women in music

Pepa of Salt'n'Pepa's Let's Talk about Pep, a new VH1 reality show billed as a "Black Sex & the City," debuted last night. Here's Pepa's take on it, did anyone else catch it? (In way less-glamourous news about hip-hop women being on reality tv, Lady Soveriegn is slated for Celebrity Big Brother. She will be housemates with Sisqo. [Stereogum]). • Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings will have a new album, I Learned it the Hard Way, ready for May. [BeatCrave] • You can watch an entire Thao and the Get Down Stay Down concert at Baeblemusic.com [KRS]. • M.I.A., who's always been outspoken about political unrest in her birthplace of Sri Lanka, has bashed the New York Times on Twitter (screenshot) for listing the country as the #1 "place to go" in 2010. (Pitchfork]. • Solange Knowles, the Dirty-Projectors-covering, safe-sex promoting, little sister of Beyonce is going to be on the upcoming Of Montreal album. [Pitchfork] • And music recs after the jump!

Even though we've already talked a little about some of our favorite albums of 2009, and even though we've down a decade-tastic mix tape, and even though we're already into 2010, I don't see any reason to stop recapping, especially with all the good music that came out last year. I'ma do whatever! My mix is not only some of the best tracks that came out this year, but tracks that make you want to get. down. Have a good weekend shaking it to these singles that Aught-a (!) make your weekend a little dancier.

Singer, Fairuz (Lebanese for ‘turquoise’), is one of Lebanon’s most celebrated national treasures. Don’t take my word for it though—she’s often referred to as the Soul of Lebanon, our Ambassador to the Stars, the Arab’s Ambassador, Neighbor to the Moon and the Poet of the Voice. Listen to her amazing voice after the jump!