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Showing posts from 2009

Wasn't Gonna Blog This But...

Heard this tune last month, but didn't blog it in fear of lobbyists pickiting my blog. However, I've changed my mind This Munga tune sell the r**s off! Voiced on Karim's Duffle Bag riddim. Riddim also features Busy Signal's 'Question' how his money went so fast. He isn't being rude or 'phobic, he's just setting the law according to him. Also feelin this 10 Long 10 Strong riddim Leftside is a big jugglin tune, Bugle is probably my favourite on there. Kartel is a good one too. Who says they don't make what's commonly known as dancehall sounding anymore?

8 Days 'til Christmas, soooo...

Was the not the last great pop Christmas song? Talking about original ones here. Materialistic as anything, and who the hell rubs feet, especially leading up to Christmas. Them cold toes in my warm, clean hands. Or just imagine it's after walking up and down Oxford Street in socks and Uggs. Dem pongin feet there. Song was on the re-packaged version of one of the greatest r&b albums in recent times, The Writings on the Wall. Kinda off-topic rant there, I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet. I know what I'm going to buy, just need to buy it. So technically sorted. This is another Christmas time banger What happened to Xtina? That voice was incredible! Obvs she had a baby, sure she made a failed comeback when people were comparing her style to Lady Gaga, to which she asked "Who?" She wouldn't say that now. If I never blog again (highly unlikely), Merry Christmas one and all. Thanks for visiting my blog

Beast Gets His Beauty (The-Dream weds Christina Milian)

Everyone loved off the light skinned girl who couldn't sing but appeared on Ja Rule's Between Me and You Before embarking on her own (short-lived? Stop-start?) solo career. AM to PM was horrible, but the next single, When You Look At Me was a lot of things. I won't lie, I liked the song Can't embed so click here for a reminder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRHkmnYHoiQ "Be gone" said Christina Milian (well her people) to her clean cut, girl next door image with the release of the seductive Dip It Low (written by one of the best female artists to drop an album this decade, Teedra Moses), was a hot video. The faux-dancehall riddim had me sucked once upon a time. Not anymore! Cheesy!!! Taking it back a little, I know all the UK males were with me hating on Romeo from So Solid when he collaborated with her. Not only that, but there was chemistry in the video between them. Not gonna lie, I used to look at that video hard to see if they actually recorded the video i

OK! Mag Kano and Noel Clarke mix-up

Spotted this over at Mad News . You guys get that I like that blog yet? This must be the 4th time I be jackin material san! It isn't really jackin, it's inspiration. As big as OK mag are I don't know what kind of mag they are; women, gossip, entertainment? All the same thing anyway. Men aren't supposed to read it so I'll make an educated guess that there's also fashion and make-up tips, hot fella's and pointing out sexy thick celebs cellulite to make insecure 40 year-old ugly journalists feel better about themselves (don't tell me most wimmin mags don't follow that blueprint) Anyway, apparantly they wrote an article on Noel Clarke But ended up using a pic of Kano Voila Well Kano can give thanks as this will probably be the most mainstream promotion he's had in his whole entire career, as evidenced by his tweet ( http://twitter.com/therealkano ) regarding the situation: "Has anyone got a screenshot of @okmagazine using my picture instead of

Real Badman Never Afraid: Iyaz - Replay

Quick post to say I'm overly feeling this tune at the moment. Was convinced it was Sean Kingston, but it's some geezer called Iyaz out of tax-haven British Virgin Island. Sean Kingston alledgedly discovered him on MySpace. MySpace? I didn't know people still used that site since the emergence of Facebook (dead out!), and my new favourite site Twitter!!! I can't see why Sean Kingston didn't sing this and cut out the middle-man. JR Rotem is fast becoming that go-to producer in my opinion to join Tricky Stewart and The-Dream. Red One and David Guetta are doing their thing in pure pop, but since Timbaland with the assistance of Danja blurred the lines/opened the door for that sound there hasn't been one (to my memory anyway). He never really followed up on Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girl, but J-J-J-J-J R's success with Jason Derulo's 'Whatcha Say' and even our boys JLS 'Everybody In Love' will probably lead to him being the man of 2010. My

