The World Is My Block

The World Is My Block is on HIATUS - Soon Come!

2010-02-23T17:04:00.000Z

WE ARE THE WORLD!

2010-02-13T04:01:00.002Z

The long awaited "we are the world" video. Way too many artists to even start naming lol!
Every word sent chills down my spine, even sent some tears to the tear ducts

History in the making, remember where you saw it FIRST!

February 6, 2010...Across the pond!

2010-02-10T05:11:00.007Z

This a late post, I know! But it is still a worthy post. This last weekend was a big weekend for Caribbean’s in Toronto; we were blessed with the presence of Rita Marley the widow of the late great Robert "Bob" Nest Marley... This was all for good cause, The Mayor of Toronto officially declared this day as "Bob Marley Day"!

This year Feb 6th was used to party in the name of Bob but all for the cause of Haiti. A prominent attorney-at-law Courtney Betty proposed this idea at a Toronto Council meeting (which I attended) saying that “Marley’s messages are still relevant today and many people, no matter their discipline, can identify with his passion, his cause and his message."

This was a great way for us to bring in Black History Month, which is celebrated in February in the Americas. I'm very proud that Toronto realised how much our community needs to celebrate its culture. We are still a far way from where we need to be but we are on the journey there.

The last major step that Toronto made towards appreciating our African culture, was our first Afro centric school, the "Africentric Alternative School". This is a new school focused on African culture and heritage for African-descent children from the ages of 4-13. Unlike UK schools, in Canada we don't wear uniform to school unless you attend a Catholic school, but the children at this school sport African dashiki waistcoats with matching ties. This school was also different because it has an all black teaching staff.

There was a lot of controversy about this school when it first opened, people believed that this was re-segregation and that children leaving this school wouldn't be able to fall back into the public school system and then be ready for post secondary education. Then there were the people who opposed this idea saying that this would help with the racial barriers in the public school system and would help the children of African descent bring their test results to the same level as their Caucasian/Asian peers.

I think any step towards helping people know their history is a good step, and I hope that the city, and cities around the world embrace this more, so that the next generation have more of a chance in this society.

To remember where you have been, is to know where you are going!
Happy Black (African) History Month!

From across the pond

2010-02-10T01:21:00.007Z

2010 has already been a great year for Canadians. Last year Toronto shined with artists such as Drake, Kardinal Offishall and Melanie Fiona. Its only February and we have already got to two groups signed, which is huge our hip-hop community that gets NOO shine.

This R&B group has been around for a few years, and then seemed to have disappeared from the scene we thought it was the sad demise of this group but we were wrong, they were in Hotlanta, Georgia. Untitled, is a group of three males who have recently been signed to Disturbing the Peace (Ludacris' label)...

Introducing: Intro, PB and Nixx

The other group is A-Game...I talk/blog about these guys a lot...plainly because I've never ever heard of Canadian-Bajan Identical Rapping twins that aren't a gimic! A-Game is made up of Nov and Chase, and I've known them for a while and {secretly} still don't know them apart..LOL

They signed to CP Records..Congrats guys!

I would put a picture of them separately, but then it might be the same twin lol...Introducing Chase and Nov, in A-Game..

Tinchy Stryder x Luke Monaghan on Star In The Hood Tour

2010-02-09T19:04:00.000Z

tour: TINCHY EP1 from Luke Monaghan on Vimeo.

Super talented Luke 'Ginger Kid' Monaghan is on the road with 2009's best selling UK artist, Tinchy Stryder, to document all of the shenanigans backstage on Tinchy's Catch 22 tour, along with Ruff Sqwad, Boy Better Know's JME and pop-electro boy Example (and more, I'd expect, in future episodes).

In related Stryder news, you can now find the pint-sized rapper's clothing line, Star In The Hood hanging on the shelves of reputable outlets up and down the country! (No Wembley Market editions, those aren't Star In The Hood, they're Fruit In The Loom). Star In The Hood apparel has been released in over 40 high-end retailers this year!

To help launch them, Stryderman is making some in-store appearances to sign clothes and merchandise during the next month whilst on tour.

You can catch him here:

(THIS) THURSDAY 11th FEBRUARY

3.30pm
FOOTASYLUM, MANCHESTER
Arndale Centre, MANCHESTER
http://www.footasylum.com/

SATURDAY 20th FEBRUARY
2.00pm
RICHMOND CLASSICS, BOURNEMOUTH
9-11 Richmond Hill, BOURNEMOUTH, BH2 6HE

SUNDAY 21st FEBRUARY
3.00pm
JOHN ANTHONY, BRISTOL
3 Philadelphia Street, BRISTOL, BS1 3BU
http://www.john-anthony.com/

TUESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY
3.30pm
CLOCKWORK ORANGE, BELFAST
Victoria Square, BELFAST, BT1 4QG
http://www.clockwork-orange.net/

You can also, of course, buy S.I.T.H online. To shop online and find out where the Catch 22 tour is hitting by going to Tinchy Stryder's official website STAR IN THE HOOD.

I personally think Tinchy Stryder (and his team) are a set of marketing geniuses. I'd definitely recommend checking out the Catch 22 tour - if it's anything like last year's sell-out tour (which culmated with an amazing show in Shepherd's Bush Empire) it's a must see...just be aware that you may get trampled by 14 year olds screaming "FLEE!"

Pass Out Remixes: all of the scene wants to 'Pass Out'

2010-02-09T18:32:00.000Z

It seems like Tinie Tempah has created this year's British "A Millie". EVERYBODY is jumping on his banger, Pass Out (which we blogged earlier and now has over 1 million You Tube hits).

Here's the scene's take on Pass Out so far:

Bashy

Scorcher

Fem-Fel

Guvna B

Cuppcake

Princess Nyah

After spending around 20 minutes listening to all of them (if it was a lesser beat I'd be crying every time I heard the first percussions by now) all I wanted to do is listen to the original - Tinie's version, so it's a great look for him to have created a tune with such appeal.

It's out MARCH 1ST - let's make sure the sales reflect the buzz

Props to Nee-Nee who blogged them all first on SERIOUSLY NEE-NEE so I didn't have to go and find them.

Soon Come!

2010-02-09T17:55:00.000Z

It's Tahirah, the landlady here, and I'm here to dish up some excuses and apologies. Postage (#noRoyalMail) has been slow due to a plethora of technological FAILS in my life.

A broken laptop, a broken external hard-drive, limited access to the home CPU and dicky internet has made blog-love a bit sporadic. In fact, I currently feel disconnected with (online) life - twitter my only readily available contact to what's happening, I find myself pedantically twalking (tweet-stalking) my timeline every half-hour when I'm devoid of any other websites or online interaction.

Anyway, enough about my pitiful virtual and technological life ~~(technology hates me. It does. I love it, but it hates me, we're in this awkward relationship of unrequited love...)~~ the point is - the Block is going nowhere! Regular service will resume shortly, and we've got plans to get even bigger and better. In true, good, old-fashioned, West Indian style - The World Is My Block "soon come".

So until then, don't go anywhere either - grab a biscuit from Lady V, visit Simone to talk about the latest films, holla Nee-Nee for the latest grime news or find out what's happening in T. Dot with Bougie and watch this space.

Sidebar: British Blockers, do you remember BACK in the day when BBC 1 and 2's broadcast would end with the image above and that awful dull tone?

For those who don't know...

2010-02-08T23:34:00.005Z

The New Orlean Saints won the superbowl!

The superbowl is like a national holiday in the Americas...
If you don't watch you pretty much can't join a conversation for about another month lol..

This was a well deserved win for New Orleans after all that has happened, bringing back hope to their city.

Here a throwback to put you in the New Orleans Moood...I heard this on the radio this morning and all I could say was CHHUUUNNEE! I remember these days *sigh*

Joe Ft Mystikal (from New Orleans)- Stutter!

Nee-Nee's World: Aural Abuse 2000-2010 part 1

2010-02-06T17:20:00.006Z

Hiya. I would like to share with you (in no particular order) songs that abused my ears (and surely others too) from 2000-2010!

We've all had problems with our ears and...silly songs!

No more yapping...

1. Eamon - F It (I Don't Want You Back)

He's not a singer. It was like he tried to do an Usher but failed...

REMINISCE ON MORE AURAL ABUSE UNDER THE JUMP

2. Frankee - F U Right Back

Of course there was Eamon's "Ex"! She couldn't sing either...maybe she was too heartbroken to have tune...there must have been problems if she said she had better sex all alone...but why did Eamon deny her when she said they were together? Meh

3. Fugative - Supafly

It's not that he can't rap....maybe it is....and the lyrical content is weak "All ma ladieees from side to side let me hear you sing for the guys tonight..."

4.Vanessa Hugens - Sneaker Night

Our little porn star has made clean video...

5. Namata - Treasure In You

Wannabe Flavor Flav...

6. Flavor Flav (The real one) - I'll Never Let You Go

7. Jay Sean - Do You Remember (well it's aural abuse for Nee-Nee)

Well...thanks for reading...hope you agree with me :D (There are MUCH more than 7 'Aural Abuse 2000-2010' songs/video's I promise I will have a part.2)

Nee-Nee

Wiley ft. Emeli Sandé - Never Be Your Woman

2010-02-06T16:06:00.003Z

Wiley featuring (Scotland's finest) Emeli Sandé

FINALLY there is an official video for Never Be Your Woman (it's released 28th Feb Twenty-Ten)

I would like to see Wiley in his videos more often. But I guess we was lucky with Take That.

That was the Shy FX remix...which is not the remix anymore.

Wiley's label thought it would be cool to make Shy FX's remix the original...WELL IT'S NOT.

Shouts to Ralph Hardy (Follow on Twitter) for comparing them both...it kind of made me open my eyes...

Tell me what version you think is better and should be up for release!

Nee-Nee

London Event: Club For Haiti

2010-01-19T13:51:00.000Z

The UK urban/underground music scene has united to raise money for Haiti THIS Wednesday.

SOME Night, London’s premier weekly dance music event is opening its doors and decks to the cream of both the UK's urban and dance music scenes in a bid to raise money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Having partnered with Ctrl.Alt.Shift, a charity who use popular culture to take global action, and esteemed production outfit True Tiger, some of the biggest names in the business have agreed to waiver their fee’s to appear at the event, with the confirmed line-up a cross section of the UK’s talent spanning multiple genres.

