Two days after Jay-Z and Beyoncé announced the birth of their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z releases a new track...and B.I.C. is on it.  

On Saturday (January 7th), after what seemed like a record-breaking pregnancy of only 30 days, Beyonce gave birth to her and Jay-Z's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. The internet wasted no time attempting to determine the name's meaning and while, we admit, that such a moniker won't keep the kid from being snickered at in almost every art class from now until forever, we've heard worse (hey, Apple!). Besides, she'll probably be home-schooled anyway, safe in a room made of diamonds and gold. Naturally.

Here are the most ridiculous theories we've heard so far...  

Who: ScHoolboy Q

From: Los Angeles, CA

Why You Should Get To Know Him: Because he and his cohorts are about to run 2012.  

With the holiday season officially over, the next few weeks will bring the usual drought of major label releases as artists focus on promoting the albums they dropped in time for Christmas or plan to complete for the spring. In the meantime, the rappers at least have a mechanism to stay on your mind—official mixtapes given out free of charge to anyone who chooses to download them. As they say, you get what you pay for so those mixtapes aren't always the height of artistry, but there tend to be at least a few tracks worth seeking out for fans. in the last week or so, Fabolous, T.I. and Raekwon have uploaded new material for you to check out: read on for details and links. 

Now that 2011 has to come a close, you're likely in need of a last-minute resolution, a hangover remedy, and some new music. We've got only one of those covered. You can thank us later.

RITA ORA
When Jay-Z signed the relatively unknown, London-based, Kosovo-born singer Rita Ora to his RocNation label back in 2009, his loyal fans turned to the internet in hopes of understanding and supporting his decision 

 

Anyone who hangs out on the internet knows that lists are a thing, especially come year end. There are always the Top Albums, Top Singles, Top Artists. Those are good and all, but if you're a listmaker like I am, then your listmaking capacities go way beyond the standard ones. In 2011, there were a lot of things in music to be excited about. There were also a lot of things to hate. In the true spirit of Year End lists, I've compiled my own personal lists for you, the reader to enjoy. If you feel so inclined, make up some of your own. Why not?  

Editor's Note: As we wrap up 2011, the think tank at Groove decided we would avoid the obvious and do some year-end lists. Yeah, we're pretty ground-breaking, we know. So, enjoy and we hope to see you all reading more in 2012.

Television exposure is no longer used as a measure of an artist's popularity, but please, take that up with MTV at another time. The internet has allowed for music videos to be seen as they were intended - in their entirety, some at more than 6 minutes long, without the first and last scenes being sliced to show useless footage of cheering underage fans, and with more than enough freedom to shamelessly pimp whatever Swarovski or Beats by Dr. Dre headphones the artist agreed to. Videos are now at the mercy of the viewers, who no longer have to hope their favorite clips make it on a televised countdown and, as this list shows, are not afraid to hit the "replay" button...