Beatles iTunes Deal Coming Together?

After years of waiting and legal battles, there's been various rumors that Apple iTunes music service may finally be ready to sell the music of legendary band, The Beatles in digital format. InformationWeek.com reported that iTunes and the Beatles have "Come Together". However, the rumors have been disputed by Apple Inc. in a Billboard article. According to Billboard.com's article: Reports on Friday suggested that unnamed sources "close to Sir Paul McCartney" had confirmed that the Beatles catalog would be available online though iTunes and other legal services "within months." However, the claim has been met with a string of "no comments" from the Beatles' own label Apple Corps, and EMI. "This is not news nor is it a scoop," says an Apple Inc. spokesman, declining further comment. Efforts to clear the Beatles' music for digital distribution were long delayed by a trademark dispute between Apple Inc. and Apple Corps., which was finally resolved in February 2007. Speculation about the catalog's arrival online increased following a Billboard interview with McCartney in May 2007, in which he said that the deal to release it was "virtually settled." Olivia Harrison, the widow of George, had made comments in June 07' which indicated Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and reps for her late husband had agreed that their material should be made available. Paul McCartney had also told Billboard.com last year that they were "fine tuning" things but he expected an early 2008 release of the Beatles material for iTunes. Read more about the various rumors surrounding the Beatles & iTunes deal.

Jay-Z's 2008 Plans

It appears Jay-Z has already started working on new ventures in 2008. First off, it's been reported that Jay may be working with Apple iTunes to launch a new digital record label. Playlouder.com also poses the idea that Jay wasn't selling his American Gangster album on iTunes last month. (Source: Playlouder.com) MP3.com also notes the following about Jay's Def Jam contract which may create some conflict: "Another obstacle is Jay-Z's current recording contract with Def Jam. Late last month, Jay-Z ended months of speculation by announcing that he was stepping down as president of Def Jam Recordings after a three-year run as an executive with the company. But he remains under contract for two more albums as an artist." Jay also wants to open up five more 40/40 clubs, has a mixtape mashup of himself and Ghostface Killah and may be planning a wedding with Beyonce for NYC. Also see 10 New Year's Resolutions for Jay-Z Jay-Z Songs at iTunes: Umbrella by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z Big Pimpin' by Jay-Z feat. UGK Check out Jay-Z ringtones for your mobile phone! Pick up American Gangster at Amazon.com. View Rap Music Lyrics for Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Kanye West & more!

Top Song & Album Sales 07'

Kanye West's acclaimed album "Graduation" provided the top song and album sales for rap/hip hop this year. Here's a look at what was selling at iTunes for Rap/Hip-Hop in 2007. Top Song Sales 2007: 1. Stronger - Kanye West 2. The Way I Are - Timbaland 3. Party Like a Rock Star - Shop Boyz 4. Crank That (Soulja) - Soulja Boy Tell 'Em 5. Apologize - Timbaland 6. Give it to Me - Timbaland feat. J. Timberlake and N. Furtado 7. Buy U a Drank - T-Pain feat. Yung Joc 8. This is Why I'm Hot - Mims 9. Cyclone - Baby Bash 10. Pop, Lock & Drop It - Huey Top Album Sales 2007: 1. Graduation - Kanye West 2. Shock Value - Timbaland 3. T.I. vs. T.I.P. - TI 4. Finding Forever - Common 5. Konvicted - Akon 6. Eardrum - Talib Kweli 7. From Nothin' to Somethin' - Fabolous 8. Hip Hop is Dead - Nas 9. Strength and Loyalty - Bone Thugs N' Harmony 10. Sean Kingston - Sean Kingston 11. The Inspiration - Young Jeezy 12. Ultimate Victory - Chamillionaire 13. Epiphany - T-Pain 14. Eminem Presents - Eminem 15. Buck the World - Young Buck These are ranked purely by sales. For songs it was mainly the anthems and club themes that people bought up. On the album side, it's interesting that the Nas album is listed but not Jay-Z's Kingdom Come, which dropped around the same time.

Shop iTunes Music Store

iTunes Store Music If you have an iPod you most likely know about iTunes. The popular music store is the best place to get all the music you're looking for digitally. At iTunes they offer millions of tracks including popular artists and even harder to find songs. Not only do they sell music but they offer music videos, TV episodes, full length feature films, audio books, games, podcasts and more! It's especially great if you own an iPod, as they all work great with the iTunes music program to download and store your favorite media. iTunes recently began to sell less-restricted versions of many songs. These allow you to share the songs in an easier manner than the MP4 format. At iTunes you can also preview songs for 30 seconds before buying, just to make sure its the version you want. Then with a simple click you can buy and download and then own the song you want instantly! iTunes updates its Top 100 lists on a constant basis. You can refer to the Left sidebar here at MC's Music Notes blog to see the current Top 10 in Rap/Hip-Hop. So if you're looking for the latest hot song, look no farther than the iTunes Store Home Page. More iTunes media to check out: iTunes Store Movies iTunes Store TV Shows iTunes Store Audiobooks iPod Games