I CAN FEEL SOMETHING IN THE AIR...
As they welcomed the most important news of their lives, we share the moments with the First Family....
IF I WERE A BOY
Beyonce's Black & White modern classic has truly struck a cod at the Renaissance office.
We were sceptical (as always) about what Sasha Fierce was trying to create, we almost went as far as to brand the video 'try hard' initially until tonight.
In the video, Beyoncé fantasizes about being one of those men who "send single ladies into sex-wielding tantrums over diamond engagement rings". The idea here is that the only power a girl has in a relationship is to act like a boy, instead of redefining "the rules" or refusing sucky relationships.
At the end of the video, though, we discover that Beyoncé's pseudo gender-bending is just a fantasy -- the reality is that her boyfriend treats her like crap, and she has resigned herself to that familiar role of the female martyr.
What is also particularly striking about this concept, is the 'cop' backdrop - get it! Cops are synonymous with safety, authority, and protection but in the case of the NYPD - corrupt, phony and lacking in credibility - we just wonder if this was a coincidence.
Now, on a normal day, we may find all of this rather dull but somehow, it has resonated - so I guess we like it!
We were sceptical (as always) about what Sasha Fierce was trying to create, we almost went as far as to brand the video 'try hard' initially until tonight.
In the video, Beyoncé fantasizes about being one of those men who "send single ladies into sex-wielding tantrums over diamond engagement rings". The idea here is that the only power a girl has in a relationship is to act like a boy, instead of redefining "the rules" or refusing sucky relationships.
At the end of the video, though, we discover that Beyoncé's pseudo gender-bending is just a fantasy -- the reality is that her boyfriend treats her like crap, and she has resigned herself to that familiar role of the female martyr.
What is also particularly striking about this concept, is the 'cop' backdrop - get it! Cops are synonymous with safety, authority, and protection but in the case of the NYPD - corrupt, phony and lacking in credibility - we just wonder if this was a coincidence.
Now, on a normal day, we may find all of this rather dull but somehow, it has resonated - so I guess we like it!
KEEP THAT "AFRICAN-THEME" ON LOCKDOWN
I've always suspected that Kanye is probably a really miserable git in real life.
Watching his new offering, Love Lockdown for the first time (although I really enjoy the song and his vocals), I cant help but think - I've always know that you're self-righteous and probably like the rest of the world, completely unappreciative of whom you are despite the brava-li-cious persona.
The video on the other hand is very interesting. I must say increasingly, I'm liking the creative directions which artists are willing to take their visuals these days - it adds real authenticity to their respective produce.
The 'Love Lockdown' video is really impactful and really brings a song which might ordinarily drown without a worthy visual into prominence. The African drums are so well supported by the visual theatrics in contrast to the white backdrop.
This is the second African-inspired theme music video that has really impressed this year, the other was Gnarls Barkley's very stylist, Going On!
Again, Kan-yi-zee delivers!
Watching his new offering, Love Lockdown for the first time (although I really enjoy the song and his vocals), I cant help but think - I've always know that you're self-righteous and probably like the rest of the world, completely unappreciative of whom you are despite the brava-li-cious persona.
The video on the other hand is very interesting. I must say increasingly, I'm liking the creative directions which artists are willing to take their visuals these days - it adds real authenticity to their respective produce.
The 'Love Lockdown' video is really impactful and really brings a song which might ordinarily drown without a worthy visual into prominence. The African drums are so well supported by the visual theatrics in contrast to the white backdrop.
This is the second African-inspired theme music video that has really impressed this year, the other was Gnarls Barkley's very stylist, Going On!
Again, Kan-yi-zee delivers!
BEYONCE: "PUT SOME $ ON IT"
Just saw the new Beyonce single "Single Ladies"
2 words - MY WORD!
10 years of consistency - too impressive!
2 words - MY WORD!
10 years of consistency - too impressive!
YOU DECIDE....
We've been saying Common and Serena Williams are an item for yonks now. Here they are holidaying in Hawaii.
Pairings don't get more interesting than this, I tell ya!
16 @ WAR
Yep......I'm about to utter my favourite line whenever something exciting jumps out of the machine that is the American Music Industry.
"Here's possibly one of the most exciting young talents..." since Alicia Keys jumped out with 'Fallin' many many years ago.
