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

SHOCKER: RICHARD QUEST

I LITERALLY HAVE MY HANDS COVERING MY MOUTH RIGHT ABOUT NOW AS I FIND OUT THE SHOCKING NEWS BEHIND CNN INTERNATIONAL'S ANCHOR RICHARD QUEST.

Mr Quest was arrested on Friday morning in New York's Central Park for loitering and possession of meth.

According to reports, he was arrested with drugs in his pocket, a rope around his neck that was tied to his genitals, and a sex toy in his boot - this might be slightly exaggerated but I still remain shocked by the very idea of the man that I respect a lot being ridiculed to such an extent.

This just reiterate my life motto - All men have demons irrespective of status, background or influence. We are our own worst enemy.

FOX-BOOGIE BROWN IS BAD AS HELL.............

FOXY BROWN IS OUT OF JAIL. EXPECT A REALITY SHOW, A BOOK, A CLOTHING LINE, AN ALBUM.....just get ready for the Foxy Hell!

Can anyone spot how bad those fake tears were?

AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER

I was watching some well deserved dose of this year's Dancing with the Stars and I stumbled upon these young (I mean - young!) dancing couple who were competing for the Junior Championship trophy. Their routine was so effortless and breathtaking that I gave them a standing ovation from the comforts of my own living room.

Please watch this 10 & 8-year olds respectively.

USH-ER, USHER!

Here's the cover to Mr Raymond's forthcoming album Here I Stand.

To be brutally honest, this is a shit cover artistically and one which isn't particularly inspiring. I trust the songs on the album will be fantastic but sadly it seems Ush- Usher is missing the mark with all his visuals at the moment including the atrocious Love in the Club promotional video.

We blame Tameka - for everything.........she is clearly stopping the creative blood access to his brain!

BADGE OF HONOUR: THE DECKER SHOE

They were big when I was 12 and quite frankly I use to associate them with blue-collar English men who strolled effortlessly down Kings Road, London.

But they are back....I'd like to introduce you to the must-have shoes of the summer -THE DECKER SHOE - originally made famous by the likes of JF Kennedy, Ralph Lauren and former bond, Roger Moore.

I got me a pair, how about you? They are delightful with a pair of slim fit chinos and if you really want to be fashion forward, buy a pair in BLUE - this season's alpha male colour.

Our recommended choice is the Timberland Classic 2-Eye Boat which are traditionally classic. It might set you back £85 but it's worth every penny. They are made with rich oiled leathers, in which water beads up and rolls off, along with handsewn moccasin construction and 360-degree rawhide laces. The non-marking, siped outsole provides ship-to-shore comfort and durability.

P.S. You don't need to own a boat to own a pair, so don't worry.

TRIED: MISSY

Can someone please beg Missy to stop churning out this drivel-no life music that she has embarked on since 2006. To be brutally honest - everything about the Misdemeanour is wack and sadly, it's been like this for a while.

Has anyone seen her new video? I mean come on, this shouldn't have made it out of the studio not to say an elaborate video to match. This is ....!

THIS IS MY AFRICA

There's an exciting film quickly generating buzz at the on-going New York African Film Festival. The film is THIS IS MY AFRICA. The director is Nigerian-born Zina Saro-Wiwa. The film explores current perceptions of African cultures, setting out to change the way the world sees Africa, it explores the perceptions of 20 people, black and white, who love the continent.

The produce is a colourful array of common perceptions. Contributors to the film include actors Chiwatel Ejiofor, Colin Firth (who apparently was born in Nigeria, broadcaster John Snow amongst many.

The director best describes the film as "a 50-minute crash course in African culture."

We are not sure what the release situation will be but you can be assured that we shall keep you posted.

THE 'TORCH' TUSSLE MOVES TO THE SAN FRAN BAY

Ineffective crisis management could potentially harm China's hard-won reputation built over recent decades.

It is no rocket science that recent pro-Tibet campaigners are quickly disrupting the normal proceedings of the much anticipated Beijing Olympics. A vehicle which China is desperate to capitalise on to declare its political and economic superiority.