Date: Wednesday, 20th January
Price: Minimum donation on the door £5
Time: 10pm-5am
Location: The Den & Centro, 18 West Central St, London WC1A 1JJ http://www.thedenandcentro.com/

Just some of the performers and DJs on the night are:

Wiley (Island Records)
Tinie Tempah (Parlaphone Records)
Sway (Konvict Music)
MistaJam (Radio1/ 1Xtra)
Nihal (Radio1)
JME (Boy Better Know)
Heartless Crew
Shy FX b2b Breakage with Donaeo
Ruff Sqwad
Marvell
Riz Ahmed aka Riz MC
Mz Bratt
Logan Sama (Kiss) with P Money
DJ Target (1Xtra) b2b Maximum (Boy Better Know)
B Live
Twin B (1Xtra) b2b Twin B (Island Records)

Plus LOADS more

There will also be a raffle held on the night, and clubbers will be able to win goodies donated from around the music industry.

Basically, the vibe will be amazing and the line-up is epic - you'll never find a similar gig for only a fiver again. Just by raving you'll be doing something huge to help Haiti. So come down and bring as much as you can to donate.

CLICK HERE for additional information

Where would Aaliyah have been today?

2010-01-18T14:39:00.000Z

This Saturday just past, 16th January would have been R&B star Aaliyah's 31st birthday had she still been with us. On my radio show I posed the questions:

Where would Aaliyah have been today?
Would she have still been relevant in the industry, or would she have fallen off like so many of the other great R&B talent from the nineties and noughties?
Would she have reached her peak that everyone anticipated, or would she have had to make way for the generation of girls who - deliberately or inadvertently - made their names borrowing some of her signature styles? (Think Cassie, Ciara, even Ashanti, Rihanna and Tearria Mari to name a few) Or would she have been rivalling Beyonce at the top?

I threw it out to twitter and the response was almost unanimous:

Honestly, I'm not sure what Aaliyah's position right now would have been. I do know that back in 2001, when she'd just released her latest album, "Aaliyah", Ms Haughton was one of R&B's brightest stars and was possibly about to break into the mainstream. And thankfully, this is how she's been immortalized. For the short time her star did shine brightly, she definitely provided us with some big tunes.

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr!

2010-01-15T14:12:00.005Z

Today, Jan 15 2010 would have been the 71st birthday of the late and great Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Today In America is a national holiday with many festivities including a parade.

MLK Jr was known for being one of the biggest activist in history and can definatley be called a human right icon , he was born in a time where people of African descent had no rights. He is most popular for his speech "I have a dream..." where he talks about one day dreaming that his children will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. ("I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.")

His dream has somewhat come true, there is still racism, but its just not really accepted. But a huge step in history, which happened nearly a year ago is the fact that there is now a Black president of the United States. I know MLK jr is looking down on us now smiling. Congrats to Barack Obama who in 5 days is about to be reaching his one year.

In light of all the bad that has happened in Janarary (earthquake in Haiti and the death of Teddy P), there is a silver lining.

Happy Birthday Reverend Martin Luther King Junior from all of us here at TWISB!

Bougie...

Throwback Thursdays: Teddy Pendergrass

2010-01-14T15:36:00.000Z

Provider of baby-making soul tunes in the 1980s, Teddy Pendergrass passed on yesterday 13th January. RIP Teddy - I salute you for being one of the R&B dons who paved the way for the sex-me-up anthems of this generation.

Avatar Vs Pocahontas

2010-01-13T00:11:00.005Z

Im just saying...

(click the pic to be enlarged)

Via my dude Bryan "Be" Espiritu @ Legends League

HoLLer Bougie

Doritos Slap

2010-01-11T05:09:00.001Z

Not sure who made this, and I doubt its actually an official doritos commercial, but I thought the little boy was so cute and the commercial was well put together...

take a look...

Bougie...

Mystro - 2009 UK Rap Up

2010-01-09T19:55:00.005Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR PEOPLE. Hope you have a jolly 2010!

Everyone has their end of year wrap-ups, even Block has had our wrap up from last year...but here two rappers have gone beyond "wrap-ups" and done some RAP Ups

First Skillz made '2009 US Rap Up':

When I heard this I thought "This is dope...he just said everything/nearly everything that happened in 2009 in under 5 minutes."

Yeah I thought that was cool but the UK one was better. Mystro name dropped nearly everyone in the UK scene! Lady V posted this in an earlier post, but now there's an official video.

Mystro - 2009 UK Rap Up (Official Video)

"What about Tinchy's beef with that dude. Forgot his name something like La Woah, La Who?"
WOW.

Tell me your thoughts on these songs.

Nee-Nee

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2010-01-02T01:46:00.001Z

Generic, cheesy "Happy New Year" picture from BBC.co.uk

2010

Okay, so it's a few hours late but I've JUST fully recovered from the New Year celebrating (food, partying, food, loved ones...food.) I haven't even sent out the standard "HAPPY NEW YEAR" texts to the phonebook but I thought I better hit you readers up with a bit of reflective blabbering first.

Right now it's the weird period where you're still relaxed/fat/broke from Christmas and you reflect on the past year while declaring the new year will be "YOUR" year while making (and breaking) your resolutions (*side-eye* I see you reaching for that slice of cake while you read this).

It's funny because even though I was an 80s baby and a 90s kid, it's been the noughties that's taken me from awkward adolescence to the Amazing Tahirah who blogs before you today. I can't envisage another era in my life presenting me with such a steep learning curve.

But beyond my personal journey the NOUGHTIES have been pretty darn crazy. From the inception of the 5-minute celebrity (thaaaanks reality TV/internet); New York's 9/11 and London's 7/7 making terrorist attacks more than a "3rd-World notion" for most of us; Hip Hop "growing up", with rappers owning a slice of Wall Street as well as dominating the charts; the UK developing a viable urban music scene; the world plummeting into recession and America getting a Black president - 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2009 won't be forgotten.

Take a minute to read the Block's end of year/decade lists courtesy of Lady V, Simone, Bougie and Nee-Nee.

Moving on to the next, 2010 is here and in full effect - [un]fortunately without any deadout catchphrases like two-thousand-and-mine (2009) or two-thousand-and-great (2008) but I think I have good reason to think this year will be A MADNESS!

My final thoughts on the new year is a nugget of advice - it might be a new year, but it's also the first day of the rest of your life just as everyday is. If you wanna make shit happen, waiting for the date to say 1st of anything isn't the way to go about it.

Happy New Year Foo'!

On To The Next One!

2010-01-01T23:34:00.003Z

This video has a lot of symbolism, this bring the questions of free masonary back.

Top 5 Entertainment Events of 2009...that we didn't blog

2010-01-01T10:10:00.001Z

You know the Block likes to keep you in the loop with what's going down. The residents let you know what tunes are blazing, what videos are fresh and what's happening on the streets. However, there were some key events that MURDERED blogsphere but barely received a mention on the Block over the last 12 months. This is mainly because everybody else was hammering it to death, so we kept the Block a "bait-gossip" free zone. Here's a quick recap of the stuff that didn't make the Block but hit almost every other website and blog in site in 2009.

Obama Inaugaration

Never get it twisted, this was an entertainment moment. Yes, I blogged about the impact of the first Black president, but I never blogged about the spectacle that was the Inauguration and following parties (including Beyonce singing At Last...without Etta James approval).

The Chrihanna Gate

From the beating in February, to the "tell all interviews", rivaling PR...*snore*

Jay-Z Everything

Last year it was the other Carter who dominated our TVs, radios and internet sites, but this year Jay-Z made sure he affirmed his position as Hip Hop royalty. From causing the Death of Autotune (apparently...some people still haven't got the memo) to releasing Blueprint 3 (one of the best pop Hip Hop albums of this year) and supposedly selling out shows over here in 15 seconds and setting Illuminati conspiracy theorists tongues wagging; Jay-Z made it clear he "runs this town" [what's an end of year wrap-up without some corny lines?]

The VMA Awards

"I'mma letchu finish but..." The VMA Awards 2009 was the best award show this year...BEST AWARD SHOW OF THIS YEAR! It was so bizarre! Lady Gaga murdering herself on stage, the whole Kanye West/Taylor Swift/Beyonce situation...which ** random theory alert ** I'm sure was planned! 'Poor little Taylor' has been catapulted into the limelight! And of course, my favourite bit; Lil Mama gatecrashing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' set.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods going for the "18th hole" (yeah, had to get a crude joke in there too). December has seen the blogs rife with details of the Tiger Woods' infidelity saga. Personally I know too much of the nitty gritty because I don't care if the golfer has cheated, and I still don't really see how it diminishes his character enough for him to have to quit golf, but I MUST admit there has been some prize moments from the whole thing - like THIS voicemail:

Honorable mentions

Vibe Magazine closing down (it's since relaunched, however, J doubt it'll ever be what it once was)

The OTHER celebrity deaths of 2009 - Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett, Jade Goody, Stephen Gately and soap stars Wendy Richard (Eastender's Pauline Fowler) and Maggie Jones (Coronation Street's Blanche)

"Sugababes" version 3.0 ...the "Sugababes" with no...erm...Sugababes left in there.

HUH??

2010-01-01T00:48:00.002Z

I AM SPEECHLESS! WHAT FLAV? HUH?

I myself thought that Auto-tune was put to death, but I guess, when the bank accounts has run dry, you have a dozen kids running around, this is what you have to do...

SMH...Bougie

End of 2009 - recap in 7mins

2009-12-30T22:12:00.004Z

30th of December 2009 - the penultimate day before 2009 ends and the 00s (how do you say that? noughties, zeros, oh-ohs??), so now is when we all start reminiscing about days gone by...am I catching you after you've just been checking out an ex on Facebook or maybe you've happily finished writing your resolutions in a To Do list? Either way, of course, I (as with every other blogger in town/the universe) want to contribute to your reflective moment and I've just heard the best song to do so!

Allow more babble and ramblings, listen to this....

If you're in the Uk, you'll definitely understand what British hip-hop mc Mystro's going on about and being very clever with his lyrics...If you're anywhere else in the monde, well this is what happened in the UK music/entertainment-wise in 2009.

Short and sweet

Bring on 2010 (the tens, the teens, the one-ohs...however you wanna call it!)

10 Most Horrible Entertainment Demises of the Decade

2009-12-29T10:06:00.035Z

I'd hate to rate whose death and destruction is worse. So, I won't (consider it not in any particular order...at first). Personally some tragedies have greater effects then others. To me some things just stunk that happened in 2000 and beyond.

10. Cancellation of Moesha

READ 9-1 AFTER THE CUT

May 14,2001

"Moesha" focused on a young teen in California. This was the first show in the history of television to star a Black American young female. It was a funny show with comedic moments from all characters especially Hakeem (the late Lamont Bentley) and Kim Parker (Countess Vaughn who landed a spin off show, The Parkers). "Moesha" also dealt with tougher topics such as date rape drugs, teen pregnancy, and parental loss.

