Tag Archives: Kanye West

Aug 20 2009
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Music

JAMIE FOXX – DIGITAL GIRL ft. Drake, The Dream & Kanye West

The original has been around for a while, taken from Jamie Foxx’s new album ‘Intuition’, it is a good song but it had no real buzz, so what better than to get the most talked about artist of the moment on the track and release it as a single. Enter Drake, the Toronto born actor turned rapper has a surreal hype surrounding him, with major labels locked into a bidding war for his signature, Jay-Z referred to his So Far Gone mixtape as the best of all time, Kanye West is directing his new video, he is part of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money, he has already worked with Jay and will feature on Mary J Blige’s new single, so it is fair to say that Drake is pretty much the hottest rapper at the moment.

With all that weight on his shoulders, Drake displays his confidence, knowing why he has been asked to feature on the track and he does not disappoint, concept, flow and lyrics, adding the singing into his verse, it is a trademark Drake verse and like the others, it is a good one.

I like the concept, it has been done before by the likes of R. Kelly (2nd Kelly) and Usher (Dot Com), but none the less, it does not interfere with Digital Girl, it grows on you the more you hear it, it is a really good collaboration.

Kanye West has gone from soulful Hip-Hop producer to Global Superstar, there are a few artists in the world of his caliber, so a clever, witty rhyme with a catchy flow are expected, Kanye’s verse is a good, I like the beat change, it pretty much is the peak of the song, his verse is a good balance with Drake’s, it fuses nicely as The Dream and Jamie Foxx take up the singing duties, to have four stars on one track does not always guarantee a hit but I think Jamie Foxx has one with this effort.

I like the beat change when for Kanye’s verse, it is the peak of the song, now is that a statement in itself that Drake is still no Kanye West, either way, it adds a whole new element to the track, it takes the track to a new level even. The video, although not unique or a real representation of the song, still manages to come off well, it reminded me of Hype William’s video for Lloyd – Girls Around The World ft. Lil’ Wayne, however, at one point the girls do look a bit virtual and such a small touch as that really makes a big difference. I like the idea of four superstars on one track, it has a momentous feel to it, Digital Girl is like the R&B version of Swagger Like Us. Over all it was always a good track, the video is not as good as it could have been, towards the end you see Jamie Foxx and Dream enjoying the track whilst Kanye West and Drake fade into the background.

Fáris Rating:
8/10

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Aug 08 2009
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Music

Clipse – I’m Good ft. Pharrell Williams

The clipse return with the newrelease from their forthcoming album ‘Till The Casket Drops’.

Clipse - I'm Good

Clipse – I’m Good ft. Pharrell Williams:

I’m Good is pretty much a laid-back, feel-good track, a summer chillout tune. Typical production courtesy of the Neptunes, which is not a bad thing because it will compliment the rest of the productions by the neptunes on the album which also features production from the likes of Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and DJ Khalil (He produced Kinda Like A Big Deal ft. Kanye West).

I think this will be a success (in the USA at least) for the simple feel good factor that it possesses, it has a element of fun to it, I can see many people catching onto the vibe and I’m sure even Pharrell and the Clipse (at the time of recording) visioned people cruising in their cars playing this. You have to give the Neptunes credit for creating a song that captures the feeling of a true summer. I think it’s impact is subdued to the fact that the video for Kinda Like A Big Deal was put out first, that was more of a strong statement so people took notice.

I’m Good is like the title..Good, definitely one to add to your summer soundtrack.

Fáris Rating:
6.5/10

Now to wake you up,

Clipse X Kanye West X Kaws - Kinda Like A Big Deal

Clipse – Kinda Like A Big Deal ft. Kanye West:

The DJ Khalil produced anthem really gave the Clipse a good entry back into the game, with the heavy feature from the self proclaimed new ‘King of Pop’..Kanye West. Pusha T & Malice really stand out lyrically, which is what they are ultimately known for, so to be on level with Mr West can only help the Virgina duo reach more success. I’m Good was good, Kinda Like A Big Deal is to be honest kind of like a big deal, the real record i want to hear is ‘Popeye’ featuring Cam’Ron, that is said to be the one, so good that it is being kept securely.

Fáris Rating:
7.5/10

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Aug 08 2009
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Music

Jay-Z – Run This Town ft. Rihanna & Kanye West

Run This Town

I heard this a while ago and I let my expectations get the better of me, so the song itself did not impress me, at the time I thought it was a weak effort with big features, without sounding so critical (though I am) I just felt that they could have created something better, however, I left the song for a while, let the hype settle a bit and the other day I was listening to Tim Westwood’s show and he played this and it stood out among the commercial saturated BS that currently floods our airwaves.

