LIL MISS URBAN

2010-11-10T22:54:00.002Z

Cigarettes, salad and cereal

2010-10-14T18:02:00.008+01:00

Life is going okay right now. I thought I'd give whoever cares a little update.

My hair is longer and darker now as you can see and I've started going out quite a lot, met lots of cool new people.

Me and Toni before a night out, I was pretty drunk haha

I'm now at college studying HNC Business and it's great although I missed out on the last couple of weeks because I broke my rib. I didn't even know it was broken for 3 weeks. I was going to Morrison's from my sister's place and being the lazy bitch that I am I decided to take a shortcut over a wall. So, I climbed up the fence to the top of the wall and threw my bag over before I even looked down. I'm not joking, the wall was around 6-6'5" on the side I climed up but around 8" on the other side. I had no option but to jump it. I'm not scared of heights but I'm scared of busting my ass and right below there was a massive bunch of bushes that didn't look too inviting or cement which, well... yeah. I thought it would be a fabulous idea if I somehow managed to lower myself before I jumped. I don't know why this seemed like I good idea but this is how I ended up...

I was like that for a good couple minutes. My fingers hurt but I couldn't hoist myself back up because I'm pathetically weak and I was too scared to jump in case I fell into the bush and it was still pretty high. I wanted to get lower and move to the side a bit so I missed the bushes. In the end I decided to go for it and I jerked forward in order to miss the bush but my god it hurt like FUCK. It was my sternum that hurt the most. I thought I was having a heart attack every 5 minutes for a few days. I eventually got a doctor's appointment a week or so later and she basically said I must have hurt my muscle but I'll be okay and told me to take ibuprofen which don't really help. Typically I get the flu a few days after my incident and let me tell you, it hurts so bad to cough and sneeze with a broken rib. After two more doctor appointments the new doctor finally tells me my rib is broken and gives me some co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol) to take which actually helps. Although I hate paracetamol, I'd rather just have the codeine thanks. It's been around 4-5 weeks and it still hurts from time to time but not as bad. Stupidly I took the shortcut again to prove a point and it turns out jumping from the very top isn't as scary as I thought. If I hadn't been so scared my chest would be fine.

In the last year I've lost a little bit of weight. I used to weigh around 132lbs but now I'm 124lbs! Yay me. I would like to lose a couple of more pounds or just get in shape. I say this all the time and never act on it or I do it for a week or two tops. I wish I just had the motivation. I think the reason I managed to lose the weight is because I changed a couple of things about my diet. I started by banishing all refined carbs and started eating whole grain, I eat a salad a day (although some days they're full of cheese and coleslaw, healthy) and I started drinking water much more and cut down on fruit juices. I eat so much cereal too now, I think that kind of helps. Like I said, I'm still not happy with my body - but what girl my age is?

I'm a little bit bitter about the last year though. I met a guy last year and quickly we began dating. He was very bad news and I really don't know why I put up with his bullshit for so long. He isn't even remotely attractive, like at all. I think I felt lonely and wanted someone but when you find someone when you're feeling like that it's not likely to be the right person. Unfortunately I still have to speak to him because of all the money he owes me but hopefully it won't be for long. I don't even hate the guy, I just don't want him in my life at all. I know I'm too good for him and he bothers me with soppy text messages about how he still loves me which is really quite funny. He needs to get over it. I'm just focusing on "me" again (like I ever stopped). I actually love being single and everytime I'm in a relationship I feel miserable. I'm young, why do I feel the need to "settle down"? I've decided I refuse to settle for less than perfect - why should I? You only live once. Why should I sacrifice my happiness in order to be with well anybody? I'll happily be single til the day I die rather than be in a relationship that I'm not 100% happy in. All the time we waste in pointless relationships is time we could be doing something important. I've decided if something doesn't make me smile then it has to go.

I've developed a really disgusting habit. I'm ready to admit I'm a closet smoker. I only started smoking because I felt a little craving when I didn't have green but now I smoke around 3-5 cigarettes a day. I don't even know why I do it, something is telling me to. If I have weed though I never smoke cigs. I think I just like the feeling of having something in my mouth (...hahah). I'm trying to stop but I don't want to stop blazin' so it's hard. What's a girl to do?

Oh, and I got my new bathroom fitted last week. It's lovely. My shower I had before was the most pathetic excuse for a power shower I've ever had the displeasure of washing in. This new one is all new and it actually shoots out water! It doesn't just trickle down the side slowly, it actually blasts out HOT water. I cannot believe I am this excited over a new shower.

So things are going okay, they're going to get better I decided. :)

I think I'm in love with J.Cole

2010-10-14T17:40:00.002+01:00

Well, his music anyway. I know he's hardly new news but I've been listening to The Come Up and The Warm Up constantly. I'm actually really excited for the release of a hip-hop album for the first time in quite some time. It was quite sad to see the lack of energy during his BET Awards performance - especially in comparison to the love they showed Waka Flocka and that news guy whose sister was attacked. Regardless, here it goes...

The day I met Wu-Tang Clan...

2010-10-14T16:45:00.012+01:00

Everyone who knows me knows how hard I 'Stan' for Wu-Tang. I was young when they first came on the scene (very young) but as I got older I became entranced by their music, their story and everything about them. I even got a Wu-Tang tattoo when I was 16. When I heard they were performing in the UK back in August - all 8 living generals - I literally jumped up and down! Everyone who knows me also knows how much I love concerts. I've seen some of the Wu before (Method Man, Ghostface, etc...) but all of them together? I had to be there.

I was so happy and relieved when I realised they were doing a show in Glasgow. This may not seem like a big deal but too often I have to travel to English cities to see my favourite acts so it's nice to see Scotland get some love. It was announced just before the show that Method Man was filming CSI:NY so he wouldn't be there. I have to say I was gutted because from Wu shows in the past he always gives most energy.

I'll skip the boring stuff and get to the show. We queued up around an hour before the show and expected there to be a massive queue but there was only around 5 guys. I usually dress up to go to a show because I go out afterwards and can't be bothered going to the hotel to get changed and I usually wear super tall heels because I'm only 5'5" but I went super casual - Chucks, skirt, leather jacket. It was nice to go casual for a change. The support was okay, I wasn't expecting. There was some white guy from Manchester I believe called "The Unexpectable" or something like that and Glasgow's own Kobi Onyame whose music I really feel. I know someone in the entourage from last year so I e-mailed him to see if he could hook me up with some passes to get backstage and luckily he did! I didn't see him before the show, hence why we had to queue up but when Wu hit the stage he spotted us in the crowd and gave us our passes - yay! I honestly don't remember the order of the songs that were played but they mainly performed joints from 36 Chambers. We went through the side door and chilled on the side of the stage for a while. I've met a bunch of celebrities before but Wu-Tang are my actual favourite rappers and for them all to be up there was pretty crazy. The guy in the entourage I know takes us backstage to get a drink and to blaze a lil. GZA came too. He was pretty wasted if I remember right - drunk, high, I don't know. Most of the show he stood at the side of the stage looking baked too. He was really nice and I got a picture with him.

After that we went back on the stage to watch the rest of the show.

(Note - I lost my camera (or it was stolen, well it is Glasgow) so I lost most of my pictures but luckily my sister took hers too!)

After the show ended we all headed backstage to party a little bit. It was pretty crazy being in a room with 7 of the Wu. It was fun though. We smoked a bit, drank a bit and I had to get a few pictures too.

(I can't be bothered uploading them all but that's me and my sister with Ghost and U-God after the show.)

We all headed back to the hotel later to party some more which was crazy. I have to say I ended up getting a messy combination of high and drunk. I met a couple cool girls from Glasgow there too, they were really nice. We were all in the room of the guy from the entourage I know. Ghostface, Raekwon and GZA were there as well as a couple of other guys coming in and out. I have to say it was pretty surreal partying with them and I was shocked how humble they all were. I've met some pretty rude rappers before but they weren't at all. I remember my sister disappeared and at one point I guess I fell asleep.

