Event | Labsquared - True Hip-Hop and The Naked Soul (8th Sept 2011) Event Photos

 Photos courtesy of Sophie's Photography

Event | Labsquared - True Hip-Hop and The Naked Soul (8th Sept 2011)

God knows how much I tweeted, wrote and posted information about this event; the last Labsquared showcase was at the end of July and I barely made a whisper about it. This time though, I made sure any and everyone knew about True Hip-Hop and The Naked Soul. That means that if you weren't there... it was your fault and not mine!

Anyway, enough of the blame game. Seeing as I'm a certified hip-hop junkie and a member of singing/songwriting collective Labsquared, there was no way that I was going to let this event be a flop. Despite only four weeks of planning and rehearsing, the whole night was a success! The Lab crew performed well-known hits, opening with a stellar medley that opened with Jay-Z's Public Service Announcement and streamed into The Pharcyde, Missy's One Minute Man, Blackstreet's No Diggity and Nas' Got Urself A Gun, finally closing out with Murder To Excellence, Gigg's If Your Talkin'... and 'Ye and Jay's Otis. And that was just the first performance. The remaining performances kept the standards high with the team covering songs by Erykah Badu, Floetry, Frank Ocean and Hi-Tek. Meanwhile our featured artists, which included rappers Rolo, Tinyman and Craze as well as poet Marion O. and Grammy nominee Trenyce literally tore the house down with their amazing performances; Trenyce's rendition of Beyoncé's Love On Top had me bouncing from the walls (she took the song one octave higher than King B? Dayum giiiirl). The Labsquared band certainly outdid themselves with Sam on the bass, Junior on drums, Danel on keys and Bayo on guitar. If not for the them the night wouldn't have been as successful as it was so they all get big wet kisses from me! *mwah* The crowd were kept entertained by the night's crazy but charismatic host, Mr Ralph Hardy and in house DJ and producer Warren set the airwaves alight spinning the best in soulful sounds and classic hip-hop during the break. As soon as he dropped Hip-Hop by Dead Prez, I was away with the fairies. Believe me, I was on a hiiiiiigh. No kush though - life keeps me high enough, obviously! Our open mic section was just as blazing as our set - poets, rappers and singers all took to the stage to showcase their talent. Aamir's little "unprepared" sing-song was definitely my favourite open mic performance... this guy can sing!


Video courtesy of Yes Another Blogger


Overall, the night was a beaut. I loved the good vibes, all the good people that came out to support the night and the good music that played. I had a great time and I'm sure the next Labsquared showcase (which will feature R'n'B and nu-jazz) will be as entertaining as this one. Yessir. Once all the photos and videos are up I'll be sure to post them. For those who wanted to know what songs the Labsquared team performed on the night... Here you go :)

The Lab True Hip-Hop and The Naked Soul setlist (does not include the songs that the featured artists performed)

1. The Lab - The "It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop" Medley (songs featured: PSA - Jay-Z, Runnin' - The Pharcyde, One Minute Man - Missy Elliot, No Diggity - Blackstreet, Got Urself A Gun - Nas, Murder To Excellence - The Throne, If Ur Talkin... - Giggs, Otis - The Throne)
2. Sage - Let It Go - Hi-Tek
3. Cle-Mar- We All Try - Frank Ocean
4. Danel - Labsquared original
5. Gillian - Say Yes - Floetry
6. Yimmi Ray - Bag Lady - Erykah Badu
7. Cleo Starzz - To Zion
8. The Lab - Lost In The World medley (songs featured: Lost In The World - Kanye West, No Church In The Wild - The Throne f/ Frank Ocean, All of The Lights - Kanye West)


For more information about Labsquared and our future projects, visit www.labsquared.org and check out the team's Twitter feed @labsquared.

Video | YJ, MANiC, Starz & Chockz - The Come Up Cypher [Ep.1]

"I hear cyphers all the time and only few impress..."


