Estelle ft. John Legend/ NAS – Fall In Love (Video & Download)

OMG is it possible? That I could actually like an Estelle song?! And even more peculiar than that...is it possible that Estelle has FINALLY engratiated the fact that she is no longer really a rapper and has taken some singing lessons? Goodness me! Anyway she appears to have two versions AND two videos, one with her and Nas, and the other with her and John Legend...very strange! Do Legend and Nas have beef or something? p.s. peep the sexy Insa heels!

The Roots - The Fire (ft John Legend)

Whilst watching this music video, I originally thought the scenes were taken from an upcoming movie, simply because it seemed such time, effort, money, storyboarding and labour must've gone into it that it can't simply be for a music video. But. It turns out that Director Rik Codero shot these scenes specifically for The Root's video:

“The Fire” chronicles a post-apocalyptic death march set in 1945 during the final stages of World War II in Europe. After a cataclysmic event renders the war futile, a paramilitary splinter group — led by a Kurtz-like figure known as The Commodore — forces the transfer of young men who will be used as labor…and food. The last survivor of the march receives a mysterious White Box which holds the key to survival. – Rik

Fantastic music video and a great song!

Lil Jon, Big Boi and Rick Ross on Chelsea Handler's all-rapper panel

This is actually really funny, they're all rather witty discussing Lindsay Lohan's jail sentence, Ice-T's and Coco driving offence, a new TV show called 'Celebrity Rehab', partying with Keyshia Cole's mum and Kim Kardashian's bum!

via RapUp

Video: Kid Sister - Big N Bad

I have to admit, I've always found Kid Sister quite annoying. I mean I love her style, her personality on screen and I think she's beautiful...but I've always found her music a little annoying. For some reason however, I've always given her a chance. With most artists that you find irritating, such as Katy Perry for instance, you try to avoid them at all costs by never watching their videos, turning off the radio/TV if they come on and refusing to read any news snippets about them. But for some reason, with Kid Sister I've always given her a chance - it's like having a fat child and knowing they'll NEVER win the races on Sports Day at Primary School...yet you have that glimpse of faith "COME ON YOU CAN DO IT" - that's how I've always felt about Kid Sister - I've always had a little faith that perhaps the next song won't be so annoying that I want to rip out my ear drums after listening to the first verse. And with her latest track "Big n Bad" she may just have achieved that...because I quite like it, not love it...just quite like it *please note*! The video is shot in her hometown Chicago and features A-Trak and Flostradamus

via RAPUP

Event: Sample Sale

NIKE, TRAPSTAR, VA-G, MASH SHOPPING SALES

http://g2da3.blogspot.com/For all the streetwear heads out there, today three fantastic sales are taking place in London! Nike is having their Summer Sale down at the 1948 store in Shoreditch; Trapstar's sale is taking place at Supra on Portobello Road - something you should definetely take advantage of as even Hollywood is rocking the brand now (see Rihanna below), and finally the VA-G sale taking place at Mash on Oxford Street which also features 3 DJ Sets and competitions/giveaways!

via G2da3

Event: Yahzarah at Bush Hall

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/83702I was fortunate enough to see Yahzarah perform live in London this Summer and her show was absolutely amazing! Make sure you cop tickets (at only £12.50) and don't miss out on this inspiring, soulstress's performance!

BUY TICKETS!

Gulf Aid track by Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, Trombone Shorty, Tim Robbins and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, Trombone Shorty, Tim Robbins and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band got together to record "It Ain't My Fault" for 'Gulf Aid' a charity dedicated to gathering relief for the families, communities, workers and environment of the Louisiana Gulf as affected as a  result of the oil spill.

You can find out more about Gulf Aid and how to donate here: Gulf Aid Site
Via Harlem Loves

Jay-Z x Green Lantern - Creative Control

Green Lantern and Jay-Z team up for a mixtape of remixes, acapellas, conversations, live shows and unheard music!