They were there for two days so we met up with them again although I was so hungover, tired and wasted that I passed out for hours. I could have been chilling with them but here I am sleeping on a bed. So typical. We had to leave early in the morning and I was sad we wouldn't get to meet RZA - luckily we saw him in the lobby of the hotel. It was pretty crazy, he was just in the hotel lobby playing this piano. He was really nice when we met and thought it was cool that we were twins. RZA is really into taking pictures, he took a few of my tattoo.

It was a cool couple of days.

They even gave me a free t-shirt. Boo-ya.

Sarah, Sarah, Sarah...

2010-10-14T16:13:00.003+01:00

I haven't been on here for a very long time and I've decided to make this my blog again.

A lot of things have happened in the past year since I last posted so I'll post a few updates on all that.

New Clothes: T-shirts

2009-08-17T22:21:00.002+01:00

I bought a couple of t-shirts last week, they're both by Married to the Mob. I love their designs, they're pretty in your face.

I got a black one with Married to the Mob across the chest and a pink one with "Money Over Bitches" on the front. I love them! I wish the fabric was a little tighter but it's all good.

Here are some of the sneakers I bought in NY, thought I might as well add them even though it was a couple of months ago.

Fabolous - Money Goes (Remix feat. Jay Z)

2009-08-17T21:09:00.002+01:00

Official video, I like it. I like the song too. Fabolous' album came strong.

Lil Wayne Reschedueled

2009-08-17T18:57:00.003+01:00

Wayne has reschedueled his European tour. He'll be coming over here in October for two dates. Unfortunately he won't be supported by Kid Cudi, which I'm sad about. I saw him last year supporting Kanye West on his Glow in the Dark tour. Apparently he'll be on his own tour some time next year though, he is filming for a TV show right now.

He cancelled his two July London dates a few days before. I was so totally pissed off about this - only because I paid for the hotel and train in advance and couldn't get a refund. Plus the super short notice was annoying. The anger has now gone and I'm looking forward to this. I hope Drizzy Drake's leg is better by then though, don't want him falling on stage again.

New York

2009-06-19T21:58:00.002+01:00

I had loads of fun in New York. I'm going to write all about it and post some pictures later. A few annoying things happened but overall it was cool. I spent a stupid amount shopping. I had to give half of the clothes I took with me to a homeless shelter because I didn't have any room to take them home. It's all good though.

Next up is Lil Wayne in London. I can't wait.

Redman Moonwalking in his Boxers

2009-05-25T15:33:00.003+01:00

Redman is my crush, I admit it. He's so funny and cute. He'd really appreaciate my feet, because I do infact have a pinky toenail.

I'm waiting for Blackout! 2 to be delivered, hurry up Mr. Postman!
I've already heard it though and it's a banger. Hopefully this means they'll be touring the UK again soon (please!).

Ghostface Killah - Glasgow/Manchester

2009-05-25T14:25:00.008+01:00

Wu Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah hit the UK as part of his European tour a couple of weeks ago.

He played shows in London, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. I didn’t mean to go to both the Manchester and Glasgow shows but somehow I did. The dates were announced at different times and me, being a bit simple, got confused.

The Glasgow and Manchester shows were almost polar opposites of one another, so I’ll give a rundown of them both.

Glasgow.

I left way too early for the show and ended up standing outside for ages. I didn’t realise he was playing the Academy 2, I thought it was just the Academy, so I thought the queue would be huge. As usual I ended up buying a CD outside (I really need to learn how to say no!). It was pretty chilly and my feet were in agony because I decided to wear my highest heels (urgh... blisters, yuck). The doors opened around 7:30pm, if I remember rightly. I had never been to the Academy 2 before so I never realised how tiny it was, it was really small. I’d say the capacity was around 200-300 people. I had a few vodkas and chilled out for a bit. There were a few support acts, including DJ Vadim and Cheeba who performed an AV show, which was pretty unique. After the DJs had played I decided to go up to the barrier – BIG MISTAKE!

I had couple more vodkas and then Pretty Toney came out, the moment he came out – sporting a wine coloured Sean John velour tracksuit and a bright yellow t-shirt – the crowd seemed to go, and pardon my language, fucking crazy. Even if I had wanted to escape I couldn’t. I was stuck between hundreds of sweaty, drunk men. At one point I thought my bones would be crushed. One complete twat spilt his lager on my head too, which is not a good look. To be honest, it was too hot and I was too crushed to really enjoy the show. He was supported by some of his Theodore Unit cronies, Shawn Wigs, Du Lilz and J-Love on the decks. The show was good, of course except for the fact I could not breathe. He played some tracks from 36 Chambers, some of his own material and asked the crowd what they’d like to hear. Randomly “You Know I’m No Good” came on, it wasn’t that random, but I just didn’t think he’d play that live, especially to a crowd like that. I was chuffed because I really like the song but it was just a mistake by the DJ.

After a good half an hour Ghostface called out to the crowd “who in here can rhyme?” or something like that. I initially thought he said “who in here likes to rob?”, so I was confused. A few locals jumped on the stage and Wigs gave me a bottle of water which was nice. If I remember right the first “MC” was a bit shit and got boo’d off stage within a few seconds, the rest were okay. I couldn’t really understand what they were saying to be honest. They seemed to be happy with their five minutes on stage with Ghost though. After that a couple more songs played and then they invited some ladies on stage to dance. I was offered but I couldn’t get past and didn’t really want to bring attention to my lager drenched hair. The girls who went on stage couldn’t really dance, one was okay and the other two were awful and gave us white girls an even worse rep for dancing like a dad at a disco. Nevermind.

The show ended around 11:30pm. The entourage went to sell some t-shirts and CDs. Ghost’s manger gave me a free t-shirt and made sure I got it signed first, which was nice. I’d spent all my money on drink basically anyway (oops). I was still sober though. I can’t even remember how many people touched the back of my neck that night (I have a Wu tattoo there). Some creepy ginger dude was planning on raping me I think. He told me there was an after party at this “club” and when I asked where it is he gave me dodgy directions to a back alley. So yeah, I didn’t go there! I asked if there was an after party and they said to go to their hotel because I wanted to go back to mine first and shower, I completely forgot the room number though so I just stayed at my own hotel, the Jury’s Inn. It’s basically a more expensive, slightly glorified Travelodge.

Manchester

I got a train down there from Aberdeen, I considered “megabussing” it to save money but weighed it up and realised that I should spend a bit extra and get a train. The journey was pretty relaxing. The internet only worked on one of the 3 connecting trains I got so I played solitaire and listened to music for the majority of the 6 or so hours.

We stayed at the Jury’s Inn down there too. Well, I ditched my stuff there anyway. I may as well have ordered a locker to store my stuff because I spent like half an hour there. We got a taxi to the show because we had no idea where we were going. We left a bit later so we weren’t queuing up or anything I love Manchester, the people are really friendly. About five people asked if they could buy a ticket. My sister pulled me away quickly because knowing me I’d feel bad for them and end up giving it away. Another reason I like Manchester is because there are so many hot people there, no joke, back to the seriousness though. Du Lils and Shawn recognised us as we went in and one of them shouted “the twins!” or something. Anyway, I went to get a vodka (man, I’m really sounding like I have an alcohol problem with all these vodkas, huh?) and we went in and stood about. The place was much bigger than the Academy 2 in Glasgow, there must have been a couple thousand in there.

Broke-N-£nglish were supporting them. I have seen them before when they supported Method Man and Redman in Glasgow last year. They were pretty good and their DJ played some good old skool tunes which I appreciated very much. I could tell the dynamic at this show was going to be totally different. I actually had breathing room (I’m really milking this crushed thing, right? My knees were really bruised though and I’m weak and female!). I was pretty disappointed though because the crowd didn’t really have much energy, like they couldn’t really be bothered or something.
Ghostface came out around 9pm if I remember, I noticed he had a lot more energy at this show. It was pretty much the same rundown as the Glasgow show, pretty much the same songs and same routine. The MCs that he got on stage were a bit better though, a local promoter called Chunky won the battle. I ended up going on stage to dance which I hate doing, I always feel like a complete idiot. I was confused because the girls who went on stage were pretty much standing at the side and refusing to dance, if you don’t wanna dance why go on the fucking stage? Eh, hello?! I was dancing with one of the entourage guys and he gave me a guest pass. The show pretty much finished after that and I chilled at the bar and had a couple more drinks – I really shouldn’t have though because I was starting to feel tipsy, I did anyway though. We chilled backstage for a bit, I had another drink back there and like 2 hits of a blunt and I was a mess. Okay, I wasn’t that bad, I could stand (in 5 inch heels) but I was still a bit drunk. Anyway, both shows were good and the guys were really nice.