However, as more and more oppositions and global protests overshadow the Olympic games - creating embarrassing headlines as we've seen on the streets of London & Paris during the Olympic torch journey through these Capitals (36 people were arrested, two protesters were held for trying to put out the flame which one man tried to grab the torch out of a celebrity carrier's hands. The images splashed across newspapers were one of shock and chaos. I couldn't actually see the flame amidst the 2,000 police uniforms, China's blue track-suited "guardians of the flame" and hundreds of protest placards)



The question is couldn't the Chinese government have prepared something to combat these embarrassing images which has already casted a shadow over the sporting tradition? Surely, this crisis could have been identified before it happened hence a better response to the situation could have been applied.

Perhaps, I'm been naive and the Chinese government couldn't have predicted this outcome. I will not share my personal views on the current situation - I am neither a politician or a sporting athlete, what I will say is how China communicates with all stakeholders is vital.

China needs to communicate exactly what it is going to do, in a timely manner to all stakeholders - the Olympics board, sponsors, governments, Tibetans, the press, sporting associations, athletes and many others.

In the meantime, the mayhem is almost certain to continue in San Francisco later today. This will be the Olympic torch's only North-American stop in the 85,000 miles journey en route Beijing. San Francisco was chosen because of its large Chinese-American population.

BRUNO IS SOOOOO LIKE 2020!

Sacha Baren Cohen has done it again. First, he put Kazakhstan on the map (although not depicting the entire truth about the country) now he's turned his talents into fashion and the result is Bruno (sometimes written as Brüno), a fictional homosexual character. Bruno has no surname (like Madonna, Cher - get it!) and he claims to be a reporter from an Austrian television station and interviews unsuspecting guests about topics such as fashion, entertainment, celebrities and homosexuality, with an emphasis on the latter as each interview progresses.

Following the success of Borat, Universal Studios acquired the rights to make the Bruno movie. There are rumours that the film is currently in production and due for a September 2008 release date.

Just pure genius. In the meantime, here's a snippet of what to expect.

VENUS COME BACK & KICK ASS

I'm deeply saddened by Venus Williams infinite absence from Tennis, the Six-time Grand Slam Champion recently said at the Bausch & Lomb Championship “I’ve just been having some issues that I need to resolve, so I’m working on that at the moment and I’m hoping to be back playing as soon as possible,”

The reasons behind the hiatus is unclear although after her last week's defeat to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Sony Ericsson Open, she had hinted that she was dealing with a medical issue.

At Renaissance Man, we love Venus. Venus is ace. We certainly like her more than Serena eventhough we think Serena's strategic attempt to become Ms. Common was all a hoax to get favourable coverage from us.

In the words of Bruno -

ish-no-think-so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DIOR HOMME SPRING/SUMMER 2008

Just in case you thought this picture was taken during Duran Duran days - you're wrong. Here's a hot new "trend" straight off the Dior Homme Spring/Summer 2008 Collection in Paris.

It took me a while to embrace the skinny, and I'm substantially excited by the James Brown trousers (see below)



but I don't know about this flabby-baggy-pleated thingy. It just screams VICTTTTTTTIMMMMMM!

STRAIGHT TO HELL

If you were ever asked to pray for something that you never wanted to be in your later years.........THIS IS IT!

4 MINUTES OF POP MADNESS

So I really wanted to hate the new single from Madonna and Trousersnake. I really wanted to sooooooooooo badly unfortunately, my first encounter with the promotional video came at a lighthearted time of a dull evening where I was susceptible to liking anything with a Timbaland bassline.

I was very shocked to discover that 4 minutes with Madonna and Timberlake wasn't at all bad and quite honestly, I was impressed.

The single titled strangely '4 minutes' is lifted from the upcoming Hard Candy album which is quickly generating buzz in Pop land but then again with A-list producers, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland - are we really surprised?

I'm not sure what to think about Madge's sudden embrace of HIP-POP although I suspect this is another calculated transformation from Mrs. Ritchie. It will be interesting to hear what the entire record sounds like but I must say I really tired to dislike the very concept.

In the meantime, this is 4 minutes of pure good pop madg-ness!

ASHLEE IS AFTER THE OAPs

Is Ashlee

'plastic nose'

Simpson trying to diss Madonna, Gwen Stefani and Kylie all on her new single 'Out of my head (Ay ya ya)?

This is the 1st single taken from her upcoming third album due for a April Release date. Bizarrely, the track is produced by Timbaland. She claims the video was inspired by Salvador Dali, "one of her favorite artists".

We are like - whatever, something is fishing with this. She's trying to tell the 'older' sexy symbols to take a hike, she's got better legs.

