Guardian Music — A late album of the year contender from two Odd Future members ditches doomy crunk for smooth R&B stylingsHometown: Los Angeles.The lineup: Sydney Bennett and Matthew Martin.The background: The biggest surprise about Odd Future was how totally they d... more info

Guardian Music — Borrowing breaks from old vinyl is so 20th century. But does chopping and screwing from YouTube represent innovation or infringement?Drake sold 631,000 copies of his second record Take Care in its first week of release. Love or loathe Drizzy, that's ... more info

Guardian Music — This London 'mini-army' look set to conquer the airwaves next year with their euphoric rave-grime popHometown: Mitcham.The lineup: Clement (raps), Kojo (vocals), Stacey (keyboards), Johnny (bass), Rich (guitar), Dan (guitar), Dion (drums).The backgro... more info

Guardian Music — He's punk. He's grime. And he's supremely catchy. This Britrap-rocker's bundle of words and energy can't fail to be hugeHometown: London.The lineup: Jovel Walker (voice, guitar).The background: It's fast approaching that time when people – critics ... more info

ContactMusic — Garbages new album is about being a misfit a geek a nerd a forgotten-about The Stupid Girl group are in the studio completing their first album since 2005s Bleed Like Me and say they have recaptured the energy of their self titled first al... more info

Guardian Music — For her latest track, the Florida-born rapper takes a tour of the London underground – in her pantsSince releasing her debut mixtape, Domination, late last year, 19-year-old Florida-born rapper Dominique Young Unique has performed all over the worl... more info

Guardian Music — Forgotten about N*E*R*D? Here's a reminder of their brilliance...Hailing from Compton, California, rapper Buddy is the latest signing to production duo the Neptunes' label Star Trak, which a few years ago might have been a slightly more exciting pros... more info

ContactMusic — Hip-hop superproducer Pharrell Williams is to backpack through Japan for boot brand Palladium's upcoming advertising campaign. The N. E. R. D. frontman will trek through the Asian country wearing the label's footwear, and shoot a short film called To... more info

Guardian Music — From Elbow's ale to Marilyn Manson's absinthe, all kinds of musicians are cheerfully flogging their own branded drinks. Who should be next and what should they be plugging?If you thought the latest beer aimed at women, Animée, was a strangely patron... more info

ContactMusic — Hip-hop heavyweights Jay Z, Swizz Beatz, Russell Simmons and Q-Tip helped superproducer Pharrell Williams celebrate the release of his new liquor by joining him for the launch party in New York. The N. E. R. D. star teamed up with drinks company Diag... more info