Bark + Bite

Kanye West joins Nigerian artist D'Banj onstage, formally announces him as G.O.O.D. music artist

You know what's been missing from hip hop music? The freakin' harmonica, that's what.

While harmonica playing did nothing for American Idol Taylor Hicks' brief and unsuccessful pop music career, the harmonica-playing D'Banj has managed to leverage his instrumental and vocal skills into an official deal with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. music label.

After Kanye pal'd around with Jay-Z and Beyonce at their nationally-televised babyshower, aka the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, he immediately hopped on a flight to NY so he could perform alongside Naija star D'Banj.

D'Banj introduced the larger-than-life rapper by playing a bit of "All of the Lights" on the harmonica. It's a curious thing to witness, to say the least.

Watch D'Banj and Kanye West take on "All of the Lights"

Wyclef fires shots at former Fugee Pras and Sean Penn in concert

It's a good thing Wyclef didn't get that bid for the Haitian presidency like he wanted. Although it might've been fun having the offbeat musician in the Palais National, it's clear he doesn't have the temperament or tact for the job. In a performance at Hot 97's Labor Day Weekend “On Da Reggae Tip Live” concert, Wyclef hit back at two of his more famous critics, Sean Penn and former Fugee Pras.

“If I was president….I got a message for Sean Penn, maybe he ain’t see me in Haiti because he was too busy sniffing cocaine. I got a message for Praswell, even though you don’t want to support me, I got love for you, even though you only kicked 8 bars for the Fugees…” (Source: Miss Info)

The Sean Penn comment was a low blow and really, does Wyclef wanna go there with drug use? He hardly seems like he's been the clean-living type his whole life. And while it's true that Pras is the obvious weak link of the Fugees, it's kind of cruddy to dump on dude just cause he didn't throw his weight behind you in politics.

Sour grapes don't make for great tasting wine, Wyclef. Go ahead and shrink that ego and keep doing positive work for Haiti. And if you're really serious about running for any political office in Haiti or the U.S., this kind of behavior is a roadblock to that path.

Kanye West goes international with remix to French hit "Alors On Danse"

If you can't take yourself to Paris, why not bring Paris to you? Kanye West jumps on board the hazy French-language club hit "Alors On Danse" by Stromae, a Rwandan/Belgian artist, about forgetting your troubles and dancing the night away. Sounds like something Lady Gaga would be down for, given her own liquor-fueled hit about dancing the pain away on "Just Dance."

For those who might shy away from the song because of its foreign language content, don't. The bulk of the remix is taken over by raps in English by Kanye and Gilbere Forte, who has a French-sounding name but is indeed American. Lyrically, Ye is in party mode, bragging about eating and drinking fine food, flirting with Russian models and getting you to throw your hands up high. It's mood music, meant to evoke a sway and bob, so Ye's verses are appropriately light and easy to swallow.

Get into the Euro jam featuring a dash of Mr. West below

Jamiroquai is on the comeback trail, new single "White Knuckle Ride" preview

Oh you thought Ke$ha was the first pop star to rock a Native American headdress? Think again. Jay Kay, the lead singer of the quirky British electronica group Jamiroquai, has long been known for his decorative head gear. Frankly, he's stunting on Lady Gaga's headpiece accessory game too.

But funky fashion aside, Jamiroquai is coming out of the dark with another set of the dizzying, spellbinding, disco-infused electro-funk tunes that they're known for and they've unveiled a sneak peek of their new single "White Knuckle Ride" to whet appetites. Break out the disco balls and call the carpenters to install some conveyor belts in the floor, cause it's bout to be on!

If Jamiroquai is a new name for you, educate yourself with these hits ASAP: "Little L," "Virtual Insanity," "Feels Just Like It Should" and "Runaway."

Listen to a preview of their new single "White Knuckle Ride"

Behind the scenes look at La Roux's upcoming "Tigerlily" video

Even though La Roux has been talking about working on its next album, they're not quite yet done with their self-titled debut. La Roux have shot a video for the fifth (and final?) single "Tigerlily" and it's going to be a dark, dangerous thriller. Elly Jackson, the androgynous frontwoman for the band, plays a stalker in the video as she pursues and follows her equally androgynous love interest. As Elly points out in the video, it was important to her that the love interest be androgynous because if she had her way, she'd be interested in somebody who embodies both male and female characteristics. Sounds like Elly is looking for her own personal k.d. lang.

The final product of the video appears to be a technological dream, as the behind-the-scenes footage shows Elly getting scanned in some Avatar-like complex digital imaging machines. Take a look at the making of the video below. No word on when the final product will be released though as the end of the video only says, "Coming soon."

Shakira has the world dancing to her beat, preps new Spanish album

Beyonce isn't the only one who can spark an international dance craze. Shakira's official World Cup theme song "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" has become a smash worldwide (not so much in the non-futebol crazed U.S.), so the singer decided to combine her famous hip swiveling with charity and YouTube. And this little video project for 1GOAL, a charity aiming to increase access to education, is the product of that effort. The video features Shaki fans imitating the Colombian bombshell's African dance moves from her video. Even her ol' pal Wyclef Jean threw in a submission. Wyclef's hips don't quite lie, but they're close to telling a fib.

See fans get their groove on to Shakira's "Waka Waka" below.

Canada does the Haiti benefit song better

First, Canada stomps the U.S. to win the gold medal in Men's Hockey at the Winter Olympics and now they go and release a vastly superior Haiti benefit song that craps all over the loathsome remake of "We Are the World" by U.S. artists. Note: Justin Bieber is included on both songs. He must be a dual citizen.

Presenting themselves under the "Young Artists for Haiti" name, Canada's best in music lent their voices to a remake of Somalian-Canadian K'Naan's inspirational tune "Wavin' Flag." There's Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, Drake, Kardinal Offishall and - Hey! Is that Fefe Dobson? - a bunch of Canadian artists whose identities most Americans will remain blissfully unaware of.

Maybe the Canadians were able to put together a better product because they had more time? It has been nearly two months since the devastating quake first struck Haiti and the "We Are the World" remake was cobbled together in a weekend less than a month after the quake hit. Or maybe the Canadians won by just smartly not try to re-create history and instead pulling inspiration and ideas from their own generation. Who'da thunk that would work?

Watch the video for "Wavin' Flag" by the Young Artists for Haiti below.

Jero performs to an adoring crowd

I have no idea what this film, "The Witch of the West is Dead," is about, but judging from the pics I see, I take it this film is a Japanese take on "The Wizard of Oz." But the film is not important. Black Japanese-American Jero performed at the special screening of "The Witch of the West is Dead" and it looks like Jero knocked 'em dead, which is to be expected. After all, Jero is amazing.