Here's a video of some of the show, I had to cut a lot because YouTube kept saying it was too long.

My new shoes are hot

2009-05-23T21:52:00.002+01:00

D12 - Glasgow 01/04/09

2009-04-03T19:23:00.011+01:00

I stayed up all night the day before because I know how awful I am at getting organised, even though my bus didn't leave until 09:30 (well, I had to pack and choose what to wear at night). So anyway, got the bus to Aberdeen with my sister. I slept all the way for 2 hours, then got the bus from Aberdeen to Glasgow, a further 3 hours of sleeping. So I was pretty good as far as sleep was concerned.

We went shopping for a bit, I got some "twisted" grey skinny jeans, and some purple ones in the same colour (they're dark purple, pretty sweet) and some tops for tonight. My sister was having a carry on because she didn't know what to buy. Yeah, so anyway, dropped our stuff off at the hotel, chilled for a minute then got ready. So I wore my new grey jeans, a longish black tank, my leather jacket and my gladiator heels (they're pretty nice). We walked to the venue, got there around, hmm... 17:30. There were quite a few people in front of us. It's strange because for some reason half of the people in the queue had awful teeth, I guess I just notice things more when I have to stand around. I was pretty surprised that there wasn't any guys selling those mixtapes and handing out flyers like they usually do. This was pretty good for me though, I always end up buying some shit CD, I'm easily led I guess.

Anyway, oh yes, back to the queue. Around half an hour before the thing opened a taxi stopped and two god awful girls literally fell out. There was one really fat blonde bird wearing an extremely short black dress and, sadly for me and the other sober people with eyes there, some lacey see-through pants. I felt really pretty disgusted at this point then the other one fell out - she was wearing a tiny tartan mini skirt, some black and silver sandles and a crop top. It maybe doesn't sound that bad but believe me, it was. She kept strutting up and down, I think she liked the attention. I heard she passed out before the concert even started and didn't get in, well that's what ya get for being a ho on drugs I guess.

We got in pretty sharpish, I was annoyed at myself again because I brought a bag, I always bring a bag and I always regret it because it has to get searched and all these people get in front of me. It was cool though because I still got in the front row. I bought a hoody for £30. It was pretty cool, I would have rather spent less and just got a t-shirt but they were black and I wanted something that could get signed. So we waited around for a minute then the DJ came out, YoungMase. He was pretty hyper, seemed like a cool guy and a good DJ, got the crowd real hyped up. I was chuffed 'cause he played some Nas. Hah.

Then the Glaswegian emcee guy came on. I can't remember his name but he was cool. It wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, maybe because I'm just not used to hearing someone rap in a Scottish accent, but kudos to him for doing his thing. Some people in the crowd were being pretty shit and booing him, which I always hate. It's always some idiot who couldn't do nearly as good who acts like that.

After he was done YoungMase came out again and hyped us up a bit. Some chick next to me decided to roll up her top so she could let her muffintop hang out and was dancing like she was at Woodstock or something, ah well, good for her. Then Classified's DJ came out. He was a big white Canadian guy with an Obama shirt on. I enjoyed Classified, I have heard his name loads but never actually listened to him before. He did a good job. He had a few people on stage with him, two other guys rapping and one guy who was singing and pretty good I might add.

After Class was done a few CDs were thrown into the crowd. One hut me in the head, ow and the guy with the man crush on Swifty got it, I then got handed one when they came walking out the front though.

Royce Da fucking 5'9 then came out! I was so hyped for him, I'd been listening to Boom on repeat for ages before we left. He came with Kid Vishis. I was actually really disappointed though. I'd expected Royce to be on at least as long as Class was, but no, he was on for around 10 minutes in total. I wanted to hear a few of his new singles but no. Nevermind. They rocked it though, I liked it at the end where they posed for a photoshoot to MIA's sample in Swagga Like Us. The crowd really disappointed me with Royce though, some idiot thought it was a good idea to start throwing stuff at them, I really can't stand that, have some damn respect!

Finally, after YoungMase came back out telling us that "D12 WERE IN THE FUCKING BUILDING!" about 30 times they actually came out. It was more like d3 though, as the only actual d12 member who were there were Swifty, Kuniva and Bizarre. They brought Maestro Williams out instead of Kon Artis. I think he was a pretty good replacement. He was pretty cute, wearing a little bow tie and Kanye shades. I can't remember the song order but they did pretty good. I was a little disgusted when Bizarre took his shirt off but hey, I should have expected it. Besides, it was pretty hot in there. Fight Music or Purple Pills was probably their best songs because the crowd got really into them. I was pretty chuffed that there wasn't too much pushing when they came out. I remember last year Method Man & Redman the crowd was so fucking annoying, pushing me right up against the barrier, I was covered in bruises.

Swifty handed me a towel, or just threw it in my direction, although it looked more like a handing than a throwing and the guy behind me (the Swift fanboy/Stan) was gutted! He tried to get it but I didn't let go. Not sure why I really want a sweaty towel anyway, but I have a mini collection of them from concerts in a box at home. Quite disgusting actually, nevermind, anyway, so they finished off and told all the ladies to go to the afterparty at Classrooms and that if we hang around they'll come sign out things. So I waited around and some idiots started pushing like crazy, seriously, I think rappers have bodyguards to protect them against their male stans rather than female fans. So I finally got through to get them to sign my hoody, I even brough my own Sharpie with me! I didn't need it though. Kuniva said he liked my lip piercing, that it was very original which made me smile, then said something about being sexy and gave me a hug, I got the rest of them to sign it then I went back to the hotel.

I really wanted to go to the afterparty but I had to leave REALLY early to go back to Aberdeen, so I was smart and sensible and went back and watched some dodgy movie and fell asleep.

So yeah, I'd give the show a B, lack of Obie and the really short set of Royce lower it for me. Overall it was a fun night though.

B.O.B - I'll Be in the Sky

2009-01-16T06:17:00.002Z

I got sent this a couple of days ago. B.O.B is signed to T.I's grand hustle. I love that Outkast sound. He's only 19!

URGH! Another Heartbreaking Headline.

2009-01-16T03:21:00.000Z

Am I wrong in thinking that a parent’s job is to protect their child? It would appear so.

A father who dropped his baby boy down the stairs causing a fatal head injury has been jailed for life.

I don’t even have words to describe how angry this makes me feel.

Geek Glasses?

2009-01-16T01:19:00.009Z

Every guy in hip hop seems to think geek glasses are hot, if you don't believe me then check below. What do you think - hot or not? Would you want your man to wear these?!?

Jigga.

Kanye.

Pharrell.

Chris Brown.

Kid Cudi.
I guess this isn't really a new thing, jocking the geek look from the legends.

My New Tattoos

2009-01-15T21:02:00.007Z

I'll get someone else to take a pic, my arms aren't very long.

Yep, I'll probably regret it in a couple of days.

It didn't hurt one bit, I'd say the pain was one out of ten. Maybe I have a really high pain threshold?

The Game feat. Anthony Hamilton - Hustlers Dream

2009-01-13T22:32:00.000Z

Hip Hop Is Changing

2009-01-13T21:18:00.002Z

2008 was undoubtedly a year of change; the US elected Obama as the 44th president, entertainment heroes such as Heath Ledger, Bernie Mack and Isaac Hayes passed away and of course our ailing economy dived into a recession. However, the music industry also headed in new, positive directions, specifically hip hop music.
Never before has hip hop been so diverse and so popular the world over. In the past hip hop was seen as, in terms of music, emceeing and quite underground. Now, hip hop has expanded and broke the boundaries of the past 20 years or so. Hip hop is now crossing genres more than ever before.

