Fashion | EMBOSS Magazine Out Spring 2011!

As you may or may not have know, EMBOSS is a new student fashion and lifestyle coming to a campus near you! It's officially out next month so if you'd like a copy don't forget to send me and email to receive your complementary copy. The team at EMBOSS have worked really hard to make sure this issue is perfect; having covered everything from lifestyle issues, editorials, fashion and beauty tips as well as interviews, with this month's issue featuring Radio1 DJ, Sarah Jane Crawford.

Be on the look-out for the magazine and if you'd like your very own copy, drop me a little note in my email with your contact details and I'll be sure to send one your way!

Review | Talib Kweli - Gutter Rainbows

Talib Kweli's fifth album, Gutter Rainbows is an electic fourteen-track fusion of the Kwelis of old; back to the Reflection Eternal and Blackstar collaborations, through to Eardrum and Quality. Take various elements of his previous work, the usual intellectual narratives and pictures that Kweli so effortlessly succeeds to paint, a wealthy pouring of some musical magic and you get Gutter Rainbows.

The composition of the album allows the listener to fully appreciate each track. Celebratory, feel-good songs such as Friends and Family and Ain't Waiting weave inbetween the bleaker tracks like Tater Tot to create a complete musical experience. Kweli's somewhat chameleonic lyricism adapts wonderfully to each track; a transition that makes the album so easy to listen to. Appearances from singers Kendra Ross and Blaq Toven add a sophisticated soulfulness to the album, while the song Uh-Oh perfectly demonstrates why the Jean Grae and Talib Kweli duo works so well.

Since each track produced by someone different, there's no danger of a repetitious sound. Rather, the numerous producers contribute to the immense diversity of the album and mark their imprints on each track. 88-Keys, Ski Beatz and Khrysis among eleven others lay down quality sounds and beats with perfectly crafted instrumentals which allow the album to truly blossom into a modern masterpiece.

In short, this latest offering from Talib Kweli is one that every hip-hop fan should have in their collection. Reminiscent of 2007's Eardrum and a perfect follow-up to last year's Revolutions Per Minute. An album as kaleidoscopic as it's cover - utterly unskippable.

Stand-out tracks: Ain't Waiting ft. Outasight; How You Love Me f/ Blaq Toven; Gutter Rainbows

Remember | Aaliyah

1979-2001

There is no way any self-respecting RnB fan could ever deny the talent that was Aaliyah. The internationally successful and eternally beautiful 'princess of RnB' would have been thirty-two years of age today, however her life was tragically cut short in a airplane accident, almost ten years ago. Rather than mourn her though, I write this post with a smile on my face, listening to my favourite Aaliyah LP, 1996's One In A Million. And that's what she genuinely was. A breath of fresh air, her silky vocals caressing any and every song she sang. She was the real deal - one we watched evolve from a tom-boy into a beautiful young woman. She was twenty-two, in her prime and making movies and music that were appreciated globally. But the long flight back to Florida after the completing the filming for the Rock The Boat video would prove to be her last ever journey. Her life stolen from her fans, friends and family. Her voice never grace a mic again.



Still, her legacy is a vibrant one. I can't think of Aaliyah and not smile. I grew up on her music, emulating her casual, boyish style - dark glasses and all. She was great then, and she's great now. And although no longer with us, she remains forever in our hearts. She was our 'princess of RnB' and one that could never be replaced, regardless of how many Beyoncés, Ciaras and Keri Hilsons we may have. Aaliyah changed the face of RnB, helped it evolve and made her music as beautiful as she was.



I miss her.

Video | Kanye West - Devil In A New Dress (Fan Made)

Created by producer/director Yonie, here we have his own interpretation of Kanye West's track Devil In A New Dress. I'm in love with this and the chicks in the video are completely hot! (reminds me of Beyoncé video for Why Don't You Love Me? though...) January 18th sees the release of the All of The Lights video off Kanye's most recent LP, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and word has it that filming has already begun for the H.A.M video off Jay-Z and Kanye's joint album, Watch The Throne. In the meantime, check this out!

The Late Review | Hezekiah - Conscious Porn

I'm gonna do a review of album/mixtapes I love, classics and musical hidden gems. This week it's Hezekiah's third LP, Conscious Porn.

If you've listened to anything Hezekiah's brought out previously, you'd know that he's an eclectic, free thinking rapper, with added funk. Citing Kool G Rap and Quincy Jones as some his influences, Hezekiah moves one step closer to claiming the title of reformed hip-hop revolutionary with this release. The album Conscious Porn is exactly what the title suggests; a sexy and intellectual amalgam of funk, soul, ghetto anthems, infused with Hezekiah's distinct, infectious flow. Tracks such as What Kind of Cool, All Rays and Cornbread will keep your head nodding and your brain spazzing - mine did anyway! And with features from neo-soul veterans Cody Chesnutt and Raheem DeVaughn and a cameo from Talib Kweli, Conscious Porn is an album you can vibe to. The skits' metaphorical concept provide humour as well as food for thought or as Hezekiah puts it "cranial intercourse..., some non-stop mind fucking..."

So if you wanna get your mind "fucked", "unhinge that chastity belt of doubt", and listen!

Tracklisting

1. Skit 1 - Consultation

2. She Male

3. All Rays ft. Keziah

4. Skit 2 - Pre-Op

5. Cornbread ft. D.R.E.S & Tha Beatnik

6. If This World Were Mine ft. Raheem DeVaughn

7. Movers and Shakers ft. Poindexter

8. The Clinic ft. Ishe

9. Skit 3 - The Procedure

10. Hold It Now ft. Tu Phace, Chris Harris & Peedi Crack

11. Here's To The World ft. Aaron Livingstone

12. Fired Up ft. Talib Kweli & Bahamadia

13. Raining ft. Ching & Tanikka Charrae

14. Skit 4 - Cured

15. What Kind of Cool ft. Cody Chesnutt

Put You On | Monsieur Nov

For those of you who still think French music is all Édith Piaf, Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Hallyday, guess again. I present to you Monsieur Nov, the amazing French-Asian neo-soul singer all the way from Goussainville, Val-d'Oise. With a musical style somewhat reminiscent of Musiq Soulchild, Monsieur Nov maintains a cool, soulful flair in his Creative Recreation sneakers, tatts and geeky glasses - and not to forget this dude can really sing - check out track Trop Fresh from his 2008 debut album Sans Dessus 2 Soul. His latest album Groove Therapy (the only thing English about it, being the name) boasts awesome tracks such as Tous Les Jours, Tous Les Soirs (Everyday, Every Night), that has a slow, 'come-to-bed' vibe and BCJC (baskets, casquettes, jeans, cartonnes) an up-tempo number about staying true to oneself. His versatile, honest music is captivating and despite the language barrier his songs may pose for some, there is no denying that he's manifique! So get your translators ready guys because The 'Future is Nov'!

Event | J.Cole Meet and Greet

So this Friday I got the chance to meet none other than North Carolina, Hip-Hop sensation J.Cole at the O2's Inc. Club. Despite waiting for what seemed like forever, standing through various PA's which included Gfrsh and S.A.S - I finally got to meet and have a little pow-wow with the young rapper who's currently supporting Hip-Hop star Drake on his Light Dreams and Nightmares tour.  J.Cole who is performing himself at London venue KOKO on the 9th hinted at a possible collaboration with RnB star Trey Songz for his upcoming debut album due to be released this Spring on label RocNation. In the meantime - you can catch me banging out Friday Night Lights in my earphones.

Sidenote: How cool would it be for J. Cole to release a video for Too Deep For The Intro? I can visualise it now...