With each passing day, it seems like my admiration for Rihanna seems to extend a bit further. While many panned her latest album, Rated R, I've been reveling in it...rolling around in the dark and emotional tones...much like our dear Riri rolls around in the mud. Say what?


Earlier this afternoon, Rihanna debuted the video for her latest single, Hard. It's a street-stomping, "I'm'a cut you" kind of track that is nowhere near short of heavy hits and insinuating lyrics. With a brand spankin' new video to give your best salute to, Rihanna steps up her sexy and marches to the beat of her own drums.

Watch now!

I love it. Everything about it. If the military is anything like this, then I;m enlisting now.

More importantly, have you jumped on my Rihanna contest? You can see her live in NYC this Saturday, for FREE, courtesy of this beast, by entering here. We're so hard.

mp3: Rihanna - Russian Roulette (Max Methods Remix)

Oy, I struggled with how to phrase this Rihanna contest. So rather than try to explain, I'll simply ask you to jump below the image, some of my words, the video, and then get to entering. Sound good? Ok...go!


First and foremost, our beloved "Riri" debuted a 30 second sneak peek of her upcoming video for Hard, featuring Young Jeezy. The track is definitely an album highlight off her latest offering, Rated R.

Catch the preview below, then be on the lookout for the video's official debut tomorrow at 4pm EST on VH1.

Now on to the good stuff. Rihanna is performing in New York City this Saturday, December 19. I, along with a few great blogger buddies, will be in attendance. Seeing as how I've got an extra ticket, I figured, why not make a rad little boy or girl's holiday wishes come true and bring them along for the show! So that's the catch...you'll be hanging out with us, but I promise, we're super fun!

Here's how to enter. And no, its not through twitter this time...shocker!

Whoever leaves me the most hilarious comment on this post, incorporating ANY Rihanna song title, will win the ticket! Discretion is obviously up to this Beast...creativity and puns are always a plus. (Please include your email address, so I can easily contact the winner.)

Contest will be open until noon this Friday, December 18. New York City residents need only apply, although, if in the tri-state area and feel you have the means to travel, dive on in!

For questions regarding this contest, please send word here.

mp3: Rihanna - Umbrella (Vandalism Remix)

Ok, this might just go down as the raddest most excellent contest I've ever hosted. Partially because of the product name, but ALSO because of what exactly this killer piece of technology does. Boys and girls, I present, the Rad Blaster...along with the chance to win one of three [3] that I'm giving away!


Here's the deal. Rad Blasters are the first ever boombox/mp3 player/recorder & flash drive/thumb drive. It allows you to rock out in headphones, bump beats through built-in speakers, spit rhymes into its recorder or safely store files all while it hangs from your neck by a blingin’ chain. YES, not only does it do rad techy stuff, but you can rock it 'round your neck.

The Rad Blaster also includes a 1.1 inch true color LED screen, supports MP3/WMA/WAV audio formats and has 2GB of built-in memory. Count me in!

So here's where we get all sorts of radly charitable. I've got 3 Rad Blasters at my disposal, and to top it off, I'm going to load it up with a TON of exclusively killer tunes, as selected by yours truly. So how do you win?

Let's tweet! Start by following me on twitter, if you're not already. Then simply copy, paste, and hit send so I can see the below message, and you're entered. Easy peasy!

hey @sheenabeaston, you're pretty rad, but i'd be so much more kickass than you if you hooked me up with a rad blaster from @superradtoys

Contest will be open until 5pm on Monday, December 21, so you've got a week to get rad and get entered! And hey, even if you don't win, you can buy a Rad Blaster here...it's a pretty great deal.

mp3: The Aquabats - Super Rad

In these cold winter months, Diplo continues to warm our cockles by always impressing, on an endless journey for extreme domination of all musical genres. When not producing and performing, he's taking over your webspace, one tweet and site at a time.


