Category Archives: Music

Jul 15 2009
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Music

T.I. – Remember Me ft. Mary J. Blige

As the ‘King of the South’ starts his ‘Year and a day’ jail sentence, he leaves us with this anthem featuring none other than Mary J. Blige.

Produced by Polow Da Don (Usher – Love in This Club), this inspirational mid-tempo track provides T.I. with the perfect canvas to paint his lyrical picture as the Grand Hustle rapper vents some feelings regarding his own situation whilst inspiring others to stand strong regardless of how strong the negative winds in our lives are. Featuring Mary J. Blige, who commands the chorus like nobody else, the only other person that could have done it is Mariah Carey, however, with Mary you have a far more urban edge as well as that mainstream appeal.

It is a shame that one of the best artists is having to be locked up for a year, but I’m in no doubt that it will only lead to what might just be the best album of his career for T.I. when he returns. In the mean time he has another hit to add to his already large catalogue. Remember Me is a classic sounding song, with a real meaning from one of the realest artists who will be missed).

Fáris Rating:
8/10http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPuJRR78fFk

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Jul 14 2009
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Music

Jason Lewis – Too Many Weave

It is a great time for the UK in terms of rising talents, the music scene with the likes of Chipmunk and Tinchy Stryder dominating charts, Noel Clark and Adam Deacon to name a few are making waves within the film industry and then you have the comedians like Eddie Kadi, Kevin J and Channel AKA’s own Jazzie.

Among the ranks is comedian Jason Lewis, hilarious sketches and relevant comedy, Jason Lewis first burst onto the scene with his parody of Bashy – Black Boys:

An MTV show (The Jason Lewis experience) later he returns with the Boy Better Know – Too Many Man parody ..’Too Many Weave’:

Great to see more good comedy and comedians from the UK, with comedians such as Jason Lewis and Jazzie to add to the likes of Slim, Kojo and Paul Chowdhry the country has another reason to smile and laugh.

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Jul 14 2009
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Music

Bless Beats – The Rain ft. Charlie Brown & Wiley

This track has been around for a bit, already played on most radio stations, created by Bless Beats, one of the most promising producers from the UK, having produced the smash Wearing My Rolex for Wiley, this track sees the Bow emcee return the favour along side newcomer Charlie Brown.

The track is a mid-tempo cross-over, it could be considered Grime, but then Charlie Brown’s unique soulful flavour takes it to a more Pop/R&B surrounding. Bless Beats choice of sounds justifies his ‘Alien music’ style, the real magic of this song is the fusion of both Wiley and Charlie Brown’s different styles onto one beat.

I’m a big fan of Charlie Brown, as he represents real music, unique and distinct, his voice separates him from others. To see him dominate the video is a plus point, definitely a good look for him and an unselfish manouvre by Bless Beats, a man who has let his music do the talking throughout his successful career thus far. Wiley unfortunately does not make an appearance in the video, however, “Can Rihanna come and save me from the rain”, as Charlie Brown’s love interest leaves, what seems like Rihanna (the tattoos are the biggest clue) comes into his life courtesy of Bless himself, if it is really her or not we will have to wait and see but it is a really good touch to the video.

A good video for a great song, The Rain will no doubt be another successful track for Bless Beats whilst elevating Charlie Brown to greater a heights.

Fáris Rating:
8/10

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Jul 13 2009
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Music

Goodfellaz – Get Away ft. So Solid

I recently got the ‘Goodfellaz – Now or Never’ mixtape and was impressed. It is simply UK Hip-Hop, something rarely mentioned, as if UK only does Grime (in terms of urban).

This was the stand out track for me, from production to lyrics, Get Away really is a powerful track. The beat obviously has a big part to play, the heavy bass and sharp drums lay as a solid foundation on which the synth sits nicely. Goodfellaz emcee with a Fabolous (the rapper)-like consistency with Megaman adding some depth to the anthem with his verse.

Linked with So Solid, so the video obviously has to be something big, lavish and large in scale, directed by Sheridan de Myers, the video fits the song well without being too complicated, Goodfellaz may be underrated but they are certainly not untalented.

Fáris Rating:
7/10

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Jul 13 2009
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Music

Oxide & Neutrino – Rap Dis ft. Swiss, Skat D, MC Harvey & Kaish

With the excitement surrounding the So Solid Crew’s imminent return, I could not help but to go through the collection, this is a classic, this song and video set the bar high in the UK and to be honest I don’t think anyone has actually reached this standard let alone top it (regardless of the constraints media has placed upon urban acts).

I’ll start with the beat, It’s just evil-sounding, it’s dark, edgy, the bass and the synths, they just set the tone and mood for the emcees to rap over. Each emcee brings their own style which is why it never gets boring despite the beat being a consistent (until Harvey’s verse), layered with perfectly placed ad-libs, the emcees flow with individuality which as a whole sounds great. Swiss starts off, “N****’s wanna test S-O that’s a no, I’ma DJ but I heat up mics when I flow”, instantly setting the scene and standard for the song. Skat D as always vibrant on the mic, Neutrino’s verse many can argue was not as potent as Swiss’, however you cannot help but to rap along to it, each emcee (including) Kaish comes correct on this banger.