DOWNLOAD

Dre x HP introduces 1st Laptop for music

DJ Jazzy Jeff + Mick Boogie - Summertime Mixtape

Featuring every (good) song that is Summer-related! Perfect summer mixtape with expert mixing from the best!
TRACKLIST:
* 1. Summertime Intro
* 2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version)
* 3. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness
* 4. Quincy Jones: Summer In The City
* 5. Ahmad: Back In The Day
* 6. Ice Cube: It Was A Good Day
* 7. Roy Ayers f/ Mary J Blige: Everybody Loves The Sunshine
* 8. Pharcyde: Passin’ Me By (Ffej Remix)
* 9. Jay-Z f/ Babyface: Sunshine
* 10. Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess
* 11. A Tribe Called Quest: Find A Way (Ffej String Edit)
* 12: Bush Babies f/ Mos Def: The Love Song
* 13. Jodeci: Get On Up
* 14. The Commodores: High On Sunshine
* 15. J Dilla f/ Dwele : Think Twice
* 16. Erick Sermon f/ Marvin Gaye: Music (Mick’s Marvapella Edit)
* 17. Bernard Wright: Who Do You Love
* 18. LL Cool J: Loungin’
* 19. A Tribe Called Quest: Hot Sex
* 20. Main Source: Live At The BBQ
* 21. Nuyorican Soul: Nautilus
* 22. Pharcyde & Sublime: Summertime
* 23. Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Summertime Remix
* 24. Michael Jackson: I Can’t Help It
* 25. De La Soul: Breakdawn
* 26. Musiq: Just Friends
* 27. Carl Thomas: Summer Rain
* 28. Faze-O: Riding High
* 29. Dionne Warwick: Walk On By
* 30. Skee-Lo: I Wish
* 31. Black Moon: Who Got The Props
* 32. Frankie Beverly and Maze: Before I Let Go
* 33. Nu Shooz: I Can’t Wait
* 34. Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It
* 35: The Roots f/ George Benson: Breezin’
* 36: Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Time To Chill
* 37. Biggie: Can’t You See
* 38. James Brown: The Payback
* 39. En Vogue: My Lovin’
* 40. Bobby McFerrin: Sunshine Of My Life
* 41. Fifth Dimension: Let The Sun Shine In
* 42. Mos Def: Sunshine
* 43. Nine: Whatcha Want
* 44. Otis Redding: Sittin’ On The Dock
* 45. 2Pac: I Get Around (Mick’s String Edit)
* 46. Zapp: Computer Love (Terry’s Mirage On The Water Mix)
* 47. Seals And Croft: Summer Breeze
* 48. Jay-Z: Dear Summer
* 49. Weldon Irvine: Morning Sunrise
DOWNLOAD

Katy B - Katy On A Mission

You may recognise Katy B from Funky House bangers "Tell Me" and "As I". For me, I remembered her voice as she was the only funky house singers that could...actually...sing! I then came across her at the Writers Block 2nd bday event where she sung alongside The Illersapiens and smashed it up! "Katy On A Mission" is Katy B's first single brought to you by the Rinse squad and features something a little different to her usual work...a mad bassy, head-throwing, batty-whining dubstep beat as produced by the amazing Benga! Play at full volume!!!!


via TheBangBang

Event: Vagabondz v ATG Free Party

Saturday 31st July 2010
Vagabondz vs ATG
The Summer Pay Back Special!!!!
......100% Free Party @ Corsica Studios

Event: The Bang Bang Ladies Night

Sat 31st July
Bar512, Kingsland Rd, Dalston
Ladies free before 11.30pm, £5 after
Gents £7 all night £5 on list
TheBangBangInfo@Gmail.com for list with the words HUNGRY HIPPOS in the subject line.