Song of the moment: Demarco - True Friend

As the year draws to a close, it's always a time when life reviews take place. Have I done what I wanted? How can I fix what I did wrong this year in order to improve for next? What's the motive for next year etc. Another prominent question in my head is who really deserves my time next year. Nuff suckers, leeches, users, whatever about amongst the people I can depend on for a good conversation, creating memories, chucklin etc. This song is another one of those dancehall songs which ring off because it talk a real topic everyone can relate to in a simplistic, easily digestible way. Singer/DJ (rapper)/producer DeMarco sings about frenemies. Riddim up my seleckta Initially, I was going to blog about why I love dancehall, but I think it's more a recurring theme as apposed to something I can do in one post - 4th dancehall post in-a-row. Whether it be social-commentary, struggles ghetto youths face, poltical, inspirational, death, religion (conscious tunes), straight up thriller

Sean Paul - Hold My Hand [video]

Another day, another vid (no WorldStarHipHop) After releasing two singles at approximately 138bpm (that's like really fast), dancehall's flag bearer Sean Paul slows it right the way down with this lovers anthem Hold My Hand Finally the Sean Paul 'Imperial Blaze' success can begin. Rated this song from I first heard it at the listening session back in July (click for album listening party review) . I actually prefer the solo version over the duet with Keri Hilson. Here's a blog where I asked for this song to be released . Glad to hear my prayers were answered. Nice video too

Chino - Never Change video

As you may or may not know, I only post videos that evoked some form of emotion from me. Sometimes it's anger at a utterly butters tune, but I do tend to post videos to songs that I'm feeling more often than not This one is probably one of my favourite tunes from 09 full stop. Any genre! Powerful message, catchy melody, playful beat... also reminds me of my time in Jamaica this past summer. Song gives me such a good feelin'. After fuelling up on Cranberry and Vodka/Rum, draw for the Skip To Ma Luu dance and it's that summer vibe! In fact, I featured this tune back in July/August . You most probably don't know who the hell Chino is. If not, he's son of living legend reggae singer Freddie McGregor and brother to leading producer (and producer of this track) Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor. Here is an interview I did with him earlier on this year . Most fans of dancehall/bashment are so engrossed in the Gully/Gaza debate over here in England they don't e

Mavado & Kartel UNITE on stage [pic & vid]

Yes you read it correctly. The two have been embroiled in beef since 06, last seen on stage together during their much-hyped, but very disappointing clash last year at Sting. Dudus (if you know who he is you know, if not, well Google) made it all happen at West Kingston Jamboree, literally minutes ago. Here is the evidence (thanks to Liv_Up "ya riddim straight"): What does this mean for 2010? We've been here before with the press conference last year but that didn't stop the clash at Sting. "Mi hope and pray// hope and pray" this one lasts longer and everyone can work on the same riddims (click for post I did on Gully vs Gaza vs Producers) , shows and no more "fussin and fightin". Guess it's only La Lewis and Mr. G warrin at Sting this year unless Bounty wants to clash. Grung Gaad still has a problem with him. Peace, one love and unity mi say! (I still say Gully but whatever)! If you liked that/ "bare plugs, pluggin ting" (this was th

What's right/wrong with Sway's new video?

taken from the lovely Melissa Delicious' blog . Question is "What's right/wrong with Sway's new video" delete as you feel necessary. If you care to, leave a comment and let me know. I'd love to hear your opinions. Sway featuring 2Face Idibia - My Kind Of Girl (lead girl played by former Miss Black Britain Rachel Williams) Do I feel the song? Not really. Evokes zero emotion. Fodder If you don't know who 2 Face is, you need to stop pressing snooze! One of the biggest artists out of west Africa (I'm sure it's Nigeria lol). Check this classic. Was a big tune in Jamaica in 2007 2 Face - African Queen You may also be interested in these previous posts: Do we still care for Sway? FAO: Casting Directors of Black R&B Videos

Why Cheetah Woods, whhyyyy?!?!?!

