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In this week’s issue:

• 🐻 Kanye's Ex Leaks College Dropout Sketches

• 🤓 Trivia - Win a copy of FL Studio Producer Edition

• 🤠 T-Pain Reveals Racism Encountered After Penning Country Hits

• 🎹 Akai Delivers its MPC Keys 37, Synth & Sampler Workstation

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Top Story

Kanye's Ex-Fiancé Leaks Original College Dropout Mascot Sketches

The What: Kanye West's former fiancée, Alexis Phifer, recently revealed details about Kanye's creative process during "The College Dropout" album era. She shared that Kanye initially sketched the iconic bear design at her house in 2004, just before the album's release. Phifer explained that Ralph Lauren was a significant inspiration for the bear's design, and Kanye began by drawing its head.

Tell Me More: According to Phifer, Kanye nearly discarded the sketches after faxing them to the record label until she convinced him to let her keep them. The sketches, preserved for over 20 years, offer insights into Kanye's artistic vision and creative journey during a pivotal moment in his career.

Say Word: This revelation sheds light on the personal and artistic connections behind Kanye's iconic imagery, showcasing the lasting impact of his work beyond the music itself. It also raises questions about the role of personal relationships in artistic creation and the significance of preserving artifacts from cultural milestones.

Final Verdict: While the sketches may not directly impact Kanye's musical legacy, they provide fans with a deeper understanding of the album's genesis and Kanye's artistic process.

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T-Pain Reveals Racism Encountered After Penning Country Hits

T-Pain recently revealed the hurdles he faced after writing successful country songs, shedding light on racial disparities in the genre. Despite his considerable contributions, T-Pain shared his experience of being marginalized and discriminated against, even after penning acclaimed country tracks. In a candid TikTok video, he emphasized the universality of good music while expressing frustration over the racism he encountered in the industry, leading him to downplay his involvement and opt for anonymity to avoid hate.

While T-Pain's narrative highlights the challenges faced by Black artists in the country music scene, it also underscores the need for greater diversity and inclusion within the genre. With systemic issues persisting despite some progress in recent years, T-Pain's revelations serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for recognition and acceptance faced by artists of color in traditionally white-dominated spaces. As the industry grapples with these issues, T-Pain's story prompts reflection on the broader implications of race and representation in country music.

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Check the Tech-nique

Akai Delivers its MPC Keys 37, Synth & Sampler Workstation

Akai Pro has unveiled its latest music production unit, the MPC Keys 37, following leaks last month. This all-in-one workstation integrates standalone MPC functionality with a dedicated MIDI keyboard controller, featuring 16 pads, a seven-inch color screen, and various control knobs and buttons for seamless parameter adjustment. With the familiar MPC software, users can enjoy touch-screen sample editing, sequenced effects tweaking, and access to over 8GB of built-in samples and plugin instruments. The MPC Keys 37 boasts impressive I/O capabilities, including TRS ins and outs, CV/Gate ports, SD card slot, and USB MIDI connectivity, though lacks RCA-ins and XLR-ins. Priced at $899, it offers wireless sample transfer and upcoming stem separation functionality.

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