We debuted the record on the site the other day, here are the visuals. Maya takes us to the repressive regimes of the middle east for her latest which is sure to cause some controversy especially with a title like ‘Bad Girls’. Middle eastern men are sure not known for their tolerance – a recurring theme for an artist who loves to stir the pot and keep these issues of inequality in the forefront of contemporary consciousness.

Bonus: Madonna – Give Me All Your Luvin’ featuring M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj

Our girl Nicki Minaj is back covering the binded pages of one of your favorite periodicals. The March issue of Wonderland magazine features the New York rapper/pop icon. Shot by fashion photographer Matt Irwin, Nicki shows off her typical pink wig and some of her notorious curves in a retro comic book themed Prada top. Look for more from the editorial in the coming days and weeks.

Maya is back people and you know she is gonna have something to say. Produced by Danjahandz, here is the first single her fourth full-length LP, which is set for release this summer. She’s also heavily rumored to appear during this Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show alongside Madonna to perform their collaborative new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’”. “Bad Girls” will officially be available around the globe tomorrow, January 31, and a video for the track from “Born Free” director Romain Gavras is due this Friday, February 3. Shouts to Pitchfork.

Download audio file (Bad-Girls.mp3)

Photo Credit: greenwoodimages

It is always a treat around here when Complex releases the covers to their upcoming issue. The February/March issue of Complex magazine features a triple treat, A$AP Rocky and new contemporary flavor Lana Del Ray come in representing their strong movements in sound while Jeremy Scott scores major style points as his designs continue to transcend fashion. Should be another great issue and we look forward to it showing up in our mailbox.

Forget what you’ve heard and listen to the music. Lana Del Rey is a sweet girl with a radiant voice and maybe a demon or two. Her debut album is called Born to Die, but Lana’s just trying to live. Haters, fall back.

In this corner, the undisputed heavyweight style champ, straight outta Missouri by way of L.A., the man who put the wings on your adidas, Jeremy Scott! And in that corner, the pound-for-pound flyest motherf*cker on the planet, all the way from Harlem—A$AP Rocky! Let’s get ready to rumble!

Continue Reading at Complex.

Brooklyn, We Go Hard…ladies and gentlemen, Santigold is back. After making a serious splash back in 2008. As many saw her initially as just another M.I.A. imitator, we soon found out that nothing could be further from the truth. The Brooklyn artist had a lot to say on her previous effort, she proved that she could do it by bridging the gap between a variety of genres. Hear is the first offering from Santigold’s sophomore album, Master of My Make-Believe, due out in spring.

What better way to usher in the new year. Congratulations to Jay & Be. I don’t have anything to say about this song. I love this record. Hit the pic to head over to SplashJOY for more.

Download audio file (glory.mp3)

One of the biggest electro records of 2011 gets the remix treatment from British spinner Special Features. The Swedish DJ duo Dada Life had an enormous 2011 year so it was only fitting that Special Features re-work one of their biggest singles. Special Features has made a name for himself tweaking the majority of the biggest Progressive/New School House club hits and unleashing them online. Look for this one to turn up in a club near you.

Download audio file (Dada-Life-Happy-Violence-Special-Features-Remix.mp3)

Montreal’s sonic collective Arcade Fire had a gigantic year – most notably taking Album of the Year nods at the Grammy Awards. Their latest offering presents an interesting concept for the new video for “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)”. They have also set up an interactive version of the video on a dedicated website, where you can turn on your webcam and trigger the video with your hands. We have come to expect nothing less from the band, as they seem to be creatively on point with each and every step.

The latest artist that seems poised to have a pop culture breakthrough is 25-year-old Lana Del Ray. The New York born singer cites Kurt Cobain, Thomas Newman and Bruce Springsteen musical influences and is witnessing her single “Born To Die” take off and is currently making a massive mark on the charts. Directed by Woodkid, the official second single from the album of the same title which is set to be released January 30. Lana recently revealed the album cover via her Facebook page.

I’m still waiting for a Common surprise in my inbox but it has yet to happen and the anticipation continues to build. Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. better known to the world as Common recently sat down with Andy Warhol’s brainchild to discuss his relationship with the late great J Dilla as well as his many ventures which now include successful ventures in literature, television and films. The Chicago native is of course still making great, relevant music the next of which is titled, The Dreamer, The Believer which drops December 20. Article and interview by Alex Chapman with photography by Steven Taylor. Hit the pic to head over to SplashJOY for more.