We must all know about the predator nyamin woman (no bowcat reference intended - or am I lying? *shudders*). Anyone heard the voicemail he left for the girl he's been PARrin (there was a golf reference there) his wife with? Easy now my selekta as we rinse some tunes for di one name Tiger. Man like him doesn't know how to play. (By The Endz not Ruff Sqwad) How you gonna leave a voicemail for a girl with your real name at the beginning? Do you want to be held to ransom? Man from 'the ends' know (in the words of Kano) "That's slippin'!" And when isht hits the fan (like it has) he's buggered. Not something I deal in but surely the point of cheating is for an assortment of ladies. All his ones look the same; blonde, no breast nor batty. Rachel Uchitel bawlin at the scene of 9/11 where her man (fiancee/boyfriend/husband) died The chick whose sold his voicemail on and can be heard above The wifey (why cheat on her with the ones above I'll never kno

Urban Brit-Pop success influenced by Kylie?

Howdy! Now you're most probably looking at the title crazy like "How the hell you work that one out?" Some are probably thinking "Com'on son?! This is some bs" but hear me out. Today I was listening to my iPod when Kylie (the Aussie from Ramsay Street with the illusion pert bum) came on the dance/pop playlist. Yes, you read correctly. First song that came on was the 2000 chart-topping classic Can't Get You Out Of My Head. As a listened, I ran the choreography through my head - yes I know some of the dance steps in the chorus (blame my diet of music television) - when I realised there was a popular UK Funky dance in there. Look @ 1:49 Does this not look like this popular dance?* Excuse the lite version. Someone needs to re-dub the original tunes over the video. Credit my blog somewhere on the video in the pop-up tags! Ok, but on a more serious note, the next tune was Kylie (yes again) Come Into My World. Tune is mad under-rated! Skankers. & Love At F

This Is Why Westwood Runs This

I'll tell you straight, I grew up listening to Tim Westwood when his Friday Show was on from 11pm-1am. He is a straight up legend innadis! No one in the game possesses chracter like him. I burst out laughing on numerous occasions when I heard this on Saturday, so had to share. Westwood interviews Drum and Bass/Dubstep producion duo Chase and Status Related to that, a song I was meant to post the other day; Saxon is one of the best Dubstep beats about. I heard Rihanna was going to vocal it, which sounded alien to me. I'll never forget when grime DJ Logan Sama dropped this for Cold Blooded (Scorcher, Jonson, Revolver, Terminator & Dolla da Dustman). They left it disfigured! Anyway, below is Nicki Minaj's demo for Rihanna Don't think Rihanna did it for her album (I haven't heard it), but they've got 3 songs on there. And that's all folks

1 Month 'til Christmas

Don't know how they've worked that out but so dem seh! Anyway, nothing says Christmas like these: Christmas doesn't start 'til you see this The best advert in the whole entire world! I remember going there and being so disappointed that it wasn't the magical wonderland I expected. Was more like some any warehouse. Xmas party ender Noddy Holder must make so much money from this one tune. Every single year they dig this up for a new compilation CD and programs always use it. My personal fave Christmas song Top boy cartoon film I couldn't hit them notes before the Adam's apple

Sarah Palin's policies? IT DOESNT MATTER!!!