BADGE OF HONOUR: WILEY

It seems doing a dance track over grime lyrics is the formula for chart success these days. We are really feeling the new Wiley single, Wearing my Rolex, he has been one of those British chaps although basking in plenty industry acclaim, he has been robbed with mediocre record sales.

Maybe things will change with this hot single.

We like the video - BIG TIME!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE AN AMERICAN RECORD DEAL MAKES..

So....Ms Shine/ Ms Number #1 (finally) seems to have forgotten where she was 3 months ago. I'm talking about Estelle - British songstress that went cross Atlantic to get a record deal.

In recent weeks since she released American Boy featuring Kanye, she seems to have not only worked with him but adopted his persona. Can someone please tell this girl that she is good but we humour her half the time.

It all started with a radio interview I heard on Choice FM, UK where she got into lip-war with an anchor after they tried to play an April's Fool joke on her. Next, she goes on record criticizing British songstress Duffy and Adele (both have better voices than her). At Renaissance man, we are like Estelle - DON'T GET ABOVE YOURSELF. It's only been 3 minutes.

We thought we should remind her where she was a year ago, just cause you're wearing Vivienne Westwood now, don't mean you've arrived.

Look at the highlights in her hair from back in the day. No comment!

THE 'VOGUE' ISSUE

Sometimes the blogosphere can trigger some bull discussions on what is politically correct and what isn't and sadly since the 24-hours news stations are so desperate for content they decide to engage.

I was astonished to see how much news coverage the recent Vogue magazine cover featuring LeBron James and Gisele is getting.

Some ESPN black anchor described the cover as derogratory to black athletes and something about making these altheles look like "animals". WTFuss? Others have drawn comparisons to King Kong and Fray Wray - What?

I don't care what anyone thinks about the "Beauty and the Beast" esque shoot (Oooooh...I think I'm going to stir up some controversy), did anyone actually look at what the theme for the month's issue was?

This desperate need to draw correlations to the race issue will continue to ruin America yet they all claim to be ready for CHANGE. What-f*****-ever!

BADGE OF HONOUR: BEN WESTBEECH

One of the most important voices in the British music scene of the last year. Here's Ben Westbeech and his new single 'Hang around'. If you like the sound of this please go out and support his debut album 'Welcome to the Best Years of your life' or even better go see him live.

MISSEN IDENTITIES: SKEE-LO

Does anyone remember the one-hit wonder, Skee-lo (the short, quarter-length trouser wearing rapper who wanted to be a baller) yep, him.

Let's not even front, we all bought that record - otherwise how did it become a number one smash in dozen countries.

We wonder what ever happened to him in South Central LA, perhaps was used as bait for a game of Dominos - if you have seen him in recent times, tell him we are fans at the Renaissance Man.

It's all love!

OUT & ABOUT

So we were at the Cabaret Membership Club the other night and bumped into Ozwald Boateng looking sharp with a beautiful blond bombshell.

A very humble man indeed unlike Ms Kelly Osbourne who was too up-her-own-pipes at Bungalow 8 to speak to my face. Bloody-cowfoot!!

BADGE OF HONOUR: BLACK & GOLD

This is by far the most memorable thing on the UK charts at the moment. It's the relatively unknown Sam Sparro with his infectious single 'Black & Gold'

It has one of the best melodies I've heard in a little while. So refreshing!!

This is going to be big till the Summer months. Trust me!

I APPLAUD

I'm not sure how many of you heard Senator Barack Obama's response to allegations made by his pastor earlier in the week. I will not go into detail of this sensitive topic, however I'd like to draw all our attention to the articulate speech delivered by the presidential hopeful. The speech dealt with the broad issue of race relations currently facing America and my word - it was a joy to hear this.

Here's an extract, I know it seems long but we find time to read other crap why can't we read this.

I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners - an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.


It's a story that hasn't made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts - that out of many, we are truly one.


Throughout the first year of this campaign, against all predictions to the contrary, we saw how hungry the American people were for this message of unity. Despite the temptation to view my candidacy through a purely racial lens, we won commanding victories in states with some of the whitest populations in the country. In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans.


This is not to say that race has not been an issue in the campaign. At various stages in the campaign, some commentators have deemed me either "too black" or "not black enough." We saw racial tensions bubble to the surface during the week before the South Carolina primary. The press has scoured every exit poll for the latest evidence of racial polarization, not just in terms of white and black, but black and brown as well.


And yet, it has only been in the last couple of weeks that the discussion of race in this campaign has taken a particularly divisive turn.


