Welcome to Playlist, Youthography’s monthly offering that features high rotation music that we think are important indicators of contemporary youth culture. We are finally back with some new music just in time for Summer ’08. This summer is jam packed with great music festivals like the ever popular Lollapalooza taking place in Chicago with Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and Kanye West headlining. There is the debut of All Points West in NYC (established by the promoters of Coachella music festival), and the Rock the Bells Tour where early 90s hip-hop greats, The Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest are reuniting. Speaking of reunion tours, New Kids on The Block, Steely Dan, and Hall & Oates are all making a come back this summer. Whether you are busting a groove on a patio or rocking out in sea of sweaty hipsters, we know this summer is going to be a sizzling with good times and great tunes!

Due to the timeliness of these articles, some of these links will expire quickly. We therefore recommend accessing them immediately before they disappear!

Youthography’s Top Picks for June 2008

Motley Crue – Saints of Los Angeles Is Xbox 360’s Rock Band the future of music distribution? Is Radiohead going to give away their album for free on Wii? Motley Crue's new single "Saints of Los Angeles" has reportedly sold over 47,000 copies through just the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band, and around 10,000 copies through traditional music download services like iTunes and Amazon. Music marketers, start thinking about incorporating video game downloads as part of your sales and promotions mix now more than ever. As for the rest of us, we'll be playing Rock Band on Xbox 360 with the biggest celebs at our very own exclusive Rockstar Hotel this Saturday night at the Gladstone's Melody Bar. It's where we find out if Rockstar = Rock Band Star! http://youtube.com/watch?v=4sWpS8iSDIY

Kardinal Offishall – Dangerous (feat. Akon) Speaking of Rockstars, Canada's very own Kardinal Offishall will be making it official when he performs Sunday night at the 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards. Kardinal, Canada’s very own "hip-hop ambassador" has again collaborated with America's bestselling "bad boy" Akon for his new single "Dangerous." Kardinal will take the stage at the corner of Queen and John, with the likes of Rihanna, New Kids on the Block, Hedley and more. With the rise of Canadian hip hop, we wonder who we'll see next year: k-os featuring Young Jeezy! http://youtube.com/watch?v=kFeaqB-AAMo

The Virgins – Rich Girls (Atlantic Records, 2008) The Virgins are a new breed of downtown NYC band, who are backed by an underground clothing company "aNYthing" (who cater more to the hip-hop/skateboarding crowd) and are good friends with NYC artists and photographers such as Dash Snow and Ryan McGinley. They played their second show ever as an opening band for Patti Smith in Paris during fashion week and their entire EP has been featured as the soundtrack to an episode of Gossip Girl. Needless to say they are trendy right now. They are currently touring North America and will be at the All Points West Festival in August. http://www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc

Also Playing

Vampire Weekend – Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Live on Jimmy Kimmel)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rucWweOc8FY

Cazals – Somebody, Somewhere
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DK9tdisaJA8

Mystery Jets – Young Love
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qz-FoGp3p0s

Late of the Pier – Focker
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cz5Dei5O3xY

Midnight Juggernauts – Into the Galaxy
http://youtube.com/watch?v=J6SKNEYvZvQ

Cut Copy – Hearts on Fire
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hN0K974SAtE

Robyn – Who’s that Girl?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UYomJbEZG54

Estelle (feat. Kanye West) – American Boy
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mUZz-j81xNI

Usher – Love in This Club (MSTRKRT Remix)
http://hypem.com/search/usher+mstrkrft/1/

Bon Iver – Skinny Love (Live at Later…With Jools Holland)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GHyo33XLP24

MGMT – Electric Feel
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SQF8ep-OJLs