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Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

AZEALIA BANKS - "BROKE WITH EXPENSIVE TASTE"

Labelling her debut album as "the best album ever", Azealia Banks set herself a high bar. Following the 1991 EP and Fantasea mixtape, the long-anticipated Broke With Expensive Taste has finally dropped in a surprise "Beyonce"-style fashion. The question is: was it worth the wait?

With a tracklist of 16 (6 of which have been previously released) Ms Banks shows versatility and growth since we last heard Fantasea. With solid production on every track, and a mixture of singing and rapping that doesn't feel forced, Azealia was right to say the album was something special. The tracks flow cohesively, featuring Azealia's usual 'alternative' take on the current music scene, with Garage influenced beats on Desperado, house on Soda and more heavy hitting Hip Hop on Ice Princess.

Critical success was bound to happen, as long as Azealia kept doing whatever made 212 and Van Vogue so instantly memorable, here's to hoping she also scores the commercial success!

Highlights: Wallace, Soda, Desparado and JFK.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IGGY: A question of authenticity.

There's no doubting Australian bombshell Iggy Azalea's impact on the current pop landscape; with the colossal success of 'Fancy' and a feature on the smash 'Problem', Iggy has been everywhere this summer. However, like many of her contemporaries Iggy's success does not come without backlash or criticism but, unlike many others it is not an issue of talent or musicality, its one of authenticity.

Since Iggy began posting self edited videos of her rapping over beats onto YouTube, her thick southern accent has been highlighted, whereas in interviews her accent is still very Australian. Many have compared her to British artist M.I.A who raps in the same way that she speaks. As a white girl from a non-US country this was obviously going to be a problem. It is more than likely that she is putting the voice on and playing a character, but what she is doing is entertaining so I don't see the problem. The main issue in Iggy's game plan lies elsewhere.

Artist often reference other artist and different forms of media to create what they want to show the world. This may be where the issue of authenticity arises with Ms Azalea. Everyone of her music videos is a reference to a classic film or TV programme, her mixtape art was based on a boxing poster / art featuring Basquiat and Warhol, her whole persona when rapping could be compared to other southern rappers, so the whole question becomes who is Iggy Azalea and where does all the 'bad bitch' attitude come from? And this does nothing to prevent claims that she doesn't write her own material.

The criticisms of Iggy will stop when the person we get from her music meets the person we see in interviews. Hopefully we will see a median between the two polar opposites, or they become one, like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Artist cannot rely on mere fantasy or creation, even Lady Gaga lets the world she who she is beyond her performance persona.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: Nicki Minaj - "No Flex Zone Remix"

Nicki Minaj has dropped her remix to "No Flex Zone", showcasing her versatility, flow and word play once again. Sure to cause people to question who she's directing certain bars towards (it really doesn't matter, it can't detract from the fact Nicki is one of the best rappers out there). This is great for a surprise release but Nicki needs to bring something totally different for her third album. "Pills N Potions" was a move in the right direction, but something more impactful and memorable needs to be delivered.

"Ass still fat its on Rick Ross".

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC VIDEO: Ariana Grande ft Iggy Azalea - Problem

Very quick post, if you haven't already (why not?) check out this amazing 60's inspired video for Ariana Grande's latest single. It's a killer visual, awkward sexy dance and all.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: NICKI MINAJ - "PILLS N POTIONS"

It's here, Nicki Minaj's first single from The Pinkprint. "Pills N Potions" is an unexpected turn from what we've heard from Nicki so far this year. However, it shows a more vulnerable side of Nicki which has been missing from her recent efforts. The beat and chorus are summer ready and the verses focus less on wit or metaphors but story-telling, to an extent. Another verse or two would of made this a more solid effort.

On initial hearing it sounds like a grower, still not sure if this is what Nicki needs to score a number one on the Billboard Hot 100, but time shall tell.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: BANKS - "GODDESS"

This song has been out for 18 days so it's not that new, but I had to write about it! "GODDESS", the title track from BANKS debut album is incredible. The lyrics and delivery evoke so many emotions, even to someone who hasn't been in a relationship like the one she paints a picture off. It falls in line with one of Beyonce's female empowerment anthems, but does so in a much more subtle way; it doesn't make you want to dance around and laugh about all the people who missed out on you, it makes you want to walk past your unappreciative ex-partner and let them bask in your presence.

She's a GODDESS you never got this.

Peace and Blessings,
Andre

MUSIC: LIL WAYNE - "D'USSE"

Every time Lil Wayne gives us a glimpse of the same greatness he demonstrated on 'A Milli' everyone gets excited. His new track "D'Usse" shows a large fraction of that greatness. With the release of this track faith has been restored in Tha Carter V. Every line is a punchline, and its packed with metaphors and a great flow. Lil Wayne returns to the form of previous incarnations, proving he never 'fell off'.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

RETROSPECT: Lady Gaga - "G.U.Y"

As a whole Lady Gaga's ARTPOP was tinged with the correct hints of pop, R&B and dance to bring the singer to the heights of critical and commercial success her 2009 EP The Fame Monster reached. But, the same commercial success was obviously not going to happen: a lackluster, slow-burner promotional campaign and one music video (out of the two produced from the album) before release didn't create enough buzz around the project.
So after month's of being out, Gaga and her team tried to regain some sort of hype by releasing G.U.Y as a single and releasing a video for it.

As an album track G.U.Y fulfils all the needs of the listener; the production is solid, the chorus and hook are catchy and the lyrics have Gaga's quirk (I particularly love the bridge's overtly sexual lyrics). As a single, the song is projected in a whole new light. I always like to withhold my thoughts on a song until it comes on the radio, but I never heard G.U.Y once playing on any station, which is disappointing. However, with such a visually stunning video, acting like the angel to Bad Romance's demon. The bright cinematography captures the essence of the song perfectly, it's light, bold and sexy. Also, the choreography is so damn good, personifying just how raunchy the song is. But charting at No.76 doesn't cut it for a Gaga song, G.U.Y should have been release much earlier to build on the hype/mess that was generated with the teasing of Venus and the release of Do What U Want (probably one of the most underrated songs of the year, it's just so perfect).

