Ozzie B is definitely not slacking, After the banger About Time, the More Fire and Great Minds Think Alike artist put out the club anthem Maybee Ting (Video coming soon), only to then give us what could be many people’s anthem for the summer with ‘Strongest Drink’.
Featuring the fast-rising emcee Double S (of Marvell), this funky number is a capable to get any party going, the concept is fun, the lyrics are easy to understand and vibe to, the production possesses that feel good factor, you cannot help but to move along to it. Double S continues to elevate his position further, with his quick flow and witty lyrics, “You’re smart..you don’t need no diploma, but really you should dip low..ma!”.
Ozzie B and his collective ‘Great Minds Think Alike‘ (GMTA), are continuously pushing themselves in order to get the best, Ozzie has really displayed his ability in terms of diversity with the likes of ‘Maybee Ting’ and ‘Strongest Drink’, whilst About Time serves an ace for the more introspective Grime fan.
Roll Deep emcee and one of the most underrated from the scene, J2K returns with Danger, the first single from his solo effort ‘The Wake Up EP’.
J2K has always stood out and his ability has never been doubted, fans and peers alike know he possesses plenty potential. With many of the artists establishing themselves further, it is now time for J2K to cement his position within the elite as an artist, Danger certainly has the sound to do so, the beat is a combination of a quick rhythm drum pattern laced with a mid-tempo synth, together the track becomes pacey but sounds like it is keeping up with J2K’s flow, as he rides the beat with ease, his flow remains steady, whilst the lyrical pattern is precise to the beat.
Danger will be blasting through headphones, home speakers and club amps within no time, with it’s versatile sound and appeal.
Fáris Rating:
8/10
The song at the end of the video emphasizes J2K’s mission to stake his claim as one of the best artists in the country (deservedly so), it gives you an insight into the quality of material to further expect from the Roll Deep member.
With the return of the So Solid Crew imminent, D-Fam TV brings you the latest from behind the scenes of the NEW So Solid video for their up-coming single ‘Since You Went Away’, the track features Romeo, Megaman and Lisa Mafia as they touch on the subject of their absence from the scene and their comeback.
The video will no doubt be a quality production as you can only expect the best from the UK’s elite crew.
Look out for more exclusives from D-Fam TV with OneFáris.
I know there have been a few and will be many more tributes to come, One of the most popular is The one with The Game, Chris Brown, Diddy and BoyzIIMen, there is also an amazing one by UK’s own Sway, but the following gives an idea of something I thought of yesterday.
I wondered that rather than refunding the tickets for the 50 shows, would it not be good if the best in the industry performed the classics in tribute, the likes of Ne-Yo, R. Kelly, Usher, Ginuwine, Sisqo, Justin Timberlake, Omarion and even Chris Brown, then i began to think which songs they could cover (Who deserves to perform Billie Jean?), then I came across this clip of Robin Thicke singing to Human Nature in tribute and I guess that is the song he could perform, seeing as he does it so well.
Here is another version:
After watching this I think Chris Brown’s voice would be best suited to perform ‘In The Closet’:
But then he has already (sort of) performed Billie Jean (05:18), Although I still think Usher or Ginuwine are more suited:
Let me know what you think, would it be a good idea? ..if so, who would you like to see and covering which song?
There is always this one song that just stands out and you cannot help but to move to, you somehow annoyingly like it, this is one of them.
Nore has a hit on his hands, Move will no doubt be on heavy rotation on radio and in the clubs, Jim Jones is sounding back to his best, still fresh from the success of the critically acclaimed major debut Pray IV Reign, Jones’ bounces in sync with the beat as he flows a wavy verse, Nina Sky’s vocals make a big difference (I hope they come back soon…I kind of like them), they balance the song well. Move could be considered as a ‘Lean Back’ part two, although different, the effect feels the same, just a more laid back and cooled version.
I like this and will be looking out for more remixes as I know many rappers will want to be on a track with such a buzz, definitely a good song, one that will surely help Nore to further success with the release of his new album.
There has not been a real male R&B group (I choose not to use the term ‘boy band’) that could be considered among the likes of Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Dru Hill, Blackstreet, 112, Jagged Edge and the list goes on, However, the man behind two from that list (Jodeci & 112), P. Diddy, set out to change that, his highly successful Making The Band franchise helped draft up five hopeful singers in the hope to turn them into a R&B force.