My sister didn't like Mo, because she got away with a lot (and turned down a free Saturn car), but I loved her. She had the BEST boyfriends. Young black girls loved Johnathan Taylor Thomas, but we wanted some Black teen crushes too (Usher as Jeremy, check, Brandon Q. Adams as Aaron, the late Merlin Santana as Ohagi, double check! and who didn't want a guy with a nice New York accent calling us "Shorty" as Fredro Starr did playing Q). "Moesha" never got a final episode but went into syndication in over 10 countries worldwide. How do you say, "if you want to be down, come on" in Japanese?

9. Rest in Peace Jam Master Jay

October 30, 2002

Hello, he was a pioneer and legend in Hip Hop. This is one of the first DJ's you should know about. His influence in music was big. He was fatally shot in 2002, years before Run DMC was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I think every time a music legend passes it's felt in music like a huge ripple in the ocean.

8. Defunct - Male R&B Groups.

The most successful r&b group ever is Boys II Men. They killed in the 90s, but in the 2000s people stopped caring for quality sound. In addition to that, member Michael of the group struggled with the pain of his scoliosis. Soon he had a cane. In 2003 he left the group. It hasn't quite been the same without them although the guys still perform, record and sound great.

(see video below of December 2009 performance)

Dru Hill is my fave male group and they're in the cut trying to make things happen still. After Sisqo released a solo album dynamics changed. He was hugely successful with his 1999 release but he should've came right back to making Dru Hill music. Instead he released a disappointing second album in 2001. It sold well ,but didn't have any standout singles. There was a new Dru Hill member in 2002 who lasted a few years. As of today he's out and a NEW member is in the group. "Dru World Order" a mildly successful album was released in 2002. We are supposed to get a new album in the next decade. I hope so.

Jagged Edge,112,Day 26, Brutha and various other groups continued or began in 2000 but it was never...what it used to be. Special note to the end of B2k. That sucked for some people.

7. Extinction of female R&B groups

TLC was phenomenal with 1999's "Fanmail" but once that decade came in things would never be the same. They had troubles amidst the group, but still recorded a new album "3D". Tragically, founding member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes passed away in a car accident in April of 2002. Left Eye was a key personality in music as I know it. TLC was my fave group from my early years, singing songs I shouldn't have ( first song me and my cousin really knew all the words to was "Red Light Special). I remember waking up to recieve the news of her passing. She is missed. TLC without the L is still loved and appreciated, but it's not TLC.

Destiny's Child peaked for me with their 1999 release "The Writings on the Wall" (what is it about 1999...were folks intentionally like .."as soon as 2000 hit I'm not doing ANYTHING!?! ...) They went on to release a few albums in the decade with their final line up of members. The songs and albums were great, but the star power of Beyonce couldn't be contained. The group split in 2003 after releasing "Destiny Fulfilled".

Girl groups of 2000s never reached the momentum of the 90's groups or even the 60's girl groups. Maybe it's supposed to work out every other decade or so. 2010's we see you! Where the hell is Cherish? We're not counting Cheetah Girl's as a r&b group. Although that Raven had some soul didn't she?! Did she? Electrik Red hasn't done so good...."it's like ooh...damn".

6. The Ending of American Black Families on Sitcoms

In 2003 we got the Damon Wayans led "My Wife and Kids" and the eponymous sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show". The kids were great. The wives were hilarious (ya'll didn't know Tisha Campbell still had it did you?) By 2007 we'd be saying goodbye to both. In the midst of this we got the very original "Everybody Hates Chris" with humorous narration and a 80's New York setting. It was like "The Wonder Years" in Brooklyn with Black people. Still, this show did not make it out of the decade. Growing up I definitely appreciated the families of "Family Matters" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", because my own close family included extended relatives. Now what do the kids have to look at?

5. The Death of Black Sitcoms

The families went and so did the shows about singles, dating, and married in their city. UPN a station that housed many of these shows for better or worse merged with the WB and became the CW in 2006. Shows like "One on One" and it's spin-off "Cuts" would not make the transition. "Girlfriends" aired for 8 years making it the longest running television series on network tv as it began it's last season. Like most of "our" shows it never got a proper finale. "The Game" starring a hodge-podge of 90's sitcoms actors was a spin off of "Girlfriends" that was coming into it's own as a comedy with meaty drama. It was cancelled in 2009 after being placed in abusive time-slots for a while. It may return to television with brand new episodes. For now we have this one show on Fox called "Brothers". I've never seen it, but I hear it's decent. One Black American sitcom on broadcast network television. The other on cable. Gee thanks Tyler Perry.

4. Whitney's descent: Whitney Houston is really on drugs REALLY

For over a decade we've heard Whitney Houston was on drugs but it wasn't until the 2000's that it matterered most. She stopped working! She released one album (in 2002) that I didn't care for , and she is my all time favorite singer. She didnt' do movies except for a cameo as herself in a straight to dvd hair salon flick. I missed you Whitney! She performed at Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Special and was horribly skinny. Around Sept 11th a rumor even surfaced that she had died. Thankfully she would not end the decade under the influence. Her latest album just went platinum. She looks well, and performed beautifully at the American Music Awards.

3. The End of "The Wire"

2002-2008

HBO's drama "The Wire" is hands down the best show in the history of American television aside from some comedies I just can't knock off ("Martin", "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".. reunion episode please?). It brought us great talents every season. Stringer Bell...ahh Idris Elba has never had a role so great. Avon Barksdale! Wood Harris...we knew you had it in you. Jermaine Crawford and Tristan Wilds nice being introduced to you. Dang Namond we dislike and feel for all the same. Great job Julito Mccullum. Michael B. Jordan the tragedy of Wallace... very well acted. Snoop, Marlo...man Randy who gonna look out for you?

2. Death of Aaliyah

August 25, 2001

Aaliyah was simply a talented entertainer. She came out on the scene in 1994 and quietly succeeded. In 2001 she released her self-tited album that was rhythmic, flirty, personal, and smooth. Then at the mere age of 22yrs old she died in a plane crash.

Her sound,image, and style definitely went on to inspire the rest of the decade. Timbaland starting giving the futuristic vibes he used with her to several artists especially Justin Timberlake. People always compare Ciara, but I think more then one artist exist as they do in the industry due to Aaliyah's passing. Missy did start to work with Ciara who danced and had light vocals. That's true, but Timbaland working with Nelly Furtado and Keri Hilson wouldn't happen as we know it. Talk about r&b femme fatale slipping into rock now and you get Rihanna. Aaliyah was doing her "Queen of the Damned" scenes, singing bolder lyrics, and wearing black when Rihanna was still on the island. Aaliyah's vocals were underrated but she performed well singing low and high and danced effortlessly. People like to say her death got her overhyped. Truth is she was a multi-platinum seller, signed onto a highly successful movie series, and one of the youngest performers at the Oscars in history before she died.

1. The King is Dead: Michael Jackson's Passing

June 25,2009

Michael Jackson is not more important then others who have died. I just knew him more. Most of us did. When I learned he died I was devastated. I mean for days I'd find some time to cry as I thought of his death and life. I can't believe he is deceased. Now and then after listening to a few MJ songs, or seeing specials mentioning, or replaying the announcement of his death I feel the same sadness. It still hurts. I can't believe the King of Pop (and sooooo much more) did not live to 2010. Like, I'll have to introduce my future kids to him as "the late entertainer Michael Jackson." I don't know if I expected him to live longer then me, but I definitely expected to have my own house, career, and dogs when he passed away. "Gone too Soon" has never sounded more realer. There will never be anyone even close to Michael Jackson. There is no one who can pioneer what he's done. His dances, his moving lyrics, his powerful performances, his crazy drive, his sweet vocals... GOD. No one will EVER fit his glove.

Grizzly Bears Panda

2009-12-28T21:29:00.002Z

This is another fellow Torontonian, I must say I love the creative design and direction of the video. It matches Wolf J McFarlane's style and personality.

This is Grizzly Bears Panda by Wolf J McFarlane

Take a look-see!

WolF J McFarlane - Grizzly Bears Panda [OFFICIAL VIDEO] from WolF J Mcfarlane on Vimeo.

TDOT stand up! Bougie Baby!

This is it!

2009-12-28T21:19:00.003Z

So I have been long awaiting this music video, no one was sure if it was coming out but it did.
It's the music video for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" directed by my fav Spike Lee.

Take a gander!

The song kind of forshadows MJ's death...a little creeepy

RIP MJ, you will always be missed!

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out

2009-12-23T20:45:00.008Z

When I hear this song I just wanna PAAAAAASSS OUUUUT!! Lol!

Pass Out always makes me go on a hype when I hear it....kind of like when people go crazy and jump up and down when they hear Griminal's ♫NASTY, SHE LIKES ME, ME, ME, ME, ME...M..M..M..M..M..M! ME, ME...IT'S ALL ABOUT ME♪ from She Likes To!!!

Official video

Cameo's from JME and Wretch 32 and other people I obviously didn't notice cause I would've name-dropped them

Cool video huh?

Nee-Nee

Nee - Nee's Top Ten US Guys Of The Decade

2009-12-21T23:28:00.014Z

Anyway I thought I should tell everyone who my top 10 US guys of the decade was/are.

Enjoy and remember I have more than 10 US hotties in my list so DON'T think I could done better!

10. Boris Kodjoe

check out 9-1 of my hotties under the jump!

9) Mario

He has a nose on him but....hey!

8) Channing Tatum (That guy from Coach Carter....and Step Up 1...and 2)

7) Lil Fizz

No comment!

6) Tony Rock

Don't judge me

5) Flex Alexander

I like him too, Stop judging me!

4) Terrence J.

3)Wentworth Miller

Well he's a UK baby but his dad is Jamaican and African AMERICAN = Win (Also Wentworth moved to New York when he was 1...so he's US...and UK)

2) Michael Ealy

I always asked myself; "How could Halle let that go?"

1) So I couldn't really choose....they are both AMAZING...so they both get no.1 spot!

T.I. AND TREY SONGZ YUUUP!

NEE-NEE

Need I say more????

Lady V's Top 'ahem' 20 albums of THE DECADE!

2009-12-21T18:57:00.039Z

Shit! Allow desperate job hunting, a last minute Christmas shopping dash and getting caught up in the London blizzard (er, is it ever gonna stop?!), I've just done the hardest thing ever, EVER today - well, most thought-consuming, problem solving of the last month; I've chosen my top albums of the decade!!

DUN DUN DUN!

This was seriously difficult, I've already popped a few paracetamols to deal with the headache. When first thinking about it, I thought 'simples; John Mayer, Kanye, The Streets, Amy Winehouse....' then I went on,

and on....

and I got to um, 27! And that was just off the top of my head! Thinking I could narrow it down, I consulted my Cd collection - BIG MISTAKE, as I got distracted with my wardrobe of classics for over 2 hours, there's still a pile of albums I took out with the excitement of listening to again tonight....hmm, if I've got the next 15 hours or so spare.