Last year saw the birth of Kanye West’s surprising masterpiece 808’s and Heartbreak. West, who rose to popularity through music production which led to a rap career of his own, left critics scratching their heads as the album wasn’t an experimental failure but pure gold. Kanye made the decision to have an album of R’n’B hooks, auto tune vocals, heavy bass lines and even takio drums.
Kanye’s album came as an interesting bolt from the blue, however he wasn’t the first pioneer in this field, the game had been changing and evolving over the past years, and more explicitly months.

In 2008 to have a number one single without being a collaboration seemed a rarity: every club banger featured T-Pain, and his autotuned style choruses, Lil Wayne, and his multi-million dollar throaty verses or Akon , and his catchy harmonies. This doesn’t seem to be a short-lived trend either- take a look at the enormous success of T.I with Jay-Z, Kanye and Lil Wayne in the catchy sampled tune, “Swagga like Us”. There’s a minority of us who haven’t been caught out singing M.I.A’s line, “No-one on the corner...”

The very fact three (arguably four) somewhat hardcore rappers worked using a sample from M.I.A, a British experimental artist who dabbles in genres from dancehall, jungle and electro is a sign of change. M.I.A has now gained massive popularity and acceptance within the hip-hop community- and not just for Paper Planes. M.I.A has helped bring this type of UK influenced techno-hop into the limelight with artists such as Santogold making it big- she’s been sampled in Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 and was taken along with Kanye on his UK/European leg of Glow in the Dark tour.

Rappers with big respect on the streets have also been seen collaborating with R’n’B singers thick and fast. Prime examples of these would be T.I working with Barbados beauty Rihanna, Plies working with sexy Senegalese Akon and Southern star Lil Wayne with, in my opinion, the underexposed Bobby Valentino. *Weee -ohhh-eee-ooohh-eee...* (My attempt at expressing the siren in Mrs Officer)

Now, as we are striding into 2009, there’s more to happen in hip hop. Tha Carter III star Lil Wayne has been planning a new album to be fully comprised of rock, no your eyes aren’t deceiving you, the Best Rapper Alive is to become a rock star.

So is this a good thing for hip hop? Of course, everything has a life cycle and progresses and changes and hip hop is no different. Yes, I still have much love for my real hip hop heroes but I love the fact that artists are now broadening their horizons and crossing genres barely touched upon before in the hip hop world. As long as the message is positive and the beat is banging it’s all good in my eyes.

Prince Harry & Racial Slurs

2009-01-13T21:01:00.002Z

A video obtained by the News of the World came to light this past week and was widely reported all over the UK media. This video is a short clip of none other than our smart, appropriately dressing Prince, Harry.

Here is the clip.

As you can hear, he refers to one of the other troops as a “paki” and also uses the term “raghead” to describe another soldier. The Palace quickly responded by saying that Harry was using the term “paki” as a term of endearment and that media outlets had taken the term out of context. Two words there – bull shit.
After several debates on the internet I’ve come across a few people who have actually sided with Harry, mostly Americans, because they don’t see the negative connotations that this word has. Here in Britain I, personally, have never heard it used in a nice manner: it’s usually proceeded by some form of profanity or something you may read on a BNP agenda.

Can we really fault Harry though? Everyone knows he certainly isn’t the brightest bulb but surely he knows that you simply cannot refer to someone in this manner. I may come across as sounding like the PC Police but I’m really not, it’s just a simple respect for others. To me, no racial slurs are acceptable whatsoever unless, yes unless, they’re used by the race in question i.e. a black person using the “N” word, as in my opinion, I don’t see how one could be offended- I’m also in no position to say whether a term like this offends another black person.
It’s sad that a man who may one day become our King is either completely ignorant or xenophobic and arguably racist.

Sway & Akon - Silver & Gold

2008-12-21T11:43:00.001Z

I jocked this from DJ Semtex's blog, one of my fav blogs on the net.

I love this song.

Sway is going big places.

The Game - 15/11/08 - Edinburgh

2008-12-21T09:56:00.007Z

Okay I wasn't even planning on going to this because of money but I got a call from ticketmaster to tell me those bastards D12, Obie and Royce decided to cancel on my ass so I decided to change the train and hotel times/dates and go see The Game. Well, I'm glad D12 cancelled 'cause The Game was so much fun.

Because it was a last minute thang I had to go collect my tickets from the box office, I went around 4pm to find the bloody thing was closed and there were people lining up already. I just went to the hotel, got ready and got a taxi there. I was wearing 5 inch heels and shiny leggings so didn't fancy walking half an hour to the venue resembling a hooker.

See! Hooker.

The queue wasn't big when we got there, I felt kind of left out because EVERY person was wearing trackies. The wait to get in didn't seem too bad, it was around an hour and a halfish, cause I like to be at the front. Passed pretty quick though. We got in just after 7pm and I was shaking so badly! Brrrrrrr! Darn Scottish weather, it's a bitch.

I went to get a t-shirt and the (hot) guy selling on them called me pretty or something and asked if I'd go back to his hotel. I couldn't really understand what he was saying so I went back to the barrier. There was an Edinburgh DJ on first to get the crowd rowdy, I was happy 'cause he played Hip Hop - Dead Prez, which I didn't expect. Then some local looking kids came on stage wearing red everything, I thought they were maybe going to perform but they just stood there and DJ Kris Styles came out. I can't remember the order they performed but LA Goon, Clyde Carson and XO all performed. They were all really good, the crowd was definitely feeling them (well I was anyway).

[Will insert pic of me in t-shirt later today]

Some time after that The Game came out. I have an awful memory so I have no idea what song order etc... but in there were some songs from LAX, How We Do, Hate It Or Love It and an extremely shabby version of Dreams because some little bitch decided to get on stage and take a swing at The Game, well he tried and failed and he never finished Dreams... one of my favourite songs ever. He threw out a towel that landed on my head and some idiot decided to pull my hair (ouch). At the end some ladies got on stage and I got up there of course. I was too scared to dance though because my heels were too high and I would have really embarrassed myself. Then, to finish off he played My Life.

I got my t-shirt signed by DJ Kris Styles and the hot t-shirt guy. Me and Stephanie somehow ended up back at their hotel and that's where I finish off! I had to get up really early to leave in the morning :(

REALLY good concert though. Would 100% go see him again.

Kid Cudi

2008-12-21T09:33:00.002Z

If you don't know Kid Cudi then leaveeee!

He is REALLY blowing up all over the UK right now with Day N Night (Crookers Remix) and I'm just out the shower bumping to it whilst eating Honey Loops. It's seriously an amazing tune.

I saw him back in November with Kanye. I enjoyed him but wish he performed longer!

Ne-Yo/The Game - Camera Phone

2008-12-06T20:28:00.002Z

Overplay: Jay Z & Santogold - Brooklyn (Go Hard)

2008-12-06T20:22:00.002Z

This song is recieving a stupid amount of play from me. It's so catchy.

It's produced by Kanye of course and is for the upcoming Biggie flick due out next year.

The song would get 4/5 for me because I think he overdid the Santogold sample over the verse. Take her out of the background on the verse and the song would be better, in my opinion anyway. I like Jay's style on this song, I've read various places that he's jocking Wayne's style... ERR NO... Wayne is the one that's been on Jay's dick, not the other way around. Idiots. Anyway, good song.

Dizzee Rascal - ABC Glasgow - 15/11/08

2008-11-27T01:34:00.004Z

After a long bus journey and hours of shopping I finally headed from my hotel on Hill Street to ABC about an hour before the show was due to start. As I expected the crowd was comprised of quite a few people younger than myself. It was pretty cold outside but it wasn't too bad, wasn't forced to wait for too long like some other shows either, which is always a plus. I probably shouldn't have worn my 5 inch heels but hey, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, and if that's wearing killer heels whilst standing outside for an hour and a half then so be it.

I ended up buying some mixtape outside like I always do, honestly, if you're a salesperson please do not approach me because I cannot say no! Hell, just last week some Isreali woman sold me heat pads, when the fuck will I ever need heat pads that you click for them to heat up? Granted they're pretty cool but I'll never use them. Anyway, so I bought the CD which shamefully I've yet to listen to. The guy also asked how old I was which is a weird question, but it made sense later on.