I think it is easier for Jay-Z to make original music because he has cemented his name within Hip-Hop and Music as a whole. Even he has admitted having to ‘dumb’ his lyrics down, so he understands how hard it is to satisfy and be successful commercially, surely as the once President of DefJam records he understands how hard it is for an artist to get a deal, there are those that make music for the love and they’re the successful ones but then when an outsider sees Pharrell Williams rise to stardom creating beats using digital sounds, songs that as a listener he likes, he will follow that, so it is expected, just like with fashion, you see Kanye Wear a pair of glasses..millions rush out to get the same pair, yet you criticize them and want them to be creative, even though you cash in on dictating their lifestyle, maybe if those that create ‘Real’ music are offered the chances that their talents deserve rather than seeing it handed over to someone who label execs beleive will gain major sex appeal from the opposite gender, and people will follow and support them equalling into good profit.

Back to the song, Produced by Kanye West, Run This Town is a powerful stage for the three artists (each successful in their own right), the only person that could have made this anymore powerful would be Beyonce in place of Rihanna. Kanye compiles the heavy drums with the edgy guitar nicely, it sounds raw yet clear, I hope Drake makes his version of this as I reckon he would do the beat justice. Taken from Jay-Z’s highly anticipated album ‘BLUEPRINT 3’ (completing the Blueprint trilogy), the first Blueprint is considered a classic so Jay had a lot to do in order to top it. After releasing DOA (Death of Autotune) he managed to create quite the buzz, Run This Town brings the buzz surrounding Jay-Z towards his coming album (perfect marketing), I still believe that both Jay and Mr West’s verses could have been better, yet it’s obvious that Jay-Z had audiences in mind, the catchy flow does what it is meant to, you cannot help but to rap along, Kanye West dissapointed me, the verse is good but that is the problem, maybe it will grow on me after a few more listens but I wanted to hear that out of this world ‘did he actually say that’ rhyme, Rihanna’s voice does fit the song, would have been good to hear a short verse or even bridge from her, as it becomes repetetive and boring after a while.

Run This Town is a good song, I just feel that it could be so much better, I’m looking forward to the video, hopefully the visuals can sway me to like it more, until then it is a raw commercial track, the only negative really is that it becomes repetative and boring (mainly due to Rihanna’s part), besides that it is not bad (I will be annoyed if it gains major rotation on UK Radio and TV instead of some of the better homegrown tracks and videos that should be played)

Look out for the review when the video is released

Fáris Rating:
7/10 [It’s almost an 8]

Kanye West, Rihanna and Jay-Z on the set of the video for Run This Town

Kanye West, Rihanna and Jay-Z on the set of the video for Run This Town

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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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Jun 28 2009
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Art

ART: Takashi Murakami

I am a big fan of Murakami’s work, he is most famous for his work with Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West.

One of my favourite pieces of art work by Murakami is actually the single cover for Kanye West – Can’t Tell Me Nothing

Kanye West X Takeshi Murakami

The colours and effects really compliment each other on this stand-out piece, the central image is well created and it’s construction provides a lot of depth, it is far more than an arrangement of colourful swirls.

murakami - Gero

This ‘Geno’ piece, highlights Murakami’s intense detail and choice of potent colours, the beauty of such work is that they speak volumes, the clusters of colours and shapes, they create the bigger picture, the symbolism is vividly embedded as Murakami offers his portrayal of life.

The idea of the bright and attractive as the evil trapping us, in the form of a monster-like character, it is his unique style of portrayal which places Takashi Murakami among the elite in art.

takashi-murakami

He recently collaborated with Pharrell Williams, to create a piece representing the real value of items we take for granted.

murakami-pharrell-jacob-jeweler-sculpture-1-540x360

simple-things-3

murakami-pharrell-jacob-jeweler-sculpture-5-150x150

simple-things

The sculpture titled ‘The Simple Things’, was created with the help of ‘Jacob The Jeweler’ (Jacob & Co.), featuring seven consumer objects that Pharrell Williams considers important to him, such as a cupcake, a bag of Doritos, a bottle of Heinz ketchup, a Pepsi can, a sneaker, a condom, and a bottle of Johnson’s baby oil, all created with gold and encrusted with 26,000 rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds by Jacob. The objects/items are all placed in the mouth of the Murakami sculpture. ‘The Simple Things’ sold for €2 million ($2.8 million). An extremely expensive piece of art created to show the true value of items that we take for granted.

Takashi Murakami is an established and world-reknowned artist who is also one of the few to expand into fashion and music with his innovative and inspiring art.

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Jun 21 2009
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Music

Jamie Foxx – Digital Girl (Remix) ft. The Dream, Kanye West & Drake

The original has been around for a while, taken from Jamie Foxx’s new album ‘Intuition’, it is a good song but it had no real buzz, so what better than to get the most talked about artist of the moment on the track and release it as a single. Enter Drake, the Toronto born actor turned rapper has a surreal hype surrounding him, with major labels locked into a bidding war for his signature, Jay-Z referred to his So Far Gone mixtape as the best of all time, Kanye West is directing his new video, he is part of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money, he has already worked with Jay and will feature on Mary J Blige’s new single, so it is fair to say that Drake is pretty much the hottest rapper at the moment.

