Mixtape | Swizz Beatz v Fela Kuti Pt.1

This is by the far the dopest mash-up I've heard since Max Tannone's Jaydiohead. Swizz Beatz teams up with DJ Runna to bring you Swizz Beatz v Fela Kuti Pt.1 an amazing fusion of the most recognised Swizz produced tracks with the hip-swaying anthems of afro-beats pioneer and legend, Fela Kuti. Tracks such as Swing Ya Rag by T.I and Tambourine by Eve are covered. But my personal favourite has to be Money In The Bank / Yellow Fever - this would have a club shakin', I guarantee it! It's so refreshing to see something as multifarious as this mash-up released to the masses; especially to those who may not be familiar with Fela Kuti's music and I for one am a massive fan of this mash-up. Listen and download here!

Tracklist

1. Fela Intro

2. Touch It / Chop & Quench

3. Money In The Bank / Yellow Fever

4. Get Me Bodied / No Agreement

5. Swing Your Rag / Who No Know Go Know

6. It's Me Snitches / Kalakuta Show

7. Tambourine / African Woman

8. Check Up On It / Gentleman

9. Fela Outro

Video | Rihanna - S+M

Here's the long -awaited video for Rihanna's single S+M of her latest album Loud... *clutches head* OMG! This video is so hot, believe me. Latex, PVC, suspicious acts with a banana... Rihanna certainly knows how to draw media attention. While this clip is a big middle finger to her critics and the press, Rihanna still manages to be sexy as ever (keep your eyes open for the pink latex scene... her bum is quite frankly AMAZING)... I'm in love with this video. WATCH IT NOW!!

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