In conjunction with Topman, CTRL invites bands and musicians to takeover their music world for a month, in-store, program a live gig, blog on the site and more. Topman CTRL asked legend-in-the-making, Diplo, to man the reins for December. In addition to blogging about current artists who are generating heat (he mentions Maluca and Sleigh Bells!), Diplo is curating a one-off show at Fabric, London with Micachu & The Shapes, Benga, Primary 1 and Mumdance. Tickets here.

Each month, the artist in control/CTRL, designs a limited edition t-shirt. Only fifty (50!) have been made, and we've got one to throw to a lucky reader. Here's what you need to do.

Diplo loves twitter, and so do we. So why don't you follow me*, then simply copy, paste and hit send to direct the below tweet at me, and you're entered to win!

hey @sheenabeaston I need something rad to wear home for the holidays, so give me that @topmanctrl tshirt designed by @diplo

Winner will be selected at random. Contest ends Monday, December 14 at 5pm so hurry!

mp3: Private - My Secret Lover (Diplo Remix)
mp3: Justin Timberlake - My Love (Diplo Remix)

*In case you're still not up on the twitter know-how, the only way I can contact you as a winner is if you're following me. You'll get a rad email notification/direct message congratulating you!

There have been many a dude, chickee, robot and the like write up about the killer contest The FADER is hosting. So instead of writing a whole ton, I'll simply direct you to below the image and give you the details as to how something so rad can be all yours.


Here's the long and short of it.

SALEM and Tanlines team up for the 11th installment of the FADER/Southern Comfort 7-inch series. If you dig vinyl, they're giving away copies from the limited pressing of 500.

Go here to win and good luck!

mp3: SALEM - breakdownthadoor

In case you've been a hermit in hiding over the past few months (nee, nearly a year if you're a nerd like us), then you're unaware that eveything is coming up Delphic. Being that the Manchester dudes are producing some of the most expertly crafted etherealectro, major institutions are beiginning to take note of what many a blogger has been heralding as the best new music.


That said, Delphic isn't leaving the bros of the blogworld behind. The debut single off their upcoming album, Acolyte, is the wondrously soaring and instantly repeatable, Doubt. The stems for the song are being offered up for free for anyone who wants to throw their hat into the remix ring.

Here's the catch. You'll have to do a bit of bloghopping to get all the stems. Parts are available at the following: Neon Gold, Big Stereo, Electrorash, Fucking Dance, Hot Biscuits, The Mix Tape, Too Many Sebastians, and Trash Menagerie.

Or you can just stay put...and gobble up the below tracks. Options are rad!

Delphic's Acolyte is out January 11 via Polydor.

mp3: Delphic - Doubt
mp3: Delphic - Alterstate
mp3: Everything Everything - My Keys, Your Boyfriend (Delphic Remix)

On Wednesday, December 16, Telepathe, Walter Schreifels and Nick Zinner (of Yeah Yeah Yeahs) will all be celebrating the season in style...at The Studio at Webster Hall's One Year Anniversary and Holiday Party. And we're inviting some lucky beasts to join us there!


Here's what you need to know. I'm hitting up 13 lucky souls (along with their invited +1's) to join for me holiday fun times. Why 13? Well see we wanted to do a whole "12 days of Christmas" type thing, but then realized, I hate the number 12. So 13 it is!

Simply send an email here no later than 9am on Friday, December 11, and you're entered! Winners will be selected at random.

Limited tickets are also available here, but um, we're giving away a ton of spots, so enter, cause chances are you'll probably win!

mp3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion (Nick Zinner Remix)
mp3: Telepathe - Chromes On It (Mad Decent Remix)

Last week, I announced some pretty rad news that myself, along with pals over at The Culture of Me and East Village Radio would be bringing Ian McCulloch to you live, this Friday, December 4, at The Studio at Webster Hall. As it's a private event, it's guest list only, but here's where I get charitable!


I'm giving away three (3) pairs of guest list spots to some lucky readers. Details as to how to score these coveted tickets are as follows.