The result is Day26, who I must say are not that bad, it takes a lot to compete with greats such as 112 and Jagged Edge, who have both given us an array of classics. Day26’s debut album was not that bad, it had a good selection of tracks, some even made it into my playlists, tracks such as Co-Star and Since You’ve Been Gone, they were the signs of the groups large potential.
Fast forward to now ‘Girlfriend’ is the second single taken from their second album, Always & Forever.
This song is so far their best attempt at claiming a spot in rankings for the top R&B groups. The heavy beat commands the tempo as the synth-based melody dictates the songs feeling. Each member gets an opportunity to display their ability, with second singer Que making most of his chance. Girlfriend is one for the fellas however, the ladies will take to it even quicker for the way it is presented. Lyrically, it really does the beat justice, it is a good topic, drifting from the usual subject of sex to a more appreciating theme. The video is a great contrast to the song and overall with the performances helps deliver the song with greater effect.
I have always been one to put Artists’ private lives separate from their music, R. Kelly went into overdrive with his music after accusations of him and an underage girl surfaced, I applauded his work, same goes for Akon, Michael Jackson (RIP) and even George Michael, the Music is what matters to me. So, on that note, it is only fair that Chris Brown is given a chance, I don’t condone hitting a female at all, however I am in no position to judge, so music it is.
Produced by the Neptunes (Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo) and featuring Pharrell himself, Not My Fault leaked out as Chris Brown attempts a come-back. The song is not bad, if anyone could resurrect Chris Breezy’s career then it is Pharrell, Rumours have circulated that Pharrell and fellow Virgina native and super-producer Timbaland are set to join forces, creating a record label even named ‘Two Up, Two Down’ to launch a Virgina artist, Chris Brown is from Virgina and often makes two V’s and is heard saying, “Two Up, Two Down”,
Listen at 03:26:
Nothing is concrete apart from the fact that Chris Brown is planning his re-arrival onto the scene.
‘Not My Fault’ is not a bad way to come back, it will take more but this would serve as a good album track, it would pass off as a prosperous single (if accompanied by a good video). The production aspect of Not My Fault is a typical Neptune’s sound in all honesty, similarities to some of the Neptune’s previous work with Usher are evident, which is not entirely a bad thing. Use of digital sounds blended with live percussion gives the song an edge, the layers and their varying sounds really give the song its direction which Chris Brown nicely harmonizes with. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Chris Brown as he attempts a return, Not My Fault shows that there is hope for the young star.
I was in NY earlier and bumped into the Fresh Prince of Hackney himself, Comedian KOJO..
Make sure you tune into MTV Base to see KOJO’s Comedy Fun House, a show that blends the finest of UK music and comedy, I had an idea of what to expect but it really surpassed my expectations, I really enjoyed the show and cannot wait to see it next.
Devlin has been a prominent fixture in the ever rising Grime scene, considered as Ghetts’ protege, Devlin is one of the founding members of the highly respected and even feared collective, ‘The Movement’ along with Wretch 32, Mercston, Ghetts and Scorcher. Numerous mixtapes, verses, freestyles and features kept his name within talk of the future of the scene, for a while though as artists began to establish themselves further, we did not hear much from Devlin.
Until now:
Devlin returns with an anthem for the city, a feel good song that feels as real as it sounds, lyrically honest, Devlin manages to capture the atmosphere well, it reminds me of The Streets – Blinded By The Lights, only in the sense that it’s a night out track but slow in tempo, it tells a story, almost as if your with Devlin on a night out in London City.
The video compliments the song well, directed by Digital Dan, one of the hardest working directors in the scene, putting Devlin into the spotlight, capturing him well with landscapes of London, to be honest, like the London Eye and Big Ben we should be proud of Devlin and the quality he possesses as an artist. Cameos from Ghetts, Griminal & Lil’ Nasty add a certain level of excitement, Ghetts has taken both Devlin and Griminal under his wing as he helps to establish the two undoubtly talents, it adds to the song and videos feel good vibe.
London City, is a great track as Devlin makes a return to the scene, to claim his spot as one of the best the UK has to offer.
It is an extremely sad and dark day for music, as a man who made so many people happy and lit up any place with his music and performances has passed away. Yesterday, June 25th, after suffering a cardiac arrest and being taken to hospital whilst in a coma, at 2:26PM (Pacific Time) Michael Joseph Jackson was pronounced dead.
