VIDEO OF THE WEEK: GNARLS BARKLEY



Just when you thought they couldn't top their past video credentials. Here is another brave effort from the dynamic duo, the new single is the energetic yet complex 'Going On', the second single to be lifted from their sophomore album, The Odd Couple.

Directed by Wendy Morgan, the inspiration came from a Nigerian photographer who had previously mixed African tribal style with working class British skinhead punk style in his photo shoot. The end product is very striking and definitely a contender for future awards.

HOT ALBUMS: JUNE 2008





This is what we're listening to at the moment. It's a all male affair.

BADGE OF HONOUR: JOHN TERRY



We love nothing more than a triumph after a storm and today it goes to England captain John Terry after his emphatic goal for England against the United States in last night's friendly.

What a difference a week makes. BRAVO!

And to Metro after last week's headline: 'WHY DOES IT RAIN ON ME'....you can put that in your pipe and smoke it.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON SINGS ..... HER CAREER AWAY



Why I'm I the last person on earth to know about Scarlett Johansson's singing career? I'm so out of the loop that the release of her debut album 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' completely skipped my radar.

How can one of the main competitors as the love of my life make such a bold and if I may add DRASTIC move and I didn't know?



I need a moment.......................'Anywhere I Lay My Head' has been panned by my fellow bloggers "The album is the equivalent of a fart wafting in and out of the room," but like any classic denial, I will see for myself. I must give Ms. Thang her kudos, she hit back at the hostile blogging community with: "I don't know how people find the time to spend doing them. And why is it that people are so mean on the Internet? They're angry, really angry. They write things in language that I would never, could never, use: all that hatred and spite. Why is that?"
Yeah.....why is that Scarlett, speaking like a true genius. I'm going to carry my butt to HMV quick time after that comment.

PRIDE TO ALL BLACK WOMEN



Truly yours from the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival.

Isn't Kerry Washington beautiful??????????

MARIAH'S OATH: BYE-BYE-BYE-BYE-BYE-BYE



Just in case you were not tired of the new courtship between E=MC2 and what's-his-face...here are recent pictures as they arrive from their "honeymoon".

2 weeks down......6 and a half months to go.

TEAM ROGER



We must win! We must win! We must win! We must win!

As Roland Garros opens its dirty red clay courts to our favourite tennis stars this week, we are only interested in one thing - Roger Fereder must win the only title that continues to elude him.

This is the year of the underdog and please don't get me wrong I'm not for a second implying that Roger is or can ever be an underdog in any tournament but the last few years have seen arch-rival Nadal dominate the clay season(s).

Despite a slow start to the year, we are confident that our Roger is just getting warmed up - get ready!

CANNES - THE NEW BET AWARDS????

Just a quick trivia.....can someone tell me when did the Cannes Film Festival become the new black hang-out?

All the pictures I've seen this week are images of rappers, sport athletes making an appearance on the red carpet. Where are the film makers? Where is Terence Howard? Where is Chiwatel Ejionfor? Where is Forest Whitaker?

They actually deserve to be there, ehhhhhhhh Diddy on a yacht?????????????????!

BADGE OF HONOUR: NATTY

At Renaissance Man, we are really feeling COLDTOWN by newcomer NATTY.

If this is your first time hearing about this brave talent, he's 24-year-old currently based in London UK. He's the son of an African mother and Italian-English father. He has been described as a "reggae-lite, soul-tinged singer-songwriter". His musical roots are still unclear but we already feel his consciousness through his breakout single ColdTown which was released earlier in the month.

I just think it's refreshing to see an artist of his genre get positive support from a major record label. Times are indeed changing.

BEYONCE: BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE

When B-Day dropped sometime in 2006, I was slightly disappointed because I felt Ms Jay-Z wasn't pushing the boundaries or herself far enough musically. The same format was written all over the tracks which strangely were all recorded in less than 2 weeks.

I must confess I did tune off her music until yesterday when I heard a song tilted "Beautiful Nightmare" as of press time, I do not know if this is from an upcoming album or movie soundtrack or whom produced it, I just think this is the kind of music the superstar should be aspiring to. This is crisp, fresh and increadibly catchy.

There isn't a video for the song but thank Goodness for the millions of creative people on YouTube - here is a slightly-low budget promotional video.

Enjot the song.

WHO VOTED?




To all David Archuleta fans, you let the team down BIG time!. How could you let David Cook win this year's American Idol? What time was the show on anyway, was it passed curfew? Cause we know Archuleta has a lot of under-14 fans being 17 and all.

We are not pleased with the results! The best man certainly did not win.

WELCOME BACK, WELCOME BACK, WELCOME BACK: COLDPLAY

It truly is going to be a great summer of music. So many releases to look forward to and of course, top of our list is the much-anticipated 4th album from our princes Coldplay, due out on June 17th, titled Viva la Vida.

Singer Chris Martin chose it after seeing the phrase, which means “long live life,” on a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, who endured polio, a broken spine, and chronic pain for decades.

We think................DEEP! Then again, this is Chris Martin people.

