Lost Gem of the Week

I Love this tune and I recently rediscovered it whilst listening to the man Ras Kwame. So enjoy it like I have. This song really took me back. Its really appropriate for right now, the sun is shining the weather is sweet as Bob Marley would say, so without further ado, let's get into some Finley Quaye.

BRL.. 90s Hip-Hop par deux...

I've decided to keep each post short and sweet but two tracks really can't illustrate the magic of 90s Hip Hop. So I'm giving you more!

A Tribe Called Quest

Need I really say much more other than ATCQ! Thought not, but anyways it was so difficult to chose just one track from their selection, but I did so with much difficulty. 'Check the Rhime' is so funky, and a perfect illustration of Q- Tip and Phife Dawg's rhyming finesse paired with Ali's incredible beat-making abilities. And just to top it all off.. the beat was sampled in another favourite song of mine...... 90s RnB classic 'Candy Rain' by Soul 4 Real! So check the Rhime y'all x


Ahmad

Ahmad's classic song is the perfect anthem for reminiscing on old times. "Back in the day" embodies the feeling of wanting to revisit the past.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth

This power duo have produced so many true classics. Yet T.R.O.Y will always be the standout track for me, when they reminisce over you my gaarsh!

Skeel lo

Skeel lo's smash is the ultimate 'loser anthem.' Despite the self-pitying lyrics the song is a typical upbeat 90s summerjam and is a great listen, no matter what mood you find yourself in.

Beats, Rhymes and Life... 90's Hip-Hop

Relaxing and reminiscing to the smooth beats and funky flows of 90's emcees, is the paradox of joy and pain. Delight,elation, glee. All these things. Hip-Hop equals pure, original flair and flavour. Sadness and despair. I was listening to Hip-Hop as it was and will never be again.

Hip-Hop as a genre has long forgotten its original, rebellious roots. It's music was powerful and emotive. It's social commentary gave a voice to a generation who needed to be heard. The voice was versatile, it could be raw but then fresh and funky in the next breath. Today, it has even kissed its refreshing, rhythmical beats goodnight. Instead it has welcomed basic, mundane, bass-driven beats that ride under sloppy southern drawl. Lucrative endorsement deals, jewellery and greed- the most deadly of all- is choking the message out of Hip-Hop.

If you think that this is just another 'Hip-Hop is dead' rant, you are mistaken. Hip-Hop is still breathing. There are still artists bringing truth to the mainstream. You just have to search harder to find them amongst the conveyor belt of sound-a-like 'MCs' churned out by the manufacturing line.

This post is an appreciation for the heyday of Hip-Hop creativity. Check out some of my personal 90s highlights to see what I mean.


Common - I Used to love H.E.R






Souls of Mischief - From 93' till infinity

Introducing...Beats, Rhymes and Life

Okay so I am a self-proclaimed Soul sista, but recently as I have been reflecting on my own circumstances and planning for the future, I have found myself making the crossover to Hip-Hop. Lately, it seems as if Hip-Hop is my life's new soundtrack. My mind is far too consumed with erratic thoughts to produce just the one entry, so keep on the look-out because there will be a whole host of posts (no rhyme intended.. don't worry I'll save that to the pros) in the weeks to come x

Hot Track Attack

Okay so I might make this a regular feature, these are some of the tracks that I'm feeling this week. Some are new and others are old. I hope you enjoy them like I do x

Erykah Badu- 'Window Seat'

Mama Badu is back folks! She has dropped this teaser from her new album 'New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh' and I admit that I am all over this track like butter on toast!! I love me some Badu at the best of times but this smooth, soulful groove is a winner. This song is so beautiful, it's a perfect Spring/Summer jam. I will be blasting this even in this cold February month to musically transport me to a sexy, warm place.

• Rihanna- 'Rude boy'
  

One word for this track- BANGER! I am not typically the biggest fan of the Bajan superstar's music, but this song right here is hot pon fire! Rihanna has gone back to her Caribbean roots and the outcome is this sexy summer jam. It is a perfect dancing tune, as showcased in the vid by the foxy lady herself. This track will certainly be heating up the carnivals later on this year. The video is cool, it is colourful and artistic and provides a perfect funky backdrop for this monster hit in the making.

