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?

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.

Thursday Thoughts - Diamonds Are Forever?

In the past week, it was made public that rapper Jay Electronica has signed to Roc Nation. This might not jump out as you read, but I aim to explain and help you understand what is going on and why I have selected this story as the topic of my Thursday Thought.

Jay Electronica was is an undeground artist hailing from New Orleans,  building a buzz and demanding attention from the mainstream hip hop community as well as purists after dropping underground gems such as "Exhibit A" and "Exhibit C".  Below is the much-talked about "Exhibit A".

 Jay Electronica - Exhibit A (Transformations) (Produced by Just Blaze)

Fans and critics alike have been singing his praises and annointed him as the next "God MC" and have placed the burden of him to restore Hip-Hop back to a "healthy" state for some, maybe back to the days of ATCQ (A Tribe Called Quest) or something similar to The Roots or Mos Def. As a result the buzz Jay Electronica has built for himself, it was only a matter of time before the majors came fishing for his signatures. Big names such as Nas, T.I. and Diddy all asked where he was going to make his recording home, and when he would drop his mainsteam debut LP. Keeping many in the dark for almost a year now he has just signed to Roc Nation as I mentioned before.

This may have raised a few eyebrows, as it did it to mine. I've asked myself on many occasions was it the right move, as labels ultimately hold the cards and tend to interfere with artists work too much. Thus not showing the true colours of the artist but showing that they can make what will sell  at the current time.

Jay Eletronica also was good friends with Mr Carter's former partner in crime, Dame Dash. Jay Elec has been found at  DD172 on many occasions, and has recorded with several DD172 artists such as Mos Def and Curren$y. What will Dame make of this move? Respect his friend's business acumen or see this as an act of betrayal?

 Amanda Diva, Dame, Curren$y and Jay Elec back in the gold ol' days.

Also I asked myself him working under Jay-Z would he flourish as an artist as the current roster boasts J. Cole as well as Willow Smith both acts in which I believe his time will be dedicated to, to add insult to injury while Jay-Z was the head of Def-Jam some may argue his time in that position was not utilised correctly. That being said, some may argue that him signing to Roc Nation will introduce him to a whole new audience, however his die hard fans will hope that he does not become consumed of the idea of chasing platinum selling albums but rather focusing on making a classic LP.

Recently to hit the net is a track that features Jay Electronica, Mr Carter, The-Dream and Charlotte Gainsbourg called "The Shiny Suit Theory".

Jay Electronica featuring Jay-Z, The-Dream & Charlotte Gainsbourg - Shiny Suit Theory

When I first heard this I had to shout my brother Kwarmz just to make sure he has heard what I had just listened to, if this is a product of what is to come then all Jay Electronica fans have nothing to worry about as the chemistry shown on the track is nice.

What do you think about Jay Elec's decision?

Stay tuned for next week's Thursday Thought with Kwarmz.

Too Fake

Big Sean - Too Fake (Ft. Chiddy Bang) from illRoots.com on Vimeo.


Visual for G.O.O.D. Music Artist, Big Sean and the track off his Finally Famous Vol.3 mixtape, featuring Chiddy Bang. Nice video, some cool effects by the folks over at illRoots. My little sister put me on to Sean like a year and a half ago, and in that time he has come a long way. On this track, Sean displays some clever lines and some nice melodies. Chiddy does his thing as well.

Fast Lane

The newest G.O.O.D. Music signee, Cyhi Da Prynce recently dropped a mixtape, Royal Flush, to announce his arrival to the mainstream. He has been popping up on a few of Kanye's G.O.O.D. Friday tracks, and also on the now famous BET cypher with all his labelmates. Before linking up with the house that 'Ye built, he has been signed to Def Jam since February. A raspy voice, nice flow and clever lyrics can describe this song 'Fast Lane'. The song has a laid back feel, and the hook is also nice. 

Should be seeing more of Cyhi in the new year.

 05 - Cyhi Da Prynce-Fast Lane.mp3  

Skyscraper

The visual for 'Skyscraper' off Mickey Factz's impressive mixtape, I'm Better Than You. Directed by Slick Johnson.


Enjoy

Re-Introducing Miguel Jontell

You may recognise the name Miguel from his first single "All I Want Is You" which featured Roc Nations J. Cole. The song is a banger and was on heavy rotation on the laptop for a minute. Got to shout Tola who brought him to my attention couple years ago with two of his songs "Quickie" and "Be My Vixen", if you havent heard them YouTube them ASAP!

The singer/songwriter/producer's (yeah he does it all) album also titled "All I Want Is You" is slated for release  in Febuary in 2011. Before I leave you peep these two tracks I just came across sorry if you've heard them already.

This one is entitled "Go"

And this one is entitled "I Still Try"

I hope his album doesn't get pushed back, I fully believe he will deliver a great LP, that's enough from me, until till next time.

Enjoy

What Ever Happened To?

The other day I was reminiscing  about my past times, and I remembered one of my old ring tones which happened to be Seb Zero - New Step. I used to vibe to that song off my Samsung D900 but like that phone, the song has become a past time memory.



Well enjoy the video and vibe to the new step (well I guess it's an old step now, but you know what I mean).

I'm So Raw World Tour

Not really but Young Money member, Tyga, has been getting it in recently in Europe. Photos from his Twitter page show his following is expanding nicely. Personally I like it when a rapper realises not all their fans are from the same country and puts on a show for their overseas fans.
Also according to a tweet and all his other tour date tweets have checked out as correct, he will be performing at the London indig02, September 4th. I have since gone on the website, and that night is listed as Eddie Kadi's Aftershow Party, so I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. As you know I have been following Tyga for a little while now.

Peep the pics.