Just seen this and thought I'd share Some of you most probably fell about laughing thinking "only in America" but that's BS! UK votes for BNP are increasing. But not even that, ask people why they will vote for David Cameron next year, or why they voted for Tony Blair, or Boris, or even why they don't vote for lesser parties like Lib Dems or at all. You'll get foolish answers across the board, so don't put it down to "Only in America". I remember around the whole London mayor time someone told me they are voting for Boris because oil prices are too high... *looks in disbelief* ROTFLMAO (rolling on the floor laughing my arse off)! In '08 someone over the age of 21 told me that. I won't say the gender 'cos I don't want to bias the point and I love women (oops ;0) ). As one user correctly put it 123got180degrees (2 minutes ago) Show Hide 0 Marked as spam Reply This just proves that politics is just showbiz , 80% of people are jus

Gully vs. Gaza AGAIN!? Music mi seh!

So if you haven't been following, Kartel and Mavado (scroll to the bottom of the Killer vs. Kartel war report) have been sending songs after each other AGAIN. LAME we don't want to hear you two warring again. Just as we were getting somewhat near a peace treaty (AGAIN), you both decide to draw for war tunes. Why? We don't want to see a rematch this year at Sting, cos to be quite frank, the last wasn't that good. Both have managed to move on with their careers, Kartel's flourishing both locally and for the first time in a while internationally (since VISA was revoked?), whilst Mavado continues to make headway collaborating/in the studio with the likes of DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef and Young Jeezy to Alicia Keys. Last year, it was at the forefront of everyone's mind and captured our imagination. Now it's at the point where it is more likely to result in a lose-lose. We've had to endure Bounty Killer vs. Beenie Man on-and-off for over a decade, please

FAO Wiley: which Take That member did you see in Bedford Nightclub?

I wonder which member he saw? I'd only recognise Jason Orange (the Shaggy haired guy that was in one of the Celeb BB's) or Gary Barlow but neither of them seem the raving type. Especially not in a club I'd imagine Wiley would go to. Hmm... anyway, my money's on Jason Orange. LET US KNOW WILEY!!! Did you say something like "Rah I swear you're a member of that crew Take That?" That musta been "well weird", Wiley having a convo with a member of Take That. Just imagine if the member spat "It's Wiley and I'm gettin 'em hyper" whilst spuddin him as a greeting? Bare excitement innadis! Shame its getting released the week after Christmas though (28th December go cop that late stocking filler tingsdem). Sales aren't usually that great them times unless its Boxing Day sales. Hope it still gets the major love it deserves. Also hope his run lasts longer the last time, he most definitely deserves it. Send your answers in on the back

This Dynamo illusionist guy

Straight jacked from Chantelle Fiddy . Before I continue,I like Chantelle and rate her highly. Met her once (that's not me beggin' by the way) and she seems like a really cool lady, but I liked her before that and I don't know why. Although she doesn't seem to tweet much anymore she's jokes. But to the point of the post: I've heard a lot about him, but I never realised he was this big. Show reel is many things! Man can't fool badman like I though. If he tried that garbage on me, I'd tell him do it again if he's bad, then study real hard. But on a real, he's "truly amazing". I've never had someone play a trick on me - not counting evil bastads and them Eve's (evil females) - if I see him about I'll ask him to trick me. Mucho props to him

New York (vs) New York - Alicia Keys & Jay-Z

I'ma be honest wit'chyall (say that in a New York accent/twang whatever), I never really thought Empire State of Mind was as big as everyone else does yo. Word is bond dun, Al Shux laid the foundations for a moving tribute/appreciation, Alicia Keys kills it on the hook, but I never felt like Jay-Z actually hit a home run with any of the verses. Don't get me wrong there are lines here and there, general vibe just wasn't there for me. I find myself waiting for the chorus to come on again so I can sing out "Neeww Yorrrrrk" triumphantly like I'm from there! Me and one of my bredrens were debating whether Jay's verses were good the other day. I told him in no uncertain terms that the chorus makes the tune, not Jay. I guess that is compounded by the fact top 40 UK radio stations like Kiss and Choice FM cut Jay's verses down considerably. Thanks to the almighty Jah, Alicia Keys laced her own verses. That is better than the original alie? How it should hav

Griminal's new song... hmm... well... erm...