On one end of the spectrum, we've heard the implication that my candidacy is somehow an exercise in affirmative action; that it's based solely on the desire of wide-eyed liberals to purchase racial reconciliation on the cheap. On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike.


I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.


But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country - a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.


As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems - two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all.

HOT RIGHT NOW: ONNA EHRLICH

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the great work of a young designer Onna Ehrlich. Following the footsteps of renowned Nigerian accessory labels, Tiger Tem and Just Nibi, Onna is taking a leaf out of her African roots to produce a unique accessory line featuring everything from handbags hand made with vibrant, lush leathers to unbelievable snake skin belts.

A graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Ehrlich takes her Nigerian heritage and combines it with the laid back sophistication of California. In under two years, Onna has quickly emerged as a designer to watch, with her designs making splashes in US fashion and design magazines.

Her celebrity client list is fast-growing with the likes of new-mum Halle Berry, Lindsay Lohan, Sophia Bush, and Eva Longoria donning her creations.

Visit her on www.onnaehrlich.com

VIDEO OF THE MONTH: MY GIRL

People, People, People Lumes Flowne is back again!

This is the promotional video for the toxic single, "My Girl", the video sees Lumes in a natural light. Radio stations across london (pirate & commercial) can't seem to get enough of the single and it's no suprise, Lumes Flowne serves us his dose of vigourous word play and the lady star ain't bad either.

We love this, you gon' love this, London loves this.

Enjoy!



You need to check out: www.lumesflowne.com

STYLE ALERT: BLUE

For the wardrobe-challenged men out there and you know who you are, the fashion world has made things very easy for you this summer. The season colour is BLUE, yes the trusted, lazy colour has been redressed, re-engineered and remodelled to look "high-fashion".

All you have to do is go to any store and buy any shade of blue (aqua,indigo, azure) and voila - you're fashionable. Easy enough for you?!

Take a look at some of our hot favourites and if you really want to be fashion-forward buy yourself some blue briefs.

HALLE GOT A BABY

We are sending mad love to Halle Berry on the birth of a beautiful baby girl.

May she grow up and be as fine as her mama and hopefully never get to hear Will.I.Am's classic

"Baby where’d you get your body from?/ Tell me where’d you get your body from/ I got it from my mama"

DO SOME GOOD TODAY

I'm usually sceptical about certain "Africa" campaigns adopted by corporate giants with biased corporate social responsibility blinkers on their heads however the new Benetton Microcredit Africa campaign has trully challenged my cynicism about the issue.

Benetton has puts the spotlight on entrepreneurial Africa. This campaign is designed to celebrate the hard working men and women on the streets of Sub-saharan Africa struggling to make tiny profits from their respective crafts. The spotlight highlights current challenges facing fishermen, decorators, musicians, jewellery-makers, farmers, tailors, textile sellers and athletes.

The 2008 global communication campaign aims to promotes the Birima micro-credit programme in Senegal, a co-operative credit society founded by the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. The programme will also receive financial support from Benetton Group.

The campaign slogan was developed by Fabrica and has quickly dominated billboards leaving millions of impressions on the print and online community around the globe. The campaign was unveiled in last month and it features Senegalese workers who have used micro loans to start small, productive businesses. Photographer James Mollison portrays them with the tools of their trade against a neutral background.

These images are tangible symbols of an Africa that uses the dignity of work to fight poverty, promote equitable development, maximise its resources and take back responsibility for creating its future.

We can all show our support by purchasing more benetton goods. Their new range is fantastic so we have litle excuses.

For further information,

http://www.benetton.com/africaworks-press/en/press_information/1_1.html

MOTOWN PHILLY BACK AGAIN....NOT TOO HARD AND NOT TOO SOFT

Will there ever be another boyband like Boyz II Men?

I bet you've never thought about this question - will this looks-orientated talentless music industry allow four chubby boys from (Lord knows where there from) with bad dress sense (faded jeans, ties and biker jackets) to win countless grammys and record some of the best harmonies the music world has ever heard again?

The answer remains to be seen but we can't deny the magic these men gave us - classics like Motownphilly, Yesterday, Water runs dry, I'll make love to you, Song for Mama, 4 seasons of loneliness - are you out of breath yet? Their magic was untouchable and don't get me wrong there has been some great bands in recent times - Jagged Edge, etc but not many have made ladies wet their Victoria's secrets like these chaps.

