Weekly music agenda: Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'

The much-hyped fifth studio album of US recording artist Kanye West is set to drop on November 22. Also coming up, new LPs by Nicki Minaj, Smashing Pumpkins, and Black Eyed Peas.

Kanye West: 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'
November 22
International

West's fifth studio album reportedly includes collaborations with Charlie Wilson, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., T.I., Mos Def, Seal, Soulja Boy, and Kid Cudi, among others. The single "Runaway," which West premiered at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, is expected to be included on the album. West has claimed 12 Grammy Awards and all four of his previous albums have received critical acclaim. His fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak, became his third consecutive number-one album upon its US release. His third album, Graduation, sold more than two million copies in the US and reached number one in US, UK, and Canadian album charts. 
http://kanyewest.com


Michael Jackson: 'Michael Jackson's Vision'
November 22
International

Epic/Legacy Recordings is releasing Michael Jackson's Vision on November 22, making available the entire library of short films and videos produced by the star during his career as a solo artist. Packaged as a box set, Michael Jackson's Vision includes three DVDs featuring 40 remastered videos, including 10 previously unavailable on DVD. The package also includes a full-length version of "Thriller," directed by John Landis. Other highlights: "Bad," directed Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese; "Black or White"; and collaborations with directors John Singleton, Spike Lee, and David Fincher. To learn more and to preorder:
http://www.michaeljackson.com


Nicki Minaj: 'Pink Friday'
November 23
International

US rapper and songwriter Nicki Minaj plans to drop her much-talked-about debut album Pink Friday on November 23. In August, Minaj released "Your Love," the album's first single, which peaked at 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charted in UK and Canada. Famed for breaking new ground for female rap artists, in October 2010 she became the first female rapper to have seven hit songs on the US Billboard charts - the songs include her collaborations with rappers Ludacris, Usher, and others.
http://mypinkfriday.com/


The Smashing Pumpkins: 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Vol. II - The Solstice Bare'
November 23
International

US rock band The Smashing Pumpkins is set to release a new four-song limited-edition EP on November 23. Songs from the EP are available now on the band's website for a free download. Considered one of the most commercially successful bands of the 1990s, the Pumpkins ranked number one on album charts in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden with its 1995 hit Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/

Black Eyed Peas: 'The Beginning'
November 26/29/30
Germany/UK/US

Beginning November 26 in Germany, American hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas will roll out their sixth studio album, The Beginning. The album's first single, "The Time (The Dirty Bit)" samples the 1987 single "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the film Dirty Dancing and is set to be released digitally on November 9. The album follows up the multiplatinum The E.N.D., which spawned the number one hits "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling." The latter track is the most legally downloaded song ever, having been purchased by six million people worldwide. The hit, produced by David Guetta, has also become the first single to sell more than one million downloads in the UK. The Black Eyed Peas have sold more than 27 million records worldwide, and are currently touring the album The E.N.D through November 13.
http://www.blackeyedpeas.com/

Grammy Awards Nomination Concert
December 1
Los Angeles, US

Setting the stage for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13, this one-hour special will announce nominations in several categories and feature performances by past Grammy winners and/or nominees (performers and host have yet to be announced). Stayed tuned to the official website for more information and check local listings for broadcasts in your area. The event will air from 10-11 p.m. in the Eastern and Pacific time zones.
http://www.grammy.com/


Daft Punk: TRON: Legacy soundtrack
December 7
International

French house DJ duo Daft Punk, consisting of Guy-Manuel de Homen-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, are set to release the full soundtrack to the upcoming TRON: Legacy, the sequel to 1982's Tron. To produce the score, Daft Punk employed a symphony of 85 musicians and recorded at London's AIR Lyndhurst Studios. This is the pair's first film score. Renowned internationally as electronic music innovators, Daft Punk has received two Grammy Awards and seven nominations. To hear a six-minute excerpt from the soundtrack: http://www.waltdisneystudiosawards.com/tronlegacy/music.php?ref=nf
http://www.daftalive.com/