So, although this was tres, tres difficult, the best I could do was get my list down to 20...that's fair enough isn't it?

Now what was my criteria? Well, my list is based on a very intricately sophisticated analytical and statistical method, for an album to qualify in the list, it must tick the following boxes:

- I know the words to every song inside out and back to front.

- The album moved me; heart, mind and feet!

- I have an emotional attachment to the LP.

- The artist is too friggin important/influential in our times to ignore.

- it's AWESOME.

In no particular preference (I started but it all went horribly wrong, and ended up with a long line of Cds side-by-side cluttering my corridor and me jumping up and down beside them with excited confusion), apart from chronological order, here are my essential Top 20 albums of the 00s!

2000:

Coldplay 'Parachutes' - an AMAZING album, and at the time, I was so in love with Chris Martin, convinced that 'Yellow' was about me. 'Shivers' still gives me that ecstatic MDMA-induced-euphoric-like feeling when the chorus drops.

Craig David 'Born To Do It' - this was Craig at his best, this was British R&B at it's best! Packed with catchy songs, sweet harmonies mixed with Garage lad-swag (if you get what I mean) and completely un-Americanised (again, you get what I mean, right? Cross-reference this with his second LP 'Slicker Than Your Average' and you'll understand). My favourite tune was always 'Last Night' for the Italian linkage.

Erykah Badu 'Mama's Gun' - with lyrics like 'my eyes are green, cos I eat a lot of vegetables, it don't have nothing to do with your new best friend' and the loving wails with Stephen Marley on 'In Love With You', this is one of the finest albums produced...EVER! I was a bit late and only got a copy of this around about 2006, but once you hear Badu, there's no going back - like a goddess of wisdom and love, she can only but enchant you.

Jill Scott 'Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol 1' - this woman can do no wrong. I adore her! Her voice can be powerful, strong and sexy, as well as gentle and romantic. Her words are delivered effortlessly and perfectly as if she was born to provide such inspiring and deep lyrics and nothing is hotter than that! Jill Scott's songs = sex, pure passionate, wonderful love-making on a higher spiritual level. 10 years later, and every single phrase from this album brings back a memory or means something special to me - if you don't know about Jill Scott, you NEED to get to know.

Eminem 'The Marshall Mathers LP' - there is nothing Eminem can do for me to hate on him, no matter how vile, vulgar or misogynistic he is, I still think he is a complete genius! This is one of, if not my favourite, hip-hop albums of all time. I'll be honest, the fact that he was naughty was very appealing to a 14 year old Lady V at the time, but even when I listen again to the album now, there are moments which I recognise for the first time and think 'wow!' Lyrically, it takes a lot to be as intelligent as Eminem and in my eyes, very very few rappers will ever be as great as him.

2001:

John Mayer 'Room For Squares' - I first heard '3X5' whilst working Christmas hours at the Gap, and it reminds me of happy times. His voice was a lot more earthy and raw on this first album, and his songwriting still had that geeky but innocent touch - man, I want the old pre-Aniston and Simpson etc, John Mayer back!

Destiny's Child 'Survivor' - If I'm honest, the best DC album was 'The Writings On The Wall', but that was a 90s release, although this comes very close at a second best. It was with this album that the girl's accomplished that sexy, glamourous, Hollywood look, but with honest and witty Girl Power lyrics, still kept a real feel. I was 15 at the time of it's release and remember singing 'Nasty Girl' on the bus with my girl about a skanky Year 10 sket...how nice!

Alicia Keys 'Songs in A Minor' - fact for you; only one song, 'Jane Doe' on the album is in the key of A Minor, but so what? Alicia's debut is glittered with beautiful melodies. I love the classical piano mixed with a modern twist of R&B and Soul. When I first heard 'Fallin' I fell in love with both her and her voice...very fine female, one of those that we'd either wanna get with or wanna be!

Basement Jaxx 'Rooty' - One of my favourite producers full stop, Basement Jaxx KNOW how to get a party started. Their beats are intricate but infectious and everything they do from videos to stage shows have a weird-non-conventional-ness attached to it which I heart! Apart from the classics 'Romeo' and 'Jus 1 Kiss', my favourite is 'I Want U' and I still try to keep up with the singer for the whole way through and never manage to!

2002:

Justin Timberlake 'Justified' - Every single tune on this album is special. Everything from vocals, lyrics, production, style is spot-on...the accompanying tour I also watched (um, 4 times!) was spectacular too! 'Let's Take A Ride' is still blasted on long car journeys - damn, I wish I was the girl he's singing about!

The Streets 'Original Pirate Material' -

Intelligent, honest garage - I use these words as I was listening to this album whilst studying Blake, Heaney et al for GSCE English, but it was Skinner who was really speaking volumes, and looking back he has to be viewed as one of the finest creative writers of our time. As with Ms Dynamite, finally there was a voice that we could fully associate with, one that felt familiar and wasn't chatting exaggerated shit like 'brap brap, ahhh, guns, dough etc', but simple real-like lyrics like 'all line up and grab yer seat, cos Tony's got a new motor, SR Nova, driving like a joyrider' (Has It Come To This).

2003:

Damien Rice 'O' - his voice gives me shivers and makes me cry with joy. If any man sang 'The Blower's Daughter' to me like Damien Rice does with such sincere passion, I'd be his in a second.

Un-Cut 'The Un-Calculated Some' - I'm sure very few people have heard of this album, but I'm sure you would have heard of Jenna G, who is the vocalist of the Un-Cut. I love 'The Un-Calculated Some', because musically, it's as rich as a triple chocolate gateux and melodically, Jenna gets it right - I love her slight-Mancurian slur. 'Midnight' is still one of my favourite songs and reminds me of Summer in London, still raving it up as the sun comes up.

Amy Winehouse 'Frank' - Before Amy grew a beehive and was still a chavtastic wannabe classy size 12, she released her finest work to date 'Frank'. As a North Londoner too and round about the same age as me, she was my idol! I wanted her voice, I wanted to be able to have guts to pour out my heart and soul into amazing lyrics, and I wanted to be a white girl who could scat as jaw-droppingly wonderful as she does. The best tune on the album is by far 'Take That Box', it was on repeat for a good couple of weeks.

Jamie Cullum 'Twentysomething' -

One of the best gigs of my life, was sitting at a table at

Ronnie Scotts, a metre away from this amazingly-talented little dude literally jazzing up jazz, and jumping all over a piano. No matter what mood I am in, this album will always make me happy, whether it's because of the old-skool (think Rat Pack more than Jungle Brothers) energy that runs through it, or just Jamie's charming English accent which I've always been a sucker for, this album is one of my fave ever!

2004:

The Killers 'Hot Fuss' - rigid indie pop - this was the album, that made me fully understand and appreciate indie music. When I say rigid, I mean this was the moment, I stopped dutty wining and grinding in clubs and developed that wannabe cool robotic swaying movement and decided it was ok to not go out with tits, legs and probably everything else on show. I kinda, dare I say became an Indie girl, fully embracing music sung in monotone and fancying men who wore make-up (yes, Brandon Flowers, that was you!)

Kanye West 'The College Dropout' - Kanye didn't have to thug out, no need for excessive expletives just catchy chorus and cleverly penned rhymes. This is my favourite Kanye album as it was before he got consumed by ego and bling. Don't get me wrong, self-obsessed Kanye was always lurking but it hadn't mutated yet into a billion dollar marketing strategy. One of my favourite hip-hop verses ever is '1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and get them sit ups right and

Tuck your tummy tight and do your crunches like this
Give head, stop breathe, get up, check your weave
Don't drop the blunt and disrespect the weed
Pick up your son and don't disrespect your seed
It's a party tonight and ooh she's so excited
Tell me who's invited: you, your friends and my dick
What's scary to me is Henny makes girls look like Halle Berry to me
So excuse me miss, I forgot your name
Thank you, God bless you, good night I came..' - Work out plan

Usher 'Confessions' - I always liked Usher, but this was the album where I 'felt' him...that sounds a bit weird, but the album's name suits the compilations of songs down to the ground. His words were honest and I understood him. This album epitomises the real talk of a twenty-something male; whether it's about throwing your hands in the air to party or just being bate about sexual desires. His honesty, mixed with a beautiful singing voice is enough to make any lady melt, more specifically 'Superstar' does the trick!

2005:

Tom Vek 'We Have Sound' - electronic, experimental noises with clashing guitars. This was another special album for me, as here was this crazy, geeky, not really attractive, solo singing, multi-instrumentalist and pretty much forward thinking genius making music out of his garage. 'I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes' was a fave when it came to rocking the rigid robotic movement.

2008:

Chase & Status 'More Than Alot' - the duo's debut was a very very big LP, every tune on it a dance music hit. Although many D&B fans judge Chase & Status for taking a bite of the commercial world/Rhianna apple, I look beyond that and appreciate their skills and talent in being able to fuse various genres and still make stompingly great, bass heavy dance music! At a time when I was still very anti - dubstep (yes, it took me a while before I understood it), the drop in 'Is It Worth It' began my conversion, and of course there are D&B anthems like 'Hurt You' and 'Take Me Away' which are always welcome at any rave.

So that's my Top 20 albums of the decade!

Hang on, there's nothing from 2009 and very few albums post 2005...I think that says quite a lot really! What d'ya reckon? Did you expect such a mix of genres, huh? And where's the D&B (?!) I hear you ponder - well don't get me started on mixtapes and D&B sets because WOAH NELLY (Furtado) that would easily involve popping a few more paracetemols to even start thinking about! But to occupy me over the Christmas hols, I may just have a go and if I manage to work it out, I'll let you know!

Happy Holidays!

(in thick NY accent, cue Christmas carols in the background, accompanied by my family portrait Christmas card on it's way to you)

Kano - More Than One Way (Video)

2009-12-21T18:15:00.000Z

The more Kano releases material, the more I can't wait for Kano's new album.

Top 10 Government failures of the Decade according to Bougie

2009-12-21T16:28:00.007Z

These are the top 10 government failures according to mee!

1) 9/11

2) Hurricane Katrina

3) Tsunami

4) London Bombings

5) Swine Flu/ H1N1

6) War In Iraq

7) Economy Crash

8) SARS

9) Mad Cow Disease

10) West Nile

Bougie!

Actress Brittany Murphy Passed Away

2009-12-21T04:39:00.037Z

Brittany Murphy died the sunday morning of December 20, 2009 at 32 years old from cardiac arrest. Her mother found her. Brittany Murphy once said "home is where my mom is". This shows they were close, and celebrity or not, a mother's loss is hard. God Bless her family.

Brittany Murphy is an actress best known for roles in "Clueless", "8 Mile", and "Just Married". She also sang and lent her voice to animated works. This woman was truly gifted in the arts. I realized that years ago and just yesterday I thought to myself, "when is she going to get an Oscar or some more Oscar material soon?" She has a few projects she was working on, but....that's it. Another life cut short.