BET needs to induct these guys into their Hall of Fame cause you know MTV ain't. We'll take second best, it's okay all the guys are out-of-shape anyways, it could be quite disturbing for the TRL kids.

We salute you Boyz II Men. Thank you Thank you Thank you

THE ENEMY'S THIS SONG

Often a band or an artist release a song which lyrically captures what is happening in the world or their respective country. British-indie group, The Enemy have released a brilliant single 'This Song' and I was shaken by the truthfulness of the lead singer's words. Here's an extract

Half the kids who you grew up with,
Were pushin prams by the time that they were just sixteen,
If love is a drug then where is the cure,
For the girl who used to talk to you about her dream.
And all the boys with all their toys,
Couldnt see the signs as we scortched out eyes with nicotine,
And the grown ups said, listen to your head,
But our hearts were crying out for heroes on TV screens.

Half the kids that arnt pushing prams,
Are pushing pills to boys and girls who are half their age

And the pubs and clubs are full of drunks,
They dont remember the day the were born or even their mum or the names.

An old man sings a tune but hes drowned out by a fight next to a fruit machine.

And all of this, our hearts, our nation,
A total lack of civilization,
Will it ever be the same?

Now this song is about you,
Now this song is about...

This is so true about the British population. There's only so much we can categorize as "ASBO" until we tackle some of the issues pointed out in this song - we've got a social epidermic on our hands. This is our future.

AMERYKAH

There is no doubt that this is going to rub people up the wrong way but I'd rather speak than swallow this.

It is the infamous Ms.Badu again and her creative juices. I'm done with trying to defend and justify her perceived "eclecticness" it is just damn tired!

I'm guessing the world has heard the album - oh my bad, let me rephrase - I'm sure a handful of you have heard her new produce <em>'Amerykah'

I actually spent the better half of this morning debating what possessed me to buy an album with such a self-indulging title in the first place. Jesus Lord, help this lady. I don't understand why Lauryn Hill is considered crazy and deranged when Erkyah is an "artist". I don't buy it.

This 11-track record is frankly dull. The attempt to communicate personal beliefs with the world in a confusing and agenda-driven manner is shocking. There is nothing here for music lovers to hold on to. It is full of not-quite-there moments and we have experienced this in previous efforts 'Mama's Gun' and the last one with the unpronouncable title.

You're a singer Erykah, sing - don't fill an album with interludes and public service announcements. C'mon, do something.

How hard can it be to translate your live magic to record. This is so unfair on fans and I'm not even a fanatic.

BADGE OF HONOUR: HOT CHIP

You all probably think I'm part of this group's PR team but sadly I don't have that luxury. The truth is I know very little about the band and their music. I recently discovered Hot Chip during a screening on BBC's Jools Holland show. I was instantly sold and the rest is history.

They've just released an album which is quickly burning up the UK Charts. The album is

Made in the Dark

and it is seriously toxic. If there is an album you should take a chance on this season, this is it!

Very few dance records since Massive Attack's Protection show this much diversity and range. The production quality is so good that you tend to envisage a bunch of keyboard geeks getting the buzz of their lives in the studio.

Standouts include Wrestler, Shake a Fist, Ready for the Floor and Don't Dance and incredibly, there are some great ballads. Yep, you heard me - ballads.

Take a chance today with some HOT CHIP.

EVERYBODY GET ROWDY.....OR MAYBE NOT!

Super Producer Dallas Austin (post-the cocaine bust, post-TLC) launched his clothing line in September last year. The label is 'Rowdy' - a collection focusing primarily on casual-wear - hooded tops, classic polos, etc.

Dallas' justiifciation for the line goes like this "I found that there was a lack of men's clothing that spoke to the new generation. I wanted to fill that void by creating a brand that exemplifies cutting edge style, and a collection that breaks ethnic boundaries." The line, which is described as having "punk and prep influences, with a distinctive European militant touch," will feature jeans, classic polos, bomber jackets, military jackets and sneakers.

Personally, we dont find anything inspiring about his line. It looks like just another "cutting-edge" mediocre line in London or LA. Perhaps better luck with picking the lead designer next time mate.

SNEAKER ALERT: REEBOK 'WHITE' HI TOPS

Say good bye to your Nike 'Hi' Dunks, we don't care if you paid £500 on a pair. They are dated and they certainly don't look good with skinny jeans - stop kidding yourself!
The Reebok 'White' Hi-Top is going to be the must-have footwear for the summer, just think NWA 'Straight outta Compton, it's the mutherfucker.........'

