkle" -- Movie gets its theatrical release, featuring Whitney Houston, Cee Lo Green, Jordin Sparks
"Good Morning America" -- Neon Trees
"Today" -- 98 Degrees
Sunday, Aug. 19
"Married To Jonas" -- Kevin and Danielle Jonas' reality show on E! premieres.
Photo credit: UMG
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