This morning a member of our team had a baby boy and less than an hour later, we hear of the tragic loss of American comedian, Bernie Mac.
So far, very little information is available. His publicist has released a statement confirming that the 50-year old comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.
Our hearts go out to his family and we shall continue to enjoy the impressive portfolio of work which he left behind.
Allegedly, today (July 25) is going to be the hottest day in London so far with a predicted 30oC expected to pierce my oily skin.
It has been an interesting week of discovery and fine-turning my musical knowledge. I have been a student of hip hop all week as your kind selves have been sending your favourite rap verses of all time as a result of last week’s challenge. With every contribution, I go back and dig, dust and relive the words which range from NWA to WuTang to Masta Ace to Andre 3000.
I’d like to say thank you for your participation, this has been a real eye-opener to the joys that music brings to us all.
We have put together a table of all the verses which were sent to us @ the FRIDAY TRACK. A big thank you to Osa for painstakingly ensuring that we have a comprehensive list. The list is particularly great as it provides instant links to youtube and the respective lyrics forum. It’s great fun!
This week’s choice is a hot scorcher just like this hot summer day. This is DAYS LIKE THESE by the hugely underrated Shaun Escoffery. This is a monster tune.
If you eat anything today make sure it’s an Ice Cream. Go on ladies, ignore the calories.
Enjoy the rest of the day. Mad love to our people from San Fran to Lagos to London to Singapore to New York to Amsterdam to Paris to Washington DC to Tokyo.
You can't say we don't find exclusive. This is the new converse commercial theme tune; it's a NERD production featuring Julian Casablanca and Santiago (we like her!!)
Despite all the drama and crack pipes, our favourite Ms 'No-no-no' keeps hording up the spotlight. Last week, her album was declared the biggest-seller globally, racking up a total of 9.78 million copies (yep, she's almost diamond people) and today, Madame Tussuad's London has just unveiled a waxwork of our favourite beehive.
Mum and Dad decided to stand next to it. Why we say, why?
Just to think Christian Bale should be on top of the world as his Batman jsut scored big with cinema-goers across the globe grossing a whooping $79 million in its first week opening in America ($11m less than the estimated cost of production). It has just been revealed that he has been charged with assault by the British police. Guess by who.....his mother and sister.
Is that bizzare enough for you? Apparently he lashed out at both members of the family on sunday night at the Dorchester Hotel in London's Park Lane.
Our heart bleeds for one of the most successful Batmans on his generation. First, Heath Ledger's performance has overshadowed everyone's including the lead performance and now a possible arrest. What a timing? Perhaps, this is what happens when the media have forgotten Batman himself, falling needlessly for the 'joker'.
The Mercury music prize shortlisted albums were announced this morning at an event in Covent Garden, london. We are quite pleased as two of our favourite albums from the year so far, were acknowledged.
Adele's 19 and Estelle's Shine.
I'm pretty positive neither would win but wouldn't it be special if Adele won. I saw her at the Somerset House on Saturday and she was breathtaking considering this time last year, she wasn't even signed to Excel.
I hope the lord forgives me for this one cause I don't know Katy Perry from Adam and I'm certainly not qualified to determine what her capabilities are as an artist but I can't help but feel after hearing her debut single "I kissed a girl...." don't artists run the risk of doom after launching their career with such a 'controversial/brave/tongue-in-cheek' debut. So many spring to mind - Meredith Brook's Bitch, Sandi Thom's Punk Rocker, etc.
These songs will certainly guarantee radio airplay and might end up at the top of the charts however the stigma that sticks for the rest of the artist's career is this silly debut that people sadly can't detach themselves from.
You are looking at an illustration that is donning the current cover of the New Yorker magazine. The illustration depicts presidential hopeful Barack Obama dressed as a Muslim and his wife as a terrorist.
The illustration on the issue, titled The Politics Of Fear, depicts Mr Obama wearing sandals, robe and a turban, and his wife Michelle dressed in camouflage and combat boots, with an assault rifle strapped over her shoulder. The setting is the the White House's Oval Office with the couple doing a fist tap in front of a fireplace in which an American flag is burning. Over the fire hangs a portrait of Osama bin Laden.
Is this really funny and more importantly is this really necessary? At what point do we draw the line with satire and blatant lack of reasoning? The response to this image is inevitable - it is going to spark rage amongst many stakeholder groups and continue to cloud the hopefuls' campaign.
In a statement, the magazine said the cover "combines a number of fantastical images about the Obamas and shows them for the obvious distortions they are, the burning flag, the nationalist-radical and Islamic outfits, the fist-bump, the portrait on the wall? All of them echo one attack or another.
Right......does this make it okay then?
To be brutally honest, as much as I can try to see the funny side of things, I cannot help but feel slightly unsettled by some of the connotations that this images drums up. It is great that intelligent, political journals like New York Magazine have supported Barack at some point in his campaign but are they really supporting him for the right reasons?