BALLOONS
FACE PAINTING
FREE WHISTLES
FREE LOLLIPOPS

Event: Whats Good & Livin' Proof

Saturday July 24th 2010
City Arts & Music Project (CAMP),
70-72 City Road, EC1Y 2GJ
(1 min walk from Old Street tube)
9pm - 4am, £5 all night

Facebook event page

DJS

Snips
DJ Yasmin
Budgie
DJ Khalil
Chris P Cuts
DJ Rags
Brad Farrant  

"London's 2 x finest hip-hop nights Whats Good & Living Proof who have combined to bring you the best party under 1 Roof monthly at CAMP present the July Monthly Session"

Event: VA-G x Mash x Stop Begging

Event: Yo Mama vs The Bang Bang

Free entry
10pm-2am
Market Place bar

11 - 13 Marketplace, W1 8AH
Facebook event page and guestlist

Bambi Bang Bang Minimix by Djbambi on Mixcloud

Another fantastic ravement taking place this Saturday is a joint effort between two of London's best underground music nights, 'Yo Mama' and 'The Bang Bang'. Expect great music, mad drunkeness, rump-shaking dancing and best of all - FREE ENTRY, a rarefind in London's west end!

DJ's - HIPSTERS DON'T DANCE- Funky house, Soca, and pop
-DJ 7OEL and J-DEN (The Bang Bang)- Dancehall, Electro, Funky House, Pop, Dance,Old School Hip hop
VS
-BAMBI, J@PEG & NEKOCHAT (Yo Mama) -Baltimore Club Music, hiphop, Baile Funk, Dancehall.

The amazing photographer Jo'lene Roxanne Henry will be taking beautiful photographs on the night!

Event: The Doctors Orders 5th Birthday

The Doctor’s Orders 5th Birthday Party
@ Fabric, Room 1
10pm-5am
Friday 23rd July
@ Fabric, Charterhouse Street, London EC1
www.thedoctorsorders.com / www.fabriclondon.com / facebook event page

This weekend there are three great events going down for Hip Hop lovers. Taking place at Fabric is one of London's best and longest running Hip Hop nights, 'The Doctors Orders' who are celebrating its 5th birthday with TIM WESTWOOD, SHORTIE BLITZ, DJ MK, CHRIS P CUTS AND SPIN DOCTOR all playing their sets! Tickets were £15 in advance and are now sold out, however there's likely to be some on the door so get down there early!

Theophilus London interview with Village Voice

New York bible, The Village Voice caught up with rapper, Brooklyn-local, cool-scene aficionado and my favourite man of the moment, Theophilus London to talk fashion, music and M.I.A in preperation for M.I.A's event HardNYC featuring Sleigh Bells, Theophilus London, Skream, Benga, Ninjasonik,12th Planet, Nguzunguzu, Borgore and Destruct (oh how I wish to live in NYC!)

If you were to take M.I.A. shopping for clothes, where would you go? 

I'd get her on a plane and go around the world thrift store shopping. I don't like local thrift shopping--I like to take about three outfits on tour and come back with seven new shirts. 

M.I.A. is headlining HARD NYC. What do you like best about her style?

You can tell she's very creative, an innovator. She runs her whole camp very strategically. I also want to mention this other girl, Lady Gaga, who people are trying to give the backlash to. It's not easy to be creative all the time and those girls run it all in-house, put their own natural ideas out there. They're the creative forerunners of their generation. Whether it's music, fashion or lifestyle, they're doing a good job cause people are talking about them.

What's the most common fashion mistake hip-hop fans make?

I think just being scared of being in their own skin. Those guys are not comfortable in their own skin--it's like they've always got something to prove so that makes their look aggressive and not cool.

For more of the interview, click here!

Event tickets - Dead Prezz, Sway, Akala, MC Skinnyman

BUY TICKETS HERE!

Event tickets: M.O.P. at Jazz Cafe

M.O.P. live at Jazz Cafe 25/26th August!

BUY TICKETS HERE!

Event Tickets: One Mic 25/07/10

Head down to Elixir Bar in Camden this Sunday for the Summer Edition of One Mic a night of live performances and spoken word by some of the best emerging artists around!

