Apr 02 2009
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Music

Wretch 32 – Ina Di Ghetto ft. Badness & Ghetts

Taken from my album of 2008, Wretchrospective, I still say this song is underrated, i still feel that Wretch 32 and this song did not get the recognition it deserves.

When i first saw the video I was like “it could be so much better”, but then as you watch it a few more times, like Wretch’s lyrics, sometimes the real meaning can go over your head, directed by Jack Frsh (The guys at Frsh are setting the standards), The video shows the harsh lives, we feel that it is tough growing up in certain parts of England, we have it far better than those who really live in poverty, we have the luxuries that they can only dream of.

Back to the track, Ina Di Ghetto, produced by Maniac is a demon of a beat, I still remember the first time I heard it, it was just a snippet and that snippet ended up being on repeat!

Wretch 32 as always, on point with his lyrics and delivery, “Cah everyones big wit hard-weight, now everyone thinks they’re scarface, it gets fizzy when they’re plans evoke, and they end up in the can for coke..i hope they 7-up”, when I heard that, I went back a few times like “Did he actually say that?”, the whole track is full of metaphors that only someone of Wretch 32’s calibur can create.

Badness adds more than just a hook, he brings in a whole new dimension to the track and it would not have the same effect without him, the next feature is probably Grime’s underground King, Ghetts (Formerly known as Ghetto), Wretch is not wrong when he says “I’m in the ghetto like Justin’s Yard, matter fact..Justin’s Heart”, I think it was only right to have Ghetts feature, “I been up since the crack of dawn, I ain’t Aaliyah but i’m back and forth, and even wit the heat by my side somehow i still manage to catch cold..”, You take one of the best beats in the country, put two of the best artists to ever come out of the country and what do you expect, like the album, Ina Di Ghetto is a classic, I still hold hope for a remix with the likes of Scorcher, Calibur and Giggs, but that’s just a fans dream i guess. In the mean time reality is tough and like the song hits hard.

Make you check out more of Wretch 32’s material if you’re not familiar with him already.

the classic album Wretchrospective is in stores now!

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Apr 02 2009
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Music

Tinchy Stryder – Number 1?

the question mark is because I think like everyone else in the scene that this new single has the potential to make that Number 1 spot.

Tinchy Stryder has always been the at the forefront of the Ruff Squad and Dappy is the most recognizable member of Platinum selling N-Dubz, so when you put them together, you are bound to get more than just a collaboration.

Tinchy Stryder has been in the game for a while now, his constant hard work has been paying off and after securing the number 3 spot with ‘Take Me Back’ featuring Taio Cruz, it is only right that the charts take him back and place him at the top spot, simply as not many people can say that they truely deserve it, Stryder can.

As for Number 1, it does not have the instant cathy factor that Take Me Back possessed, however it has the major feel, two of the country’s best talents coming together with a feel good song, they both add their own qualities and Dappy goes on to prove that he really is a force in the industry, I’m sure both have dealt with set backs and many laughing at the idea that they could have such impacts individualy in the music industry, with that, you can sense the eagerness, the hunger and the determination for Number 1 to be a number one.

I think this is just a start, for both Stryder and N-Dubz, both are talented enough to build upon their success so far and open the doors for more talent to shine through.

The single will be out 20th April, so you know to support that!

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Apr 02 2009
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Music

Something BRAND NEW from Trey Songz

Trey Songz has not had the kind of success that was expected of him when he first came in onto the scene, but that does not mean he has not been successful, an undeniable talent, Trey returns with his third album READY.

The first release from READY is Brand New, which shows Trey and his swagger on point.

The track is actually catchy, it is clear that the ladies are in his sights as he goes in on this one.

Video, features live footage from a recent performance so expect cameos from Jim Jones, Fat Joe, Shawty Lo, Angel Love, Drake, B. Cox and Young Jeezy, It’s more of a promotional single and actually creates the buzz he needs as he prepares to unleash his new album.

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Apr 02 2009
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Ginuwine – Last Chance

Yes, you read that right, Ginuwine is back!

With competition so high these days, Ginuwine was Usher’s biggest rival in terms of R&B Performer, then the arrival of the likes of Omarion and Chris Brown came and even the rise of Justin Timberlake forced Ginuwine to sit back a bit.

Now with Chris Brown having to step back, Justin creating his own lane, there seems a vacancy, or atleast one last chance for Ginuwine to try, so he returns with Last Chance.

I like this song, it reminds you while you liked Ginuwine in the first place, his voice cannot be matched with anyone else and by the looks of it, he still has some moves, I always felt that he was a better dancer than Usher, he was just more Prince than Michael, which means commercially Usher was always going to get more exposure.