Media will have a field day or two as people everywhere use what they've learned on CSI and other crime procedural shows to find out how she died, as it if it really matters. It doesn't.

“I think they should take everyone who works for The National Enquirer and the Star, and everyone who works for Us Weekly, and put them all to work looking for terrorists. I think they would find the terrorists. All of them. It would be genius!”

- Brittany Murphy

People say "why do we care when celebrities die?" I discussed this with my friend Keshia earlier and she said it's a cop out to say "regular people die everyday". As she pointed out the people who said this would be upset if their favorite rapper died. The thing is I don't know "John Doe". He's never made me smile, laugh, or cry as some celebs have. He's never gotten me through a hard day. He's never inspired a fashion choice. His death is important, and if I read his story on the news and learned what happened I'd be sad over what he endured in his last moments. I'd be sympathetic for his family. I get sad reading the news occasionally. The point is celebrities truly touch us. We don't have to know to them personally to appreciate the small effects they've had on us.

"We become desensitized towards death for celebrities, treating it as [if] they could have prevented their own demise because of their position on the food chain." - Keshia

I composed a vid of some of my fave clips from Brittany Murphy. Enjoy. Remember.

Bougie's Top Five Upsets of 2009

2009-12-21T03:44:00.009Z

These are my top five upsets of 2009, or the ones I could remember anyway.

1) Michael Jackson

It was June 25th 2009 and I was at home, watching TV I flicked past CNN and they said MJ went into cardiac arrest and then that he had passed. I didn't believe and still dont want to.

...but if there was a list of the top 200 balling (crying) moments of 2009 his memorials would be the top 199. I was so upset, but I know he is in a better place.

R.I.P Michael Joesph Jackson (1958-2009)

2)Tiger Woods

UGH! What a waste of time! I had your back when you were the best golfer, even though you denied us, but now that your the loser that you are, Ive denied you, you can be by your self... all by your self!

No wife, no groupies, no kids, no fans, no sponsors, no golf...

3)Oprah

Cancelling your show!

HOW DARE YOU!!

How can I be on the show if you cancel it? All I need is 3 years.

4)Chris/Rihanna

Im sure everyone has heard enough about Chris Brown and Rihanna. * sigh * I love them as a couple, beautiful, successfull and young. But I guess everything is not all it seems to be.

5)Lady Gaga

Just Lady Gaga as a person was an upset.

(she could have quiet easily been number one)

Just her. Nothing she did. JUST HER!

Those are my top 5 upsets...

Signing Out, Bougie Baby!

All Nee-Nee Wants For Christmaaaaas:

2009-12-19T10:31:00.010Z

It's now the season for family to come together, collect presents, eat turkey, pull a cracker, etc.

I will be frank; All I want is presents. That's all.

So all I want for Christmaaaaas is:

1) A Snoopafied TomTom

2) A car for my Snoopafied TomTom

3) A backup car in case I crash my BMW (If I get my backup car then everyone who lives in the block can take a ride in my ♫big Mercedes Benz♫)

4) Driving lessons for my BMW

5) A gold iBook (I don't own a laptop)

6) Another iBook in case I brake the gold one!

7) ANYTHING to do with T.I (I would LOVE these though)

(I don't have King album :( But I do have Paper Trail and T.I. vs. T.I.P :) )

8) Last but not least I want HIM

*Big happy sigh* So, I don't want a lot.

And I don't believe in Santa...but I believe in my dad! :D

Sidebar: Look For the little boy, he wears Diamond Rings and he's a Beast!

Nee-Nee

Rihanna - Hard video

2009-12-18T02:28:00.001Z

*sigh* I feel like I'm always seeing this girl's ta-tas. She IS hot though - "baddest bish in heels" according to her. I absolutely LOVE the track but what do we think about the video?

Davinche ft. Cleo Sol - Hero

2009-12-17T22:35:00.003Z

(Another Davinche post)

It's Dee's new tune!

I would like to thank ScratchaDVA for introducing me to this song (Via his radio show on Rinse.FM 8-11am Mon-Fri)

Anywho tell me what you think. I think Cleo was on a Keri swag. Never the less I love the song (and that's the main bit right?)!

Nee-Nee

I might be bias but...

2009-12-16T23:07:00.005Z

I think this is the best video I've seen in 2009, especially for an underground artist, and a Toronto artist as that. This is Shaun Boothe, who I blogged before, the one who did "the unauthorized biography"...

This is his new video "Poor Boy"

And this his last video, I love the song, lyrics and video... "Music Man" ft Amanda Diva

What I gots to say - Leighton Meester's 'Somebody to Love'

2009-12-14T22:30:00.007Z

This music video has been available for a little while now (ok, since November!), but only came to my attention today. Maybe it's because although I was very intrigued upon hearing that our fave Gossip Girl bitch Blair would be emmersing herself into the world of music, it's taken a little while since signing to Universal Republic back in April for anything to happen...I kinda forgot about it! Also, being labelled as 'electro pop' (hmmm, ok?!), it never really came into my radar when looking for new music. But, as a fan of Gossip Girl, I felt compelled to blog about this, so here goes!

After careful watching of 'Somebody to Love', as I always do before throwing it your way, I noted the following - please take a second to read these simple rules in order to full appreciate the video:

1. Turn your volume to mute - the song's nothing special at all, Blair's (sorry, Leighton's) voice isn't anything special and the fact that she really cannot say 'J'adore' in the sexy way it should be is a tad frustrating...."J'a-dooo-re, J'aaa-do-oore, J'a-do-rrre!" - see, why didn't she ask me to say it?

2. Allow/ignore/try and forget Robin's terrible outfits. I'm not a fan of the burgundy leather jacket - who wears them anymore? Then the high-school jock look with the bright yellow jacket?! Woah, blinding and bumble-bee-esque...er, no.

3. Allow/ignore/try and look beyond Leighton's wriggling - yes, I fear she has that wriggle bug that so many movie stars/actresses/generally the not vocally talented get when having to make music videos - see Heidi Montag's 'Higher' and Paris Hilton's 'Stars are

blind'.

4. BUT BUT BUT, look at how terribly gorgeous Leighton is! Not in a pervy, sexy way (although I'm sure this video has got many men's toungues wagging), but she is just effortlessly and classically beautiful! I heart her clothes - she is definietly, dare I say, the next Carrie (SATC) for the Gossip Girl generation. The couture outfits are amazing and it's so refreshing to see elegance with a mature sexy twist in a pop video.

Enjoy....

And just because this is my first Gossip Girl-related post and I'm discussing visuals, I had to post these incredibly pleasing-to-the-eye shots!

Oooooh!

Ed Westwick

Penn Badgley

Yeah, you got me, this is just an excuse to cover the block with pics of hot men...shhh, don't tell the landlady!

SUCKIEST VIDEO AND SONG OF 2009, MAYBE EVEN 2010

2009-12-11T02:49:00.002Z

Dear Raz B,
I have.. well ummm... 10 comments/questions about your new so called video

1) It was hella corny and low budget
2) My boys make better music videos with their handy cams
3) Why does the song sound so familiar?
4) Why was there a blend of two shots? One with a silhouette, did that look good in the editing suite?
5) I thought you were gay, why do you have a leading lady don’t front...
6) Is that peanut butter your eating off of her nose?
7) Why was your leading lady the director and the producer?(well I guess it is a recession, nevermind I answered that question myself)
8) Book you for a show? Umm like what kinda show, not singing right?
9) PLEASE get back with B2K, or QUIT
10) Michael Jackson is finally in a better place where people aren’t making fun of him, why must you disgrace his name with your "dance" moves?

But I’m just saying...

Sincerely,
An old B2K fan

I HAVE NO WORDS...

2009-12-11T00:30:00.003Z

Watch...

What - the - hell???

I don't know whether to be freaked out, ashamed that I'm freaked out or admire the strength (psychologically and literally), determination, passion and courage this little dude has!

all I can say is WOW!

The Unauthorized Biography Series!

2009-12-10T03:20:00.003Z

The music industry in Toronto is basically non-existant, but the hip-hop community is large, and the support is even larger! Im pretty sure a lot of people, even me before I moved here, confuse Canada with America, or don't even know about Canada. So to differentiate ourselves, Canadian show their artistry in creative ways...

A fellow Torontonian named Shaun Boothe, (who is know for his hits "Music Man" and "Poor Boy" Youtube him!) has come up with the idea to create a rap song about different worldly influential people, and then accompany it with video clips and graphics. He calls is "The Unauthorized Biography Series". There is 12 parts and he is currently on part 6.

So here are parts 1-6, and I shall update as they come....

Unauthorized Biography of James Brown (1st of 12) by Shaun Boothe

Unauthorized Biography of Bob Marley(2nd of 12) by Shaun Boothe

Unauthorized Biography of Muhammed Ali(3rd of 12) by Shaun Boothe

Unauthorized Biography of MLK and Barack Obama(4th of 12) by Shaun Boothe

Unauthorized Biography of Jimi Hendrix(5th of 12) by Shaun Boothe

Unauthorized Biography of Sean Combs(6th of 12) by Shaun Boothe

Mr Sean Combs actually saw this and then tweeted it!

Signing out from the land of the yellow traffic lights across the pond,

Bougie!

New Music

2009-12-09T14:06:00.004Z

Here are some new videos that came out in the last two weeks, I myself have been steadly awaiting the release of Kid Cudi new video Pursuit of Happiness. I am very satisfied. Genuis. Another video I have been awaiting was Timberland ft Drake "Say Something", which I loved, but I seem to find it pretty familiar...oh yeah! Pursuit of Happyness... 1) Drake, 2) Drake in the suit 3) the restaurant/bar scence 4) the alcohol 5) the toasting through out the video. *sigh* Here we goooo!

Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness...Cameo: Drake

Timberland ft Drake - Say Something..

But as a future director/producer in the industry my fav videos to look for are 50 cents'..his newer videos are always like little movies. He subsitutes the usual booty shaking/naked girls on cars/'making it rain' with actual actors... here it is!

50 Cent - Do you think about me... cameos Vivica A Fox, Tahiry and Tamala Jones

and why not some Mary J to keep us going through the week, this is her song I am

and here is some good 'ol Mariah Carey..this one is called H.A.T.E.U

and lets finish off with what seems to be the team on the come up...Young Mulllah Baaaby! with Bedrock ft Lloyd...

...not sure if anyone else noticed but something simular in alll of the videos is the Beats Headphones from Dr Dre, nothing like a little product placement...

Signing out. Bougie!

DaVinChe Schools Us

2009-12-08T18:17:00.008Z

I'm back, with some Davinche action!

He's teaching us how to produce...kinda!