I like this guy, think he raps very well, girls love him and his TI lookalike self. Here's his new tune: Video is siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!!! Plush. Really feeling that. Obviously got some major label money behind it, possible deal on the table soonish. He followed the apparent blueprint set by Tinchy, then followed by Griminal's ex-arch nemesis Chipmunk. Song about romance = check Synth heavy = check Young sounding female on the hook (more Chipmunk then Tinchy) = check Rapper doing a bit of singing (even if it's Autotune assisted) = check But this is what happens when you try to recreate what's going on without using a brain to say the song just isn't good. This failed on the fundamentals; sing-along hook and a good beat. I'll be honest, I've never been sold on Griminal as the next to buss the commercial market. I hope he does, but I'm not sold on it yet. This didn't convince me. Him and Bratt are really trying to play this "

I don't usually hate on others but...

Exhibit A. Hating!!! Before I say the next thing I'd like to state I'm not a perv or anything, I'm a man. There is a difference between perv and man, some people will say thin line, I say you love it (females that is). My hand would have been testing her bum, RAGS! Exhibit B. Chart-topping grime (pop now?) artist Tinchy Stryder - real name Kwasi Danquah (why do national papers keep putting his real name out there? Silent pars or something? They don't call Elton John by his real name!) - tweeted "I've been in a bad mood 2day but RHIANNA jus come on the phone & invited me backstage!!... I'm smiling now!!!! Lol" This was the result of that phone call (shameless plug on my own blog, check my Tinchy Stryder interview here ) And if that wasn't enough Exhibit C. Who wants to cuss Rihanna's forehead? Come on, I dare YA! She is wayyyyyyy toooooo banging!!! Look at her back-off (thought she lost it) and thigh combo. Straight public lipsing ting. Hold

Marvin Sparks interviews Skepta

Following the success of the summer clubland anthem Too Many Man, Goin In is the new single from grime collective Boy Better Know. Marvin Sparks caught up with Skepta to discuss the lack of crews in grime, whether he was happy with the final outcome of Too Many Man, regrets from his crossover attempt, Chipmunk`s tweets and the importance of credibility. read that here on PyroRadio.com For the full interview which includes his opinion on the relevance of clashing, more regrets, whether he'll be on Lord of the Mics 3, what he'd change about the grime scene, #BBKcorrection, his own future plans, IndustryHater, Grime Daily vs. Grimeforum and more carry on reading below

This is why Grime > UK Funky

Shamelessly jacked this idea from UGK (UnderGround King) journo JP . We all remember this Channel U (channel 467?) classic I'm even from them ends but I recognise this to be a classic. Was better than the south equivalent and I'm from south (Just for the sake of it) This is the UK Funky remix of North Weezee What the hell is that all about? No vibes whatsoever. Don't get me wrong the beat isn't bad but it's the sorta song I'd rather smoke weed to and "I don't smoke the reefa!" The intro was nice, went on a bit too long but nice. Just clocked the girl singing is the girl spitting on the original! Sign of the times. My main gripe is this: a vital element to any anthem is a call-and-response hook. Was powerful on the original song - ok, I'll admit I'd sing it in my head when at a club. "Where do we come from?" - check, but what's the singing response about? They don't think people will sing it back do they? They were scraping

Noughties Appreciation: 2003

Welcome to 2003! Click here for the rest of the Noughties appreciation What happened in the world? 30 January - Richard Colvin Reid, the so-called "shoe bomber", sentenced to life imprisonment by a United States court. 15 February - In London, more than 2 million people demonstrate against the Iraq War, the largest demonstration in British history. 17 February - The London congestion charge, a fee that is levied on motorists travelling within designated parts of London, came into operation. 12 March - Iraq disarmament crisis: British prime minister Tony Blair proposes an amendment to the possible 18th U.N. resolution, which would call for Iraq to meet certain benchmarks to prove that it was disarming. The amendment is immediately rejected by France, who promises to veto any new resolution. 20 March - 2003 Iraq war: Land troops from United Kingdom join troops from the United States, Australia and Poland in the invasion of Iraq. April 21 - S Club announce live on stage at Londo