Karina is the 16-year old Brooklyn native who has been generating a lot of attention amongst her peers with her honest approach to song-writing and her infinite capacity to paint vivid pictures of life as a teenager in East Coast, America.
Her debut single really hit a home run with us a few nights ago. The message of the anthemic '16 @ War' is so vivid and hard-hitting that you almost feel like a teenager again - susceptible to all its pressures and uncertainties.
It's a refreshing change from the usual record company teenager artist formula of songs about love and 'boys', it's no surprise chat rooms across the web are raging with teenagers donning '16 @ War' the soundtrack to their young lives.
This is very encouraging indeed.
"Here's possibly one of the most exciting young talents..." since Alicia Keys jumped out with 'Fallin' many many years ago.
Karina is the 16-year old Brooklyn native who has been generating a lot of attention amongst her peers with her honest approach to song-writing and her infinite capacity to paint vivid pictures of life as a teenager in East Coast, America.
Her debut single really hit a home run with us a few nights ago. The message of the anthemic '16 @ War' is so vivid and hard-hitting that you almost feel like a teenager again - susceptible to all its pressures and uncertainties.
It's a refreshing change from the usual record company teenager artist formula of songs about love and 'boys', it's no surprise chat rooms across the web are raging with teenagers donning '16 @ War' the soundtrack to their young lives.
This is very encouraging indeed.
KATY WHO?
Errrrrrrrrrrrrrh.....Why is Katy Perry presenting the upcoming MTV Europe Music awards?
Since when did you qualify to host a prestigious award off-the-back of a single?
When will the world stop falling for this drivel called A & R ploy used to create half-talented artists with gimmicks which are to be brutally honest, crap.
If a male artist, say imaginary 'Kurt Perry' released a single titled 'I kissed a boy and I liked it' and can bet our last dollar that song will not get a single radio airplay except on Gay radio stations that is.
We need to stop this double-standard bollocks which we so readily adapt as it suits us.
Since when did you qualify to host a prestigious award off-the-back of a single?
When will the world stop falling for this drivel called A & R ploy used to create half-talented artists with gimmicks which are to be brutally honest, crap.
If a male artist, say imaginary 'Kurt Perry' released a single titled 'I kissed a boy and I liked it' and can bet our last dollar that song will not get a single radio airplay except on Gay radio stations that is.
We need to stop this double-standard bollocks which we so readily adapt as it suits us.
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Watch and learn.
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FRIDAY TRACK: 'I AM'
I am the white diapers I wore as they lowered my father into his grave
I am the Apostolic Church of Faith which triggered my curiosity for religion
I am the jollof rice I cooked on a stove
I am the family relative that took advantage
I am the french exam I failed at Dulwich College
I am the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
I am the pages of GQ glossy
I am my brother's brown ankle boots which I wore in its tatters' state to school
I am the green school blazer which stripped me of any identity
I am BBC 2's This Life and its enigmatic characters
I am Top of the Pops and Soul of MTV
I am the Memorex VCR cassettes which I recorded 90's black music videos
I am the 7-hour National Rail journey between Aberdeen and London and the cheap cheese burger with relish which I dug into at Edinburgh
I am my sister for my first pair of Gucci Shoes
I am Forest Whitaker's Oscar acceptance speech
I am Vicky Pollard and the second series of Little Britain
I am the banger Mercedes which broke down twice a week
I am my mother's cook who was there when I was born and continues to feed me with joy
I am the tacky headgear I wore in 2001
I am Awujale's chieftancy title which I will accept
I am the Renaissance Man and this is the Friday Track - Santagold's You'll find
I am the Apostolic Church of Faith which triggered my curiosity for religion
I am the jollof rice I cooked on a stove
I am the family relative that took advantage
I am the french exam I failed at Dulwich College
I am the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
I am the pages of GQ glossy
I am my brother's brown ankle boots which I wore in its tatters' state to school
I am the green school blazer which stripped me of any identity
I am BBC 2's This Life and its enigmatic characters
I am Top of the Pops and Soul of MTV
I am the Memorex VCR cassettes which I recorded 90's black music videos
I am the 7-hour National Rail journey between Aberdeen and London and the cheap cheese burger with relish which I dug into at Edinburgh
I am my sister for my first pair of Gucci Shoes
I am Forest Whitaker's Oscar acceptance speech
I am Vicky Pollard and the second series of Little Britain
I am the banger Mercedes which broke down twice a week
I am my mother's cook who was there when I was born and continues to feed me with joy
I am the tacky headgear I wore in 2001
I am Awujale's chieftancy title which I will accept
I am the Renaissance Man and this is the Friday Track - Santagold's You'll find
REALITY CAN BE A BITCH.