Well, this cypher certainly caught my attention. What happens when four upcoming rappers from London decide to go off on one track? Definitely a melting pot of genius, that's for sure. YJ, MANiC, Starz and Chockz all demonstrate a penchant for lyricism, each possessing a unique delivery and flow that propel them miles ahead of any challengers. Laced with wit and a wealth of wordplay, their verses are served up perfectly  against each other, with the baton swiftly being passed between each rapper with the termination of each bar. I don't know about you, but I definitely can't wait to hear more from these guys. UK rap is on the come up, ladies and gents.

And surely I'm not the only person who reckons Starz looks like a cross between Fabolous and P Diddy? Just me? Cool, cool.



Niiiice.

Event | Hip Hop Karaoke

It seems like my Thursday evenings are going to forever be occupied from now on. Hip Hop Karaoke at The Social in London's Oxford Circus is the place to be every Thursday for any hip-hop head, karaoke lover. I went for the first time last week and decided to get up on stage and rep the ROC by doing a rendition of Jay-Z's Encore - I've rapped this song so many times in front of my mirror at home so it was definitely nice to have an audience this time! The vibe in that place was amazing, all love, no madness, no stress - just peace, love and hip-hop as I always say. So if you're stuck for something to do on a Thursday evening, get yourself to Hip Hop Karaoke, dude.

Here's the footage from my performance (I'm on my Fade To Black ish! lol)

"If you can't respect that, your whole perspective is wack, maybe you'll love me when I fade to black."

Short Film | 'Aylesbury' by Funmi Wittle

I'm super stoked to post this video - the amazing Funmi Wittle (check her blog here) and I went to Heygate estate some time ago - I posted the pictures on the good ol' blog - and look what fantasmic footage she captured! It's all for an exhibition she's a part of and  quite frankly I can't wait to see what else Ms. Wittle produces. Oh maaaan... it's gonna be well dope. Look at the stills below and press play to watch the short film she created!

Fashion | From Heygate Estate With Love... Part Deux.

Yeah so you lot know I was almost caught naked in Heygate Estate last week right? All in the name of fashion though, so we are still thanking Jehovah-Jireh (insert other holy entity here) that I did not get caught. That woulda been a great blogpost though... Damn.

Anyway. Here are more snaps of me, my arse and the estate. Be sure to checking back for the official photos - these are just a few candids! Click here to see the others and click here to keep up to date on this summer's pending exhibition (featuring me!)

Toodles.

Event | Once Upon A Time In The 90's

R.O.T.A Entertainment Presents: Once Upon A Time In The 90's

"Once Upon A Time In The 90’s, written and devised by the uber talented Diane Ifode, is a compelling story that follows seven young people on a journey of discovery. 

Set in the 90's, the play explores sensitive social issues which have affected the world in the past; although many of these issues are still present today. This piece makes political and social comment through comedy, humour, song and dance and will be an entertaining experience to all spectators." 

I'm really excited to go and see this not only because I'm a 90's baby, but judging from the press release and what I've read about the play, it's due to be a big success! If you love the 90's, wanna learn something new or are just simply stuck for something to do this summer, I suggest you pull your finger out, book a ticket and come watch!

For more information on how to book your ticket visit their website HERE

The Big Interview | Shane Eli

After posting a small feature on Shane Eli a while back, I never would have imagined that ten days later I'd meet the dude in a small Starbucks café in the centre of London. Shane, who flew out to help a friend with an upcoming movie which he'll be scoring, proved to be a laid back, charismatic gentleman who was all about the music. Standing at over six feet tall, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Shane Eli was a superstar basketball player and not a rapper/producer from Los Angeles, California (he's HUGE!). We had a little sit down to discuss his music, the future and the state of hip-hop.

Read more >>

Fashion | From Heygate Estate With Love...

Today was a real good day in the sunshine. My friend Funmi (check out her tumblr and her blog) and I set up camp on the infamous Heygate Estate in London and had some fun with a HD cam; for which the snaps and videos will be used in an upcoming exhibition (watch this space!) Peep the snaps below lovers... (and if you know me personally, join me in celebration... my ass is getting bigger! *pops booty*)