**ONE MIC simply boasts the premier avenue for new and upcoming performers to take a stage and do what they love in front of a wide range of audiences that may OR may NOT have heard their material BUT will definitely appreciate the ART**

 BUY TICKETS HERE £5

Music by...
I AM ONE Project
http://www.myspace.com/iamoneproject
Dionne Reid
http://www.myspace.com/dionnereid
Chantelle Nnandi
http://www.myspace.com/chantellenandi
Belle
http://belle.bandcamp.com/
Reese Robinson
http://www.myspace.com/reeserobinsonmusic
K.I Project
http://kensaye.bandcamp.com/album/the-article
FIZZIE
http://www.myspace.com/officialfizzie
Craig Storrod
http://www.myspace.com/craigstorrod
 

Spoken Word from...

Ola the Poet
http://olathepoet.wordpress.com/
Carol Ohemaa
http://carolohemaapoetry.blogspot.com/
Jodi Ann Bickley
http://www.myspace.com/onenoneblonde

+ Our Special Open Mic Session Featuring Alex Martin

Accompanied by Our Special Guest All FEMALE 4-Piece Band... The SounDelight
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Soundelight/364699593105?v=wall&viewas=0

Erykah Badu this Saturday Brixton Academy

This Saturday, 24th July Erykah Badu will be gracing the Brixton Academy stage with her presence for the final leg of her European Tour, and guess who is going... ME :-)!! I'm not going to lie, I'm not the biggest die-hard Badu fan in the world but I love her music and have a genuine interest in the message behind it, which is why I bought the tickets for this concert the day they came out!



Tickets are now sold out I'm afraid!

Event: Writer's Block 13.07.10

The Writer’s Block returns for its July Show on Tuesday 13th July at Juno Bar in Shoreditch.

"Following a cosmic 2nd Birthday show at Cargo, London- featuring an exclusive debut UK performance from Soul Jesse Boykins III- Writer's Block returns. Serving up a consistently tight format of vibrant spoken word, emotive, intimate live music and engaging short films, our July Show boasts feature performance from top UK talents including soulstress Kadija Kamara, Spoken Word Slam Champion Hollie McNish, Musical sensation Angel and much more."

I went to Writer's Block for their last show which was at Cargo in London, and as mentioned above, was headlined by the smooth operator neo soul Prince, Jesse Boykins III. This show was TRULY the best live performance gig I've ever been to! Not just because JB3 was performing (which was obviously a MAJOR plus), but also because the vibe in there was lovely and the people were beautiful and truly appreciated the acts. Writer's Block's audience were music lovers. I HATE going to live music events where it's full of boujis socialites that are more interested in discussing their sex lives and insecurity issues LOUDLY, than actually enjoying themselves and appreciating the music! Oh and of course the quality of the acts, I saw The Illersapiens and Kersha Bailey at the last event, two act's I'd never heard of but was REALLY impressed by at the show!

So yeh, in all skip down to Shoreditch, look about for Juno Bar, pay £5 entry and you'll be in for a treat!!

Performers on the night
Angel
Carol Ohemaa
Fran Isherwood
Gbontwi Anyetei
Hollie McNish
Kadija Kamara
Phresh Mentality
Short Film Screening 'Have You Heard?' By Zayna Daze

Tuesday 13th July 2010
JUNO BAR,
134-135 Shoreditch High Street
Shoreditch,
E1 6JE
8pm - Late

£5 All Night

http://lovewritersblock.com/
Myspace
Twitter
YouTube

Tickets: Wale at Jazz Cafe London - Monday 5th July

"Washington DC's Wale (pronounced Wah-Lay) is signed to Jay-Z's very own Roc Management company and fuses DC's homegrown go-go genre with a streetwise hip-hop sensibility. The Twenty-four-year old first broke out and broke ground in 2005, appearing in the Source magazine's vaunted Unsigned Hype column-the same column that launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G., Common, and Mobb Deep, and has gone from strength to strength since then. Don't miss his Jazz Cafe appearance!"

Tickets only £17.50!

Mikill Pane - The Return of Mikill Pane

Introducing Mikill Pane: the quick-witted, tongue-twisting, outrageously contraversial and exceptionally genuine rapper, cyclist and (part-time) Mayor of East London is back with this official video for his new single 'The Return of Mister Pane'.

If you like what you see/hear (and why wouldn't you) then you can download his "Shatter EP" here  and his more recent "Return of Mister Pane" EP here for absolutely FREEEEEE!