Millions of people worldwide are feeling the unexpected loss of one of the greatest to ever do it, he came onto the scene as 1/5 of the Jackson 5, but always stood out from such an early age, his ability as an artist and presence to command a stage all helped him bring him further into the spotlight, it was soon inevitable that the young Jackson would embark on a solo career, he had released solo albums, Got To Be There (1972), Ben (1972), Music and Me (1973) and Forever, Michael (1975), he grew more and more into the spotlight but continously looked at as a child star, everyone knew that there was more to come, the question was when? the answer is 1979, teaming up with the legendary Quincy Jones, Michael released the album Off The Wall, an album which has grossed a total of $20 million worldwide, 10 tracks of a mature michael, embracing a new fusion of R&B, Pop and Disco. Off The Wall is also the album to feature the classic (I think every track is a classic) Rock With You:
that would be a dream for most artists today, to peak at such a level, however Michael was just getting started, the next album was Thriller, an album which has sold way over $50 million worldwide, even if there was not any downloading today, no artist could match those numbers, Thriller boasts the hits Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, The Girl Is Mine featuring Paul McCartney), Human Nature and P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing) to name a few, as well as the three real genre-crossing anthems, three songs so good that at least one should be in your all-time top 10, of course the title track Thriller:
The Van Halen assisted anthem, Beat It:
last but not least, most probably his most famous hit to date, Billie Jean:
Billie Jean was more than just a single, it was the first song Michael performed as a solo artist, a moment every Michael Jackson fan remembers, Motown 25 was not just the first performance of the song, but also the introduction of his signature move, The Moonwalk:
Michael Jackson broke barriers as an African-American artist, barriers which had constricted previous artists, he was the first ‘Black’ artist to be played on MTV, he continued to dominate in the charts and record sales alike, Michael Jackson’s music appealed to all people, regardless of their race, religion or colour. As a child growing up I too wondered and would ask “why is the man on my cassette cover a different colour and singing it doesn’t matter if you’re Black or White?”, but like the song says, “It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Black or White”, Michael’s colour may have changed but the talent remained as he continued to make great music and perform with some of the most amazing live shows ever. A lot that we see today all derives from or is inspired in some way by Michael Jackson, we see Chris Brown dancing and singing, without being disrespectful because he is a great talent himself, but a singer + dancer of that style was seen before with Usher, who as much as they try to make their own name (and have done) will always be second to Michael, as will Ginuwine, Sisqo, Omarion and even Justin Timberlake, who all credit Michael Jackson as a major inspiration.
I wrote this out of respect, many know him more for his controversy and the negatives, I’ve always been quick to debate and i believe that he did not get to have a childhood with touring and being in the public eye so he was a big kid, he had money, fame and an insecurity, he was human after all, many can compliment you but if you do not see it yourself you cannot beleive it, but his mistake is a lesson for those in the future, apart from that, Michael Jackson’s name and legacy can never be matched, I wanted people to understand the importance of him and his music in many people’s lives, as a child growing up I have had my fair share of situations, pressing play on a MJ track was the only way I could find a slight bit of comfort, watching videos of him performing his hits, then practicing them, Moonwalking on the kitch floor until i had holes in my socks, the best thing about that is that I’m not the only one!!
The history kept being made as he continued to shatter sales records, he released Bad in 1987, selling over $30million worldwide, this album featured more contribution from Michael in terms of writing and production, the album which is obviously recognised to have the song of the same name ‘Bad’, however it also features, “The Way You Make Me Feel”:
“Liberian Girl”:
“Another Part of Me”, “Man in the Mirror”, “Dirty Diana” and “Smooth Criminal”, Then came the greatest and highest selling New Jack Swing album off all time, ‘Dangerous’, featuring “Jam”, “In the Closet”, “Remember the Time”:
“Heal the World”, “Black or White” (feat. Slash on guitar), “Who Is It”, “Give In to Me” (feat. Slash on guitar):
and obviously “Dangerous”. Michael Jackson went on to release the greatest his compilation HIStory, this man truely made history, his story will forever go down in history, it is hard to put into words the impact and influence this man has had on the world, it is even harder to put into words the feeling of his loss, however, they say “You don’t know what you’ve got..until it’s gone”, and i think a lot of people are realising this. Remember though, his music will never die and through it Michael Jackson shall live forever.
13 Guinness World Records, 19 Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 12 World Music Awards and the sale of over 750 million units worldwide – Michael Jackson R.I.P
ONE Fáris 