Paris, France

Lausanne, Switzerland

Antwerp, Belgium

Barcelona, Spain

Eye of The Tiger

Not really sure when this song surfaced, but I do know the song is a lot of stuff. Wale is spitting from the perspective of a so called Tiger Woods, and how the revelations of his cheating have turned his world upside down. To me, at times Wale, is under-rated, his lyrical content on the first single with Gaga didn't really help his case, to tell you the truth. Dantz pointed me in this direction of this one, so have to give thanks. Say what you want about Mr Woods, I just think it's a shame his legacy won't be about the world's best ever golfer but one about a love cheat.

Anyways, get your dope fix here.

 Wale - The Eyes Of The Tiger by Hypetrak 

Three Things I Am Looking Forward To...

Anyone constantly around me for the last 2 months, will know I have been getting excited for this album for a little while now. I kid you not. I ordered Pilot Talk last week from a well-known online retailer, only to receive an e-mail, telling me the order had been cancelled. My people (Why Alice Ist) has looked around, but we still have no idea where to get this CD from. I'm just hoping it will find its way into my palm soon.

Picture is old, but you get the drift. On the market for a smartphone, haven't decided as of yet though.

EastEnders has got me sucked in right now. This Lucas man has to be stopped, watching to see how this
storyline pans out regardless of Chelsea's 'acting skills'.

Pre Pilot Talk

Currently my partner has me feeling Curren$y, especially after he posted his video "King Kong". Yesterday was the listening party for his highly anticipated album "Pilot Talk" which was held at BlacRoc Studio's aka DD172.










 After seeing this footage, I could only imagine what the party was like! 22nd of June roll on!
Curren$y Listening Party @ Under100 from Creative Control on Vimeo.

The Creators Project - Mark Ronson

Famous before his sister was, for dating the hugely troubled Lindsey Lohan, Mark Ronson has a chit-chat with The Creators Project about how he cut his teeth in the music business and what he is working on currently.

The Creators Project is a coming together of Vice and Intel, celebrating creativity and diversity through media all around the world. International DJ's and music extraordinaires such as Diplo, Ronson and Brodinski are listed as creators who are part of the project. Be out on the lookout for any off-beat geniuses or the next Albanian gangsta-rapper who occasionally dabbles into painting with water colours. 

Take a look at the website here.

Over

Drake's video for his first single, 'Over' has dropped.

Great song, not really sure about the visual though. Anyways, enjoy.

An Evening With Curtis

Fif @ Wembley Arena from hnw_kwarmz on Vimeo.

50 Cent came down to London Town over the weekend to perform at the Wembley Arena. Me and the boy wonder Dantz were present because of our home girl, Yung Steph aka Ms Beezy. Thanks a million girl.

Fifty had Yayo and Banks in tow, the familiar three pronged attack or triangle offence, to provide the hype. The concert was a lot of stuff, 50 has a lot of bangers all this new Drake x Curren$y stuff made me forget, I bumped nothing but G-Unit through my last years of school. Good times all around

2010 Wireless Festival

Its about to be that time again people, beach shorts, flip flops and many parties in the park. Actually festivals, but you should catch my Tokyo (drift). I feel the word 'festival' is being bandied around a bit too much, but the Wireless Festival is back for more.

 Me and my sis went last year, and to be honest it was a nice day out. Cudder, Jeezy, Chipmunk, Mr Hudson and the Louis Vuitton Don were all on the bill last year. This year Pink, Jay-Z, The Tings Tings and Lily Allen are some of the household names pencilled in to perform. I am making it a concious effort, to see Mr Carter live and in the flesh. The festival will take place from the 2nd-4th July.

 'Ye last year.

Head here for more and info. Hopefully there will be no bottle throwing, or £7 burger meals at makeshift stalls. Just ask Elizabeth.

The Week Ahead

Lil Wayne - Going To Jail.

After postponing his intial sentencing, because of dental problems. The rapper will start his eight months-to one year bid on Tuesday. He just shot 7 videos, the other day.

Twitter Madness - Petering out.

There has been a lot of hoopla over the last few days with some UK artists on Twitter. Here are some of the more memorable/greazy tweets. Wiley,  Jammer and Lethal.

Scratching my head at the XXL 10 Freshmen list for '10.

Some names, like OJ da Juiceman on this year's list and on the same list as J.Cole?

Wondering how its March already.

Like seriously. 1st quarter is almost done. Wow.

Trying to buy some kind of Marc by Marc Jacob Lacoste accesory. Either that or a trainer.

No that one. Allow me

Live from the Jay Elec Show - Kwarmz

Last night me and the boy wonder Dantz aka Hey Nu World, went to see New Orleaner spitter Jay Electronica. His first full UK show, at the Jazz Cafe despite some tardiness issues it was a very good show by the MC, who is lyrical as he is funny. Like very funny.  The supporting act of the night was Klashnekoff. Below this pic, are various pics of our night out.

I Wanna Stop Right Now #2

Young Money member Tyga and Cash Money something Brisco, flow over that Snoop 'I Wanna Rock' instrumental. Tyga goes in, Brisco is just wearing a lot of chains really. Keep an eye out for Tyga or Tyga Tyga as he can be known. No lies. And yeah I made a mistake, Juelz did a lot of stuff.

@ The Jazz Cafe

Highly revered New Orleans lyricist, Jay Electronic is due to step onto these shores for two shows at the Jazz Cafe on the 17th and 18th February. The Wednesday showwill be hosted by Benji B and the following night, hosting duties will rest with DJ Semtex. Tickets can be purchased here. Peep the promo video below. Have to shout-out my partner in crime for this one, Dantz.
     

      Jay Electronica - Jazz Cafe UK Dates (Promo) - Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.