We love this single though.

BE INSPIRED: WITH JORDAN

WE THINK................................



We shall let you decide!

TIRED: NOVELLO AWARDS



Showing up late to an Award show again......................................

You don't make it easy for us to defend you.

USH-USHER AT THE O2 INDIGO TONIGHT


At Renaissance man, we like Usher - you know we like the fact that he's back making love in the club and all the wonderful stuff but to be honest, we are not impressed with a recent development.

We just got off the phone with Ticketmaster as we try to haggle tickets for tonight's preview show (part of the promotional tour for the "Here I Stand") album and we almost burst out laughing when told; a ticket goes @ £50 per pop.

I mean come on, we've seen a lot of good acts within the last 12 months including Prince and I don't remember him charging as much as Mr. Tameka.

I said it a long time ago: We blame Tameka for everything. Even Jay-Z and Mary's collabo-tour in the states, don't cost this much.

OBAMA: POSTER FAMILY



With victory in sight, if Barack Obama becomes President - we can finally have the first "good-looking" family to enter the White House as oppose to having a family that becomes good-looking after a few months of crayon-people painting their faces on the Oval Office tab.



Does anyone remember Chelsea Clinton in her teens? Let's not go there.............

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE DRAMA



I still can't believe R.Kelly is still denying the underage sex tape charges against him. Is this guy fucking insane......is the world blind? Why are we still having hearings about this issue? Is the judge on Prozac? Why are we wasting tax payers money on this shit?

That is him in that video not a wannabe-thug, you you you you. It is the Pipe Piper, The "what-is-R&B-without-the-'R'", "Kells". Try something else Sam Adam Jr - your client is a joke!

MUST-HAVE: TOM FORD




Certainly I know these campaigns will hold your attention but seriously, no bullshit! This is the fragrance for the summer. I got me a bottle.

You have no excuse but to smell like the DON, there's no point in looking like an Aston Martin but smelling like a Vauxhall Astra.

BADGE OF HONOUR: THE BOYS IN BLUE




A friend said to me yesterday "All is fair in war and football, mate" after I lamented after the Chelsea defeat at the hands of Manchester United for the second time in less than a month.

I'm not your average football enthusiast but I found myself utterly enthralled in last night's drama (Drogba sent off, Ronaldo & Terry's missed penalties, Perev - the nut job!) which sadly had to go to Penalties to decide it's winner. From my little knowledge of football, the boys in blue thoroughly deceived this as they played far superior to their opposition especially in the 2nd half. But I guess, I have to take on-board those wise words of K.

My heart goes out to Terry. Many more will come. You are champions in our eyes!

WE LIKE...THE TING TINGS

OKKKKK....I'm not saying let's all go and buy their album or anything but I just find this single very exciting. I think the solo and riff on the record is impeccable.

That's Not My Name is the 2nd single to be released from the Ting Ting's forthcoming debut album We Started Nothing.

I have been hearing this for weeks but paid it little attention but I guess like every good thing....it will eventually catch up with you.

Enjoy!

ADVERT OF THE MONTH: DRENCH SPRING WATER

Every six months, something happens in the advertising world. An agency comes up with a mind-blowing concept that manages to capture the essence of the proposed brand. I was the biggest advocate for Cadbury's 2007 Gorilla (much to the dismay of many colleagues who sadly failed to see the ad's relevance)
A new commercial has arrived for Britvic's youthful spring water brand Drench. The ad kicks off a three month, £2.4 million promotional campaign. The Britvic Marketing director says, "Drench wants to established itself as a credible and youthful brand and this new campaign will build on this by using charm and humour to continue to give Drench a distinctive and appealing personality."

I couldn't have said it any better. This is pure marketing genius. I even want to download "Rhythm is a Dancer" again.

WHO IS JESSE MCCARTNEY?

If you've read this blog before, you'd realise that I blame Justin Timberlake for everything. It's not like I dislike the dude or anything - I genuinely think he put out the best male Solo R&B album of 2007 but I just think he is responsible for a lot of pop-turn to R&B diluted music. Too many kids want to be Justin and do his dance move and sleep with Britney (oh my bad! Cameron)...He's just a record company template and that pisses me off.

The new wannabe JUSTINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN is this 21-year old American musical/TV star turned recording artist. He was with Disney (just like Justin), sings "contemporary R&B soul" (just like Justin), he's even won a Grammy for Best Children's album for How sweet It is (just like Justin).....do you see my problem?!!!!

Anyway, he's got a new single called Leavin' and my word could this sound anymore or look anymore similar to NSYNC's breakout single, Gone.

Watch...

THE BIG-MANOLO PREMIERE



Even though we all know that the film will be 90-minutes of pure glam drivel: men, women, dog, horse are all equally excited to see the new Sex and the City feature movie. Feedback from critics-land suggest that the plot is so basic that it's almost mind-boggling but yet, they have all said; it's a must-see.