Follow Mikill Pane on Twitter for gig updates, humorous rantings and occasional abuse!

NEW Big Boi feat. Vonnegutt – Follow Us

Left foot, right foot, stepping over biters,The game seems haunted/ 'Cause there's so many ghost writers.

Listen to Big Boi's "Sir Luscious Leftfoot" before its out in the UK, on Billboard now

Janelle Monae ft B.o.B & Lupe Fiasco - Tightrope (rmx) (video)

I LOVE the fact there is a video for this remix. I LOVE the electric guitar rift. I LOVE Janelle Monae's outift. I LOVE B.o.B's verse. I HATE the fact I'm not getting to see her perform live in London tonight :-(

Rick Ross ft Kanye West - Live Fast, Die Young

 Rick Ross feat. Kanye West - live fast die young clean by tarajane!
Taken from Rick Ross' forthcoming album, "Teflon Don" and featuring man of the moment, Kanye West. Rick Ross has described this collaboration as magical...I'm not sure if I'd go that far, but I like Kanye's verse lol!

Deciphering Kanye West's Power artwork

Below is Kanye's artwork for his new single 'Power', very iconic and arty in a way only Kanye can do! I am absolutely in LOVE with the song, I think it's exactley what he needed for his highly anticipated comeback: an epic instrumental laced with his ego-boosting "Fuck You" lyrics! Great stuff!
 Kanye West featuring Dwele - Power by Hypetrak

"What the hell does that picture mean?" I hear you ask! Well the first thing that came to my mind is that the Kings head represents Kanye's former crazy MTV-crashing ego...the sword obviously killing that ego (look at the crazed expression of a mad man) - this is reflected in the last part of the song where Dwele sings "Now this would be a beautiful death - I'm jumping out the window - I'm letting everything go" i.e. letting go of his former bad press and childish ego. Further pertaining to this, Kanye's Power record is a sample of King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man" which is apparently a psyche term to describe an alienated person that withdraws from social interaction - something that Ye has done ever since his MTV stint... you can hear Ye using the phrase early on in the song.

Or perhaps he sees himself as a Martyr to Hip Hop/Popular Culture, although its a bit ironic to proclaim you're giving up your power and becoming a martyr, to then release a track that is literally all anyone talks about for weeks!

Another alternative is Shakespeare's play "King Richard III" where the King shouts "Off with his head" in the Tower of London and accuses Lord Hastings of plotting to destroy him - when really he just wants Hastings out of the way so that he cannot be on the path to the crown...basically "Off with his head" is a Shakespearean phrase used against someone being used as a scapegoat, just as Richard did against Lord Hastings, and as Kanye was for "the abomination of Obama's Nation"

Or perhaps Kanye just picked at random this cover out of a selection of many because he liked the way the gold glistened on the crown...lol.

What do you think of the song and/or the artwork?

Slakah the Beatchild - Enjoy ya Self

J. Cole Performs At Club LIV Miami (Video)

Wow this song really reminds me of the early 00's when Glenn Lewis, Dwele and Musiq Soulchild were the hottest male artists on everyones lips. From the soulful vocals to the sun-filled room of the music video, there's something very retro-soul about it (can i say retro now, seeing as it was the last decade?). Some of you may recognise his voice/name from old Drake tracks like "Bad Meaning Good". Slakah the Beatchild will be joining Terri Walker and Yahzarah tonight down at Vibe Bar on Brick Lane, head down there for some great live music!

J.Cole performs "Who Dat" and his verse from Jay-Z's "A Star is Born" to a totally unappreciative crowd in Miami...he's still going in though! Cannot WAIT to see him

Via Imflashy

Event: TONIGHT Fake Fake Records Records FREE

TONIGHT

-Apples and Pears (Basement), 26 Osborn St (On Top Of Bricklane Algate East End), London, E1 6TD
-Party/underground/UK/80s-90s HipHop all night.
-http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129789217049023&index=1
-Free entry all night + cheap drinks... what more do u want???

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