One can't help but notice MTV's The Hills promotional campaigns cluttering subways and bus routes across England. You know the Hills - the one where two girlfriends fallout over their individual choice of lifestyle and relationship partners - somehow, these girls have miraculously turned this bollocks depth into what can only be described as 'rivelting' television.
I don't think MTV could have mastered its media message better than this particular campaign strap "Reality can be a bitch". I wonder which brain-box on the MTV communication team came up with that genius tag.
Whoever said nothing creative comes out when you're intoxicated during a brainstorm?
The big question as Season 4 unveils is, are we still interested in whether Lauren and Heidi will ever play pillow fight again? Will Audriana ever wake up and walk away from Justin? Will Whitney become the stylist that like styles major fashions shows?
If you care enough to watch come 5th October - just rememeber - this is reality.
Go marinade on this!
ONE TO WATCH: DICK IN THE BOX
At Renaissance man, we have seen some funny things in our time but Saturday Night Live continue to deliver their unique brand of 'laugh-till-to-choke' humour.
We recently stumbled upon an old special feature - one which nevertheless still holds it's poigant sense of comedy.
It's called 'DICK-IN-A-BOX' and it features Trousersnake himself. Check this out!
We recently stumbled upon an old special feature - one which nevertheless still holds it's poigant sense of comedy.
It's called 'DICK-IN-A-BOX' and it features Trousersnake himself. Check this out!
GOLD ROLLIE ON KING ROGER'S ARM
He continues to be the Biggest B.o.s.s thus far, Roger Federer (13 times grand slam winner, all round greats sportsman, the face of just about every endorsement deal possible....should I go on) has just signed a multi-deal endorsement deal with Rolex.
King Rog is already featured on the Rolex website as one of their flag bearers. They have a good tag line on his page: ‘Let's not talk history yet. He's still making it’.
How gangsta....sorry Classy is that?
King Rog will continue to rule and we just gonna have to find something to do to Nadal in the new year.
Oh yeah, to the critics.....kiss his Swiss rear!
PINK: SAME ISH, A DIFFERENT ALBUM
SO Pink is Back!
Yep, she's back with the same blend of anti-pop antics. Listening to her latest Single, So What we were in shock as we could not believe how little progress she has made musically since her last effort.
Come on Pink! we know you're not a pop BUT rock star. We believe you, we really do. Just put out some decent music pleasssssssssssssssse.
Yep, she's back with the same blend of anti-pop antics. Listening to her latest Single, So What we were in shock as we could not believe how little progress she has made musically since her last effort.
Come on Pink! we know you're not a pop BUT rock star. We believe you, we really do. Just put out some decent music pleasssssssssssssssse.
DARK KNIGHT's $500 million take-ins
The Dark Knight has become the second movie in Hollywood history to top $500 million at the domestic box office. The summer blockbuster has raised its total to $502.4 million, according to estimates from distributor Warner Bros.
Sadly, Titanic (the eternal drivel) remains the highest grossing movie of all time with $600.8 million. Speculators do not expect The Dark Knight to overtake its rival but wouldn't we love to end James Cameron's run.
Surely we are not the only ones whom feel this way.
Sadly, Titanic (the eternal drivel) remains the highest grossing movie of all time with $600.8 million. Speculators do not expect The Dark Knight to overtake its rival but wouldn't we love to end James Cameron's run.
Surely we are not the only ones whom feel this way.
BAD GIRLS.....MORE LIKE NASTY GIRLS
At Renaissance Man, we love us a good 'ole girl group.
We are huge fans of Girls Aloud and after been religious viewerS of Making the Band 4, we have been trying soooooooooooooooo hard to like Danity Kane.
The truth - we just don't understand why these girls have half-decent songs but when it comes to visuals - they just look WRONG.