Here's how you can win. You can start by following me on twitter, if you aren't already...and why wouldn't you be? I'm hilarious and it's strange if you don't. Secondly, copy and paste the below message, then hit send!

Hey @sheenabeaston, I'd love to be your guest at the Ian McCulloch performance on Friday, so please hook me and a friend up!

Want to know WHY it's vital to be following me on twitter? All winners, who will be selected at random, must be notified through Direct Message, which can only be accomplished by following me. It's that simple. Contest runs through 5pm EST on Wednesday, December 2, so you've got to be quick.

If you have any questions or are a member of the press who would like to attend, please email me here.

mp3: Ian McCulloch - Candleland (The Second Coming)

Hey kids...HAPPY THANKSGIVING! In conjunction with super cool new kid on the scene, Erik Hassle, I am pleased to team up and dole out an extra special THANK YOU to both his fans and my readers. Well, at least, to the UK constituent. (which in no way discounts my love and thanks to all readers, wordlwide!)


To show appreciation to his fans, Erik will be hosting and performing at a very special Christmas house show at a secret location in East London on December 17.

Seeing as how this Beast is based in New York City, we're extending the offer to two (2) lucky readers to attend this exclusive and most rad event! Here's the catch. One, you MUST be based in the UK. And two, it is imperative that you are 18 years or older, as the booze will be flowing freely during the show.

Here's how you can win. You can start by following me on twitter, if you aren't already...and why wouldn't you be? I'm hilarious and it's weird if you don't. Secondly, copy and paste the below message, then hit send!

Hey @sheenabeaston, I'm thankful for you, Erik Hassle and this rad opportunity, so stuff my stocking with a ticket!

Want to know WHY it's vital to be following me on twitter? Both winners, who will be selected at random, must be notified through Direct Message, which can only be accomplished by following me. It's that simple. Contest runs through 5pm EST on Thursday, December 10, so we're giving you plenty of time to enter. (note: as the location is secret, winners will emailed the party location 24 hours prior to the event)

If you have any questions, please email me here. Now get off the computer and go enjoy the holiday by getting all sorts of fat!

mp3: Erik Hassle and Ellie Goulding - Be Mine (Robyn Cover)

Friday, December 4 sees the return of Ian McCulloch, the iconic frontman of Echo and the Bunnymen, to New York City. After a smashing show at Mercury Lounge earlier this fall, many an avid fan were left wanting more. Now, thanks to the fine folks over at East Village Radio, along with The Culture of Me, and well me, Sheena Beaston, we are pleased to announce the following.


As described above, Mac will be performing a solo set at The Studio at Webster Hall. Prior to his performance, the Liverpoolian lad will be kicking it with Mark Ronson during his Authenti Sh*t slot at EVR. Both Jeff (TCoM) and msyelf will be covering the pre-show radio set, complete with this Beast working the mic for on-camera footage to air after the haps take place.

Here's the deal. The after party/show is a closed event, by invitation only. "But Beast...how do I get in then?" THAT, my dear readers, is where my generosity comes in.

On Monday, November 30, I will be announcing an exclusive contest, in which a handful of you lucky souls will be my personal guests to the event. More details to follow after the holiday.

Until then, get excited and stay rad!

mp3: Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar

Oh hi, Little Boots, remember us? Welcome back to Beastonia. It's surely been a bit of time since we last wrote about ya, but today ushers in your return, thanks to a grittily killer mix of latest single, Earthquake.


Thanks to a remix competition, as hosted by the lil' lass, we've been thrown a submission to listen to, and subsequently post for everyone to hear...considering we love it so.

Fabio Pop hails from Brazil, and while we were unfamiliar with his works before today, we're no longer strangers to his soaring and thumping mixes. His take on Earthquake is full of piercing synth hits, complete with a running and gunning bassline that will leave you itching for more.

