Nate x Tim and Barry

The boy Nate showcasing his skills for TimAndBarryTV, at the Wholesome store in Shoreditch. Bars aplenty, peep the vid.

6'7"

This track, the first single off "Tha Carter IV" has been out for a few days now, I overlooked it at first but after listening I can assure you it is a banger. Its produced by Bangladesh who made "A Milli" and it's clear the chemistry is there, as the beat is crazy and Wayne goes in as does Cory Gunz.

Lil Wayne (feat. Cory Gunz) - 6'7 (Dirty)

Enjoy

Hercules

Ohio native Stalley serves up the first offering 'Hercules', off his new mixtape, Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music). Stalley is a regular at DD172 and I personally have interviewed him twice. Here's the first and the second one is coming soon.

Thursday Thoughts- WTF Is Urban?

So another big year, for the UK urban scene with acts like Tinie Tempah reaching the stratosphere, N-Dubz still churning out hits like nobody's business and acts like Roll Deep, Skepta, and Wiley all charting with mainstream dancy tracks, in the case of William and his boys, consistently. Pro Green also had a very good 2010. Devlin, who released his major label debut this year, Bud, Sweat & Beers, earlier this year didn't really deviate from his sound, rapid-fire delivery, lyrical content and thought provoking material. However because of this he was never going to set the world alight, and he didn't, haven't heard the album, but unlike some other acts, will happily give it a listen.

Mainly what my gripe is, the moment when you get signed, the moment every MC/rapper (sometimes artist) dreads, underrated or overpaid? Griminal just inked with Universal a little while ago, we will see if his music steers from him single-handedly repping NASTY Crew at every possible chance to more poppy crossover appeal? 'Supa Dupa', his first release after the signing of his deal, implies otherwise. Not for a second, am I criticising any of these acts or MC's I have mentioned, but with the power of the internet I am surprised. Surprised, we haven't earthed an unknown talent, most of the time, its a popular artist who has been grinding for a while and then finally gets the little push, the backing of a machine and bucket-loads of Pounds on marketing and what not. There's no Kanye West similarity I can make off the top of my head, nor a British hip hop lyricist that has fiends fans going crazy over the product being supplied, like Jay Electronica. Not even a Soulja Boy reference or similarity can be made. Interestingly, Jessie J, Britian's newest Pop Princess, made her name on YouTube as a aspiring singer belting out hits on her bedroom floor.

 I would just like it, if artists on their second album could make songs like 'She Likes To' that would chart Top 20, but the album would sell on the strength of the artist, not whether the first single was soppy or synthy enough. The scene is called urban for two reasons, its not big enough and it has no sound. Hip-hop has trends, soul samples, Auto-Tune, chopped n screwed voice effects, but the sound more or less is the same.

Selling out is cool, I'm all for catchy singles with bait and over-featured R'n'B singers, but having to leave your genre or comfort zone, (can tell this when a song sounds forced), just so radio will pick you up, speaks volumes of a scene in its infancy.

Any thoughts on the 'urban' scene?

Monster

I have been a fan of this track since 'Ye leaked it all those G.O.O.D. Fridays ago. A sneak peek has surfaced and I'm posting in anticipation of the full video. I'm especially looking forward to seeing Nicki Minaj's show stealing performance, "Pink wig, thick ass, give 'em whiplash/ I think big, get cash make em blink fast" This line gets me gassed every time!



The video looks a little scary, but I guess it suits the name of the song.

Enjoy

A Day in the G.O.O.D. Life

G.O.O.D. Music: Pusha T Welcomes Big Sean To Virginia.

In this video, G.O.O.D. music brethren, Pusha T and Big Sean are followed around by Illusive Media, during their time in Pusha's hometown, Virginia. They are seen in the studio with Lex Luger, (B.M.F. and Hard in Da Paint). I have been listening to Clipse from early, I was even reciting Pusha T verses in my Year 9 Maths classes. No lie. Sean has been steadily improving for a while now. Nice video, and reminds me I have to get back to VA, my home from home.

Trapstar A-W '10 Lookbook- Pics and Vid

Video showcasing the upcoming Trapstar collection for the Autumn/Winter collection, which can be picked up in pizza boxes from the brand's flagship store in Portobello Road.  Some stills, below, from the said video shoot.

Video and pictures both by Lau Stevens.

Start It Up

Song has been out for a while, but never with the Pusha T verse on, now things have changed. I go on holiday next Monday, I expect to hear this a lot in the clubs. I also expect when the speakers blare out the 'Vroom Vroom bit', a lot of Aff's doing the Yung Joc motorcycle dance, circa '06.  Banks (one of the best punch-liners ever) getting a buzz again. NICEEEE!!
Lloyd Banks ft. Kanye West, Fabolous, Swizz Beatz, Ryan Leslie, Pusha T – Start It Up (Extended)

Thursday Thoughts - Ugg Boots

Is this fair?

Most probably the most common footwear likely to be found on females come this time of the year. Whether they are authentic or just imitations from shops like New Look or Shoezone, Ugg boots are the shoe boot built for these cold winter days. I must admit I am a fan of girl in Ugg's, especially when they are in good condition cause like most folk I'm sure they'd agree that slumped Ugg's are a sight for sore eyes, what's worse is when they are slumped and I've made the effort to look for the Ugg logo at the back, as soon as they walk past me, only to be greeted by nothing but the sound of the girl dragging her feet.

Is this fair?

That's my venting over, as I was saying they are very common amongst females coming in a variation of styles and colours, and nowadays I've seen a few males wearing them, and they are often slated as gay or camp. I personally think they're alright well only the classic black pair anything else is way too far out of the comfort zone. On my trips to Amsterdam I've seen males in abundance wearing them with Moncler jackets and I must say it drops nicely. That being said no matter how many times I hear how comfortable or how warm they are I highly doubt you will find me galavanting around the capital with them on, well not for now anyway.

So as I leave I ask what are your thoughts on men wearing Ugg's? And also if your Ugg's are slumped or leaning please put them to a side and accept that a new pair (real or fake) maybe your best option.