The Christmas spirit is certainly in full swing - just arrived in London after a 12-hour flight and I was pleasently suprised on how much a golden oldie can lift the Renaissance Man's spirit.
Here's a classic from 1994 from Mary. J. Blige's My Life album....this is the standout breakthrough single 'Be Happy', that's all the team here can ask you to do today as you tuck into that turkey or lamb....whatever you're having this afternoon.
Just do that 90's head nodding to this!
SONG OF THE FESTIVITIES: DANIEL MERRIWEATHER
I've often defended the point that Christmas should usher in your favourite past times. Around this time of the year, some great music rears its head and become synonymous with the festive period of that year.
Daniel Merriweather (The guy from the classic Mark Ronson's Stop Me) is on the verge of dropping his debut record and this is the first official single (if I'm not mistaken) lifted from the record.
This is 'Changes' and it features possibly the rapper that will feature on some of the more important records (not necessarily commercial!!) in 2009, WALE!
This is so soulful yet adventurous.
Daniel Merriweather (The guy from the classic Mark Ronson's Stop Me) is on the verge of dropping his debut record and this is the first official single (if I'm not mistaken) lifted from the record.
This is 'Changes' and it features possibly the rapper that will feature on some of the more important records (not necessarily commercial!!) in 2009, WALE!
This is so soulful yet adventurous.
SUPERMODEL SWAGGER
Guess who's knocking boots with Sessilee Lopez.....yep, you guessed right, it's no other than Mr. 'Love Lockdown' West. You might have noticed the Victoria Secret supermodel as the busty-fur-coat-wearing hardass who shovelled a strapped up Kanye to death in the Flashing Lights video.
What can we say, Kanye or as my uncle would call him 'Kenny West' has brung it again!
LET US UPGRADE YA!
Some fresh male accessories around - feast your eyes and perhaps part with your cash.
Patrik Erwell reversible mountain coat
Sony Alpha 900 DSLR
What a Man should know, Vol.1
George Hamilton's Louis Vuitton black leather holdall
Patrik Erwell reversible mountain coat
Sony Alpha 900 DSLR
What a Man should know, Vol.1
George Hamilton's Louis Vuitton black leather holdall
ASTON MARTIN ONE-77
As we head rapidly towards what is clearly a global recession, should luxury car makers such as Aston martin be allowed to make cars like this $2 million limited edition One-77?
I know a lot of our male readers are instantly screaming YES at their computer screens - the only problem is they aren't the ones placing their government names of its waiting list.
STYLISTICS...
Here's Kanye again - never failing to disappoint with his trendy-ass-self. Here he is outside the David Letterman studios in New York as he continues to churn out one TV appearance after the other, all in aid of breaking more records with first week sales of his new release '808 & Heartbreak'
SHE'S ACTUALLY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT
Model of the moment, Arlenis Sosa is actually too bloody gorgeous we have decided.
The 19-year old Dominican descedent is too beautiful for the camera lenses, we almost wish she hadn't been "discovered", it would have been reassuring to know that not all beautiful people are being used to sell garment.
The Lord is good and the word is Arlenis.
N-O, NO!
Just spoke with some excitable music journalists about the forthcoming Jamie Foxx album 'Intuition'
Sorry...but isn't this like getting excited about the prospects of losing a couple of quid over a bad bet? We all know it's gonna suck!
TAKE A WILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLD GUESS!
Guess who made an appearance at last night's American Music Awards?
Soooooo...we ask the question, is this Be'I Am..pure' or 'Sasha'?
Kinda getting confused, can you just make up your mind.
Soooooo...we ask the question, is this Be'I Am..pure' or 'Sasha'?
Kinda getting confused, can you just make up your mind.
WHO'S GONNA SAVE MY SOUL
At the Renaissance Man, we had been raving about the depth of Gnarls Barkley new single 'Who's gonna save my soul' for months, finally, a befitting promotional video has been released and like everything Gnarls.....this is master class.
Enjoy and think!
Enjoy and think!
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: WILEY
Big shout out to Aterlieu Olu for giving us the heads up on the new Wiley single 'Ca$h in my Pocket'
It is funny indeed.....kinda reminds us of the hit series 'The Office' .... but on dope, of course.
It is funny indeed.....kinda reminds us of the hit series 'The Office' .... but on dope, of course.
THE SOFTER SIDE OF BEYONCE
The softer side of Beyonce is certainly the way forward for the emerging icon’s career. Regardless of our personal opinion on the persona and person behind what has essentially been a great musical talent. On the eve of her new release, I Am.....Sasha Fierce, a 2-CD music extravaganza – similar to an overdose of your favourite biscuit or fruit, this will essentially be the quintessential beyonz a.k.a Ms Put a ring on it dream.
She seems to have dug deep on her vocal arrangements and her song writing abilities, the sophisticated productions on the first CD instalment I Am, is admirable. For the first time, I find myself listening to beyonce’s lyrical content and I confess I almost don’t feel like I’m listening to a Beyonce record.
What do I mean, after all this is the same lady who brought out cliché empowerment drivel but pop classics such as Bootylicious and Independent women. It is reassuring that with age people grow and SOME artists develop musically. This is very evident on I Am and something the superstar should be proud of. Hallelujah, Halo have courageous melodies which rivals even Diane Warren in her finest hour.
The B-side ‘Sasha Fierce’ the supposed alter ego is far more brass and abrasive but sadly doesn’t work and almost puts a ? on which of the sides is really Beyonce. Is the delectable quality of side A, a A&R ploy or is it vice versa, whichever it is.....the 2CD is a commendable effort and granted to secure more airplay for the young woman who is quickly racing into the legends corner.....whether we like it or not!
She seems to have dug deep on her vocal arrangements and her song writing abilities, the sophisticated productions on the first CD instalment I Am, is admirable. For the first time, I find myself listening to beyonce’s lyrical content and I confess I almost don’t feel like I’m listening to a Beyonce record.
What do I mean, after all this is the same lady who brought out cliché empowerment drivel but pop classics such as Bootylicious and Independent women. It is reassuring that with age people grow and SOME artists develop musically. This is very evident on I Am and something the superstar should be proud of. Hallelujah, Halo have courageous melodies which rivals even Diane Warren in her finest hour.
The B-side ‘Sasha Fierce’ the supposed alter ego is far more brass and abrasive but sadly doesn’t work and almost puts a ? on which of the sides is really Beyonce. Is the delectable quality of side A, a A&R ploy or is it vice versa, whichever it is.....the 2CD is a commendable effort and granted to secure more airplay for the young woman who is quickly racing into the legends corner.....whether we like it or not!
ALESHA: NOT CALLING THE SHOTS
Do you ever think there are some 'stars' who are good at being jack-of-all-trades , and by that I mean - being a bonafide celebrity, glossy pages regular, etc.
Would you agree if we place Alesha Dixon in that box. I mean, we were all loving her towards the end of last year as she was crowned winner of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, gracefully silencing her enemies especially husband snatcher Javine.
Now......we have mentally tried to block her only hit 'Lipstick' from the face of the planet but she seems to be persistent. She has a new song titled 'The Boy does nothing' which sounds more like a re-make of Mambo No.5 by that fella with the moustache.
If the truth be told, this is awful. Is she's seriously trying to convince us that she has 100% creative input in this offering. We would choke with laughter. We believe in evolving but really - this is a longgggggggggggggg way from the Mis-Teeq ladies days. Even, Mis-teeq's half-boiled R&B tunes are masterpieces in comparison to this drivel.
C'mon Alesha, your credibility is seriously on the line.
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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