Images like this should really make us question what are the ethos and reasons for their support and more importantly - at what cost?
Clearly summer is in full swing and we are all trying to put a presentable face out there. To some it comes easier than others hence why the Renaissance Man has taken it upon himself to point men in the right directions for the coming months.
Our edition is solemnly focusing on how to add a LOUD touch that will make all the impact this summer. We're talking accessories. Here are some of our MOST outlandish picks for elevating your presence a notch.
Hermes 32 mm reversible leather strap in Black/Gold, Box/Togo calfskin & 5382 buckle, silver and palladium plated Ref. 052000CAAB080 & 052170CK05 £295
I just read a quote by Mariah (from a local newspaper) on reasons why she felt her last single "Bye Bye" bombed and it went something like "My fans prefer me single...", I thought - you damn Skippy!
The truth is, I will love Mariah for the rest of my existence. She makes me love her more and more with every new release and unsurprisingly music video and the new promotional vid for Loving you long time featuring T.I is no exception.
This is the new HOT HOT HOT vid which makes the thirty something look like she's just discovered a gym. She looks fantastic and marriage might be doing this superstar some good.
Anyway, judge the video yourself. I'm just glad Nick's butt is not in the video, she clearly learnt from the last Bye Bye shambles. No one wants to see it - put it away peeps!
So Solange has decided that after having a baby at the ripe age of 17 and playing second fiddle to her superstar sister that she's going to go back to her original passion....music.
Yep, how could you have forgotten that her real reason for her fame was her hugely successful solo career. How could you????? Yep, she's back. Didn't we miss her???!
She's wearing her musical influence on her sleeve with her recent efforts - a cross of 60s soul/ Amy Winehouse/ Pop-starlet, it is so confusing that I can't actually decide on what her "I Decided" single is all about. No pun indeed.
This is my problem with kids of privilege, just because a record deal is like asking your father/mother for a $100 bill doesn't mean you have to take it.
The same question I found myself asking as I looked at the billing list of the recently concluded O2 Wireless Festival at London's Hyde Park last Thursday.
Like any other festival fanatic, I was determined to scout all the new acts as I was in desperate need to reshuffle my music collection after all that's what Summer is all about.....isn't it?
At a hollow tent away from the main stage where the likes of the fabulous Hot Chip and Mark Ronson thrilled the many drunk punters was a tent which honestly resembled a circus backdrop; dark and littered I must confessed I was terrified as I approached it's entrance.
As we moved closer, it was evident that we were about to experience something quite special, what stood in front of us was the 29-year old, DC-raised woman looking every bit the star in fitted clothing and my personal favourite, stilettos.
It was almost unbelievable to hear the voice which powered through her standing mic backed by an all-male band, I quickly readjust after a few songs and basked in the glow of what is simply a fabulous talent.
Upon getting home, I trawled through the Internet to find background information on mu new love story and quickly realised that the person whom I thought was relatively unknown had been hailed by several credible music publications as "the one to watch" and has several TV appearances under her belt including The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I guess she's not so unknown after all, we're just ignorant here in England.
Anyway, here is Alice Smith with what I think is her most recognised song so far, this is Dream
Unless you've been asleep for the last 7 days, you would have heard about Italian Vogue's upcoming July issue featuring only black models.
The special issue include more than 100 pages of black-"ness", including the cover, which features images of black women taken by the acclaimed New York based photographer Steven Meisel. The pictures will be accompanied by articles on successful black women in arts and entertainment.
This issue has been regarded as "A breakthrough in fashion barriers"....what angers us is this idea that this edition is expected to be the worst-ever selling by the renowned publishers. Industry insiders claim black girls just "do not sell". What does that mean?
Is that implying that Vogue enthusiasts will suddenly not by their favourite read because a black woman is on the cover or black people don't have buying power or they can't read or are simply unfashionable?
I will not answer any of these questions cause these implications are simply too disturbing to comprehend.
Ay yo I'm slippin' I'm fallin' I can't get up Ay yo I'm slippin' I'm fallin' I can't get up Ay yo I'm slippin' I'm fallin' I gots to get up Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up!
I been through mad different phases like Masons to find my way & now I know that happy days are not far away If I'm strong enough I'll live long enough to see my kids doing something more constructive with they time than bids I know because I been there now I'm in there sit back & look at what it took for me to get there First came the bullshit the drama with my mama she got on the fly shit until i split and said that I'ma be that seed that doesn't need much to succeed
How many of us held on to these words for years?......Only if he could have done the same.
This is the disturbing mugshot of (not guest featured in a while) Nate Dogg, taken after he was arrested for trying to run his wife off the 405 in LA last night.