5 Step Guide To Sampling

3 Step Guide To Tracking Backing Vocals

If I find out any readers become producers in the future, remember to thank Nee Nee, The Block and Davinche when your picking up your award.

In the last video you saw Shola Ama...
Want to watch the song and video she was singing to?
It has Amber Rose look alike's in the beginning...

P.s: Ladies, isn't DaVinChe a hottie?

Nee Nee

Rox & Szjerdene

2009-12-08T15:13:00.002Z

So I've been banging on about Bluey Robinson recently, who had his showcase not long ago and announced he's been signed to Sony (CONGRATS from the Block, Bluey!) but I honestly think there are more girls than boys carrying the baton for the NEW generation of UK soul (and by soul I simply mean music sung from a place in their soul).

There are a few girls doing their thing on the scene, and they'll definitely get mentioned in due course, but today I'm focusing on two ladies who are representing soul with their different sounds. Last year I did THIS POST - some seem to have disappeared (where are you Jessie J/Natalia/Alex Mills?) and the other two ladies (Tawiah & NY) are both keeping it active in their respective scenes (even though we're still waiting on an EP or album from Tawiah). But I had to blog again about Rox & Szjerdene. Both amazingly talented and beautiful, I'm waiting anxiously to fill my mp3 player with their tuneage in 2010.

ROX

Since getting "My Baby Left Me" in 2008, which got rotated heavily on my radio show, I've been waiting for something from this lady. Now everything is about to take off for her; she's preparing promo for her first radio/video single and she's been tipped as one of the 15 in BBC's Sound of 2010 list (The Block coulda told you that much!) now I'm just waiting anxiously for an album.

SZJERDENE

Szjerdene's vocals are as stunning as her physical appearence; she first came to my attention last year when Origins Media shun their spotlight on her and I got hold of her song "Wait A While". I hadn't heard from her for a while until Soul Culture featured her. Then around two weeks ago, on a night when only Eric Roberson and Amel Larrieux were providing my soundtrack, I received a tweet from the talented lady herself featuring the first video below (apparently she's slyly got talents in mind-reading too...I was listening to this Amel tune on my laptop when I got the tweet!) I can't wait to hear even more original material from Szjerdene - and I think she's got some stuff coming soon.

Tahirah...x

#MixtapeMonday Obenewa - Therapy

2009-12-07T15:14:00.001Z

The mind boggles over why talented artists are producing free mixtapes are better certain people's big budget albums. I'm not complaining - good music is priceless, so if it's priceless AND price-less, I'm loving it. Therefore we'll be doing a regular #MixtapeMondays.

The first one comes courtesy of talented West Londoner Obenewa.

I was about to launch into a press-release-esque spiel about the mixtape, how it captures every vibe, how Obenewa's soulful vocal compliments every sound, ~~how it's better than certain recently released "R&B" albums~~, how it's produced primarily by the Truth Movement, and blah di di blah. It's not needed. I'll just say:

DOWNLOAD IT NOW & NICE UP YOUR IPOD/COMPUTER/PHONE IMMEDIATELY

She's up for a mixtape award. Vote HERE (some of The World Is My Block's other favourites are up for nomination in various categories so get voting)

Drizzy Drake Rogers!

2009-12-04T16:31:00.005Z

I'm a little bias, But the cover says it all, he is UNSTOPPABLE! Is it me but Drake is spitting out like 2 videos a month..without an album. Anyway here are his newest additions...

DJ Khaled- Fed Up ft Usher, Young Jeezy, Ricky Ross, & Drizzy!

4 My Town - Birdman ft Drake & Lil Wayne

Bougieee xoxo

Scorcher

2009-12-03T21:39:00.008Z

HIYA! I'm back (I never left really) and I'm here to share my love about Scorcher!

<--- Yeah that's him

I also want to spread some new music he's involved in!
Calvin Harris ft. Scorcher - Flashback

What do you think of his verses?

Ok....Baby Blue and Scorcher ft. Rihanna - Wait Your Turn (freestyle)

How about his verse on here?

My thoughts - His lyrical content = More than on point. His flow = More than on point. That's how you know he's in The Movement. AND that's something The Movement and Boy Better Know have in common...talented members with great flow and lyrical content (But this post is about Scorch, not anybody else)! Anyway his verse's on those songs are immaculate!

I bought Scorcher's album the other day! I was a bit disappointed...his album booklet was only 2 pages long! Other than that Concrete Jungle was PERFECT. Wretchrospective was my FAVOURITE UK album....now Concrete Jungle is 1/2 of my FAVOURITE UK albums.

Anywho what I'm trying to get at is; One of his songs got me...it nearly made me cry and it's my favourite song off Concrete Jungle. It's called Tubulence

The song's amazing!

I think I might be annoying Scorcher on Twitter...I keep @replying him...oh well....actually I like Scorcher...I don't want annoy him.

Nee - Nee

UPDATE:

Check out Scorcher's video to Dark Knight...epic!

Beyond December 1st

2009-12-02T08:54:00.001Z

Yesterday the Block went RED as we highlighted World AIDS Day.

Of course we weren't the only ones dripped in red - the cause was highlighted from twitter to Starbucks and beyond with celebrities and corporate throwing their weight behind various charities dedicated to fundraising AIDS research and raising awareness.

I was one of the thousands of people with a little red ribbon adourned on my body, but it led me into actually THINKING about the AIDS situation rather than buying into the slightly glamourised hype around it.

At the end of 2008 the estimate was that around 33 to 36 million people around the world are living with the virus. In the UK an estimated 80,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS with around 20,000 people not knowing they are infected.

We take a pretty interesting stance on it over here. Because our figures seem considerably less than, say, the ratio of people living with AIDS in the US (and of course, Africa) it seems to get less coverage and the stigma around it is just as high as it's ever been. As usual, the big focus around this year's World AIDS Day (and specifically the Red campaign) is Africa, but I'm urging people to look closer to home.

Wherever you are, I guarentee you - you at least know somebody who knows somebody who is infected with the virus. So take a minute to educate yourself, dispell ANY warped myths you have around it (no - someone with AIDS or HIV isn't dirty, you can't catch it by drinking from the same mug, and - you should definitely know this one - most AIDS sufferers are not druggies/gay/overtly promiscuous).

One of the most important - and harrowing things to realise is it can affect anyone. Beyond that, sexual health is important anyway, because while you might not think AIDS is an issue, every Tom, DICK, and Kadijah under 25 has risk of catching clamydia over here! So girls, make sure you got your own stash of rubbers and boys, don't be silly with your willies and don't be afraid of the clinic. Once we drop all the ignorance, we'll really be able to challenge and fight for the cause beyond wearing red string (or sexy red laces) next year.

Blocker Nee-Nee posing with some World AIDS Day toast in Central London

Tahirah...x

BRAND NEW! Travis McCoy 'One At A Time'

2009-12-01T20:52:00.005Z

Travis McCoy (you know the lead singer of Gym Class Heroes) has teamed up with MTV in support of World Aids Day 2009. Today he's released 'One At A Time' a simple, but very thoughtfully penned song straight from the heart, inspired by Travis' recent round the world tour visiting HIV and AIDs projects.

You can download the track here by donating a sum of your choice to MTV's Staying Alive campaign, for which all proceeds will go to.

December 1st: World AIDs Day

2009-12-01T00:43:00.006Z

I'm not going to go on a preaching sesh, but I'm sure you know that today is World AIDs Day. AIDs is still an issue which has a lot of stigma attached to it because people are ignorant and don't understand what the disease is really about and how it can be stopped. Simply - have safe sex, wear a condom.

Please take a second to educate yourself and find out more.

It's cooler to be safe. Don't put yours and your partner's life at risk unnecessarily.

Now, since Mr. Bono has got involved with this project, he's been very clever and organised partnerships with some of the hottest brands out there, so you can keep buying your fave ish (Converse, I-pods, garms from The Gap) and be donating money to Product (RED) which aims to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa.

This year's collabo is with Nike, so of course I gots to shout about it!! Today, is the launch of Nike (Red) in 13 countries around the world, with their first product being red football laces (as seen on Chelsea star Drogba last weekend).

Pretty frickin hot, hey! (Gracias Vexed Mag, obviously so cool they were at the NikeTown London launch yesterday!) The laces are not exclusive to footballers/owners of football boots, so even you can cop a pair, yup, run to your local Nike store...I'm running as I type, to get your hands on these super fly additions to your sneaks! So what if you own bright pink Nikes, like moi?! Allow your trainers to clash for the day as it's for a good cause and ONLY £4 and all the money go the RED Global Fund and to Nike football-based programs.

Lace up. Save Lives

"We’re working with Nike to leverage the power of sport to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa. Together we’re focusing on two initiatives: Educate and Medicate. Our aim is to ensure that HIV positive people in Africa have access to the medicine they need to stay alive and to continue to build education programs through the power of sport." - From (BlOG) RED

Sympathetic 'laugh out loud' video of the week: Black Eyes Peas 'Meet Me Half Way'

2009-11-30T23:33:00.007Z

Blockers! Um, doesn't sound as great when you say it out loud, but any-hoo! Things have been kind of quiet in my world, but it is Monday and that means one thing! It's COMEDY time!

Yup, Timbaland's latest vid 'Morning After Dark' made me laugh a lot, so I've been on the hunt for other videos to brighten up your week and rid you of those Monday blues...

So, I know this is kinda an oldie (been around a good month!) but if you haven't seen Black Eyed Peas 'Meet Me Half Way' yet, let this be the vid to make you have a giggle! Primarily, because like Timbo's latest, the first phrase that will come to mind will be 'WTF, what the hell is this about?' But when you break it down you may feel, like me, compelled to laugh when you notice that once again, poor Apple-de-I-phone-App and 'The one with the long face and matching hair' have got shit parts in the video AGAIN! Maybe this is a cruel 'lol' moment, as really I'm laughing out of sympathy/uncertainty of why they always get the random, pointless parts in Will-i-am's (sorry, BEP) videos, but so what? You're probably sitting at your desk, gutted it's Monday again, or in bed depressed with nothing to wake up to - so hold the phone, take a second and be glad that no-one you know can take the the piss out of you like Will & Fergie blates did with the other two of their band!

App is what I can only describe as a stranded, blind, modernised beduoin 'FLOATING' (?) in garms similar to US soldiers, and poor long haired dude (does anyone actually know his name?) comes in a good 2/3 into the 5min long video as a bloody astronaut! R-I-G-H-T! With Will-I-Am riding an elephant and having the magical compass thing (but it still looks cool) and Fergie looking gorgeously Midsummer Night's Dream-esque....why or rather what is going on with the backing dudes' characters? I must say at one point I even feared for Long hair dude as he got very close (almost too close) to the sun, I know he has a minor bit in the song but why put him that close to the sun that the shine overpowers his really boring costume and only moment of the video?