Couple Dancehall/Bashment Videos

Riddim built by my favourite production house right now, Head Concussion, lyrics laced by one of the fiercist lyricists in the dancehall game. Fans who dabble in dancehall music don't really understand this guys levels. Could be down to his clarity, but still. Video is big too, feel the way it captured paranoia Jah Vinci's 'Mi Know' is possibly the stand-out cut on the riddim. I also feel the Vybz Kartel hook (not hot on the song as a whole. Vybz Kartel did deliver on this next riddim, once again Head Concussion. Features cuts other members from his Portmore Empire camp; Lisa Hype & Gaza Kim, Black Rhyno, the man himself and again with Merital Family Feel every song in this video. The female song not as much, but it serves it purpose.

UPDATE

Apologies for the lack of updates; I haven't been inspired by much this week. Ok, I have been distracted by what I'm meant to be doing instead of posting, and I've been playing Call of Duty: Mordern Warfare 2. Email me @ marvin.sparks220@gmail.com if you want my username thingy bob. I specialise in headshots I have, however, completed the two missing years from Noughties Appreciation 2001 & 2002 Actually, brb, I'm going to post a video I saw the other day that I like.

David (Haye) vs. Goliath (Valuev)

Something's telling me not to do this post, because part of me feels like I will be wrong. It's never stopped me before so here goes... Let's be honest, we haven't cared about heavyweights in a while. A slew of sub-par champions has meant interest dwindled in what was Boxing's bread winning division. From about 2004 onwards, the light weights reign as the most exciting and generate the big PPV money. Another change has been the star-studded USA who ruled the heavyweight division since as far as I can remember, now have no world champions. All of the champions are either Russian or from Ukraine (Kiltschko brothers) and reside/fight out of Germany. Not exactly the glamour we've come to expect. To be frank: Heavyweight boxing is dead! However, tonight's fight is the Heavyweight divisions most mouth-watering contest since Heavyweight #1 Lennox Lewis fought late replacement and soon-to-become (at the time0 #1 Vitali Klitschko in 2003. Blimey, 6 years ago. 6ft 2,

Rihanna Explains It All

I'm not gonna go on a sermon here. All I will say is, Rihanna didn't have to do this. Chris Brown had to defend himself so naturally an interview is required. She could have left it, moved on and it would have been one of those "I would have like to know, but ah well" times. And why now? Did she see how well he was doing which included the release date of his album brought forward, whereas her music was getting panned left, right and centre? We'd somewhat moved on. Those who hated him after the incident will hate him, those who supported his recent music either moved on or didn't care that much. I'm not team Chris Brown, he was completely wrong for what he did, I don't think there is ever a reason for hitting a woman, but she didn't have to do this interview. Oh my days, she is such a stunner, but this move seems like a low blow. A move which makes me think she's just bad mind

Noughties Appreciation: Year 2002

Click for all the episodes of Noughties Appreciation . I don't remember much about 2002, so I'll start with What Made The News (/ what mattered to me back then or what I now see as important in history): January 1 – Euro notes and coins are issued in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Ireland and the Netherlands. January 16 – The UN Security Council unanimously establishes an arms embargo and freezes the assets of Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban. February 1 – Kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl is murdered in Karachi, Pakistan. March 1 – U.S. invasion of Afghanistan: In eastern Afghanistan, Operation Anaconda begins. March 19 – US war in Afghanistan: Operation Anaconda ends (started on March 1) after killing 500 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, with 11 allied troop fatalities. April 9 – The funeral of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother takes place in Westminster Abbey, London. April 11 – April 14 – A