Blur front man Damon Albarn has revealed the guest appearances for the Gorillaz upcoming album, which is titled Plastic Beach. Albarn told the UK’s The Guardian that the album will feature guest appearances from a variety of acts, including Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, the Bee Gee’s Barry Gibb and rapper Mos Def. Plastic Beach is the follow up to the virtual group’s 2005 #1 album Demon Days, which was produced by Danger Mouse and featured guest appearances by MF Doom, De La Soul, Neneh Cherry and Dennis Hopper.
Grammy Award winning singer Nora Jones has teamed with The Beastie Boys and Santigold to remix tracks from Jones’ brand new album The Fall. Beastie group members Mike D. and Ad Rock remixed one of the three remixes being released for sale by Jones this January. The Beasties remixed the song “That’s What I Said,” Santigold and Snotty remixed Jones’ track “Chasing Pirates,” while the third single is also a remix of the song “Chasing Pirates” by Droogs. The remixes will be released for sale digitally and on vinyl worldwide on January 12th 2010. The tracks will premiere on the Internet this week. Jones is currently gearing up to launch a 36-date tour in support of The Fall this March.
A remixed version of Canadian rapper K’Naan’s track “Wavin Flags” has been selected as the official song of the 2010 World Cup, which takes place in South Africa in 2010. The track is taken from the Somalia born, Canada raised artists’ 2009 album Troubadour. The new version, “Wavin’ Flags: The Celebration,” features new lyrics with references to soccer. The new track will be used in all official advertisements and at each officially endorsed event by FIFA, including the World Cup Trophy Tour. K‘Naan is currently on a tour of Africa.