Beloved rapper Heavy D was one of the celebrity casualties of this year. The news of his death rocked the music industry, but the speculation about how he died was also something that took over the mindspace of the entertainment news industry. According to a post by Entertainment Weekly, a coroner has finally given the cause of death. According to Entertainment Weekly, there was not just one cause, but several causes. According to the coroner’s report, Heavy D died from a pulmonary embolism–a condition that is blockage of the main artery to the lungs– as well as a deep leg-vein thrombosis–a condition that causes blood clots to form–as well as…

Hip-hop music has gotten a bit jagged with the technological advances in music production. In no way is jagged meant as an insult, but there are times, where hip-hop and rap would sound more appealing if the hard tempo beats were replaced with sleeker ones. These genres were originally meant for artists to battle each other on who had more flow, but have now adapted to who can drop the bigger beat. Thankfully for La Coka Nostra, hip-hop will be able to revert back to the ways of velvetiness. The La Coka Nostra super-crew, which consists of Everlast, DJ Lethal, Danny Boy and Ill Bille and Slaine, have re-surfaced just…

With 2011 coming to an end, you should prepare to be flooded with countdowns from the year’s top movies to the top music videos. Yes, some of these lists are entirely trivial, but they are also short and sweet and sum up a year in less than five minutes. A trivial list in this context would be the top ten reality stars, which is a completely unnecessary countdown since a Kardashian is at every number. You, Shockya readers, deserve an unpredictable list that can benefit you, not make you wish you could be famous for doing absolutely nothing. So, open up your iTunes and get ready to purchase the Top…

On the ShockYa list for the Top Ten Albums of 2011, which is coming soon, is AWOLNATION’s “Megalithic Symphony”. The 14 track debut album, which dropped March 15th via Red Bull Records, blended the indie rock vocals of Aaron Bruno with an electronic tempo. These synthesized background beats are complex and take to the darker side of the electronica genre. Pop-techno may not be everybody’s calling, but with albums like “Megalithic Symphony”, rock-techno could be the genre to proudly convert those to the eletronica side. So, thanks AWOLNATION for opening up the music doors to fans of more than one genre. Double that thanks because AWOL has given you a…

With the New Year fast approaching, MTV should have one resolution for 2012, to bring back music videos. Yes, the “Teen Mom” and “16 & Pregnant” craze is probably much more of a concern to the network than airing the latest music videos, but MTV’s roots are wrapped in music and thus deserve to be nurtured, much like the babies in these programs. So, MTV jump on the ShockYa bandwagon and turn the music video decline upwards for 2012. What sparked this interest in a MTV switch was the news of a new album from The All-American Rejects, who have wooed audiences with their music videos for tracks, like “Dirty…

Dying your hair bleach blonde in the music industry could have you looking too much like Lady Gaga. While sporting a black do could cross you into the Katy Perry zone, before her blonde and pink days. So, with both extreme coloring styles covered, there is only one route to take that is more dramatic, the path of Cruella De Ville, which leads straight to Porcelain Black. Does this Cruella De Ville comparison sound a bit too familiar? Well, congratulations you avid Shockya readers because you are right. Porcelain Black has graced the page before and this post is far from her last. The pop and rock singer paid a…

Valora is the band to watch for in 2012 and all you misunderstood teenagers should prepare to clear out your playlists to make room for the female fronted group’s tunes. As discussed in prior posts, Valora will replace the angst sound of Paramore. Well, the Paramore before they became tainted by fame. Every generation of girls deserves to have music console their insecurities and Valora will be that source of comfort for the females of 2012. So, take advantage of the remaining 2011 days and get acquainted with Syd Duran and the rest of Valora by checking out PunkVideosRock.com chat with the outfit. Valora discusses the formation of the band,…

If you are not a triple threat artist, breaking into the pop genre can be a bit taxing. Yes, typically a triple threat entails being a singer, dancer and actress, but when just discussing the music industry, you should take out actress and insert theatrical performer. A theatrical artist means something a bit bigger than just being a dancer; it means incorporating acting qualities throughout a show or concert. For example, when an artist genuinely cries while singing a ballad. Get It? This substitute is entirely necessary because let’s face it how many singers actually have acting chops? Sorry, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, but “Friends With Benefits” and “Austin Powers:…

Christmas tunes are a way for undisclosed Britney Spears fans to listen to their guilty pleasure music with reason. No one can deny liking Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, but you might want to keep enjoying the “Glitter” soundtrack to yourselves. Get it? Christmas music allows you to press play on those cheesy tunes in public. The latest artist to embrace the holiday spirit is the legendary songwriter and musician Richard Marx. Since his string of top five hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he has written and recorded hit after hit with artists like Josh Groban, N’Sync, Lifehouse and more, winning a Grammy…

The holidays mean one thing, presents. Only kidding of course, but it is completely acceptable if the gifts are at the forefront of your minds. Whichever wintertime holiday you celebrate, remember that the price tag doesn’t triumph over the thought of giving, even if that present is for free. Well, maybe you should keep the free part to yourselves when handing someone very special to you The Rolling Stone’ “Some Girls” deluxe CD set. Yes, that’s right Shockya readers, the 1978 album can be your gift to give for a price of zero dollars. The deluxe CD set includes a remastered version of the original album plus 12 bonus tracks,…