Sep 05 2009
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Music

Raekwon – Catalina ft. Lyfe Jennings (Produced By Dr Dre)

Raekwon of the Legendary Wu-Tang, returns with the follow up to his classic Only Built for Cuban Linx, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2.

The majority of the songs leaked so far have been solid Hip-Hop records, with obvious features from Wu Tang members such as Method Man and Ghostface Killah, one of the tracks which stood out for me is this:

Catalina, produced by the legend himself Dr Dre, is a typical Dre production, the layering and sound quality, it has trademark Dre but a classic Hip-Hop feel to it, Lyfe Jennings always delivers with his unique voice, leaving plenty of room for Raekwon to shine.

For what it is, this track and the album as a whole will bring back some of the classic details that have been missing from Hip-Hop, that raw sound and over all feel, with the genre facing many changes and transitions over the years, it is always good for some of the originals to return and provide that lost flavour and style.

Click image to visit Raekwon's official myspace page

Click image to visit Raekwon's official myspace page

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Sep 05 2009
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Music

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

“It’s a MotherF*@%in’ Slaughterhouse”

Having already introduced the collective to you with their previous record ‘Move On’, it is time for people to be reminded as they have released their debut album.

For the Hip-Hop fans, Nas’ statement that “Hip-Hop is Dead” has been proved false with the rise of this collective, Take four hungry and extremely underated artists and put them together, the result is Slaughterhouse, consisting of Long Beach’s Crooked I (once Death Row rapper, undeniably talented but looked over when they mention LA’s best), Royce Da 5’9 (Detroit representative, most notably the only person rapper to cause Eminem any problem lyrically, Joe Budden (Mr Pump It Up was left frustrated after his record label attempted to dominate his career marketing him as a softer more pop sounding rapper) and Joell Ortiz (the NY beast who was initially signed to Dr Dre’s Aftermath imprint).

The story is simple, they came to prominance thanks to their talent but then politics and outside issues forced them to part ways with their labels, whilst working on his solo album, Joe Budden recruited the three other members as features on his track titled ‘Slaughterhouse’

The feeling of this song was so monumental, in a genre that is full of ‘beefs’ and conflicts, to have four talented emcees comes together and to do it so well, there was something epic about it, focussing on the phrase “strength in numbers”, the four came together once again, this time to prove their worth in the industry. It has worked so far, if you’re a Joe Budden fan then you have now been exposed to Ortiz, Crooked and Royce, and likewise if you were a Crooked I fan, you are now introduced to the other three members, who all equally deliver with their own unique style. Their debut self titled album is critically acclaimed, a must have for any Hip Hop fan.

Slaughterhouse (The album) ..OUT NOW!

Slaughterhouse (The album) ..OUT NOW!

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Sep 05 2009
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Music

BLUEY ROBINSON ..Update!!

As a writer, one of the greatest satisfactions is seeing somebody who you tipped for a bright future to be embarking on that journey to success, I was always confident of Bluey Robinson’s imminent success, with talent and charisma in abundance, it is just a matter of when rather than if. So, forward a few months since I first presented him to you all and his single I Know is in the Top 20 Music Week Urban Club chart, being heavily rotated on radio playlists, performing abroad and now I come across this:

ITN have been making efforts to stay in touch with our young talents on the rise, interviews with Bashy and Chipmunk already, so they clearly are making all the right moves as they now got this exclusive. I have been unfortunate to miss out on Bluey’s live performances but the reviews will not stop coming in, it is literally a case of hear him and you love him, anyone who does not like him has not heard him, it is simple as that. Even the talented Mr Ryan Leslie took note and produced this remix:

In my line of work I am intouch with a lot of artists, some are underground successes and some have dominated the mainstream too, within that it is expected to meet a few egos here and there, now with someone of Bluey’s talents it is almost strange that he remains so humble, so down to earth and thankful and that is why he gets so much respect from me, I see him as a younger brother and would help him however I could for him to succeed (he truly deserves it). A lot of people have mentioned how “there is all this rubbish on radio and not real talent”, well, his work ethic and his desire is flawless and in time he will reap the benefits of it all, however, we as the fans need to support these real artists, the real talents, requesting them on radio and legally downloading or purchasing their music are some of the ways we can all help.