To further support our argument, their new video for single 'Bad Girl' just looks like a tranny-fest.
Their entire make-up, hair, styling and chereographing team need re-shuffling. These girls just look Cheap. How hard can it be to make 5 average looking girls look half- decent, after all The Spice Girls managed it. Surely, anyone can do this.
We are huge fans of Girls Aloud and after been religious viewerS of Making the Band 4, we have been trying soooooooooooooooo hard to like Danity Kane.
The truth - we just don't understand why these girls have half-decent songs but when it comes to visuals - they just look WRONG.
To further support our argument, their new video for single 'Bad Girl' just looks like a tranny-fest.
Their entire make-up, hair, styling and chereographing team need re-shuffling. These girls just look Cheap. How hard can it be to make 5 average looking girls look half- decent, after all The Spice Girls managed it. Surely, anyone can do this.
FOOL OF THE DAY: DIDDY
We all know that no political campaign will be complete without the two cents of Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
We saw his very 'successful' and 'influential' hand during the Kerry 2004 campaign with his business savvy 'Vote or Die' initiative. Plus in recent months we have been bombarded with his stupid antics supposedly designed to demonstrate his support for the Democratic candidate.
But when will he and all other celebrities realise that sometimes their outspokeness could be a hindrance to a political campaign. Haven't they learned from how Oprah and George Clooney have both strategically pulled away slowly from Obama's campaign. Do what you can under-the-radar (fundraising, etc) but keep your face out of the Camera!
But will Diddy take this advice.....hell no!
On his blog post No. 16., he lunches into McCain's newly appointed running mate, Sarah Palin. In his bizzare rant, Diddy plays out his lack of political knowledge, wore his ignorance, asks if there are "any black people or crackheads in Alaska", and repeatedly accuse Senator John McCain of "bugging!"
Yeah Puff, we really need political advice form your royal highness. Why don't you just stick to dancing in your Sean John suits and let Barack do his thing.
Lord have Mercy.
We saw his very 'successful' and 'influential' hand during the Kerry 2004 campaign with his business savvy 'Vote or Die' initiative. Plus in recent months we have been bombarded with his stupid antics supposedly designed to demonstrate his support for the Democratic candidate.
But when will he and all other celebrities realise that sometimes their outspokeness could be a hindrance to a political campaign. Haven't they learned from how Oprah and George Clooney have both strategically pulled away slowly from Obama's campaign. Do what you can under-the-radar (fundraising, etc) but keep your face out of the Camera!
But will Diddy take this advice.....hell no!
On his blog post No. 16., he lunches into McCain's newly appointed running mate, Sarah Palin. In his bizzare rant, Diddy plays out his lack of political knowledge, wore his ignorance, asks if there are "any black people or crackheads in Alaska", and repeatedly accuse Senator John McCain of "bugging!"
Yeah Puff, we really need political advice form your royal highness. Why don't you just stick to dancing in your Sean John suits and let Barack do his thing.
Lord have Mercy.
RUSSELL BRAND?: ISH-NO-THINK-SO!
London's mediocre and all round Shag Boy, Russell Brand will be presenting next week's MTV Video Music Awards in the States.
Who signed that deal? When will MTV understand that trying to use half-baked comedians such as Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman and the other washable past host to give the evening's proceedings a "unique edge" is just not working.
Chris Rock has been the only credible host. Just sign his huge check and bring his behind back.
2088: NO EYES FOR VIDEO HOES
Supposedly video hoes in 2088 will have laser-beam eyes. This 'genius' concept is courtesy of video director Hype Williams on Lloyd's Girls All around the world .
Lil Wayne's verse on this is a spectacle.
Lil Wayne's verse on this is a spectacle.
FRIDAY TRACK: BOLT.....THE BIGGEST B.O.S.S THUS FAR
Yo!
It’s been a week of pure adrenaline. I re-discovered that Athletics is better than any other sport in the calendar at delivering peak moments: and almost always these come at the Olympic Games.
The Beijing Olympics although started drier than a rocket salad, became the spectacle of the last week with breathtaking moments to cherish for many years to come.
2 words made the tournament – Usian Bolt. The natural showman from Jamaica set the tournament alight with his charisma; unfrock reign and his giant strides.
