78 weeks later, Adele's 21 exits top 10 albums chart

546 days, 78 weeks, and 5.8 million albums sold later, Adele's 21  failed to make the top 10 of the Billboard charts for the first time since the album debuted at #1 in early March 2011, according to Billboard (via MTV). The album fell to #12 in this week's charts, putting an end to Adele's record-breaking streak of most weeks in the top 10 by a female artist. Only Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. (84 weeks) and The Sound of Music soundtrack (109 weeks) spent a longer time in the top 10.

Below, you can watch the video for 'Rolling in the Deep' from 21.

Prince announces 'Welcome 2 Chicago' residency

On site at the United Center, Prince and Rebuild the Dream will offer opportunities to learn about, support, and take part in rebuilding vibrant and sustainable communities. Socially-conscious businesses, tech start-ups, entrepreneurs, and other innovators will offer specific tools that individuals and communities can use to improve their economic situation in the short- as well as long-term.'

Academy Awards change rule for Best Original Song category

If you recall, of the 39 songs shorlisted for Best Original Song at last year's Academy Awards, only two made the final cut and received a nomination.'Real In Rio' by Siedah Garrett (Rio) and 'Man or Muppets' by Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie (The Muppets) beat out original compositions by The National, Jónsi, Mary J. Blige, and more.

The Academy required a song to receive an average vote of 8.25 or higher on a scale of 10 in order to secure a nomination. While this doesn't explain why voters gave lower scores to The National or Jónsi, this rule set the stage for funky scenarios like what happened last year, which led many to criticize the Academy, especially when the performance aspect was scrapped.

So on Thursday, the Academy announced new rules for the Best Original Song Category which makes it a lot easier to find five nominees.

 Billboard explains:

The new voting procedure in the category, approved by the Academy's board of governors, is much more straightforward. Branch members will receive a reminder list of submitted works and a DVD copy of song clips. After watching the clips, members will vote in the order of their preference for not more than five choices. The five songs receiving the highest number of votes will become the nominees for final voting on the award.

Of course, it's the Academy Awards, so there's a catch'

If there are 25 or fewer qualified songs submitted, the branch's executive committee can recommend to the board that nominations be limited to three. And if there are nine or fewer qualifying works, the committee can recommend that no award be given that year.

Below, you can watch the video for last year's Best Original Song winner, 'Man or Muppets' by Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie.

New Music: Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire ' 'The Message'

Photo by Michael Roffman

Yesterday we awoke to Mr. Muthafuckin' eXqure's NSFW video for 'Position of Passion'. And early this morning, the Brooklyn rapper was back online, uploading a brand new track called 'The Message'. It features eX messing around in his way with several different kinds of flows, a whole lot of food references, and while he claims he doesn't remember who made the beat, eXquire did tweet a picture of him in the studio with El-P, who's rumored to be producing his next LP. Do with that what you will.

The Rolling Stones announce new film: Crossfire Hurricane

It looks like The Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary activities are finally taking shape. Last night a report surfaced claiming that the band will perform four shows in October, followed today by the announcement of a new film chronicling the band's storied history. As announced on the band's website, Brett Morgen's Crossfire Hurricane will receive a theatrical release in the UK in October, and will be premiered on HBO in the United States and broadcast on BBC Two later in the year.

Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with the band, the film 'invites the audience to experience firsthand the Stones' nearly mythical journey from outsiders to rock and roll royalty. This is not an academic history lesson. Crossfire Hurricane allows the viewer to experience the Stones' journey from a unique vantage point. It's an aural and visual roller coaster ride,' according to an issued statement.

Gary Clark Jr. announces debut album

Given the numbers of festivals guitar wiz Gary Clark Jr. ended up playing this year, I'm not really sure how he found time to record his debut album. But he did, and it will arrive on October 23rd via Warner Bros. Records.

Clark Jr. co-produced the album alongside Mike Elizondo (Mastodon, Fiona Apple, Dr. Dre). Stay tuned for a title and tracklist.

Ahead of the album's release, Clark will play even more festivals, including Made in America, Voodoo Experience, and Austin City Limits, plus he'll make several television appearances in October.

Below, you can watch Clark performing his song 'Bright Lights' on the Late Show with David Letterman late last year.

Video: Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire ' 'Position of Passion' (NSFW)

By Alex Young on August 29th, 2012 in Music Videos, News