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!