With all that weight on his shoulders, Drake displays his confidence, knowing why he has been asked to feature on the track and he does not disappoint, concept, flow and lyrics, adding the singing into his verse, it is a trademark Drake verse and like the others, it is a good one.

I like the concept, it has been done before by the likes of R. Kelly and Usher, but none the less, it does not interfere with Digital Girl, it grows on you the more you hear it, it is a really good collaboration.

Kanye West has gone from soulful Hip-Hop producer to Global Superstar, there are a few artists in the world of his caliber, so a clever, witty rhyme with a catchy flow are expected, Kanye’s verse is a good balance with Drake’s, it fuses nicely as The Dream and Jamie Foxx take up the singing duties, to have four stars on one track does not always guarantee a hit but I think Jamie Foxx has one with this effort.

Fáris Rating:
8/10

Here’s a live performance by Jamie Foxx and Heartbreak Drake himself:

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May 10 2009
1 Comment
Music

DJ Class – I’m the Ish (Remix) ft. Kanye West

I’ve been blasting the original and the Jermaine Dupri & Trey Songz remix for some time now, but here is the official remix featuring man of the moment, the Louis Vuitton Don himself..Kanye West.

I like this remix a lot, the beat was always a classic, it’s hypnotic synths and the kind of drums that you just cannot help but to nod your head to, DJ Class really put together something special for the clubs with I’m the Ish. Kanye as always does not disappoint, the song was catchy as it is, Kanye West has just made it even more so, as he did on the official remix for Lil’ Wayne – Lollipop, the Chi-Town rapper/producer puts his own twist with clever rhymes and a post 808’s & Heartbreaks flow. Another hit to add to the large collection and major props to DJ Class for creating such a classic.

Fáris Rating:
8.5/10

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May 05 2009
2 Comments
Music

Kanye West – Amazing ft. Young Jeezy (Video)

A good song from a good album, been waiting for a while since I found out that this was the next single to be taken from 808’s & Heartbreaks.

Kanye West has been raising the bar in terms of standard for music videos of late, his video for Welcome To Heartbreak ft. Kid Cudi had people in a frenzy (and confusion until they realized that it was meant to distorted). This video, far different from the last, but just as much of an impact, it perfectly represents the track, with dark shots, exotic locations, basic effects yet the end product is a joy to watch.

Visually, it speaks more and uses minimal shots, the jungle theme fits the sound effects in the song, with both Kanye and Young Jeezy at their best. Not much has to be said as the video speaks for itself but it is just as inspirational as the song and undoubtedly another classic by Mr West.

Fáris’ Rating:
8/10

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May 05 2009
2 Comments
Music

Kid Cudi – Look Up In The Stars ft. Wale

I’m a big fan of both Kid Cudi and DC’s own Wale, so I was excited to hear this and they did not dissapoint.

Look Up In The Stars, produced by Breez (A producer to keep an ear out for), the beat offers that synth-based outer space sound, futuristic and perfect for two diverse artists heralded as the future, the drum pattern reminds me of old neptunes beats, fairly simple in practice but the cleverly executed fusion of drum and keyboard sounds have a big effect, the melody is a spaceship in flight and Kid Cudi and Wale are the passengers. Kid Cudi sings the chorus (with autotune, but pulls it off nicely) and provides a verse, the verse seems standard from Cudi whilst Wale had me remembering Nas, lyrical and a flow to match that just grabs your attention as you listen to every word.

This new wave of artists have a lot to compete against but are fortunate to be allowed to be diverse and free in terms of creativity and concepts, it is refreshing to see and shows you how far Hip-Hop and music in general has come, the likes of 50 cent or Jay-Z would be laughed at if they came out singing talking about stars, Rappers like Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Lil’ Wayne have held the door (a door that I believe Pharrell Williams opened) for people like Kid Cudi, Asher Roth and Wale, allowing them to come through and be themselves, be creative and break out of stereotypes that come with a genre.

Look Up In The Stars, although may just end up as a mixtape record, is a good offering from the two bright prospects and I look forward to hearing more like this.

Fáris’ Rating:
7.5/10

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Mar 27 2009
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Music

GLC – The Big Screen ft. Kanye West

I really like this song and the video is good too, its different, the song sounds like nothing you’ll hear on the radio at the moment, Big Screen has a movie feel to it, and Kanye comes through on point as always.

The Big Screen is the first single from the benefit compilation for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: True To The Game.

Baring that in mind, the video has GLC and Kanye West playing baseball players at a lavish upscale party with ladies throwing themselves at them, Big Screen has a classic feel to it and i think will be a platform for GLC to make more of a name for himself.

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