Now, a few weeks ago, I had celebrated August babies and gave extensive reasons why we are so great and are natural leaders. It gives us great joy to have Usian Bolt make history in both his 100 and 200 metres gold medals performances. It gave me great pride that at my old age that I could still be inspired by someone younger than me. I wanted to fly. Achieve. Conquer. Be the best in ‘my’ field.
Who would have thought, Michael Johnson’s world record would be dismissed by a man who seems to not have fully pushed himself.
Amidst, the ever-bulging press coverage, I read an article by Simon Barnes of the Times yesterday where he discussed Athletics struggling credibility, “we have reached a stage of cynicism in athletics when there is not a name that would surprise you if it were linked to a failed test”
Barnes reminded us all about the disease which has tainted the athletic world in recent years...doping. As sad as this is, I must confess that all through the celebratory victory ‘dance’ – I kept thinking – please Lord! Let’s not do a Marion Jones. I simply can’t bear watching another star from my generation fall from grace.
Let’s hope this isn’t Bolt’s story, after all what has the games $10m Olympic village doping laboratory been doing over the last two weeks.
Anyway, be sure to support our Nigerian boys in the football’s gold medal match against Argentina in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
This week’s Friday track is a tribute to our new 22-year old hero. This is by far the most exciting record of the last week – this is an exclusive from Common ft. Pharell Williams. This is Universal Mind Control.
You can say you heard it here first. This is BIG!!!!
God bless us all and please let’s keep our dreams alive – either you’re an artist, an architect, a designer, an investment banker, an asset manager, a lawyer, a trader, an accountant, an analyst, a writer, an aspiring politician, an aspiring filmmaker, a publicist, a doctor, a dentist, an engineer, an economist, an head-hunter, a lobbyist, or in construction and if you’re not sure what your path is – it is not the end of the world.
And most importantly – YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS. DON’T RUB YOURSELF OF YOUR OWN DESTINY!
Kind Regards,
It’s been a week of pure adrenaline. I re-discovered that Athletics is better than any other sport in the calendar at delivering peak moments: and almost always these come at the Olympic Games.
The Beijing Olympics although started drier than a rocket salad, became the spectacle of the last week with breathtaking moments to cherish for many years to come.
2 words made the tournament – Usian Bolt. The natural showman from Jamaica set the tournament alight with his charisma; unfrock reign and his giant strides.
Now, a few weeks ago, I had celebrated August babies and gave extensive reasons why we are so great and are natural leaders. It gives us great joy to have Usian Bolt make history in both his 100 and 200 metres gold medals performances. It gave me great pride that at my old age that I could still be inspired by someone younger than me. I wanted to fly. Achieve. Conquer. Be the best in ‘my’ field.
Who would have thought, Michael Johnson’s world record would be dismissed by a man who seems to not have fully pushed himself.
Amidst, the ever-bulging press coverage, I read an article by Simon Barnes of the Times yesterday where he discussed Athletics struggling credibility, “we have reached a stage of cynicism in athletics when there is not a name that would surprise you if it were linked to a failed test”
Barnes reminded us all about the disease which has tainted the athletic world in recent years...doping. As sad as this is, I must confess that all through the celebratory victory ‘dance’ – I kept thinking – please Lord! Let’s not do a Marion Jones. I simply can’t bear watching another star from my generation fall from grace.
Let’s hope this isn’t Bolt’s story, after all what has the games $10m Olympic village doping laboratory been doing over the last two weeks.
Anyway, be sure to support our Nigerian boys in the football’s gold medal match against Argentina in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
This week’s Friday track is a tribute to our new 22-year old hero. This is by far the most exciting record of the last week – this is an exclusive from Common ft. Pharell Williams. This is Universal Mind Control.
You can say you heard it here first. This is BIG!!!!
God bless us all and please let’s keep our dreams alive – either you’re an artist, an architect, a designer, an investment banker, an asset manager, a lawyer, a trader, an accountant, an analyst, a writer, an aspiring politician, an aspiring filmmaker, a publicist, a doctor, a dentist, an engineer, an economist, an head-hunter, a lobbyist, or in construction and if you’re not sure what your path is – it is not the end of the world.
And most importantly – YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS. DON’T RUB YOURSELF OF YOUR OWN DESTINY!
Kind Regards,
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