Based on pretty much everything we've heard — namely, the scalding sonics of and the minimalist flourishes of — Kanye West is supremely concerned with pushing hip-hop into the future with Yeezus.

But, judging by a snippet of a new track he's posted on his official site (you can hear it by mousing over the Yeezus album cover), he's also remembering the past, too.

Said snippet samples a pair of classic tracks, the first being "Bound," a song taken from the Ponderosa Twins Plus One's 1971 album 2 + 2 = 1. The group, formed in Cleveland in the late '60s, was so named because it featured two sets of identical twins — Alfred and Alvin Pelham, and Keith and Kirk Gardner — and a "plus one," Ricky Spicer. They were signed for a time to Sylvia Robinson's All Platinum Records, the label she owned before launching influential Sugar Hill Records in 1979, and were tipped to be the next Jackson 5. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way, and, after released a string of singles, the group called it quits in 1975 ... though their music has been sampled in the decades since by the likes of Large Professor and Big Pooh.

The second sample — a sassy "Uh huh, honey" — is the vocal intro to Brenda Lee's "Sweet Nothin's," where she entertains to the whispered advances of a would-be lover. The track was originally released in 1959 and, at the time, became her biggest hit ... ...

It's down to the top six on "The Voice." The contestants found themselves in the spotlight Monday night in another week of live performances in an attempt to win America's vote. This time, they performed two songs — one of their own selection and the other selected by their coaches.

With Blake Shelton in the lead with three contestants, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher pulled out all the stops to help their artists make a lasting impression, with Usher going so far as to call in a very special favor from Taylor Swift.

Here's how the top six fared:

Holly Tucker
Team Blake's powerhouse vocalist might have one of the biggest voices in the competition, but she suffered from low self-esteem, appearing demure and quiet in the past. Monday night, Holly decided to break out of her shell, embracing her new found "attitude" with Martina McBride's "When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues" and Rascal Flatts' "My Wish." Levine noted a "different character" emerged, telling Holly, "You've really shown range and scope."

Michelle Chamuel
Everyone's favorite oddball continued to shine Monday night with her remarkable renditions of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" and Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble." Team Usher's lone soldier was surprised during rehearsal by Swift herself, who gave Michelle her personal stamp of approval. The cover elicited what host Carson Daly called the "most enthusiastic" response of the night, comparing it to that of the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC during his "TRL" days. The praise didn't stop there. Levine said, "It's unbelievable. Stop it already!" and Usher quipped, "I ...

It's down to the top six on "The Voice." The contestants found themselves in the spotlight Monday night in another week of live performances in an attempt to win America's vote. This time, they performed two songs — one of their own selection and the other selected by their coaches.

With Blake Shelton in the lead with three contestants, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher pulled out all the stops to help their artists make a lasting impression, with Usher going so far as to call in a very special favor from Taylor Swift.

Here's how the top six fared:

Holly Tucker
Team Blake's powerhouse vocalist might have one of the biggest voices in the competition, but she suffered from low self-esteem, appearing demure and quiet in the past. Monday night, Holly decided to break out of her shell, embracing her new found "attitude" with Martina McBride's "When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues" and Rascal Flatts' "My Wish." Levine noted a "different character" emerged, telling Holly, "You've really shown range and scope."

Michelle Chamuel
Everyone's favorite oddball continued to shine Monday night with her remarkable renditions of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" and Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble." Team Usher's lone soldier was surprised during rehearsal by Swift herself, who gave Michelle her personal stamp of approval. The cover elicited what host Carson Daly called the "most enthusiastic" response of the night, comparing it to that of the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC during his "TRL" days. The praise didn't stop there. Levine said, "It's unbelievable. Stop it already!" and Usher quipped, "I ...

Every year, the O Music Awards reinvent the usually staid award show ceremony with a musical twist — think Chiddy Bang's record-setting freestyle session in 2011 or the Flaming Lips' epic 24-hour run of concerts last year. And 2013 is no different.

That's because when the latest O Music Awards kick off on June 19 at 7 p.m. ET at OMusicAwards.com (where they'll stream live over the span of 24 hours), they'll also launch "Live Music Day," a huge, online-only music festival that will feature more than 50 bands, of all genres, performing live for an entire 24 hours. So basically, you get the full fest experience without ever having to leave the house (or put on pants). Win.

Kat Dahlia, Atlas Genius, Hanson and Kate Nash are just some of the artists confirmed to perform during "Live Music Day," topping an initial list of acts that also includes the likes of 2AM Club, Boxer Rebellion, Chrisette Michele, Gavin DeGraw, Luke James, Langhorne Slim and X Ambassadors. More performers will be announced at a later date.

The online event will also feature performances from the O Music Awards' Make A Band Famous finalists: Chill Moody, Darling Parade, the So So Glos, Striking Matches and Syd Arthur. During the live show, fans will be able to vote for their favorite, and the winning act will get a once-in-a-lifetime shot to play VMA weekend in August!

See, we told you the 2013 show wouldn't disappoint. And there's still time to help determine who wins one of the O Music Awards' ...

Rick Ross likes things in excess, and on his Maybach Music Group record label, the Boss has amassed an excessive amount of rap talent. In the beginning, Rozay was flanked by Wale and Meek Mill, but as the years beat on, he's added Stalley, Rockie Fresh, Omarion and DJ Scream just to name a few. It's a lot to balance — lucky for Ross, he has experience in putting together cohesive compilations. So when he drops MMG's Self Made, Vol.3 on August 6, fans should expect the smoothest ride.

"A lot of times you'll get in the studio with your homey and collaborate on a record that may not necessarily fit with the body of work... you may be putting together for a solo album, but it's something that you really want to give to your fans. It's something it's really super dope, but it's only a way you can present it — in a form like this," Rozay told MTV News on Monday (June 3) about the upcoming compilation that he announced the day before.

The MMG mastermind spear-headed the release of three separate records to commemorate the announcement of the third Self Made album. First, he and his all-star crew dropped a Boi-1da-produced Rockie Fresh solo affair. On it, the Chicago up-and-comer gives praises to the most high. On the day's second release, "Poor Decisions," Wale and Ross link up with Lupe Fiasco for the first time, and to round things out, Rozay and Jadakiss partner up on the musically rich "Oil Money Gang."

"It's ...

As if Selena Gomez couldn't say it enough, she's showing off her brand-new confidence these days. But there was one thing she was holding back: the release date of Stars Dance. However, on Monday (June 3), the "Come & Get It" singer announced the newest LP will come out July 23.

Gomez held a hour-long livestream, where she answered questions from fans, talked about her Stars Dance tour and unveiled her album artwork. In a shiny headdress, Selena looks directly at us on the black and white cover.

She went in depth about her 10 new songs and tweeted them out as hashtags. She played "Slow Down" for the first time at the end of the stream, which will be available at 9 p.m. PT along with the album pre-order on iTunes. She'll be performing all the songs onstage during her Stars Dance Tour, on which Emblem3 will open. Check out the new songs below!

»"Birthday" — Selena said that this was the first song she recorded, so naturally, it lands first on the record. It's also ironic, since the album will drop a day after her 21st birthday. The song will have a Gwen Stefani, "Hollaback Girl" feel.

»"Slow Down" — She'll take what she learned from Skrillex in "Spring Breakers" and flaunted her new love for dubstep.

»"Stars Dance" — "It's actually kind of sensual in a way, in a really beautiful way. It has a very soft feel," she said, revealing some of the lyrics, "I can make the stars dance."

»"Like a Champion" — Because Gomez gets to ...