Yep, you better believe it, we are bringing the year 1990 back in a big way. Rumor has it, Ronald Reagan once received a customised pair from the late Eazy E during his courtesy visit to the White Horse - go figure!

This is BIG. You will say we told you so.

THE B.I.G.G.I.E EFFECT

You know I was having a Biggie moment around 2 am this morning. I was completely enthralled in the words from his first-ever single 'Juicy'. I absorbed every single sentence like an eager kindgarden toddler. It was particularly refreshing to finally put my finger on why I've always admired Biggie's music although never quite the fanatic as I was relatively younger in his prime to understand his many wordplays.

I think what Biggie had (and what a lot of current rappers lack) is the capacity to convince. I don't need to regurgitate his verses but I'm most certain that we all know them off by heart and we usually recite them with more joy and vigour. Why? Because we believed the man, we liked what he was saying, we liked the way he delivered it, we liked the charisma is his lines.

I was really moved last night. I'm once again a Biggie fan so go dust off your 'Ready to Die' album. That's what you need to be doing right now!

GNARLS BARKLEY IS BACK

The new Gnarls Barkley video is out. It is fabulous and in true Gnarls Barkley style, it is quickly stirring up controversy.

The fantastic video for the upcoming single 'Run' is comical and colourful. MTV sources are rumoured not consider it fit for viewing because of its strobe effects, which caused the clip to fail the Harding Test - guidelines established to prevent TV images from triggering epileptic seizures.

We personally don't see anything wrong with it and if some people do - then they should throw a pair of sunglasses on. This is too good to miss featuring Trousersnake as Micheal Jackson. It is sublime.

The video centers around the fictional public access TV show "City Vibin"' and is set in the early '90s. A new album will follow titled "The Odd Couple," released on April 8.

Start saving people.

MARIAH WANTS YOU TO ...............

I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS MS CAREY'S BACKSIDE IN WEEKS TO COME IN THE WAKE OF HER NEW SINGLE 'TOUCH MY BODY'

Although, it is always good to have Mariah drop another great album on us, it is always daunting and often cringing to watch her prance about in the video in nothing but her underwear. I love Mariah dearly but I don't wanna do her......not because she isn't hot but because there's nothing left to the imagination.

It is just damn-right depressing!

ENRIQUE GETS ALL WEEZY

Just in case you thought collaborations in Black America couldn't get any worse than Ricky Martin featuring Fat Joe and Amerie, there's a new one on the block and you know what it isn't bad.

The song is called 'Push' and it's far superior to all the shit Mr. Hero has been dropping on our MTV-watching ass in recent years.

Make up your mind.

BADGE OF HONOUR: GOLDEN BOYS

This is a modern classic. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you, RES

WHEN WHITE BOYS DO SOUL JA BOY....

I'm actually speechless

CHILL-LARY

After watching the Democratic Debate last night in Ohio, it is clear that if Hilary Clinton loses the next two superdelegates states (Ohio & Texas) she might deal with her entire campaign team - bitch-slapping each and everyone of them.

She was furious with Barack about past allegations and she looked like she might bite his ass on stage. We therefore renamed her as CHILL-LARY.

We know there's nothing like power but seriously......accept defeat if it comes - gracefully!

UNDER-21 POWER COUPLE

Looking at this exclusive Chris Brown and Rihanna photo, doesn't it look like they were having that infamous argument 'You're cute...no, you're cutier.....no no no, you're like way hotter....no, you are like way hotter.....".

Jackpot Chris-boy - hold on to that trophy. She's very hot!

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, BeJay-once!

JUST 'RAP' MUSIC

You know when Chris Rock famously commented "...it's hard to defend rap music", we all laughed and took it as a general exaggeration but the more these rappers get paid, the more random ridiculousness they spit.

I'm sure we've all heard the new Plies Ft. Akon single 'Hypnotize'. Please judge these profound words for yourself....