• José James- 'Park Bench People'
  I am sorry to announce that before this week I was unfamiliar with this phenomenal musician's work. But, when I finally did get clued up, I was blown away by his material. This cut in particular was an absolute stand out. The Brooklyn based singer delivers street poetry at its best.
  
  
• Flying Lotus- 'Fall in Love'

A stunning, laidback groove and a perfect tribute to one of the world's best producers- the late great James 'J Dilla' Yancey. Flying Lotus has done Dilla proud and I am constantly pumping this track in tribute to the man. I just love this one!

White singers, black industry

Is the black music industry so cutthroat that two of the most premier white R&B singers have to subject themselves to a piano battle, in order to oust the other one from prime position? Is it really that impossible to have two respected white R&B singers in the game at the same time?

These are some of the questions that have sprung to mind after finding news that the late 90's R&B counterpart Robin Thicke to piano themed battle. The ridiculous, not-so-ultimate test of masculinity is a concept which was conceived by B during an interview in which he was quizzed about his feeling on up and coming artists.

We can take the angle that this whole stupid scenario is borne out of Jon B's insecurities. B obviously feels that his legacy as the original soulful white guy is being threatened by Robin Thicke. However, Thicke himself has reacted in a similar way with his early comparisons with Justin Timberlake.

Thicke appeared on DJ Ronnie Herel's BBC 1xtra radio show a few years ago, around the time that he was becoming well-known for his single "Lost without you." Herel attempted to compliment him by suggesting that his type of soul and subsequent success was similar to the likes of Justin Timberlake. This implication was not taken well. Thicke viciously shrugged off the comparison whilst slating the authenticity of Timberlake's style of 'soulful' music in the same breath.

It is understandable that every person needs to be respected as an individual. It is true that the industry spends far too long trying to typecast and define an artist's particular sound. So it's really no wonder why every minority singer in the recording business has to fend off comparisons to the next artist who has a similar profile to them.

The has been best illustrated by just about every white hip-hop artist who has followed into the game after Eminem.

But, do artists really need to bring down their peers in order to break free from typecasting?
Why is it that two talented acclaimed artists feel the need to prove themselves to be better than the next white R&B singer?

Jon B is a classic artist, full stop. His records, "They Don't know", "Cool Relax" and "Lately" have earned him a legion of loyal fans who look back to his glory days in adoration. Robin Thicke is equally as talented. His songs such as "Lost without you", "Magic" and "Sex Therapy" have earned him commercial and critical success.

Both artists have been embraced wholeheartedly by the black music industry. Jon B worked with Tupac on the 90's classic "Are you still down" whilst; Robin Thicke has worked with respected artists such as Jay-Z and Mary J Blige. They were embraced not because they were token white singers but because their talent has transcended all boundaries, including race.

Jon B should have never decided to wage war with Robin Thicke. He should have let his musical credentials speak for themselves rather than challenge a man who is currently more commercially successful than he is. In the end he has made himself look like an artist who is struggling desperately to stay relevant. What he failed to see is that in criticising an artist who is at the top of his game, he may be speeding up his own departure from public consciousness.

Pink shines at the Grammy's

I have always loved Pink, but this talented and underrated songstress really outdid herself at this year's Grammy awards.

Her performance of 'All that Glitters' was beautiful beyond words.

The artistry, creativity and flair that Pink demonstrated is a rarity in the industry today. She has put her counterparts to shame. Her performance was stunningly elegant and poised. The simplicity of the lyrics and vocal arrangements teamed with the beautiful performance art that Pink and her team created made for a historic Grammy performance.

Pink, the rebel with a cause singer has proved her point. She is a true artist of a different calibre to those who mime and use gimmicks to be at top of the charts. Her vocals were flawless even when she was flying high above the crowd.

At the end of the piece, Pink was given the standing ovation that she deserved. I am so pleased to know that so many other people share my sentiments.