So I got in the venue and had to walk up a hell of a lot of stairs, but I got there. I wasn't in the middle but the side front, which is the best place anyway. The show warmed up with DJ Tubby messing around then Smurfy Syco came out (he is such a cutie!) and the fans pretty much liked him. Then the Newham Generals came out if I remember correctly. They were off the hook, I had heard them before but never really appreciated their music before. They're real good though.

The show moved swiftly which I really appreciated because at shows before I've waited like half an hour between acts! Which can get frustrating. DJ Semtex came out and started blasting the club bangers to get everyone rowdy. I was delighted when Swagga Like Us came on. Never expected to hear it. Then Dizzee came out some time after that with his boy Scope. I won't go on about it too long but they killed it for sure. I've seen Dizzee before but this show was simply amazing.'Course he was sporting the RMC wear and looked pretty darn fly. The crowd got a taster of some new tracks including Road Rage and Bonkers. Bonkers is definitely one to look out for next year, it's a good dance track. It's produced by Armand Van Helden and the crowd went crazy. So yeah, the show was a good way to spend my Saturday night and a good warm up to Kanye's show the next day which the Dirtee Stank crew were also at, I saw them creepin' about the audience.

Blood On Their Hands: Baby P

2008-11-12T10:32:00.006Z

This story never fails to shock and sadden me. I'm sure if you watch the news you've heard about "Baby P" - the 17 month old boy who was beaten to death over his short life - sustaining over 50 injuries.

On 2 August 2007 police announced they were dropping an investigation into allegations of child abuse they had launched the previous December on a women, who remains nameless. Baby P's mother was elated and told social workers she would go home to hug her son and bake cakes. The next day he was dead. This is a chilling reminder of what happened to Victoria Climbe - in the same district as Baby P in London.

How is this being allowed to happen? Why aren't these children being taken away from their parents into care? You may say well, they can't predict the future and hindsight is a great thing but the thing is - health and social workers visited the family more than 60 times. The mother was even arrested for child cruelty and neglect but nothing came of it. He was seen two days before he died by a doctor but no one realised what was happening to this poor boy. No one realised what danger he was in and subsequently he is now dead.

According to reports the mother would smear chocolate over bruises to conceal his bruises but even his clothing were bloodied beyond belief.

Baby P died in his blood stained cot hours after being used as a punching bag by his step dad, he swallowed his bottom tooth and he could barely breath. I can't even stop crying while more of the story unfolds. This is the kind of world we live in today - we all think it's someone elses problem. We live in a society where ignorance is bliss and we need to become more involved to save these children.

I just can't get my head round this case - why did no one do anything, his whole life this poor little boy wqas a punch bag to the adults around him, a little innocent toddler. The way I see it society is guilty. I'm sure so many people were aware of what was going on but no one did a damn thing and it's horrible. If I ever thought a child was in danger I would do something about it. Infact I have, I reported my neighbours for neglecting their child and you know what, she was taken into care. Is it so hard just to report to the NSPCC? It's this typical mentality we've somehow aquired - "if it doesn't affect you personally it's to be ignored, it's not your problem". Well I hate to tell you but if you know that a kid is being abused or anything like that, even a wife being beaten then it is your problem. This is the reason that children and being killed in their own homes, because we've all told ourselves that someone else will report it or it's someone elses problem. We need to change this attitude.

I'm not sure why everyone is remaining nameless but Baby P was born 1 March 2006 to a "hardcore porn loving slob", it was reported. She then met her boyfriend, again nameless. He was said to be a sadist obsessed with Naziism and reported beat the baby up to "toughen him up".

Timeline of Events

September 2006: Mum treated for depression and tells GP
six-month-old was bruising easily.

13 October 2006: Baby taken to GP with bruising on head and
chest. Mum claims he fell.

November 2006: Mum’s boyfriend moves into home but this is
kept from police and social workers.

11 December 2006: Baby taken to GP with injuries to
forehead, nose and chest. GP sends child to Whittington Hospital and puts
paediatricians on “full alert”. Social services contacted. Mum claims he
fell off chair and was scratched by their dog.

19 December: Mum arrested on suspicion of assaulting her
baby and released on bail. Child is handed to a female friend.

22 December: Baby placed on child-protection register -
eight months before his death.

January 2007: Child returned to his family after five
weeks. Mum blames child’s grandmother for injuries. Social workers visit and
find house small, crowded, untidy and smelling of urine.

February: Family rehoused in semi-detached home. Maria Ward
appointed new social worker by Haringey Council. She sees Baby P headbutting
the floor.

March: Health visitor Paulette Thomas arranges for mum to
attend parenting group. A Haringey project worker visits to provide
practical support.

April: Boy admitted to North Middlesex hospital with
bruises, two black eyes and swelling on head. Mum claimed another child
caused him to fall on marble fireplace. Social services provide new fire
guard. Mum tells doctors she fears meningitis. The boy is sent home two days
later. Episode not reported to police.

Ward and Thomas visit again.

May: Boy taken to GP with apparent allergic reaction.
Visits to or from health and social workers continue at least once a week
but cancelled in last week.

June: Police re-arrest and bail mum after marks seen on
boy’s face by Ward who sends him to the North Middlesex hospital, 12 areas
of bruises and scratches are found. Mum blames another child. Arrangements
made to pay friend to live at house for two weeks and then childminder to
take boy in the daytime. Lodger Jason Owen moves in with a 15-year-old
runaway girl and abuse “accelerates”.

2 July: Ward speaks to mum by phone after she failed to
keep appointments. Mum says she is nursing a sick uncle. In court, she
admitted he did not exist.

9 July: Violence is increasing at home. Child taken to A&E
at the North Middlesex for “scalp rash” and “ear discharge”.

24 July: Childminder says she cannot take him until his
scalp condition clears up. The boy is likely to have then suffered his rib
injuries.

27 July: Baby P stays overnight with his dad and sees him
for the last time. Dad notices boy is thin and withdrawn.

30 July: On home visit Ward misses injuries to boy’s face
and hands, hidden by chocolate.

1 August: Child clinic at St Ann’s Hospital. Dr Sabah
Alzayyat misses baby’s broken back and ribs during examination, despite tot
crying in pain.

2 August: Police tell mum she will not be prosecuted over
previous arrests. That evening, baby receives fatal last blow to the mouth,
knocking his tooth out.

3 August: Boy found dead in his cot. An attempt has been
made to cover the crime, with his clothes and bedding dumped.

I am just in so much shock that our praised health and social care services were oblivious to what was going on. I am the mother to a 21 month old boy and I cannot see how someone could do this? (I'm trying not to get overly emotional about this) But we could argue till the end of time about how someone could torture a tot to death and we could never find a real reason. Our social services have blood on their hands. They said they'd make changes yet they haven't. When my little boy hurt himself I was treated horribly by a social worker and even questioned by police. I felt like a criminal, yet it was a complete accident. Then we see this has happened and they didn't do a thing about it. It makes me mad to my stomach.

I'm thinking that the abuse was reported by members of the public, that's all we can do, it was the pathetic social services that failed this poor little boy. They cost him his life, they let him suffer for 17 months, they let him live in that home and let them break his back, they may as well have ripped his ear and fingertips off themselves.

Here's a computer generated image of the catalogue of injuries on Baby P.

The post-mortem examination revealed Baby P had suffered:
• Eight broken ribs and a broken back, with another area of bleeding around the spine at neck level.

• Numerous bruises, cuts and abrasions, including a deep tear to his left ear lobe, which had been pulled away from his head.

• Severe lacerations to the top of his head, including a large gouge which could have been caused by a dog bite.

• Blackened finger- and toenails, with several nails missing; the middle finger of his right hand was without a nail and its tip was also missing, as if it had been sliced off.

• A tear to his fraenulum, the strip of skin between the middle of the upper lip and the gum, which had partially healed.

• One of his front teeth had also been knocked out and was found in his colon. He had swallowed it.

Isn't the purpose of the At Risk Register for children to protect them? In the UK we're obsessed with the sanctity of the "family" - a mother, father and of course, children. We think that children suffer in care but really, what's worse? This situation Baby P was living in or him living in care with a loving family? We also need to eradicate this attitude. I agree ideally the perfect family image is just that, perfect but what's more important, a childs safety or maintaining a family?