It's two o'clock in the mo'nin', I'm 'gnaced up and I'm ho'ny
All I need now is some moanin', that pussy got me zonin'
Her vibe tell me she want it, she got to fuck how she on me
I got her now 'cause she jonin', I know in the panties she foamin'
I locked eyes on that monkey, I know she wet 'cause she told me
That ass on her she pokin', every nigga in here scopin'
I see me up in her pokin', she bent over and I'm strokin'
Her cheeks spread wide open, I'm beatin' it and I'm focused

THEN THE 'GENIUS' CHORUS -

You got me so hypnotized, the way yo' body rollin' 'round and
Round, that booty keep bumpin', titties just bouncin', up and down
You got me so hypnotized, the way yo' body rollin' 'round and
Round, that booty keep bumpin', titties just bouncin', up and down

Isn't this something?

MISSEN IDENTITIES

This is a new segment where we try and find some of our older favourite stars. Often, our childhood heroes are no where to be found in today's cut-throat media world but it doesn't mean we ever stopped loving them.

So if you know where they're hiding, or living, or dealing - please get in touch!

Our search starts with (i) Karyn Parsons (remember Hilary from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?)



(ii) Skin >(the leader singer of Skunk Anasie). We want to know where the very talented and stylish singer of the Brit indie-group is. Any clues?

THIS BOY MUUUUUUUUUST WIN

American Idol always has one young person that makes us all weak because of their raw talent and I must quote Simon Cowell when he described this chap's performnace 'When you got it, you got it....."

He's only 17 years old but when this boy opens his mouth, you just have to shut up. He is the business and more so, he is so well mannered.

We vote David Archuleta. Any day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KEITH LEMON: BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR '93

This is the new comedy KING! He is absolutely off-his-nut.

He has crowned himself "The Ming-magnet"

LET'S ALL SWITCH OFF.....

This is simply brutal but effective. I spilted my tea out of horror.

The message is very strong and I think too often we all feel invincible. Please watch!

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

Our boy Owen Wilson made an appearance at last night's Academy awards ceremony looking sharp in his tuxedo. Donning the trademark shaggy haircut, he looked healthy as he presented the award for best animated short film. He also received a warm and loud applause from his peers at the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles.

Welcome back buddy!

OSCAR ROYALTY: TILDA SWINTON

Hot-off winning the Best Supporting Actress accolade at last night's Academy Awards for her role as the fierce lawyer in Micheal Clayton, we think our Brit is a breath of fresh air. She was genuinely pleased at her triumph and we just loved her speech.

Oh, no. Happy birthday, man. I have an American agent who is the spitting image of this. Really truly the same shape head and, it has to be said, the buttocks. And I'm giving this to him because there's no way I would be in America at all ever on a plane, if it wasn't for him. So, Brian Swardstrom, I'm giving this to you. And Tony Gilroy walks on water, it's entirely official as far as I'm concerned, and Jen Fox and Steve Samuels, our incredible producers.And Sydney Pollack, and George Clooney, you know, the seriousness and the dedication to your art, seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from "Batman & Robin," the one with the nipples, every morning under your costume, on the set, off the set, hanging upside-down at lunch, you rock, man.

GENIUS!

We also praise Cate Blanchett (officially the greatest actress of this generation) but something tells us she will have many many more Oscar moments to live. We love you Cate!

MY COUNTRY SIDE

Don't worry, I'm not moving to Nashville or telling you to start wearing cowboy hats to bed. I just have a lot of respect for country music. I think the genre artists make extremely honest music coupled with emotional vocals.

My new addiction is Kenny Chesney's Don't Blink. It is so powerful, it makes me bleed emotionally.

Please enjoy AND think!

MARY J BLIGE: GROWING PRIDE

It is always exciting whenever Ms Blige decides to drop another album. We have all become pretty used to her usual routine of releasing a clubber banger as the opening single followed by a huge ballad (My Life, Share my World, No More Drama, What's the 411)

It's incredible how over the years Ms Blige's authenticity hasn't diminished and she continues to win crowds rather than lose them as her sound evolves.

Growing Pains I must confess creept up on me. The end of last year had been filled with such good debuts that I could happily have not purchased another album for a while.

I sampled this album on my MP3 as I always do - everything sounds better on headphones. The opener 'Work that' is trademark Queen-of-R&B-soul - quick lyrical delivery over Dr Dre-esque production. It certainly is a feel good number.

