News that the two undisputed heavyweights of hip-hop were planning to collaborate on an album smacked of some dreadful finance-first Hollywood franchise tie-up.

Kanye West was booed by crowds at the Big Chill Festival this week after he compared himself to Hitler onstage.

The Big Chill may not be one of the largest festivals in the UK, but this year it attracted an impressive array of talent. Electro, pop, hip-hop, dance and rock were all represented, from Wild Beasts to 2ManyDJs.

Kanye West claimed people treat him "like Hitler" during his headline show at The Big Chill festival on Saturday.

Kanye West once made Beyonce Knowles cry with his lyrics.

Jay-Z and Kanye West will release their long-awaited album next month.

Jay-Z has started work on his next album.

We’ve all hear about Beyonce at Glastonbury – but just because you missed the chance to roll in the mud on Worthy Farm, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to miss out. This year’s festival calendar is choc-a block with top acts to look out for – from Snoop Dogg at Lovebox to the Strokes at Reading. Here’s our pick of the best of the bunch. Stay tuned as we add to the list over the summer.

The commercial and critical success of Bon Iver's 2008 album For Emma, Forever Ago took everyone – not least its creator Justin Vernon – by surprise. It shouldn't have.

This week's Barometer playlist features Metronomy, Younger Brother, Young the Giant, Ben Westbeach, Rewards, Jukebox Collective, Det Vackra Livet and Kid Cudi.

The good thing about being a music writer in New York is that you get to pontificate in earnest professorial tones about scenes like hip hop.