The competition is open until Sunday, November 22. So, you know, if you think you can top Fabio, go here for more info.

mp3: Little Boots - Earthquake (Fabio Pop Remix)

Whoa! It's our unfortunate duty to tell you that Bad Lieutenant has had to cancel their upcoming US tour due to visa and immigration laws. Sadcakes!


Which brings us to the news surrounding our ticket giveaway we were hosting. We were giving away a set of tickets to both the NYC and Chicago performances, but as there is no show, alas there are no tickets.

GOOD NEWS though! We are still honoring all of you who have enetered the contest. (reminder: it's still open until 5:00pm today!) Instead of tickets, we're giving away a massive prize pack (well 2 to be exact...one for the NYC entrants and another for the Chi-town kiddos).

Includes: deluxe Bad Lieutenant package, live New Order CDs and Joy Divison DVDs.

For how to enter, reference here.

mp3: New Order - Ceremony

Hey all you Los Angeles radlets! Want to attend a pretty kickass party time tonight? Then jump on below this event flyer and hurry, cause this contest is a one day only deal!


Tonight, Cinespace in LA gets overtaken by Dim Mak, Fischerspooner (for what is sure to be an excellent DJ set), and a Beaston fave in Awesome New Republic. If you'll recall, we had the Miami boys on our CMJ bill and they totally tore the house down.

Want to attend this show with a guest?

Here's what you need to do, and if you're noticing trends with our contests, then yeah, you are spot on. We love our twittered world, and want you to be a part of it!

Simply copy, paste and send me this message via twitter: hey @sheenabeaston, you are awesome but awesome new republic is AWESOMER, so give me the tickets to see them @cinespacela tonight!

That's it! Contest will be open until 5pm EST today, and winner will be selected at random and notified via direct message/email.

mp3: Awesome New Republic - Digital World (Soulwax Remix)

If you're not up to speed on all things Bad Lieutenant by this point, let's familiarize! Yep, Bernard Sumner, New Order, etc...but this super group stands powerfully enough on it's own merit, complete with a fall tour to boot.


And if you've been itching to have your Bad fever scratched, then enter this simple contest, in which lucky ducks in both New York City and Chicago can score a pair of tickets to see the band live!

Here's what you need to do.

We start by stressing to follow us on twitter. It's logistically in your best interest to do so. Next, just copy, paste and send either of these 2 city specific messages.

New York City: hey yo @sheenabeaston hook me up with a pair of tickets to see bad lieutenant in nyc @websterhall on november 21

Chicago: hey yo @sheenabeaston hook me up with a pair of tickets to see bad lieutenant in chicago at park west on november 18

That's all you have to do! Contest will run until 5pm Friday, November 13 and winners will be notified by DM and email.

mp3: Bad Lieutenant - Dynamo

House of Diehl’s Style Wars, the original cutting-edge fashion and performance craze, is taking the runway world by storm. Fusing the street mentality of a rap battle with the glamour of a runway show, Style Wars pits designers head-to-head to cut, slash, twist and tape, creating fashion LIVE in 5-minute knock-out round battling for amazing prizes - including a spread in Surface Magazine.

New York’s electric event night will feature celebrity judges Jenny Shimizu, Rebecca Weinberg, and Elettra Rossellini Weidemann along with special guest DJ Nancy Wang of LCD Soundsystem and The Juan MacLean on the decks. The NY haps take place this Saturday, November 7, at Don Hill's. You can purchase tickets here, or read on, beacause...

...I'm giving away a pair of tickets to the event! Here's how to enter.

1. Simply follow me on twitter. C'mon, it's not that hard.
2. Copy and paste this tweet, and send it on its way: dear @sheenabeaston, i love fashion, i love music and i love you. now give me the tickets to nyc's style wars on november 7!

See how easy it is! Contest will be open until 5pm this Thursday November 5, so start tweeting and get to winning! (Winner will be selected at random and will be notified through DM/email by noon on Friday, November 6.)

mp3: The Juan MacLean - By the Time I Get to Venus

Want to catch my favorite Canadians, Dragonette, when they roll through New York City on their Fixin To Thrill tour next month? Well, then, you've come to the right spot!