One of my immediate favourites follows 'Grown Woman' featuring Ludacris, testimony to what's going on in Black music in 2008 - obscure beat programming ridden with speak-style singing. Ludacris' verse is a key highlight "LUDA! I ain't lying, I think I'm in love wit a grown woman/ She stay stunnin' /Got sweet lovin' & home cookin'/ Be known to make'em moan to da break of dawn/ A lil lady in da streets, but at home I give her a grown whoppin/ Yea!/ I hit the jeweler and I make a chain flawless, white diamond and I put that on everything/ Mami stylish she knows how to accessorize and we some stair master i make her get her exercise wit ya sexy thighs body got me memorized/ Lil boys are scared and other guys be putrefied"

"Just Fine" is the feel good single that makes me what to replicate her Micheal Jackson-esque moves in the video. Then suddenly the ballads appear - and you know what - they are very good. They get better with every listen, "Feel like a woman", "Stay down", "Hurt again" are all classic Mary and very reminiscent of the MY LIFE album.

Some incredible vocals are unleashed on "Fade Away" and "What Love is" - these two are the peak of the album. Inspiring words like "And it feels like joy, and it feels like pain/ And it feels like sunshine, feels like rain/ An excuse for dying, reason to live/ And if you don't know, that's what love is/ Love is" are belted out over extremely polished beats.

'GROWING PAINS' exceeds my expectations and it certainly makes 'BREAKTHROUGH' seem like a rushed produce. We don't need to reiterate that Ms. Blige is in a good place as it is written all over the record.

A compelling effort.

Who is Feist?

Many of us know her as the voice to the iPod nano but I'm not sure enough people know her as the very talented singer songwriter. She has racked up an impressive resume even performing at the recently concluded Grammy awards show.

She is canadian. She performs as a solo artist under the name Feist, and has been a member of the indie rock supergroup Broken Social Scene.

I'm urging us all to go buy her album, Reminder.

KANYE: OVER-INDULGENCE?

I'm reviewing the new "arty" Kanye video for "FLASHING LIGHTS". I can't decide if this is actually credible or over-indulgent.

What do you think?

BRITISH SPARE PARTS!

£2.5 MILLION FOR WEDDING PICTURES OF THESE UGLY MUTTS? I THINK NOT!

IF ANYONE I KNOW BUYS A COPY OF THE PUBLICATION - I WILL NEVER SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN. THAT'S A PROMISE!

BUT WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?

Just in case you thought, The Church of Scientology couldn't 'acquire' more weird members. I reveal a pioneer to you all - ISSAC HAYES. Yep!

SUCH A GOOD MOVE GEORGE!

Has anyone noticed that our dear President can never help himself whenever he hears music. He just has to move his hips, here he is in Kenya- doing the dammmmmn thang!

THE TRUTH ABOUT WILL & I

Will, Will, Will

My love-hate relationship with Will smith has lasted as long as I can remember. I don't know what happened considering I was a huge fan of the Fresh Prince (I'm convinced I'm one of the few that has seen every single episode - no joke!) but as the "movie-star" appeared in the late 90s, something happened to our connection.

I think I blame some movie roles and the over-celebration of Hollywood tagging him as the "acceptable" one and it irritated me that he could command £20m and real black actors like Forest Whiatker - post Oscar, didn't.

Last night, I watched the very very heart-warming, In Pursuit of Happyness. I melted. I melted at the story. I melted at the performance. I melted at the vision of picking on such a strong topic and succeeding at telling the very compelling tale.

I know remembered some of his original roles which myself and my brother loved, Six Degrees of Seperation, etc.

There is no doubt, this man is very talented and more importantly he stands for something much more greater than just an actor and either you love him or loathe him, you can never deny him this.

JAMES LEWIS

I was watching my regular dose of American idol and I came across the very talented James Lewis. Please watch, just to think no one encoouraged him to take the world by storm.....how could people be so cruel.

Let my people gooooooooooooooooo!

DON'T GET IT TWISTED

Unless you've been living with apes over the past half-decade will you not have encountered the voice of either Akon or his partner/protege T-Pain. These men have become as linked to guest featuring as Pharrell Williams was at the start of the millennium. And they are good infact very good.

I write as I respond to a comment that I heard on hot97 about T-Pain taking over from Akon as he has more diversity in his approach to music. My initial reaction was "...isn't that a bit harsh" considering Akon paved the way for his protege to build a following.

I was watching the new T-Pain promotional video for 'Church' and I satrted to think - the boy is truly talented. He can dance, sing, produce and rumor-has-it, ACT! There is something very engaging about the way he approachs his music and although neither one are particularly remarkable singers - they make up for this with therir charisma. I'm a fan of both men and I don't think we should get involved in the "who's better" debate - especially not from pioneers HOT97.