Nov 20 2009
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Music

Dirty Money – Love Come Down (Official Video)


Diddy is a marketing genius, that is all I can say, he knows how to create something and more so how to deliver it to his particular audience of choice, this to most will sound like a typical diddy sample, to others it will be a wacky new pop cut from Bad Boy, however, this is a genre-merging R&B/pop/rap combo, it has soul, it has swagger (do we even still use that word?), Diddy has his style of music, his last album ‘Press Play’ displayed elements of what we have come to expect from him..from back when he was known as Puff Daddy.

As for this song, I actually like it, I think its cool, that is who it was made for, that ‘cool kids’ demographic, it is not a classic, or a musical masterpiece, it is just a feel-good record that I can see a lot of people moving to, simple as, its a nice contrast from the more sombre ‘Angels’, the beat takes time to adjust to I feel, but if you just give it a chance, you will find yourself nodding your head, ex-Danity Kane member Dawn has been given a bigger platform to perform on and she’s making the most of it, her vocals have something about it, its unique, not the strongest but still captivating, similar to an early Keri Hilson, either way all together this has ‘Hit’ written all over it, if not in the UK, then most definitely it will continues to gain more and more spins across America.. whilst I look forward to hearing the whole album.

"Its that Dirty Money!"

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Nov 20 2009
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Music

Consequence – Whatever U Want (Remix) ft. Kid Cudi, Common, Big Sean, Kanye West & John Legend

The Good music family all step up for this remix and it is better than the original, each member comes through with their own style and the track just becomes entertaining, this may have been better as a Summer release, but when you have the financial status of those guys, they can fly wherever the suns out, so it somehow makes sense.

The features all provide depth to the track, a lot of variation too, you have the youthful essence of Kid Cudi, then Common steps in to provide some legendary flavour, setting up newcomer Big Sean who really stands out, up next is Mr West who does what nobody else can, Consequence balances that with a far more complex rhyme, John Legends voice provides the soul and a whole new element to the record, Consequence remains lyrical, Big Sean offers more with his delivery, Common is just Common, Kanye’s next verse is better, the best thing is that they all have short verses and trade with each other, they sound like a close unit, a strong team.

Personally, it would have been good to have Mr Hudson sing the chorus as John Legend sang on the original, but either way its a great song.

Consequence - Good Music

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Nov 20 2009
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Music

Black The Ripper Vs Jammer

Okay, so I’m tweeting away to the new followers and in coversation with some artists, when one of the artists Re-Tweets (RT) something, it was from @BlackTheRipper, if you don’t know who he is, then get to know, he is one of the most naturally gifted artists, coming out of North London, he has a style of his own, he can do Grime but pours more soul into Hip-Hop, he is definitely one to keep an ear out for, anyway, he retweets this:

Even fellow emcee Voltage saw what was about to happen..

Now, it could have ended there, however, Jammer responded, I can go into detail but you might as well check out their Twitters for yourself: (just click their names)

Black The Ripper
Jammer

What is interesting about this, is that it pretty much stemmed from nowhere and now Black The Ripper aka Samson has even written a whole song to end his career before he even responded back on Twitter (quite funny if you think about it), everybody knows that Jammer is a different style of artist compared to Samson, so why there is talk of them being paired up at the legendary Lord Of The Mics3 (LOTM3), an event which recently had rising emcees Maxsta and Double S going against each other for a (now cancelled) emcee battle at LOTM3. This situation between Jammer and Black The Ripper, really makes no sense to me, because lyrically and delivery wise, Black The Ripper is one of the best in the country, his street cred is no weaker as nobody really has any issues and if they do they keep it to themselves, as much as I love the positivity that has been shown, this will provide much needed entertainment, its no Jay-Z V Nas but it has the possibility of becoming quite the talk as the likes of Lethal Bizzle and Griminal have all had issues with Jammer in the past, so who knows what comes of this, Will Jammer’s Boy Better Know comrades step in, or will this just be a pointless twitter squabble that will just simmer down and end as a laugh for all.

Look out for more to come on this, it could be quite the spectacle.

I would like to add, I am excited to see a clash but only in the musical sense, I want to see competition so long as it stays in music.