Take a look and try not to laugh at the no story-line and App's and Long hair's cameo in Will-i-am's (sorry, I keep forgetting, Black Eyed Peas) video:

#Music Mondays

2009-11-30T19:37:00.003Z

its not #ThrowbackThursdays and I dont Tweet...but this is the song that got through this monday and its only 2:42 pm (in Canada)....

#BunAMonday... Bougie

Try Something New!

2009-11-28T18:42:00.025Z

Im all ways down to try something new! Ive been to a lot of different events, from the passa passa type jams to the networking socialite type of events, but never in my 20 yrs have I been to an art exhibit...or in that case been interested.

But then I was invited to Le Groupe Doué, by a good friend of mine BySeanBrown.

So yesterday I walked into the loft where the Le Groupe Doué was being held, and I had the greatest feeling... I was in a room full of support and positive energy...Black youth, showing that they were something. Le Groupe Doué consists of a group of young artists Brittney M, Zoran White, Sean Brown and Courtney Eastman... (pictured below)

Here are some pics of the art exhibit (excuse the quality these are BB pics)...

(this exhibit is called Behind the Curtain... pictures of the play Secrets of a Black Boy)

(the ladies legs are a representation of Barbie. This piece was called Ken pt1)

These types of events are also good for networking with new people...I got to meet Darren Anthony and Samson Brown. Darren is the a young playwright and actor (he wrote and starred in the play Secrets of A Black Boy) and Samson Brown played Buscuit in the play. We talked and talked for hours, and its safe to say we are its history in the making.

(Samson Brown looking at Ken pt2, Like a Boy and Saltwalter Sketches)

Mr Darren Anthony

"I don't wear colour, I hold colour "~ Samson Brown

The most interesting exhibit at Le Groupe Doué was by Zoran. This piece made everyone stop and look and really try and understand it, Zoran had just been through a tough breakup and this was his interpretation...It was accompanied by the quote "I coughed up what you left me . . . brightness decays brilliantly"

FYI: They are pictures of a black subtance in a toilet

This was a fun and fulfilling night, so I encourage everyone to go out and do something you dont usually do, it might turn out to be more fun than the usual...

The
walk home...

Love and Blessing fellow Blocksterssss. Bougie Oougie Signing out.

Thursday Throwback: Cabbage Patch Dolls

2009-11-26T15:13:00.001Z

Possibly the ugliest little dolls ever....but I LOVED my cabbage-patch baby when I was growing up! AND they've existed for OVER 25 YEARS!

While they're not so popular on the dolly market anymore there seems like there's still a place for cabbage patch dolls in today's world - one in particular went into acting and scored herself a role named Heather found herself a role in Eastenders!

WIN Bluey Robinson Tickets!

2009-11-24T12:09:00.001Z

This Friday 27th November young soul talent Bluey Robinson is doing a showcase - CLICK HERE for more information and to see him singing his socks off (or just read the flyer above).

Because we love our visitors to the Block, we're giving you the chance to WIN A PAIR of tickets to go down and see Bluey at Wandsworth Palais, London on Friday.

To be in with a chance to WIN A PAIR just email theworldismyblock@gmail.com with the subject line "BLUEY ROBINSON" and your full name and telephone number in the message body.

This one is for Blockers from the UK who are OVER 18 and able to travel to London (this competition is for tickets only and does not include travel or accomodation).

UPDATE

Competition is now CLOSED!

Winner has been picked and will be announced shortly but if you didn't win still go down and check Bluey out tomorrow!

BUY A TICKET HERE!

Skandal - "Hunger Pains"

2009-11-24T01:08:00.007Z

The good people at Vision Pr hit me up with this little shindig/sweatbox raveup/artist showcase happening this Thursday (26th Nov) at the King Apparel store in Covent Garden.

The artiste in question is Skandal and the event's to celebrate the release of his album "Hunger Pains". Familiarise yourself with his output here...

I Heard him flingin' down some heavyweight bars when he opened up for Souls of Mischief earlier this month and dude does not disappoint live

All you need to do is bring yourself and a packed lunch.....the juice is free.

Don't be late, cos these events are always RAMMED and with this F'd up weather we've been having lately you'll either freeze or drown if you get left outside.

Til' then Blockski's....

Pie-Ce

Blaze

Comedy Video of the Week: Timbaland ft SoShy 'Morning After Dark'

2009-11-23T21:53:00.015Z

It's only Monday and I have already crowned Timbaland's debut tune 'Morning After Dark' from his album Shock Value 2, my Comedy Video of the Week. You may accuse me of being a little hasty with such an important decision, but the fact that I'm STILL laughing at this ridiculous offering of a music video, I'm going to stand by my initial reaction.

Please, take out 7.13 minutes of your life and have a giggle....

With all awards it's only fair to explain the reasons for nominating the winner. Therefore without further adieu, let me go into more detail and pull our some of the 'Morning After Dark's' defining features which justify why this video deserves such serious slating:

Let's set the scene; we're in Italy, that's right the 'old coffee maker in front of the tv' shot confirms our setting. Yes, that's why the camera holds for a split second on this shot - just in case you didn't realise,

Woah! People keep disappearing...then appearing...then walking on walls, but shhh, the chick can't see!

Now, has Timbaland popped one too many pills at this crazy Italian gathering? He's blatantly trying to hide it, but his freaky little twitches, dialated pupils/bulging eyes, tell another story..

Oh yeah, and the gurning too...

The more he tries to act 'cool', the more bait he is - a bit like the first time you got pissed and stumbled home at 3am to find your mum waiting by the door 'I'm fine honest, haven't been drinking a large amount of cheap alcopops, honest' (cue puking up and falling over)

So, as not to confuse you even more, a wannabe Tardis features at 1.36 - is this Doctor Who or Buffy?

Oh, SoShy wearing a beret, a RED BERET - not at all connoting French-i-ness, does it? Mais non!

Timbaland then shouting 'please don't leave me alone' - doesn't really help his case, hmm?

Hold the phone - if you just thought you saw a vampire, what would be the safest thing to do next? Yes, that's it, run away to an EMPTY village square, stop and tell a stranger what just happened.

Gosh, thank God this girl is stupid enough to do so, otherwise then there wouldn't be...

- the SHOWDOWN - oooh Timbo versus random dude with the random wannabe Brit accent

Um, who is he? I thought we were in Italy?

By 4.22mins, I (like you) have no idea what's happening anymore or what this video is about, but it's ok because..WAIT,

just by caressing her hand, the lead damsel in distress (definitely logged on to confused.com) can make the music come back and distract us from the fact that this story doesn't make sense and is SHIT!

THE END - HURRAY!

Final question which I'll let you ponder over before bed - WHERE'S NELLY FURTADO? I heard this tune a few weeks back and Nelly was on it, she was the reason why I was excited to see the video....do you reckon she morphed into the black cat with the unusually long, thin tail?

Hmmm....

Tomorrow I'll be here.... Erotica 09

2009-11-21T22:39:00.003Z

I've managed to acquire a pass to explore the largest annual Erotica conference in the UK and I am very, very happy about this.

Sunday's the last, and some say wildest day, so if you wanna reach, book your tickets here. Pics, Vids and whatever else they'll let me get away with coming shortly.....

Till then Blockski's

Pie-Ce

Blaze

I Heartage J Lo - 'Fresh Out The Oven'

2009-11-21T00:07:00.004Z

I heart J-Lo! This week on the block, I have come clean about a lot of my loves (BSB, Dappy, SATC >>>> jump in the lift and go down the block) and here's another - Jenny from tha Block (get it?).

I heard her track Louboutin this morning and was so ashamedly disapproving of it that I couldn't even blog about it and admit that actually it was shit. So hurray, this has come along, the first single of her forthcoming 'Love?' album released in January 2010, 'Fresh Out The Oven'

H-E-L-L-O! The first 24 seconds confirms J-Lo is BACK and after three years since her last release, and even after having twins, she is looking as hot as ever!

But then, my worst nightmare: Pitbull sneaks his way into it! But why??? I get the Latino connection but purlease do I need to be forced to see more of the Latino version of Ja Rule (think about it, they both growl when 'rapping' and have weird hand movement dances) this week? Seeing him live at the Indig02 on Monday was enough, so the fact that he kind of has a verse in this too is rather unfortunate.

But back to Jennifer, I've got nothing but praise - loving the sultry look; red-lips and messy hair, the 'just got caught in the act look'. Ah man, I wanna look like J-Lo when I'm 40! Actually, having even a slight resemblance to her now wouldn't hurt at all.

AND, and this is probably the main reason whilst I'll be blaring this from my bedroom window - she's not messing about but telling the man exactly how to do it, 'now here's what I want, understand me when I say; make-it-last' . Alleluia!

Thank you J-Lo for this tune, thank you for your fine-ass look, both truly inspirational!

(was that a bit too much love on my part? What???)

Free Shizzle

2009-11-20T22:20:00.003Z

Hey! Remember when I told you about Griminal? And I just gave you one song to listen to but not keep? Well now you can have 12 Griminal songs to listen to....and keep forever and ever and ever and ever...free of charge.

Griminal and College friends - Just College

Download here
NOW NOW NOW

Griminal and his friends (Barney and Shripoz) are really good MC's...and you know Nee Nee wouldn't lie to you!

Download NOW NOW NOW...!

Ny - Sea Sick

2009-11-20T20:19:00.002Z

HIYA! I'm back (well I didn't really leave) and I have come bearing gifts!

Ny - Sea Sick

I would not blog this video if I didn't think it was super good!

Davinche on the buttons (1 of my favourite UK producers)

I actually love when Davinche teams up with an artist....he always knows what he's doing...if you noticed he only teams up with super talented people...I SWEAR DOWN!

Anyway tell me how you feel about it???!!!

Also I think Ny is doing a lot for the ladies in the UK scene...*Kriss Kross voice* Belee Dat!

Dem Ones

2009-11-20T15:26:00.000Z

You know dem ones when it's just one of dem days...?

*sighs*

Yeah...dem ones.

N-Dubz feat Mr. Hudson 'Playing With Fire'

2009-11-20T14:34:00.005Z

Ok, so I'm not sure how I feel about this; the tune is very catchy and as every day goes by (well this week anyways) my crush on Dappy grows a teeny weeny bit more (I think I need a boyfriend!) but Mr. Hudson always makes me feel a little uncomfortable! I don't know why but even bopping about with the Dubz, he looks a little odd, like he shouldn't really be there so I'm not too sure that this works...what do you think??