In support of their recent release, Dragonette have been on a major tour of North America, and they're skipping on over to our fair town on November 5 at Santos!

So how do you win these rad tickets? Well, first, we'll tell you that we're giving away two (2) sets of tickets. That way, you can bring a friend and not fly solo. Secondly, you've got to follow us on twitter. Do so right here.

Last but not least, simply copy this message and tweet it out: OMG @sheenabeaston is going to let me see @dragonette for free @santospartyhaus on november 5 just by copy and pasting this tweet!

Contest ends this Friday, October 30 at precisely 5pm. So get to tweeting! Winners will be chosen at random and notified via direct message.

And if you don't win, there are still discounted tickets available with RSVP ($7 with, $10 without). All you have to do click here and fill out the RSVP form.

mp3: Dragonette - Pick Up The Phone (Daisy Dell Remix)

Last year, one of the first people to reach out to the Beast was the quickly "favorited" and "lovingly adored" Athens, GA dude, Immuzikation. Ever since initial contact, we knew that there would never be any doubts to his eternal existence on the site. He's THAT good.


And so, you may be wondering, why have there been no Immuzikationally influenced posts in the past few months or so. Well, duderman has been quite busy in touring, traveling, and turning it out behind the turntables on a regular basis. Today, that all changes.

Here's the deal. The Mixed In Key DJ Contest challenged any submitter to showcase their favorite music genre in a 10-15 minute mix. Judges include Kaskade, Paul Oakenfold and Pete Tong, among others. While you can't vote, you CAN revel in the insane radity that is his nearly quarter-hour long blend. It's basically one of the best minimixes you'll hear all year. SERIOUSLY.

You can stream or download the entire mix here. Or you can jump below this massively extensive, and "timed out oh my god it's so easy to follow along" track list and hit the mp3 link I've provided for you. Options are sweet.

(01) 00:06 Metric - Help, I'm Alive (Immuzikation B-ting Like a Hammer Remix)
(02) 00:09 Treasure Fingers - Come True Tonight (Dub)
(03) 00:09 Santigold - Unstoppable
(--) 01:11 Immuzikation - Synth
(04) 01:26 The Bloody Beetroots - Rombo feat. Congorock
(05) 01:27 Classixx - I'll Get You
(06) 01:42 Digitalism - Idealistic (A-Trak Remix)
(07) 01:57 Duck Sauce - aNYway
(08) 02:27 Villains - Rock It
(09) 03:28 Passion Pit - The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)
(10) 03:57 Dragonette - I Get Around (Midnight Juggernauts Remix)
(11) 04:29 Kraak and Smaak - Bobby and Whitney
(12) 05:02 Hot Chip - Over and Over
(13) 05:37 DJ Medhi - Tunisia Bambaata
(--) 05:52 Immuzikation - Synth
(14) 06:08 DJ Mujava - Township Funk (Crazy P Remix)
(15) 06:21 Mr. Oizo - Cut Dick
(16) 06:23 The Juan Maclean - By the Time I Get to Venus
(17) 06:38 Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream (Treasure Fingers Remix)
(18) 06:53 Major Lazer - Pon De Floor feat. VYBZ Kartel
(--) 07:23 Immuzikation - Synth
(19) 07:38 Knightlife - Discotirso
(20) 07:38 M.I.A. - Boyz (The Twelves Remix)
(21) 07:49 Titan - Bruxism Groove
(22) 07:53 Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (Fred Falke Remix)
(23) 08:21 Bounce Camp - Good Beat
(24) 08:23 MSTRKRFT - Easy Love
(25) 08:23 Siriusmo - Gummiband
(26) 08:53 K.I.M. - Party Machini
(27) 10:14 Kraak and Smaak - Keep Me Home
(28) 10:22 Alexander Robotnick - Obsession for the Disco Freaks
(29) 10:29 Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone
(--) 10:43 Immuzikation - Cuts
(30) 10:58 Calvin Harris - Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La
(31) 10:58 Treasure Fingers - Cross the Dancefloor (Chromeo Remix)
(32) 11:14 Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Rehearsal Version)
(33) 11:50 MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
(34) 11:52 MGMT - Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters (Holy Ghost! Remix)
(35) 12:06 Friendly Fires - Paris (Aeroplane Remix)
(36) 12:59 Miike Snow - Animal
(37) 13:13 Miike Snow - Animal (Treasure Fingers Remix)
(38) 13:29 MGMT - Electric Feel
(39) 13:58 MGMT - Electric Feel (Immuzikation Remix)
(--) 14:10 Immuzikation - Synth