His 2001 duet with Mos Def and Pharoah Morch springs to mind:
Oh no Brothas aint scared to hustle Its been seven days, the same clothes Ask them originals cause they know Mos def, nate dogg, and pharoahe Step away from the mic they too cold The funk might fracture your nose
I have no words to describe how good this record is. You have to hear and own it to believe it!!
Yeah To you foreva from me to you I heard somebody say church, I'ma need a suit I'ma need a coupe, I won't need a roof Flyer than Beetle Juice Beetle Jucie Beetle Juice I got the floor I'm tryna see the roof Didn't wear a bulletproof so I got shot and you can see the proof Blind eyes can look at me and see the truth Wonder if Stevie do But I'm a leave it to God not B but even U Cause I'm a murder Y kill O and even U Man I got summer hating on me cause I'm hotter than the Sun Got Spring hating on me cause I ain't neva sprung Winter hating on me cause I'm colder than ya'll And I will neva I will neva I will neva fall I'm being hated by the seasons So fuck ya'll who hating for no reason
Remember our SW19 chic post, where we suggested how to dress on and off the tennis court for the next fortnight in SW19 London. Well, it looks like it wasn't only fans who were taking note, the players also have dug deep and are displaying their own brand of individual style this year.
We are most proud of Roger Federer (donning a natty white cardigan) and Ms Serena Williams (spotting a short white mac coat), this is why Wimbledon is such a prestigious event. Nothing beats it.
Word on the street is - Maria Sharapova is going to re-invent women's on-court attire today. We look forward to it as she plays her first round match later today.
This truly wounds my heart. I've just found out about racist paraphernalia sold by a Republican vendor in Texas as part of the anti-Obama campaign. These buttons have slogans such as "Let's keep the White House White..."
It is really depressing that despite the triumphs of the Democratic party and the achievements of a potential great leader, some Americans still demonstrates ignorance of the highest calibre. Please don't get me wrong, I was never naive enough to think for a second that the next five months were going to be easy however I never conceived it possible that this type of derogatory message could make it into Republican campaign rallies. This is simply mouth-dropping.
C'mon Americans (white, black, yellow, blues ... whatever your political preference, we can do better than this). You are way too intelligent to treat democracy with such shallow roots.
I'VE ACTUALLY GIVEN UP HOPES OF GETTING MY DESIGNER HANDS ON A PAIR OF WIMBLEDON TICKETS THIS YEAR.
I can't even get First Round Centre Court seats, can you just imagine? Yet I'm sure come Monday afternoon all you will see are these 2nd rate citizens with their ill-fitting clothes eating sweets at SW19as Roger Federer serves his trademark backhands. The injustice of this world. Do they not know who I am?
Since I can't get my hands on tickets, you can be assured that for the next fortnight my look will be GRASS chic. This is tribute to the delightful Wimbledon-inspired collection from Ralph Lauren.
So far everyone I have seen in the trademark green and purple jacket looks wrong so you know it means those rich-pansies just don't rock it right.
The collections has everything Belts, Caps, shorts and of course, the trademark Polo's. so whatever you're budget, you get something and look like me perhaps.
Just talking about it is making me what to purchase.
Stay in some old-dusty ultra cool gear this summer. Invest in some out-of-this-world jackets, shoes, bags and other accessories. If that sounds good, it's all about Rokit Vintage Clothing. It is the vintage outlet regularly featured in the press and is a favourite amongst stylists and lovers of vintage.
I recently discovered their Covent Garden store and although it's a tad expensive, it's a guarantee for future purchases. Drop in this weekend -
M-Dolla shows no sign of heading towards the anti-wrinkle cream and quite honestly I'm enjoying her recent efforts. We all agree that Confessions on the Dance floor was not popping hence it's nice to see her back grating her abdomen to great pop-tastic tunes with the little help of $1m-a-song producers but who cares, it's only money and it's M-Dolla.
The follow-up to my dance-floor ego-song "...I only got 4 minutes to save the world' is GIVE IT TO ME. Produced by newly-cool Pharell Williams (yep...it's cool to like him again).
The video will give you a headache with its over-excitable image shakiness but we like it all the same. Look out for the oversize Hermes purple Birkin which Pharell struggles with during the bridge. Soooooo avant-garde.
Okay, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought "what is she doing there" after seeing Nicole's strategically re-group with the Pussycat Dolls.
What happened darling, did your career burned? Boo-fucking-woo!
Ms Nicole Extensions herself decided to use her backing dancers after the group's dye attempt to find a replacement. Anyway, luckily the performance was smoking and I actually think the song "When I grow up" is a catchy number.
But on the whole, MTV needs to scrap these Movie Award soirees, seriously - they are just too mediocre....pure drivel!
Congratulations to Senator Obama after last night's historic achievement. We must now unite the party and keep the hope alive for the many democrats and all of us whom have supported both campaigns.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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!
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?????????????????!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.............
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!