Black The Ripper aka Samson VS Jammer aka Murkleman

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Nov 20 2009
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Music

Griminal – Invincible (Official Video)

After Dizzee, Came Tinchy Stryder, following him was Chipmunk, all successfully topping the charts, stepping up next to continue this new tradition is UKs favourite bad boy Griminal, this is the first single, Invincible:

A lot of people have criticized Griminal for ‘going mainstream’, however even more people are supporting the move and feel that he has managed to maintain more of a Grime essence than the previous three’s chart topping records all together, so not only are old fans remaining ever loyal..he is gaining a whole new range of fans (100,000 views within 3 days).

I like the track, Its catchy in a raw sort of way, I really like the beat, its just got a nice vibe to it and its crisp quality balances with Griminal’s raw delivery, lyrically, the Narsty crew saviour is far more talented, thing is, if he was to get too lyrical on this record..it would just go over many people’s heads and if Griminal wants to walk through that mainstream door then he has to be smart about it, despite what people say, Chipmunk’s debut album ‘I Am Chipmunk’ had pop-glazed singles kept within an urban casing and a Grime core, it was responded to as Grime/Pop, genre-merging is essential in any chart, 50 Cent is set to release an album more violent than his debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’, however the first two singles are ‘Baby By Me ft. Ne-Yo’ and ‘Do You Think About Me’, so rather than losing faith, people should show support and spend a mere 79p on the single, it saves you time on finding a good quality version of the file too and you won’t go to hell (lol).

The video, directed by Carly Cusson, is a good look, it is not an amazing video but it is not a poor video either, I think it offers good visuals for the record, featuring a cameo from the beautiful and talented Mz Bratt (I think she should jump on the beat and do an official remix, although that would create even more rumours), the chemistry is good, both seem to be good actors so it seems music is not their only avenue, I love the fact that Griminal is allowed the freedom to be himself, it is a contrast to Chipmunk, who I guess many will pair up as rivals, but truthfully both are mature enough to use that to their advantage rather than develop issues off the mic, the future looks good for the scene as there is just so much talent, best of luck to Griminal, make sure you support him, because once we dominate the charts here, then we can spread the success globally ..UK Stand Up

GrimInAl Ways - coming 2010

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Nov 20 2009
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Music

Rapid – Go (Preview)

Ruff Sqwad’s producer/artist Rapid, famous for producing numerous hits for the likes of fellow Ruff Sqwad member and two time Number 1 chart topper Tinchy Stryder, as well as Underground legend such as Ghetto is launching his own solo attack on the scene, originally an emcee, not many people know that he is as prolific on the mic as he is behind the beats, Rapid answers the critics with this preview:

A video has been shot as you can see from the snap shots within the video, look out for a lot of quality from one of the UKs elite producers and now set to fully establish himself as an artist.

Also, look out for his clothing line Hooze Redi ..coming soon

Rapid

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Nov 06 2009
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Music

Gucci Mane – Spotlight ft. Usher (Official Video)

I guess you can say Hip-Hop’s man of the moment, Gucci Mane makes his official mainstream debut after snatching the underground crown with his sets of mixtapes and guest verses (most notably his recent appearance on the remix for Mariah Carey – Obsession), here is the new single, Spotlight:

Produced by Polow Da Don (who seems destined to return back to his dominant ways within the charts), this catchy record is made for the radio, the clubs and no doubt will make it onto many iPods, featuring Usher, it possesses an Atlanta feel with a mainstream vibe, it helps welcome Gucci Mane into the mainstream safely, Usher does well, he provides the song with a much needed assurance, an extra appeal. All together this is a good record, many can enjoy it with its broad concept. The video is a good look, similar to Usher’s U Don’t Have To Call video, none the less a good visual for the record.

Gucci Mane is currently riding a wave of success throughout the charts and Spotlight looks set to be his mainstream initiation as he embarks on an even bigger career.

Mr "So Icey" himself, Gucci Mane

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Nov 06 2009
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Music

Game – Big Money (Produced by Cool & Dre)

Compton’s Game returns with the first single from his forthcoming album RED.

You either love this instantly or it will grow on you, Cool & Dre produce one of the most infectious beats of 2009, providing the West Coast emcee with the waviest of platforms on which Game flows with such composure and consistency, you can hear the experience in his voice. Lyrically, Game has stepped it up, this appears to be the buzz single, accompanied by a good video and expect plenty of rotation. Sampling the lyrics from Clipse – Nightmares, “I got big money..”, Game makes it his own as he attempts to solidify his status as a Hip-Hop heavyweight, personally I really like the song, best experienced loud, this just has that vibe, not much has to be said, it in a way directs you towards the album which is set to be his best effort to date (remember that Documentary is a certified classic).

