I. NICKI VS. HOT 97

The entire blogosphere erupted with controversy earlier this week after Lil Wayne pulled his entire Young Money crew from performing at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in New Jersey. Earlier in the festival, radio station DJ Peter Rosenberg called out the admittedly cloying pop of Nicki Minaj’s “Starships,” instead preferring “real hip-hop” (whatever that is at this point). Lil Wayne did not take that lightly, particularly since the comments were streaming live on Minaj’s website. Instead, he Tweeted, “Young Money ain’t doing summer jam.” That meant that headliner Nicki Minaj was forced to cancel, leaving many disappointed. The arguing back and forth between Minaj and the Hot 97 staff is too much to include here, but it turned into a whole giant thing where Minaj said she was standing up for her self-esteem, etc. While it’s understandable that the Young Money crew would be angry at the onstage diss, it wouldn’t have been hard for Minaj to respond with similar words when she took the stage. Also, “Starships” is one of the worst songs ever released, and now it’s stuck in my fucking head again.

II. FOO POP

Because no one in Hollywood has any good ideas, they’re continuing to mine real-life stories to crap out new movies (instead of approving my treatment for Biodome 2. What gives?). The latest idea that will most certainly suck is a biopic about the iconic New York punk venue CBGB. Aside from the fact that its most significant cultural contribution since the ’80s has been a decent logo for roid monkey T-shirts, the movie looks especially bad thanks to its cast. The latest is former Alanis Morissette contributor/current Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who will play the role of Iggy Pop. While he certainly has the long hair and know-how from being in a rock band, I’m questioning how he’ll do considering his lack of acting experience. I’m also questioning how they’ll make him look like Iggy Pop, who is, at this point in his life, more California Raisin than man.

III. GRIZZLY BEAR

Brooklyn indie pop band Grizzly Bear is a lot like a nap, but I don’t mean that in a bad way. Their music is all warm and fuzzy, and while I’m experiencing it I completely enjoy it, even if I don’t remember any details after the fact. My foolproof metaphor also extends to the time I saw them at Central United Church for Sled Island, where the subtlety of their performance was just as yawn-inducing as an especially boring sermon. Anyway, the band has announced that it’s returning with a new, yet-to-be-titled album in September. I think they should call it Hibernation.

IV. NEIL YOUNG

Sure, Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s first album together in nine years is not the most exciting thing, but you’ll probably benefit from at least a few spins of Americana. After all, the rock ’n’ roll hero who proves that it’s possible to get old and stay cool is bringing the band to Calgary on Tuesday, November 13.

V. USHER

Expect a full review next week, but I just want to take this opportunity to say that Usher’s new album, Looking 4 Myself, just might be the best mainstream pop record since Justin Timberlake’s iconic Justified. I can’t stop listening to it or talking about it, and I think it might be ruining my marriage.