The video features cameos from Tyrese and Lisa Raye, this track and project even is completely unexpected as I was waiting for the TGT (Tank, Ginuwine & Tyrese) project, but I’m not complaining as Last Chance has Ginuwine singing like it literally is his Last Chance, his relevance as an artist may not be the same, he is older and the audience is a lot younger but he has never let that be a problem before (Think back to ‘Differences’)

His previous album ‘Back II Basics’ was not received as well as I felt it should have, it had tunes such as ‘Shes Like’ and ‘I’m In Love’, yet it did not help secure his status nor have an impact as big as ‘In Those Jeans’.

It has been a long journey for Ginuwine since his arrival with Pony, but don’t count him out, Last Chance has every chance to be the career saver that he needs, real Ginuwine fans remain loyal but whether he can gain a new set we are yet to see, if any song will do it..it has to be Last Chance.

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Apr 02 2009
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Music

Jay-Z signs Music Kidz to ROC Nation!!

This is big news people,

Music Kidz, consisting of producer Mr Shabz (who is the founder of Music Kidz) & former Reelist producer K1, emcee Swiss and singer Sef (the trio that were behind many of the So Solid Crew’s hits), have been working hard with their group, production team, label and movement.

Proof of their hard work has come when Sef himself recently announced that Music Kidz has signed to Jay-Z’s new imprint ROC Nation, this is big news for the scene and the country, it means our hard work and talents are being recognized and with such an array of talent here in the UK, it is the next step, it shows the progression we are making, recently Jay Sean signed to the one and only Cash Money Records (Home to none other than Lil’ Wayne).

The first release I’m looking forward to and have been waiting for a while is Sef and his album ‘Every Piece of Me’, after releasing ‘Out of the Ghetto‘ and the soon to come ‘Need A Hero‘, Sef has proven that he has a voice to match some of the best R&B singers out there, having already worked with the likes of platinum selling Robin Thicke on the track ‘Tonite‘, as a fan of music it is increasingly frustrating to not hear his material and his name being mentioned among the greats.

Also, Swiss, how can anyone forget his heartfelt flow on So Solid Crew’s smash ‘Broken Silence‘, Swiss then gave us ‘Cry‘, so the soon coming album ‘One In A Million’ is still antiscipated the Music Kidz are capable of classics so it is only right that they venture with ROC Nation (one of the most expensive labels created) with the legend Jay-Z himself to create more of their own history.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Musickidz09

http://www.myspace.com/musickidz
http://www.myspace.com/sefmusic
http://www.myspace.com/kaywanmk
http://www.myspace.com/swisssosolid
http://www.myspace.com/musickidzstreetz

Here is a little taste of the magic that the Music Kidz are capable of creating:

I’ll bring you more on this news as soon as i find out,

Shout out to Sef and the Music Kidz team!!

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Apr 01 2009
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Music

Fr3e – Tribal Skank

So the ‘skank’ craze is taking over the country and making a splash in the commercial waves, I recently heard about the ‘Facebook skank’ (I still think it’s a joke), however after the success of KIG family’s Head Shoulderz Kneez & Toez, which is still increasing in popularity, along comes Fr3e with ‘Tribal Skank’, after recently watching the video, the song to me is more than just a song, it has the potential to further break the barriers that urban music finds it self being restricted with.

The video is extremely clever, it highlights the notion of how urban music can ‘attract’ you regardless of your background, the guy in the beginning is hilarious and the ‘tribal’ characters show their appreciation as they all begin to ‘skank’ together, this is a reflection of reality, many negative stereotypes have been created and continue to be placed among genres and unfortunately ‘races’ as well, this video manages to disperse such ideas in an entertaining way.

The character of the mother shows that some people are anti to the change, they just will not accept something however much the rest of the people conform to it.

In the video, where you see so many more people coming to join in, this scene shows the acceptance as well as the reality of this song and trend even, the video takes the song away from a selective audience and offers it to everyone and anyone that feels it.

I’ve always believed that videos play a huge part in the success of a single, sound can only be emphasised with vision and that is why you will see many tracks will not be as successful with an average video and vice versa, you can see an average song with a good video really generate interest. It is not about how expensive the video is, if the video portrays the song well, it will no doubt be positively effective.

For those that want to learn:

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Mar 30 2009
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Music

Young Nate – I Wonder

MY TUNE OF THE MOMENT!!

Young Nate has been creating quite the buzz, already having a banger of a track with the Soundbwoy produced ‘Mixed Messages’, Young Nate is the most relevant artist at the moment, many times an artist has songs that his fans can’t quite understand, or even the artist is of that age where he cannot relate, but Young Nate is in the same age group and so it adds to the feel of the songs he puts out.

a remix with Wretch 32???