Game has his eye on the Hip-Hop crown..

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Nov 06 2009
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Music

50 Cent – Do You Think About Me

This is probably my favourite record off his album Before I Self Destruct.

Track 14, Do You Think About Me:

Listening to the album, as soon as this started I knew it, this was my favourite record of the moment, it turns out that this is what 50 wishes he could release rather than Baby By Me, however it is rumoured to be the second single after his collab with Ne-Yo.

I personally like the classic feel it has, it possesses something similar to the old Get Rich or Die Tryin’ 50 Cent records, I beleive that Before I Self Destruct is his best album since his record breaking debut album.

Do You Think About Me, produced by Ty Fyffe (producer for Slick Rick, Foxy Brown and Redman among others), is a soft record, however 50 adds his vocal presence, similar to Baby By Me, again aimed at a female, however this is even more personal, as 50 depicts the scenario of him looking back, using Paul McCartney’s divorce as a comparison, it seems honest and feels realistic, it can be interepreted however you feel, the catchy synths mixed with the evident sample create a more sensitive emotion which stands along side the song’s concept, the added chimes and synths really make the record stand out, if released this could be another hit for 50 Cent to add to the inevitable success of Baby By Me.

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Nov 06 2009
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Music

50 Cent – Baby By Me ft. Ne-Yo (Official Video)

Okay, so here it is, I know when I first heard the record I was fairly scepticle and was not so positive, simply because I expected more, having heard the unmastered version, It felt like a mixtape record, however, the final master made a big difference, it went from being a generic Hip-Hop with R&B hook record to something that was actually created from scratch, producer Polow Da Don (Nas – Hero, Fergie – Glamorous), sampled his favourite 50 cent line, “Have A Baby By Me..Be A Millionaire”, although that dominates the record, I prefer the production itself, the drum beat sounds solid, it has a mid-temp which remains consistent, it never sounds weak or loses its presence at any moment, additional piano offers a more musical feel and really sets you up for the synth based chorus, on which Ne-Yo shines like no other, his vocals really make a difference, it just shows how big these two artists are, you get a sense of their personalities blended, it is a more vunerable 50 cent, something that is unheard of, Ne-Yo offers the balance which fits to the catered beat.

Matching this magic is the video:

Featuring Kelly Rowland as 50’s love interest, they manage to display an on screen chemistry, it is a fairly basic video in the sense of its idea and Ne-Yo having a seperate black screen scene, however the quality manages to provide a much needed appeal, you see 50 Cent in a way you have not before, he portrays a more personal side, it draws a lot of interest into the artist and as a whole completes a well contrasting video.

Kelly and Curtis on set of Baby By Me

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Nov 06 2009
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Music

Rihanna – Hard ft. Young Jeezy

Okay, so in all honesty I have not paid the most attention to Rihanna’s return, simply because I want everyone to silence all the talk regarding her personal life, concentrate on the music. I heard Russian Roulette and I felt like I knew that was coming, however I came across this song and found myself listening to it over and over again.

This was different, I did not expect this, it feels inspirational, I can actually feel Rihanna’s honesty in this record, she wants everybody to listen, she has her own style, its grown, its sexy, its confident and still it remains fun rather than serious, produced by Tricky Steward and the Dream, this is another hit for sure, with the added feature of Mr Inspiration himself Young Jeezy, the song manages to appeal to a broder audience, it has the feel of Run This Town which you all heard and saw how successful it was.

The production is important as it possesses such a powerful feeling to it, the hard drums are kept subdued…so you feel them without them having to stand out, the guitar takes a lead but it blends with synths creating a lazer like melody racing over the beat, as Rihanna comfortably maintains her composure and dominates with her vocals (effortlessly). Young Jeezy delivers a typical emphatic verse, with accompanied adlibs, he makes his presence without overshadowing Rihanna, it gives the track more depth and increases it’s raw appeal.

I hope a good video is created to accompany this to the top of the charts, as an even stronger Rihanna returns to elevate her career to new heights.

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