We need to do something about this. I am fed up of reading reports about child cruelty and neglect. The thing that makes me sick is that the step father and another male weren't even charged with murder or manslaughter but "causing the death". I don't even have words to describe how angry and upset this makes me.

Reminder: GZA THE GENIUS LIVE!

2008-11-06T14:26:00.004Z

GZA, real name Gary Grice, one of the founding... well really he needs no introduction.

All the way from the slums of Shaolin, Wu Tang Clan's GZA is gracing the UK with only 3 shows dotted in Glasgow, London and Bristol.

The Glasgow show is on the 12th, London on the 13th and Bristol on the 14th.

Be sure to check him out, Pro Tools, his debut album is nothing short of amazing (not as good as Liquid Swords, will anything ever beat that?). GZA is a lyrical genius and I'm so happy I'm going to get to see him live.

Tickets are all £18.50, check out Ticketmaster for tickets.

If you're going to the Glasgow show, see you there.

Alphabets, from Pro Tools.

What happened to Blackout! 2?

2008-10-28T12:41:00.003Z

Back in April I went to see Method Man & Redman for a seemingly odd timed show, but there they announced they were planning a Blackout! 2 this Summer. Well Summer's past and where's my Blackout! 2?

I know it's a bad time for album releases and sales - with albums continuously being pushed back and albums selling a fraction of what they used to thanks to pirate downloads - but regardless, I hope they make another CD. Maybe it's still in the works, I'm not sure. I hope it comes out soon though.

Mos Def - Life in Marvelous Times

2008-10-28T10:52:00.002Z

Kanye West: 808's & Heartbreak Cover

2008-10-26T12:35:00.002Z

Here's the official cover to 808's and Heartbreak, there has been so many covers that people claim are the official ones but here it is...

It's pretty plain, rather like the cover to the single Love Lockdown. I at least expected some writing but oh well, I guess it's supposed to be sophistocated.

Here's the tracklisting that's surfing the net right now, not sure if it's 100% official however.

1. “Welcome to Heartbreak”
2. “Heartless”
3. “Love Lockdown”
4. “Robocop”
5. “Anyway”
6. “Streetlights”
7. “Say You Will”
8. “Bad News”
9. “Amazing” featuring Young Jeezy
10. “Tell Everybody That You Know” featuring Lil Wayne
11. “Coldest Winter”

Rihanna, Timberlake- REHAB video shoot.

2008-10-23T19:32:00.004+01:00

Rihanna and Justin Timberlake have been filming the video to the single Rehab (it's not a cover of Amy Winehouse's track Rehab).

Can we really blame him for taking a look at Ri Ri's rear?

Showing off those killer heels...

And killer legs.

The song, minus the video. This has already got 10 million plus views on Youtube so the official vid' is sure to be a hit.

Wiley, Daniel Merriweather and Mark Ronson - Cash in my Pocket.

2008-10-23T19:21:00.003+01:00

Here's the video to Wiley's new single Cash in my Pocket featuring Daniel Merriweather (he's in Stop Me by Mark Ronson) and produced by, you guessed it, Mark Ronson. The song is all about the credit crunch and the video stars British politicians like Gordon Brown and Alisdair Darling.

The album, See Clear Now, is out November 10th. Here's the tracklisting:

Ryder Intro
Wearing My Rolex
I Need To Be
Summertime
See Clear Now Feat. Kano & Scorcher
Cash In My Pocket Feat. Daniel Merriweather
5AM Feat. Scorcher
Step By Step Feat. Hot Chip
Turn It Up
Cant Stop Thinking
I Am The Sea

Ludacris Underwear Giveaway!

2008-10-23T18:53:00.003+01:00

According to the British tabloid The Sun Ludacris has decided to do his part for the under-privileged during the recession by giving sexy underwear away that he gets thrown on stage.

"We're in a recession, so I give those bras and panties right to the Goodwill... “I think it's extremely important that we do that. It's hard times right now.”

Lil Dwayne Carter III

2008-10-23T18:37:00.004+01:00

Congratulations are in order for Lil Wayne who welcomed his son, Dwayne Carter III, into the world yesterday, who was born in Christ Hospital, Cincinnati (OH).

There's been speculation around who the mother of Weezy's baby is and according to various sources her name is Sarah and she's a half-Vietnamese and half-white woman, 22, from Ohio. As for the mother's profession, there have been conflicting rumours- some say she's a university student, some say nail technician and others even imply she's a stripper/ porn star.

Although Lil Wayne publicly announced that he's expecting a baby boy at the BET awards he's getting a DNA test.

The pair apparently met outside one of his shows and have had an on-and-off casual relationship for the past couple of years ever since, she's also said to have Mr Carter tattooed on her chest and his name on her lower back.

Mos Def To Release New Album

2008-10-21T14:36:00.003+01:00

The Mighty Mos Def is set to release a new album in December entitled The Ecstatic. His last album True Magic was disappointing so lets hope that The Ecstatic is a good reason for us to get ecstatic. I really wish it was a Blackstar 2 if I'm honest (so get together and make us another classic album Mos & Talib!)

I presumed that he would focusing on his acting career and didn't even know he was making music at this time. He is a brilliant actor however.

The first single to be released will be called "Life In Marvelous Times" and will be released exclusively on iTunes, November 4th. Yup, that's election day for all you American people out there, so whilst your voting don't forget to download it.

Here's an unconfirmed tracklisting I jacked from StreetCred.Com

"Auditorium" ft. Slick Rick (Produced by Madlib)
"Super Magic" (Produced by Oh No)
"Twilight Speedball" (Produced by Chad Hugo & Mos Def)
"Priority" (Produced by Preservation)
"Pretty Dancer" (Produced by Mr. Porter)
"History" ft. Talib Kweli (Produced by J Dilla)
"Cherry Tree" ft. Q-Tip (Produced by Minnesota)
"The Glow" (Produced by R-Thentic)
"I Forgot To Be Your Lover"
"Life In Marvelous Times"
"The Ecstatic"
"Pistola"

Mos will also be in my neck of the woods at the Rock The Bells UK tour with Nas, Pharcyde and many others so be sure to check that out.

Kanye Talks 808's & Heartbreak with Big Boi

2008-10-21T14:26:00.001+01:00

News In Brief: Eminem, Lil Wayne, TI, Ll Cool J

2008-10-21T13:11:00.002+01:00

Lil Wayne's assistant, Terry Bourgeois, has testified that he did witness people smoking weed on his tour bus and that he also witnessed a handgun, although he wasn't sure whether it was there on the day in question, where a police officer claimed she saw Weezy trying to conceal a handgun and another person trying to flush the hash down the toilet.

If he is found guilty of these charges the Lyricist of The Year could face up to 4 years incarcination.

According to his latest book, The Way I Am, Eminem has revealed that he came up with the alias Slim Shady whilst sitting on the toilet, nice. Also in the book he delves into his drug abuse, peroxide hair, and his love for being a father.

Em has also said in a BBC interview that he doesn't want the fame that he has whilst he was in his prime and has no desire to be "big" again.

"That's probably what I take pride in most. But, at the end of the day, it's kind of catch 22. I love the attention but I don't like too much of it."

Eminem's latest album, Relapse, will be released soon and features production from Dr Dre.

T.I's latest video to the song "Swing Ya Rag" produced by Swizz Beatz, has been stopped from being released as Gucci and LouisVuitton didn't like their mention in the video.

"We did it, and it came out hot. Louis [Vuitton] and Gucci started trippin' about it. They were saying we were infringing, in one way or another. They weren't happy about it. They didn't want it to come out. But it's hot, though."

T.I is now working on the video to the collab with Rihanna, Live Your Life and is hoping he can pull off a video to Swagga Like Us. He is also going to be filming the movie Bone Deep very soon.

LL Cool J has played down his sex symbol status and thanks his personal trainer for his toned body, he told People Magazine.

"It may be slightly flattering, but it's not like I get up every morning and turn around to look in the mirror and say 'Look at Cool J'... I have a great trainer, I try to make sure that I put a lot of energy into working out. It's definitely a lifestyle. I work out three to four times a week minimum and I really focus."