The video does not need much description or even praise, it speaks for it self (in volumes), the concept, the graphics..they all create one of the best videos from an urban artist/act especially in the UK.

l (like many others) cannot wait for So Solid’s return, a lot of expectation is placed, but it is not the first time they have had to deal with such issues and as done before i’m sure will prevail.

Fáris Rating:
9/10

So-Solid!!

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Jul 13 2009
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Music

Kenna – Say Goodbye To Love

With the Neptunes (Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo) set to make another major impact with their up-coming projects, I found myself listening to old Neptunes productions, seeing (Yes, I see sounds) the transitions they made, the change of styles. So I began posting the best vids on my facebook fansite, then I got to this track and I felt that it deserved a review.

I prefer the remix featuring Lupe Fiasco, however, this video is too crazy to not show you all. Hype Williams behind the camera so obviously you expect something special and in some strange way it actually is. Different is the word that comes to mind, the visuals, the angles, it appears random yet fits the concept perfectly.

The track itself, produced obviously by the Neptunes, for such a topic it is really upbeat, ‘Say Goodbye To Love’ has Kenna singing about his pain as he turns his back on a unsuccessful relationship, this has to be the best song to get back up from a ‘love’ knock-down (before Kanye West – Love Lockdown)..”You Choooooose”

The arrangement is the key here, the way the sounds are placed and layered, it just has that up-tempo party vibe, although the content is not, placed with the well-crafted video you can understand the message and feeling being put across.

A classic song is always one that is so good it can break a genre-barrier, this song happens to do so, not greatly, but just by Kenna assisted with the Neptunes’ virsatility alone, Say Goodbye To Love manages to stand out.

Fáris Rating:
8/10

Kenna – Say Goodbye To Love (Remix) ft. Lupe Fiasco:

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Jul 11 2009
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Music

Wise words of wisdom with Megaman (So Solid)

With artists like Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder, Wiley and Chipmunk dominating the charts, the urban scenes are buzzing as more doors are opened, at the same time I think people should understand the originators, the pioneers who first turned that door handle, such as More Fire and before that, probably the biggest urban movement in the UK, the So Solid Crew.

During a recent video shoot, I had a chat with Megaman, who humble as ever explained his dream, desire and dedication, a man who has accomplished so much in terms of music and business, I felt it was only right that we share more wise words of wisdom from the So Solid captain himself (Along with Ozzie B).

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Jul 11 2009
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Music

Mr Wizzy Wow

When I hear a new track and I hear the trademark “Mr Wizzy Wow“, I know the track is going to be good, for years the young producer and artist has been providing us with outstanding beats, from the movement classic ‘Used To Be’ to Wretch 32’s ‘Be Cool’, the man formerly known as Y.Wizz is one of the top producers in the country, now he steps out as artist too, this track titled ‘Million ft. Wretch 32’ is a perfect example of what this talent is about, new, innovative and the definition of fresh.



Wizzy Wow, Born in Sweden, lived in Luton for over 2 years before finding home in Tiverton (Tottenham) North London. “Repping the UK hard”, Wizzy produces for all genres as he ascends in a bid to, “reach the top to put his peoples on”, When asked to describe his sound in one word, the hitmaker simply replied, “Spacey”.

Expect to hear more from the out of this word talent.

Wretch 32 – Used To Be ft. Mercston, Ghetto & Scorcher

Wretch 32 – Be Cool ft. Wizzy Wow

http://www.myspace.com/ydotwizz

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Jul 11 2009
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Music

Castro (D-Fam) stuntin’ Presidential!!

I caught up with D-Fam general Castro (behind the scenes of the Music Kidz video), with Starz Up clothing on the way, I thought I would show the founder’s ‘swagger’ as he stunts like only a boss can!

Look out for the mixtape and album coming soon:

Shout outs to Castro, Rushey and the whole movement!!

Setting the Standards.

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Jul 11 2009
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Music

Mr Hudson – Anyone But Him ft. Kanye West

As the GOOD Music (Kanye’s label) artist’s new single Supernova (featuring Kanye West) continues to rise in the charts, his potential next single leaks and this one has a mixed review.

Anyone But Him ft. Kanye West, is something really different if comparing to current songs, however, using sounds used today the track manages to stay relevant, the arrangement is unorthadox, similar to Supernova and previous (pre-Good music) releases from Mr Hudson, Kanye’s verse is not the best but then it isn’t his worst either, this would make a good mixtape track, or require a bit of work and a better video than Supernova to really push it as a single. As easy as it is to critisize this song, I have to mention that it’s creativity and innovative factor is really inspiring, to create something that is not generic, something that does not sound like everything else being made and played on radio and TV, to create somthing unique, for the love of music not for the sake of quick fame/money.

Fáris Rating:
7/10

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