At the London premiere, the "fab-four" looked good but slightly sombre except Carrie Bradshaw of course. looking at this picture, it is clear that this is pure PR-God; the positioning of Sarah Jessica Parker next to Kim Cattrall. The look on Kim's face is reads get that b**** away from me!

Plus, what I really want to know is, how come Sarah Jessica Parker gets to wear a hat. What's up with that?

THE AMERICAN IDOL TICKET......BLESSING OR CURSE?

I ain't going to lie, I'm an American Idol fan and I have been since the very first pilot series in the UK, originally titled simply Pop Idol. I even voted for the eventual winner, Mr Will Young.

Over the years, The Americans have gotten their claws on it and as usual revamped and remodelled the format to make it the global phenomenon that it is today spinning a franchise that has included Philippines Idol.....Go figure, making Simon Fuller (The original creator) a very wealthy man indeed.

I also have been debating for years if this show can really create great singers and eventual artists. I mean, the series has a lot to be thankful for producing Kelly Clarkson as it's very first winner and the most successful to date. She has gone on to win grammys even though her face freaks me the f*** out.

Last year's winner is starting to impress me. Her name is Jordin Sparks and funny enough that is the only series which I didn't follow religiously but her recent produce is very impressive and her last single "Tattoo" has quickly become a favourite on my MP3 player. Like past winners, I question her marketability, like her predecessors, Rube Stoddard, Taylor Diggs, Fantasia - they are not very attractive people on screen and somehow despite their great talents, they are relatively struggling to truly separate themselves sin the market.

The moral of the story is although the series is unquestionably a great platform for any artist, it is a combine of great music, charisma and talent that will ultimately convince tough critics like myself. In the meantime, listen to Tattoo - I'm very fond of this great simple melody at the moment.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Jordin Sparks.

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MUST HAVE RECORDS: MAY 2008

Here are the three albums burning holes in our ears this month:



WATCH OUT: MATTAFIX IN '08



I'M SO EXCITED as I write this post. My boys are BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK!

Yep bitches, Mattafix is back. The first single lifted from the Rhythms and Hymns album, Things have Changed is fantastic and this is no exaggeration.

I have literally spent hours trying to find the video and I will not stop until I do, you need to see it guys. This is the evolution of my boys and finally I know the world will celebrate this dynamic duo with the vigour that they so rightly deserve.

MISSEN IDENTITIES: RAHSAAN PATTERSON

Doesn't it seem like the whole Neo-Soul movement of the late 90s seem to have evaporated without a trace. We all try to stay true to our "roots" in one way or another either by tieing a turban or wearing those ridiculous Malcolm X necklaces. Yep,...I've tried to bury it at the back of my consciousness.

A few artist were synonymous with that movement, most notably, The Roots, Erykah Badu (The weirdo), Jill Scott and many many more.

A guy bust into the scene really briefly with his self-titled debut album "Rahsaan Patterson" delivering soft-hits like Stop By and Where you are. I'm still utterly convinced that is problem was his image - a camp, Maxwell-esque style which I think American could identify with.

In his defense, he did release other albums in the noughties (Love in Stereo - Oct 99, After Hours - Oct 04, Wines & Spirits - Sept 07) but sadly they all sank without a trace. Nevertheless, he gave us good music once and we ask....Where art thou? bro.....

Show your face.

In the meantime, lets reminisce with my favourite single from him, Where you are

BADGE OF HONOUR: RIHANNA

I have been forced to bite my lip continuously about Rihanna since the release of her most recent effort, Good Girl Gone Bad.

The truth, Rihanna has always gotten on my last nerve ever since her debut release. I just thought who is this wannabe-star but ever since the cross-Atlantic hit, Umbrella. I cannot help but hmmm and sing to all her released singles, most notably Don't stop the music.

I actually went to HMV yesterday to purchase the album and I actually felt ashamed for knocking her unnecessarily.

The new single 'Take a Bow' was the final sale point...and just like the song, I finally bow to Miss Pon De Replay - you deserve all that you get.

Bravo. I also really like this video's simplicity - this girl is going places.

DUMB SHIT

You know I'd deliberately ignored to have a debate on the new marriage shamble that currently exist between Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. The irritation that I feel about this union-doomed-for-failure is indescribable and it was even brought further to my forefront after watching Mariah's new promotional video for the delectable 'Bye Bye' Single in which Mariah and her beau, are seen to be cuddling next to each other on her private jet...whatever!

What is wrong with these celebrities? The first sign that the marriage will not last is having your partner in your video - we have seen it in the case of J-Lo and P. Diddy then J-Lo and her dancer and then J-Lo and Ben Affleck, as a matter of fact perhaps, J-Lo should write a book on this shit.

I just don't understand how you can marry someone only after 6-weeks of courtship. Is the sex really that good? And is sex with a young man is what Mariah wants, how about she hires a 20-year class A escort - there are plenty of them on the net. She can even get herself a Sakha-Zulu dick if she's desperate for a deep-throat.

Mariah is my girl but messing with whats-his-face is about to piss me off.

I give it 6.....let me be generous...7 months!

Anyone wanna place a bet? I feel lucky today