LL Cool J is also releasing his own clothing line like many other hip hop stars.

"The world doesn't need another pair of $5,000 jeans, there is no pretending with me. You get what you see. I'm not going to run down a runway with an ascot on and be Mr Cool J next week just because I have a fashion line."

RIP: Levi Stubbs & Dee Dee Warwick

2008-10-20T23:43:00.003+01:00

Sadly, Levi Stubbs, member of the Motown group The Four Tops has passed away aged 72. He died peacefully in his sleep at his Detroit home. June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008.

Also sadly - Soul singer Dee Dee Warwick, aged 63, died by her sister, Dione Warwick's side on Saturday. A spokesperson for the family said that her health had been deteriorating in recent months. September 25, 1945 - October 18, 2008.

May both rest in peace and love goes out to their families & friends in this sad time.

Alesha Dixon - The Boy Does Nothing

2008-10-20T23:28:00.002+01:00

Here's Alesha Dixon's come back single - The Boy Does Nothing - that was mentioned in the interview posted previously. She debuted it on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday.

I love this song! It's so catchy. I hope it's a success this time, not like her last album which flopped.

Source: ThatGrapeJuice.Net

Concert Tickets

2008-10-20T22:15:00.004+01:00

Here's some of the concerts I've been to in the last year and some coming up... Also going to see D12 & The Game, hurry up tickets!

Yessss, that's the aftershow pass :)

Some Of My Nikes

2008-10-20T20:57:00.013+01:00

I got very bored and decided to take some pictures.
So, I invite you to take a look at some of my favourite Nikes I own

My Nike T-Shirt, lol... seemed appropriote.

Nike Blazers - black shiny

Nike Vandal in grey vintage and wine.

Nike Blazer in black & pink snakeskin

Yellow & Silver Cortez (I think)

My favourite AF1's, blue and white

Nike Dunks - khaki green w/ yellow laces

My very old Nike Vandals

And... not shoes but me.

Craig David & Tinchy Stryder - Where's Your Love

2008-10-20T19:41:00.002+01:00

In Brief: Tha Carter III Re-Release?

2008-10-20T19:30:00.003+01:00

Lil Wayne announced to MTV that he plans to re-release Tha Carter III with all new songs included. This is in addition to Tha Carter IV, which he is working on, as well as a T-Wayne (T-Pain & Weezy, incase you're a bit slow) collab and a mixtape entitled Dedication 3, which will have 20 tracks.

Busy busy guy.

Kanye West 808's and Heartbreak Promo Shot

2008-10-19T22:02:00.003+01:00

Kanye West has released new promo shots by photographer Willy Vanderperre. These photos are for his 808s & Heartbreak album to be released in November.

I like Kanye and all but these are a little... odd, cool but odd. I'm not sure I like his facial hair either.

Kanye West: New song

2008-10-19T21:50:00.002+01:00

A radio leak of Kanye's new song from 808's & Heartbreak, the song is called Cold[est] Winter and is apparently dedicated to his mother who passed away named Donda West, RIP.

Lil Lil Wayne On The Way!

2008-10-19T21:35:00.002+01:00

Lil Wayne announced that he is expecting a son any day now. I'm not sure who the baby's mother is yet but congratz to them. He announced the good news whilst accepting his award for lyricist of the year at the BET Hip Hop Awards.

"I got a son about to be born any day now, so shout-out to him. Pray for me."

NER*D World Tour

2008-10-19T11:02:00.003+01:00

Friday October 24th - Miami, Florida - Miami University
Sunday October 26th - New Orleans, Louisiana - Voodoo Festival
Sunday November 9th - Amsterdam, Holland - Heineken Music Hall
Monday November 10th - Coppenhagen, Denmark - Vega
Tuesday November 11th - London, England - Roundhouse
Friday November 14th - Tokyo, Japan - Zepp
Thursday November 20th - Norfolk, Virginia - Old Dominion University
For those who were hoping N*E*R*D were supporting Kanye will be disappointed as this confirms they're definitely not gonna be there, unless they make 1 guest appearance (probably in London if they do).

Cypress Hill Being Sued For £15.7 Million

2008-10-19T02:20:00.003+01:00

Cypress Hill are being sued by a blues musician for £15.7 Million($29 Million).
The musician, Syl Johnson, 72, claims that Cypress Hill plagiarised his 1969 song 'Is It Because I'm Black?' for their track 'Lock Down', also known as 'Interlude', which featured on their 1993 platinum LP Black Sunday.

Ludacris Atlanta New Era Cap

2008-10-19T01:33:00.003+01:00

Luda has taken a shot at designing a New Era cap -“Capture The Flag” series cap. The limited edition cap can be purchased at any New Era Flagship store or Neweracap.com for about £70ish.

He premiered his design The New Era Flagship Store’s 1 year anniversary in Atlanta. Ludacris joins Fabolous, Cam'ron, Fat Joe, and The Game as the only other hip-hop superstar to have designed their own "Capture The Flag" cap. Ludacris is also the first southern artist to design for the series.

Tupac & Left-Eye: Post Humous Collab'

2008-10-17T23:43:00.005+01:00

The 2nd album from Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, Eye-Legacy, is going to feature a collaboration between her and 2pac, also deceased, Legendary has previously been unheard.
A percentage of the profits will be put to Lopes' orphanage in Honduras as well as the Lisa Lopes Foundation

EMINEM NEWS: book and album

2008-10-17T20:02:00.005+01:00

ALBUM NEWS: Eminem's new album is to be titled R3lapse(not King Mathers as reported previously). R3lapse is said to be released probably before the end of the year. Eminem has released a single song off the album called [I'm having a] Relapse. Mathers revealed that the album was mostly produced by Dr Dre and will have features from 50 Cent.

I gotta admit, it's not one of my favourite tracks by Eminem it's still good to hear he's back after 2/3 years.

__________

BOOK NEWS: To conincide with the release of RELAPS3 Eminem is releasing his memoirs, The Way I Am, which is said to be for sale quite soon.

The Game UK Tour

2008-10-17T19:45:00.008+01:00

The west coast legend The Game is finally gracing the UK with a string a little shows dotted around the country for publicity for his album LAX which he dropped in August. The tour begins at Glasgow (where I'll be) and finishes up in London. The venues he's selected are small and intimate with a couple thousand at maximum capacity.

The tickets went on sale today on Ticketmaster and the dates are as follows:
ABC Glasgow, GB
Sat 13/12/0819:00
Glasgow Tix
Picture House Edinburgh, GB
Mon 15/12/0819:00
Edinburgh Tix
Manchester Apollo Manchester, Lancashire, GB
Wed 17/12/0819:00
Manchester Tix
Carling Academy Newcastle Newcastle, GB
Thu 18/12/0819:00
Newcastle Tix
The Forum London, GB
Fri 19/12/0819:00
London Tix

Jay Sean signed in the US to CASH MONEY

2008-10-17T19:25:00.003+01:00

UK RnB sensation Jay Sean found out just after his massive MOBO performance that he has been signed to CASH MONEY RECORDS (a subsidary of the Universal Music Group) which is home to Lil Wayne.

About 30 seconds in you'll hear Jay confirm he and Lil Wayne are gonna be future label-buddies.

Kanye West: Naked Party?

2008-10-17T19:00:00.002+01:00

Kanye premiered his highly anticipated album 808s and Heartbreak, which is due for release on the 25th of November, in LA on Tuesday night.

Click here to see Kanye's blog entry (N.S.F.W!!)

The premier party featured 40 naked live performance artists who were arranged by Vanessa Beecroft. Among the audience were journalists, friends and music executives. From the evening the two big songs of the album appear to be Heartless (possibly about his recent break-up??)and Cold [as] Winter (which is in memory of his mother, Donda West).