BRAND NEW VIDEO: Wiley 'Take That'

2009-11-20T13:01:00.004Z

ABSOLUTELY WICKED!! This video is going to be really important in the Grime/urban music scene - no-one has ever really just made a video that compliments the music. Think back, few videos do not have a storyline to them or don't basically act out what the artist is saying, and thank goodness, we've got a Grime video WITHOUT silly big booty-d gals shaking their bumps or mandem looking thugged out! The video for 'Take That' is mature with a sexy twist whilst being just as freaking nuts as the tune - Perfect! I love it! Big up Wiley on this one, and I'm also glad to hear a British Mc actually utilising and working out how to rhyme words found in the dictionary such as 'furthermore' than slang all day every day.

NATALIE MAY - SEXY SEXY

2009-11-19T13:01:00.016Z

Funky house is supposed to be a sexy affair happening in places where fly chicas with 3 Degrees come to show off what they learnt in their belly dancing and salsa lessons. And where the reformed 'Man dem' pose off at strategic places lookin sharp, spittin game to the said females.

It's not like that at all though. It's like war and it's not sexy. The chicks don't dance they 'Stomp' and all the 'Gym boys' just wanna out sweat each other. It's not Funky it's Fuckries....

Who can save us from this madness?

She can!

Enter Natalie "Sexy Sexy" May. She's the triple threat. She sings, writes and dances.....very well. She's one of my Fly Females of Funky. Other members include Princess Nyah, Egypt and Meleka...to name a few. Her new track Sexy Sexy(Put your fingers all up on me) has been bringing the funk back to the clubs for a little while now and is due for general release in January.

It's a BIG tune and if she let me, I would blatantly put my fingers all up on her, and her dancers, and her backup dancer......and her manager. They're like a gang of brown Barbies on a mission to 'keep it sexy'. I endorse this.

Check out the fressssh new video and have a listen to what happened when she joined me in the studio a few weeks back...

Natalie and I choppin it up in the studio at BANG Radio

Till next time Blockski's....

Pie-Ce

Blaze

Thursday Throwback - THE BACKSTREET BOYS!!

2009-11-19T12:15:00.005Z

If you live in the UK, you'd know that there's been a bit of hysteria gathering from the pre-pubescent crew when it comes to JLS. I've witnessed it at first hand, having to deal with 20 young girls waiting outside BANG Radio HQ and getting quite violently upset when I admitted to them that JLS weren't coming to the station, they'd done a pre-record. Their answer was quite terrifying; 'but they did Capital Breakfast this morning and were at MTV all last night so no way could they have fitted in a pre-record, you're lying to us!' My thoughts were 'Er ok, if you know their promo schedule inside out, firstly, you're weird and have way too much time on your hands! Secondly, wait in the cold, I'm not bothered.' But I kind of felt bad, so I tried to explain to them again, and they just would not understand, they were going to stay until Aston (the little one right?) and the crew showed up - HARDCORE!

This got me thinking though, I shouldn't really be that cruel or laugh at their expense (I did at the time when returning to the office) as it wasn't that long ago when I had a similar obsession. Yes, cue not only Thursday Throwback but Admittance-of-hysterical-boyband-love story; I adored the Backstreet Boys! I've seen them live about 8 times, been to signings, own copies of the International versions of all their LPs (yes, 'I'll Never Break Your Heart' in SPANISH!!) and on discovering that they stayed at a hotel down the road from me, I camped out there too for a weekend! Oh the shame, actually admitting this! But why not, I was a kid, they were talented (aaah, their harmonies!) and yeah, they liked to perform synchronised dance moves with no tops on - loved it!

So in ode to the BSB, let's revisit some of the classics......

Quit Playing Games With My Heart - One of my favourites, taking you way back to '96!

Backstreet Boys - Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) (Official Music Video) - More bloopers are a click away

The first single I ever bought! 'Everybody'...You know the moves!

Backstreet Boys - Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (Official Music Video) - The most popular videos are here

'Tell Me Whyyyyyy' - I Want It That Way

Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way (Official Music Video) - Watch today’s top amazing videos here

I was also gutted I didn't get to see them play at the beginning of this month on their UK arena tour but shhhh, don't tell anyone!

THE DROPS

2009-11-19T01:20:00.009Z

Yesterday I fell the FUCK over.

I was heading up the stairs to the library and It came out of nowhere. Actually, I'm lying. I was trying some flash "dip under the bannister" shit when a simple "one 2 step" would've done the job.

It wasn't pretty. I lost balance mid crouch and in a split second I was laid out on the stairs like a drunk tramp. I felt like Sonic when he gets stabbed by a spike. My cool points went everywhere.....Bling! bling! Bl -bl-bl-bl-bliiiiiing!

My swagger was in tatters. Everybody laughed and nobody helped. I can only deduce from this that the library is a place where humanity HAS no place. So FUCK the library. From now on, I'm working at home.

People doing silly shit. Then falling over.

Parkour fool

Singing atop table fool

R2-D2 fool

So beware of "The Drops" blockski's, they can strike at any time....

Til then,

Pie-Ce

Blaze

THURSDAY THROWBACK: THE REAL MCKOY

2009-11-19T00:01:00.005Z

After "Brain Training" at Saturday school my sister and I would sit down with our happy meals and get our little minds warped by the comedic madness that was "The Real McKoy".

Enjoy...

Till next time Blockski's

Pie-Ce

Blaze

Nandos fiends...

2009-11-18T16:16:00.000Z

DID YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT THIS? If you did...why didn't you tell me? If you didn't - now you Nandos addicts can taste the Peri-Peri flavours pon the roadside anytime. I'm not one for giving corporate institutions free promotion, but the love of Nandos is shared so far and wide between our society's chicken eaters that I just had to!

They actually taste pretty good, too! Not amazing; they can't top a packet of Doritos Heatwaves or a packet of Kettle Crisps, but they're delicious in their own right, giving you a hint of peri flavour if you don't want a whole meal or if you can't afford the rising Nandos prices (remember when a 1/4 chicken with 2 sides was under a fiver? Yeah...inflation is a biatch). It also comes in peri-peri chicken, but I went for BBQ as obviously, BBQ flavoured peri-peri is a flavour that isn't even offered in the restaurants!

Anyway...go forth and seek out then pig out on Nandos flavoured crisps (potato chips).

STYLE: INDIVIDUALISM

2009-11-18T15:50:00.007Z

As the only man on The Block, it's my duty to keep our male readers updated with all things fresh and fashionable.

The 'Brothers Christian' aka The Individuals' are two men committed to preaching the gospel of dapper desires to the unstylish chaps amongst us. Their website www.individualism.co.uk is the culmination of years spent observing and obsessing over what defines Style. Mens style in particular.

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Thats real "Precious" - a review

2009-11-18T07:41:00.013Z

"PRECIOUS"

POWERFUL. WELL ACTED. GRAPHIC IMAGES

In a nutshell that is "Precious". I honestly haven't read the book, "Push". It is written as if Precious herself had written each page. Precious is illiterate. I just couldn't get through the intentional spelling and grammar mistakes. I'll get back to it one day.

"Precious" as a movie was less dramatic then I thought it would be actually, but more dramatic then some audiences played it off to be. It tells the story of a young teen who is sexually abused by her father, faces verbal and physical abuse by her mother, dark skinned, and overweight. This is how she's described. To escape the pain she faces she daydreams in the tough moments. She fantasizes about being a white woman with long hair and a Latino boyfriend. She has to learn to find her support from people who are not her parents or her mean peers.

Precious lives a horrible life. How can parents be so selfish and cruel? After I saw the film I spent minutes thinking about how great my mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncles had been in my life. School can be hard for any kid, but home should be a sanctuary. Maybe you can relate to Precious on small levels. While Precious is obese it's safe to assume that she hears teasing that other heavy set kids hear.

No one comments on her skin color. That would be great if the movie itself didn't comment on skin color. Without saying too much I can say that everyone who is most loving towards her is light skinned. Several are even played by biracial actors. Light skin compared to dark skin is an issue for different ethnicities and nationalities. Speaking for America it is definitely and issue. Proof? Name 3 popular dark skinned Black American female singers. Name one. Then consider those magazines that airbrush "black" noses and lighten complexions. No wonder Precious wanted to be white. Still, why did her "heroes" have to be light skin or have white ethnic backgrounds? Before the film was released my mother said it was very unlikely for a teacher to be that complexion with that hair as a teacher in Harlem in the 1980's. The teacher is played by Paula Patton. Does light still equal pure and innocent? Even her oldest child (she has one child and is pregnant with another) is a light skinned girl not reflecting Precious or her father/who is also her grandfather.. (see ..sad film).

Another issue with "Precious" is the lasting message. It gives the audience this sense of "well my life could always be worse..I could be like Precious". I find that weird. Precious is less like a human with this view and more of a statue of "what's the worst that could happen". She's like a myth. Incest,illiteracy,obesity, several types of abuse, living in poverty, with a daughter that has down syndrome and another child on the way. What?! Is this real? Is she real? Yes, these are real issues. Must one character face them all at once? The crazy thing is I left a few things out. It gets WORSE.

Back to my first paragraph. When I said it was less dramatic then I thought I meant that I thought I wouldn't be able to sit through it without my hands tearing at my heart trying to give it to this girl. I didn't cry all throughout the film, but I did cry. I thought it'd be a lot harder to take. There was humor. Her classmates are comic relief. Her fantasies interrupt horrid scenes and introduce vivid color and comedy. The film itself is cinematically pleasing. It's gritty. It's 80's. It's authentic. Maybe it's just too real overall? That has to be why some people laughed as Precious fought her mother played by comedian Mo'Nique in a tour-de-force role that's sure to turn into Academy Award gold...at least Golden Globe. People laughed at inappropriate moments a few times. Sometimes it was a funny scene, but it followed a hard scene and I thought people would still be too into the sadness to laugh, but nope. It's amazing how we flinch when we see Mo'Nique's character throw something at her daughter, but laugh when Precious hits a classmate. Society now is almost so immune to certain acts of violence that without lots of context completely saturated in a dramatic scene we laugh if someone is violently shoved if they "fall funny". Perhaps some people are so used to the abuse they witnessed or went through they laughed as they have learned to do to deal with their own pain. Who knows?

You don't walk out of "Precious" laughing. You don't walk out feeling motivated or inspired unless you're an artist hoping to give or provide similarly amazing performances. The movie spends so much time illustrating what is wrong with Precious and not enough time showcasing her development of skills needed for her future. If you've seen the film then maybe you can tell me if there was any real closure. "The Color Purple" was harsh, but in the end not only was Celie free, but she also gained money and had a fun little affair with Shug Avery. Ok, ignore the last part. In the end "Precious" is worth the price of admission. How can we expect a perfect movie from an imperfect tale? Some won't see this film and turn "precious" into a derogatory term. Don't be that guy. Be the person who does learn to appreciate your life a little more, and make life a little easier for the next Precious. Precious girls needs happy endings.