Another acoustic performance/interview:

Support real talent and good music, Support Bluey Robinson!!

Click image to visit Bluey's official Myspace

Click image to visit Bluey's official Myspace

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Sep 05 2009
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Music

Trey Songz – Holla If Ya Need Me

Having already praised the B. Cox produced One Love, Trey manages to remain consistent with this offering taken from his new album READY.

A little less dramatic than One Love and more realistic, Holla If Ya Need Me has Trey crooning like only he can, the concept is sweet, this is R&B, there was a surge of Hip-Hop influenced R&B for a while, the King of R&B himself, R. Kelly, released a autotune dependant mixtape, so something was clearly wrong, Trey stepped up to take R&B in the right direction and this track personifies that.

Trey does not try to sing his heart out on this one, which is a good thing, as it would over-shadow the ultimate feeling, his talent can never be denied, from his first single ‘Just Gotta Make It ft. Twista’, his vocal ability was evident and so it has come to no surprise of the improvement made so far. Produced by Troy Taylor (the man who ultimately discovered Trey Songz), this song possesses an emotion, anyone who has been or is in such a situation will most definitely take to this record.

Ready is in stores now and is being considered R&B Album of the Year, personally, I felt that it could have been better, after listening to his pre-album mixtape entitled ‘Anticipation’, there was more R&B quality, but as a whole for a mass audience tracks like ‘LOL 🙂‘ and ‘Black Roses‘ make it more than just an R&B album.

Look out for more Trey Songz reviews to come, in the mean time “Holla If Ya Need Me”

Fáris Rating:
8/10

YUUUP!

Trey Songz - READY ..OUT NOW!

Trey Songz - READY ..OUT NOW!

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Aug 27 2009
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Music

Chipmunk – Oopsy Daisy (Official Video)

Here is the official video for the track that is being tipped to be Chipmunk’s first Number 1.

Chipmink – Oopsy Daisy:

Oopsy Daisy is a special song, it has ‘hit’ written all over it, Chipmunk’s large female fanbase might just have their favourite Chipmunk record so far with this one, whilst the guys can relate to this as he speaks from a male perspective, with Mr Munk being in his late teens, he manages to cater to those younger and older at the same time with his sincere approach, I even think that my 8/10 rating was me being critical to avoid being biased, it just posseses a feeling, I can see this track being played 5 years from now and have that same appeal as it does this instant. The video is again directed by Vertex (Marvell crew), who is developing quite the portfolio and name for himself behind the camera, featuring Red Madrell (Kidulthood, Adulthood) as his love interest, the video is a perfect visual for the song, in terms of clear and understanding, the ring of fire emphasises emotion and it looks good too, Chipmunk has come a long way in a small space of time, Oopsy Daisy is about to take him a lot further.

Fáris Rating:
8.5/10

OOPSY DAISY - OUT 4TH OCTOBER!!

OOPSY DAISY - OUT 4TH OCTOBER!!

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Aug 25 2009
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Music

Aaliyah (Jan 16, 1979 – Aug 25, 2001)

Today makes it 8 years since the passing away of Aaliyah, despite new artists coming through, her loss is still just as evident, heres to someone who was truely beautiful, someone who will live on forever in our hearts and memories through her music. I remember the day I found out, as if it was yesterday, a little me was awake at night listening to Trevor Nelson’s R&B show, I had heard the ‘rumour’ earlier, but when Trevor Nelson confirmed it, I was shocked, I did not know her personally, yet the soul and emotion she poured into her music, her voice, her presence, you just could not help but to feel like you had some connection, Death is never a good thing, however it is a big part of life, so rather than morn her absence, we celebrate her life and legacy.

RIP Aaliyah, truely One in a Million…

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Aug 25 2009
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Music

J WILL – Living A Lie

The man who bought you the smash Deja Vu ft. Wretch 32, returns with this teaser for Living A Lie.

J Will has already showcased his vocal ability as a smooth, soft-toned singer, his voice sounds so classic R&B yet it has a hint of new and refreshing to the mix, more than a singer, Living A Lie displays his skills as a songwriter as well. J Will plays a big part in the rise of R&B within the UK with the likes of Bluey Robinson, Taio Cruz, Loick Essien and Rita Ora, the young crooner shows testament to this on Living A Lie, with music arrangement by the up-and-coming bennie bizzie the business (who was also part of Deja Vu), Living A Lie sets the scene and atmosphere really well, each sound and each note is precise, there are no additional voice enhancers or sound effects to follow generic commercially accepted songs, it is a original and far from intrecate composition, a lot of talent for your ears, be sure to look out for the full version coming soon.