& just because it’s such a good song:

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Mar 29 2009
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Music

Oh No It’s Marvell again!!..

So we already know that the UK has an plethora of talent, some we have not even heard yet, some however have been grinding and putting in the work for a while now, when we talk about the best the usual names come up, Ghetts, Wretch 32, Scorcher, Kano, Klashnekoff, Tinchy Stryder, Wiley, Skepta, JME, I can go on, but in recent times a new wave of artists have come through and have been seeing success in a shorter space of time, could it be because the ones before have made it easier or because they are more talented, I say both.

At the top of this new wave many will say is Chipmunk, an artist who in a short space of time has made it to the top in terms of talent and recognition and i’m sure there will be plenty to follow. However, I raise the question, who is the best group to come up in recent times?

For those that know, well done, as for those that don’t know, allow me to introduce you to Marvell, a trio of equally talented emcees, that are more than just three kids that can rap, Marvell consists of Shocka, Vertex and Double S, individually each one is talented, has a persona of his own, bringing something fresh to the industry.

What I like about them is the fact that they appear so genuine, this is how they are, there three down to earth guys, confident in their ability but appreciative of what they have.

So many times i hear them and think “Yeah Double S is my favourite”, then i’m listening and i’m like, “actually, it’s all about vertex, no wait..shocka”, the best thing is to appreciate what the three bring to the table, each one compliments the other..

..The idea of trying to work out which one is better and then realising that together they’re just a phenomenon. reminds me of another collective known as The Movement, which then brings us to:

The best thing in my opinion about Marvell is that they are three friends that possess a talent and a love to do this, they were not manufactured, they do this from the heart, the love of music and you sense that with their movement as they continue to make a name for themselves in this industry, in a genre where constantly stereotypes are put before the truth, the youth are looked upon in a negative light, these guys are doing something positive, being role-models for the even younger, showing a better path, growing up I never got the help and guidance, always put down, they will get it too but they’ve seen their path and nobody can take them off it, Marvell deserve a lot of respect and deserve more than they get the way that they work, definitely inspiring and motivational!

“Oh No It’s Marvell Again!”

http://marvellmusic.wordpress.com/

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Mar 29 2009
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Music

D-Boy – Loveless

I came across this track and artist even after interviewing the singer Sef, looking into it, I came across this track and I’m actually feeling it, featuring Sef himself so obviously i’m biased to the chorus as i’ve been a big fan of Sef since So Solid days.

The track is good but what is best about it is the fact that it documents a real life issue and D-Boy really comes across well, for what it represents, Loveless is a good tune and deserves more exposure.

NOW, whoever knows me, knows I’m a big Wretch 32 fan, so to find out that Wretch 32 and sef are on the same track, I can’t even explain my reaction when i found out about this song.

compared to the first version this is more serious, Wretch 32 brings more to your ears than just words, metaphors and a recognizable voice, Wretch 32 brings feeling, remeniscent of his track ‘My Life‘ (click the link to hear), Wretch 32 is truely a gifted emcee, and he demonstrates this in Loveless, many can put words together but only few can convey feeling and emotion. The video is different too, together with the track it stands out, I feel that anything I say does not represent the song to its fullest, emotional to say the least, it is honest and emphatic, the scene and music in general needs more songs like this.

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Mar 29 2009
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Music

Young Jeezy – Don’t Do It

One of my favourite tracks from Young Jeezy’s latest album ‘The Recession’, Track 15 ‘Don’t Do It’, has Jeezy’s portrayal of his battle with ‘selling out’, looked up to by the streets, over the past few years with his three albums, Young Jeezy has become a voice for the streets, however, many have been in his position and sold out for fame and fortune, this is where Young Jeezy say’s he wont. “Jeezy Don’t Do It, Never ever, Never ever”, that line there says it all. The track is Jeezy assuring those that depend on him that he won’t go that route.

The video is a good look, it is dark yet entertaining at the same time, following the lyrics about Jeezy visiting his friend in jail. Director Gabriel Hart understands the tracks instrumentation as he has the violins being played in the video, it is cleverly contrasted and really emphasises the track itself for all it is worth.

For me the best thing about the video is the profile of Young Jeezy himself, he has come along way since his first tapes under the name Lil’ J, even as Young Jeezy, from Soul Survivor (his first official single) to this current track, he has come along way, many rappers, many artists even have come and gone yet Jeezy remains a prominent fixture in today’s hip-hop. towards the end of the video, quite the statement is made as we see posters of Nas – Illmatic, Jay Z – Reasonable Doubt and Tupac – All Eyez On Me (All 3 undeniable classics), there is an empty space between Jay n Pac and Jeezy’s poster for the recession is put up between them, solidifying Young Jeezy and the album The Recession’s status among hip-hop’s legacy.

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