Still waiting for the "Do What U Want" video... And maybe ARTPOP ACT II

Peace and Blessings,
Andre

PROSPECT: Nicki Minaj: The PinkPrint

Toned down looks, fiery verses, a film that topped the box office. Are we looking at a quiet storm or the build up of a massive media frenzy?
Nicki Minaj has been gaining an insane amount of hype for her third album, The PinkPrint, among fans and critics alike. But she's been downplaying the whole thing: no release date and, few words about features and producers. How much do we know about this album?
Nicki says she's back to where she was when recording her first album, where she was "killing everything", and there's been a lot of talk of her returning to her Hip Hop roots (i.e. Playtime is Over mixtape Nicki).
However, is Nicki still a commercial force to be reckoned with without the crazy outfits and Barbie persona. Personally, I think she is. What we've seen on her releases and guest verses is the same intriguing, animated flow that renders every line memorable. To me, Nicki is the female Busta Rhymes (when he was in his prime), comical, smart and packed full of cartoonish fun. A return to the form of her mixtape beginnings would result in meaner, grittier songs similar to some of her recent work, such as her verse on "Senile" or on Meek Mills tracks. But it also means a crazier, hyper Nicki we see on tracks such as Wale's "Clappers". Yet, the Nicki that will be paramount to the albums success will be the softer, more vulnerable Nicki we see on some of her efforts on Pink Friday (i.e. "Here I am", "Catch me" and "Save me").

Nicki Minaj is such a talented rapper, with a bevy of 'persona's' at hand, each with a specific target audience. If The PinkPrint can strike the balance Roman Reloaded narrowly missed, we may see an album that cements Nicki's place in the Hip Hop hierarchy. Although, 'sassy' pop songs like "Va Va Voom" will be missed.

Mixtape must listens: "I Get Crazy", "Autobiography", "Higher than a Kite", "Keys Under Palm Trees", "Go Hard" and "Itty Bitty Piggy".
Peace and Blessings,
Andre

MUSIC: Lil Wayne ft Drake - "Believe Me"

I should be doing work right now, but it seems YMCMB are trying to disrupt my day.
Lil Wayne released the first single of his 'kind-of' anticipated The Carter V (The Carter IV sold well but did anyone really like it as much as the third in the collection?). As exepcedt the track "Believe Me" features Drake, which is a good move since Drake is pulling in all this media attention whilst Lil Wayne is surprisingly low-key.

I think everyone will agree when I say that Lil Wayne's lyrical ability far surpasses that of his Young Money mentor Birdman. In continuing fashion, this track shows how Drake has now overstepped the marker Lil Wayne set. The song should really be Drake featuring Lil Wayne. All in all, both deliver solid verses, but nothing that's going change the game. By the sounds of it The Carter V is gonna be an album we've already heard before, with no groundbreaking changes. But I'll withhold my judgement until its out.

Peace and Blessings,

Andre

MUSIC: Nicki Minaj ft. Soulja Boy - "YASSS BISH!!"

Today I woke up with the plan of going to the library and revising. Then I checked Twitter to see nothing but Barbz on my timeline.

"YASSS BISH!" is lyrically everything. Nicki's delivery and flow are something else. The beat and Soulja Boy's contribution are alright, but overshadowed by Nicki's power on this track. There's no warning, no subtlety, it's just straight lyricism. A lot of Hip Hop fans say NIcki's lyricism isn't smart enough to be given as much credit as it gets, but they should listen to this song. It's comical and relevant in every sense of pop culture, addressing things such as the Donald Sterling issue and nodding to the Real Housewives of Atlanta. This song solidifies Nicki's position in rap, she's at the top; she can drop a track, just spitting, and people freak out.
Sitting and waiting to be slayed when The Pinkprint drops.

"Fix it Jesus".

Peace and Blessings,
Andre

FIRST POST

Hey, the name's Andre. I am currently preparing for my first undergraduate level exams in Anthropology and Law at LSE. Hopefully, I'll pay a lot more attention to this blog during Summer, after the exams.
This blog will be dedicated to men's fashion, music and film reviews, comic books and other cultural things that interest me.
To give some context to the things that this blog will probably cover I'll tell you my a few of the best things I've seen and heard in the past week.

Like everyone else, I am absolutely loving Ariana Grande's "Problem" featuring Iggy Azalea and a cameo from Big Sean. This is the perfect track for Ariana, it shows the restraint in her voice and also how far she can take her vocals at the right moments. It's one of those cross-genre hits that will be playing on every station. It's also a good look for Iggy, the rap's OK as usual but after "Fancy" taking off and her debut album doing well she doesn't have to worry about her 'integrity' as a rapper. However, I do miss the fun and smart Iggy seen in her mixtape Ignorant Art; the subtle metaphors and her flow were the only way she was able to compete with a now off the radar Azealia Banks.
Another recent discovery was photographer Darren Black's editorial in the upcoming Type/Face magazine, with model Brent Black. Appropriately named, 'All Black Everything' is one of the best editorials I have seen ever. Its so simple, BDSM inspired clothing, tasteful hints of nudity and it's in black and white which makes it all the more easier to view it as a classic.

Since I'm busy working hard, I'm going to set myself the small challenge of posting one thing per week and since I'm not going to be on top of everything happening it will probably be a review or comment on something that has happened in the last 4 months.

Peace and Blessings,
Andre

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