Remember | Michael Jackson

It's so weird that I'm writing a Remember post on a person I thought would live forever. My cousins and I would speak about the day Michael Jackson would pass like it was a fictional story or myth, not fully acknowledging the fact that the day might come around in our lifetime. Nobody actually expected that shit to  happen though. No-one. Michael Jackson was never supposed to die.

Two years ago to the day though, he did, without warning. I can remember being in my kitchen on my Blackberry, browsing through Facebook; a random status update letting me know of his passing. The state of frenzy that ensued was unimaginable; me keeping vigil at my widescreen, TV flickering between CNN, Fox News and Sky awaiting an official report. Not a single tear fell when that confirmation came but since that day I've been mourning ever since. Not a single word I write in this post could ever illustrate just how much Michael Jackson means to me; saying that he's an icon doesn't do him justice anymore. He is transcendent and I love him and miss him. He's given me music and memories I'll cherish forever. Rest in peace.

Remember | Nate Dogg

Yesterday morning I woke up to the most heartbreaking tweet... "Nate Dogg is gone."

I cried my eyes out. He was a legend. Not just for G-Funk and West Coast rap but in hip-hop and music in general. One of the most soulful voices I’ve ever heard. 

R.I.P Nate Dogg.

“How Long Will They Mourn Me?” Forever and a day.

Below are some of my favourite Nate Dogg features along with fellow West Coast rapper The Game's tribute All Doggs Go To Heaven... Take a listen and pour a little Henny or whatever you're drinking for the hip-hop legend.

Game - All Doggs Go To Heaven

2Pac - How Long Will They Mourn Me

Mobb Deep - Dump f/ Nate Dogg

Dr. Dre - Deez Nuuuts f/ That Nigga Daz, Snoop Dogg, Colin Wolfe & Nate Dogg

Remember | The Notorious B.I.G

Fourteen years ago today, a young man was gunned down in his prime. The Notorious B.I.G, Biggie Smalls, or more affectionately, Big Poppa, is known as one the greatest to ever do it and I doubt there are many who'd disagree. Rising to fame in the early nineties with his seminal debut, Ready To Die on Bad Boy Records, it was plain to see that this dude was no small fry. The record spawned some of Biggie's biggest hits to date including Juicy and One More Chance and was commercially and critically acclaimed. His second studio album Life After Death was just as, if not more ground breaking and achieved the so coveted Diamond certification in 2000, putting Biggie in a small list of hip-hop acts who have managed to achieve the same (Outkast, Eminem and MC Hammer being the others).



This fearless New York native noted for his knack for intelligent and vivid storytelling paired with an abundance of effusive and complex flows, set him apart from many of his contemporaries and cements his legacy to the present day. His humorous and witty punchlines, gritty semi-biographical lyrics and musical charisma can only be described in the superlative sense - there'll only ever be one Biggie. He was a gem.

And regardless of the controversy that surrounds him (that's not what this post is about), his voice and lyrics will forever be revered. Rest in peace.

"Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart's in it 

and live the phrase 'sky's the limit'"

Check some of my favourite Biggie tracks below.

Gimme The Loot

Machine Gun Funk

Suicidal Thoughts

Notorious Thugs f/ Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Nasty Boy
Niggas Bleed

Remember | J Dilla

Most people will start off by saying how much J-Dilla changed their lives. Well he didn't really change my mine to be completely honest but this in no way discredits what I'm about to write in this post. J-Dilla was definitely a one of a kind producer, an instrumentalist of epic proportions and he was taken away from the music world way too soon. I only discovered J-Dilla properly during my college days listening to guys like Slum Village, The Pharcyde and Erykah Badu; banging out Fantastic Vol.2, Labcabincalifornia and Mama's Gun was the situation for the longest while. Anyway, by the time I'd properly paid attention to J-Dilla, he was dead. His second solo album (first, if you don't count the instrumental LP Donuts) The Shining was released posthumously in 2006 and since then it's become one of my favourite hip-hop albums. It's true that not every person or hip-hop fan would even know who J-Dilla was or have even listened to his music, but this in no way dwarfs his legacy as one of the most highly acclaimed hip-hop artists of our time. He was a great musician and one we may never get again. May his soul rest in peace.

Below are some of my favourite J-Dilla tracks (he features either as an artist or producer).

E=MC²

So Far To Go

Wild

Climax (Girl Shit)

Do You

Reunion ft. J Dilla

Runnin'

I Am Music

Cleva

Didn't Cha Know

House of Flying Daggers

Remember | Alexander McQueen

1969-2010

The sudden passing of Lee Alexander McQueen is truly tragic and deeply saddening, not just for the fashion industry but indeed the world. McQueen, a successful iconic designer, avantgarde and courageous with his designs turned fashion and style on it's head and bravely fronted a new-wave in British fashion; causing every catwalk show to become a cirque as it were; a feast for the eyes of onlookers. Celebrities from the like of Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham and Sarah Jessica Parker have all sashayed in the celebrated flamboyance that was Alexander McQueen and tributes from all over the world have poured in to lament the great mind that the fashion world today lost. But while the death of McQueen is indeed harrowing, this surely serves as a poignant reminder for all, that riches, fame and glory are not tangible things that may preserve us alive. Rather being happy with oneself is the only definition for true success and contentment.

Rest in peace Alexander McQueen.