mp3: Immuzikation - Ne Sucks Pas

R.E.M., Warner Bros. Records, and Cinema Purgatorio present This Is Not A Theatrical Release, limited sneak preview screenings of the upcoming R.E.M. un-concert documentary This Is Not A Show: Live at the Olympia in Dublin.


In their acclaimed 2007 “working rehearsals” in Dublin, R.E.M. set up camp at the venerable Olympia Theatre in Ireland’s capital city and tested new material over five nights before passionate, max capacity crowds.

Live At The Olympia gives fans an opportunity to hear those songs at their earliest stages of development. In addition to the new material, the band also served up several songs from across their nearly thirty year career. The film will screen one night only in select towns across the U.S. and looky here, cause I have a set of tickets to give away to one lucky reader for the NYC show!

The screening takes place on Oct 27 at the Cinema Purgatorio at the Kraine Theatre (NYC). The winner will be selected at random and you have until this Friday, October 23 at 5pm to enter. Simply email me here with the subject line "REM NYC TIX!"

This is a "not-to-be missed" opportunity, so enter now! Watch the trailer here to further entice you.

mp3: R.E.M. - I Am Superman

Yep, that post title/song name is exactly what you think it is. A bit of Deadmau5 with a hint of Will.I.Am's vocals from Flo Rida's summertime smash, In Da Ayre.


Deadmau5's album, For Lack of a Better Name, was bestowed upon wanting ears earlier this month, and it's no shortage of beat and bass laden facemelters. Pulling on his trance and electrohouse knowledge, along with a nod or two to the radio and club friendly groovers, the Toronto turntablist provides listeners with a sweat inducing series of songs.

Deadmau5 is hitting up local spot, Terminal 5, on November 23. The show is 16+, so lucky for you young'n's. Grab a ticket here.

To get you primed, here are two ridiculously cool Deadmau5 mixes and mashes. Also, head over to TLC and MuuMuse for a chance to win a goody bag from the mouseminded master.

mp3: Deadmau5 - Ghosts In Da Ayre (Donald Glaude and Ross.FM Mashup)
mp3: Deadmau5 - Faxing Berlin (Ross.FM Vocal Remix)

Simian Mobile Disco's sophomore album, Temporary Pleasure, is a record aimed squarely at the boudoir. As Jas states, “This one’s for all the ladeez out there”. Chiming in with his addendum, James notes, “And for all the gentlemen who wish to get with those superfine ladeez”.


Thankfully, these bedroom bangers are easily as accessible on the dancefloor. And you bet your bootshaking butts that they're bringing their rad repertoire to NYC. Check out the lads at Webster Hall on October 30. Or, if you're in a different city, well, there are more dates here.

And what say we give away some stuff? How about 5 full-art copies of Temporary Pleasure!

Who provided vocals on Simian Mobile Disco's first official single, It's the Beat?
A. Chris Keating of Yeasayer
B. Ninja of The Go! Team
C. Simon Ratcliffe of Basement Jaxx
D. Jamie Reynolds of Klaxons

Think you know the answer? Send an email here with your answer by 5pm this Monday October 12 and one could be yours!

mp3: Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge (Naum Gabo Remix)