Like Wretch 32 says, “They Won’t But J Will”

Click image to visit the Official J Will Myspace page

Click image to visit the Official J Will Myspace page

Aug 25 2009
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Music

Ladies & Gentlemen, I introduce to you.. KAY YOUNG

kay-young3

There has been much hype surrounding South London’s Kay Young for a while now, the young producer/singer/songwriter/emcee (and damn good at each one as well) has been steadily rising higher, a diverse sound and style has lead her to bounce in and out of genres, reaching out to a varying audience. She came to my attention via a collaboration with UK emcee Wretch 32 (one of, if not the best in Europe), she can be heard on a ‘DJ Saved My Life‘, an out of this world dance anthem created by DJ Crispin & Last Japan and is featured in Fader Magazine, it truely is just a matter of time before her talent pushes her to the forefront of UK music.

Here is an exclusive snippet of ‘Heartbeat’:

Taken from her forthcoming p45 EP (due at the end of this year), this track caught my attention for so many reasons, concept, content and quality, Heartbeat really embraces the emotion, Kay Young so perfectly captures the thought and the raw feeling that many people will be able to relate to. Females have a strong voice in the form of Kay Young, a young woman who can stand up against most males in terms of style, ability and determination, she is not to be catorgorized nor placed in a box, an artist of her mind and talent deserves to be free to create as all her music is an offering of quality and originality that a true music lover will appreciate and enjoy.

You can hear more of Kay Young as her ‘Third Party Mixtape’ is available for FREE download.

Click on the image for FREE download

Click on the image for FREE download

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Aug 23 2009
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Music

Little Dee – Once In A Blue

South London emcee Little Dee is back in a big way with his new effort ‘Once In A Blue’.

Two tracks which I think show how far he has come since his feature on Wiley – My Mistakes are Electric Love and Once In A Blue.

Electric Love ft. Wiley:

Electric Love, which samples The Dream – Falsetto, lays the rose petals down for Little Dee to get lyrically romantic, the verses are the best part of the song, heavy weight feature with Wiley on the hook, however the chorus could be better, still it helps the verses stand out, over all this is a good track from Little Dee who appears to improve every time I hear him.

Fáris Rating:
7/10

Once In A Blue:

I like this a lot, Little Dee has always been a good storyteller with his rhymes and Once In A Blue is proof, as he brings you into his life through his mind. The beat is a mellow instrumental that helps create a soulful atmosphere as Little Dee shares his emotion.

Fáris Rating:
7/10

Little Dee - Once In A Blue ..OUT NOW!!

Little Dee - Once In A Blue ..OUT NOW!!

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Aug 23 2009
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Music

Dirty Danger – Ard Bodied

“Ard Ard Ard Ard…”

This track speaks for itself, it is literally Hard, best experienced in a club or on a good sound system.

Produced by Dirty Danger himself, the Ruff Sqwad soldier delivers a smash with Ard Bodied, the bass heavy beat is capable to get anyone dancing, you just cannot help but to nod your head to this, it is a street sounding feel-good anthem, “I’m not a flee boy, I’m a flee man”, With fellow Ruff Sqwad members Tinchy Stryder, Rapid & Slix all further establishing their status, Ard bodied will help Dirty Danger do no different, if not more. I have it on repeat, listening to it now as I write, it has something unique about it, consisting of segments capable to satisfy a range of listeners. Already being played on radio, Ard Bodied can do no wrong, with funky tracks such as Kyla – Do You Mind and Egypt – In The Morning heavily played in clubs across England, they encourage a positive vibe (more so for the ladies), Ard Bodied is one for the guys, it has such a strong feeling to it, definitely a song with an impact.

Dirty Danger has a hit on his hands with this infectious Grime meets Electric via funky anthem.

Fáris Rating:
8/10

Dirty Danger @ Ard Bodied video shoot

Dirty Danger @ Ard Bodied video shoot

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