Heartless

MOBOs 2008: FASHION

2008-10-17T18:34:00.003+01:00

Overall the night was full of great fashion of course with a few exceptions.
The good:
Alesha Dixon looking pretty in a floor-length gold number. There's been lots of publicity about Alesha's weight gain- I think she looks absolutely AMAZING with the added weight. Jay Sean, although not getting any awards, performed amazing and looked it too. The white silk with the contrast of the black blazer looked fly. Sinitta, singer of the 80's hit So Macho was in a mini black PVC cocktail dress with skyscraper heels- people half her age don't look as good.

The not so good:
Grace Jones was wearing a gold mask and some spiked dress, it's the MOBOs not HALLOWEEN love.

More to come...

MOBO Awards 2008

2008-10-17T17:36:00.005+01:00

The MOBOs (Music of Black Origin Awards) were on Wednesday night in London's Wembley Stadium. The awards were presented by the gorgeous Mel B (Scary Spice) and Rev Run. The Award winners of the night were:
Best UK female: Estelle
Best UK male: Dizzee Rascal
Best UK newcomer: Chipmunk
Best International Act: Chris Brown
Best Reggae: Mavado
Best Jazz: YolanDa Brown
Best Gospel: Jahaziel
Best African Act: 9ice
Best song: American Boy - Estelle
Best R&B/Soul: Chris Brown
Best Hip Hop: Lil' Wayne
Best Video: Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Best Album Spirit - Leona Lewis
Best Radio DJ: Trevor Nelson
Best Club DJ: Tim Westwood
Lifetime Achievement: Motown
BeMOBO: Ricky McCalla
_______________________________
Leona Lewis and Dizzee Rascal (of the UK) failed to show up to receive their award on Wednesday evening as a result they both got around 90 thousand boos. Personally I don't think Leona should have got the award for the video of Bleeding Love. The crowd showed most love to artists like Tinchy for Stryderman and Bashy for Kidulthood to Adulthood.
Other no-shows included Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, the latter however made a video tape from the set of a movie he's filming which was appreciated by the audience.

In other MOBO related news Jay Sean rocked the stage with a live performance of Ride It amongst other hits of his. Flo Rida performed Low with MANY dancers. Craig David and Tinchy Stryder did a dual performance towards the end of the night. John Legend and Estelle did a sexy duet.

Motown Records were given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sugababes. To collect the award was Mary Wilson of The Supremes who later performed alongside the Sugababes and also did a Supremes medley on her own which was a great closer for the evening.

Overall, to no-ones surprise, Estelle was the big winner of the night and the crowd cheered for her like crazy.

For fashion news from the night look out for the MOBOs 2008: FASHION.

Do you dig these shoes?

2008-10-15T11:20:00.002+01:00

Madonna was seen wearing these Karl Lagerfeld shoes at a movie premiere in NYC.

They've been criticised by anti-gun groups, do you like them?

Kanye West: UK lineup news

2008-10-15T00:01:00.004+01:00

Okay so I have been really excited about Kanye's Glow in the Dark tour hitting the east-side of the Atlantic however now this excitement has diminished... Ticketmaster have confirmed that in place of N*E*R*D, Lupe Fiasco and Rihanna Ye's UK fans get... Mr Hudson and the Library and Santgold. I'll admit I do like Santogold and Mr Hudson are good at what they do and I dig some of their songs but I was anticipating a hip-hop lineup with the likes of Pharrell, Lupe, Jay-Z, Common, The Roots or like the Aussie's who get NaS apparently.
Don't ya think this is an injustice to Kanye's European fans? Not givng a massive urban line-up like in the States.

DJ AM and Jay-Z

2008-10-14T23:41:00.005+01:00

DJ AM, who was in a horrific plane crash with Travis Barker (of Blink 182) about a month ago is set to be Jay-Z's DJ on his upcoming tour, beginning in the Hollywood Palladium on Wednesday.
DJ AM says, "He's the greatest rapper in the world. This is the biggest thing that's happened in my career."

Rihanna's new single- sexuality

2008-10-14T23:00:00.005+01:00

Rihanna's planning to release a new album early 2009 so that she can make a return to the top of the US and the UK charts. A new single has leaked over the internet which is to feature on the upcoming album, untitled at present.
So what do you think of it? It's got a different sound, more funky 1980s...

The Game UK Tour?

2008-10-14T15:01:00.003+01:00

The Game has announced one show in Manchester on the 17th of December.

Tickets are not on sale yet but does this mean that there's a UK tour on the way?
I hope so!

Exclusive Interview with Ne-Yo by The Sun

2008-10-13T23:47:00.003+01:00

Ne-Yo answered some questions from Sun readers and here they are, some are pretty random, some are pretty funny.

You recently did a duet with Anastacia and have worked with countless fabulous singers, who was your favourite to work with?
Posted by: ohmygod22
Rihanna is my favourite because she’s like my little sister. I mean, we are that close.
We have corny nicknames and punch each other in the arms. There is a lot of joking and messing while in the studio but we always get the job done.
BEYONCE is so frickin’ talented that the songs I do with her are the easiest work I’ve ever done.
I love working with MARY J BLIGE because the sessions almost become therapy sessions.
We always end up talking about really deep issues and spirituality. I don’t have those kind of conversations with anyone else.
Working with MICHAEL BOLTON was the biggest surprise for me. He’s a really cool guy and I don’t totally didn’t expect him to be.
I was shocked. I thought he was going to be really snooty and tell me how he wanted me to do things but he wasn’t like that at all.
He’s the kind of guy I could watch a football game with.
One session I thought was going to be really tricky was with LIONEL RICHIE.
I totally didn’t know what I could bring to the table to someone who is such an amazing songwriter but he just told me to get on with things.
I found it insane that he was taking direction from me.

What is your biggest achievement to date?
Posted by: coolest_beans
Probably the Grammy I won earlier this year for Because of You. I was very proud of that.
Beyonce’s Irreplaceable is also a highlight because it became such a big female anthem.
I didn’t try to do that at all. I wrote all the lyrics but she helped with the vocal arrangements.
Beyonce is one of those people who is beautiful in the morning, which you can’t take about a lot of people.
She was very easy to work with.

Is it true that you are going to be working with Michael Jackson on his new album?
Posted by: redordead23
Yes we’re currently in negotiations. I’m submitting songs and we talk on the phone all the time about the songs he likes and dislikes.
Our conversations always end up with him asking me to send him more material.
He’s sworn me to secrecy so I can’t say what sort of sound he’s going for but he’s a legend and I can tell you it will be good.

Hi. Is it really true that you are working on a project with Marilyn Manson?
Posted by: robovicky
Yes it is true. We’re trying to fit a session in the studio together soon.
I’m desperate to work with him just so I can find out what he’s like.
Who knows what will happen?
Beyonce and Mary J Blige are easy,
I could work with them in my sleep. I’m going to have to dig a little deeper with him as I have no idea where we’ll go.
Some of his stuff I dig, some I don’t.

Hey Ne-Yo, I want to know what your earliest and greatest musical influences were.
Posted by: divababe
Michael Jackson, STEVIE WONDER, PRINCE
However SAMMY DAVIS JR of the Rat Pack was my biggest influence.
I got into that type of music at a very young age because I grew up in Las Vegas,
My mum worked as a dealer and a janitor out and started getting into the whole big band 40’s music which I in turn fell in love with.
Living in Atlanta, Georgia now, I have no idea how I lived in Vegas. It’s an insane place.

What do you think of London?
Hetty
I love London. I love the vibe of this place, the English accents and the fact the cars are on the other side of the world.
I’ve never seen Big Ben so I want to do that soon.
I dig some English food but some I don’t. I wasn’t impressed with some meat pie thing.

What are your best/worst ever live gigs?
Jack
The best was probably the very first time I played in Japan.
I was doing hand gestures as I didn’t speak any Japanese.
It was crazy as I did a thumbs up when I came on stage and everyone went crazy.
So Sick was the first song I played and every person in the audience knew every single word.
It just proved to me that music knocks down any barrier there is.
My worst gig was when I fell off the stage into a trench during a show in the States.
The stage was black and it was dark and I couldn’t see where the stage stopped.
It was very embarrassing. They had to stop the music and security pulled me out of the trench.
The show went on but my ego was bruised.

You have written plenty of amazing songs for other artists including Beyonce, Rihanna, Whitney Huston and Britney Spears. Doyou ever feel slightly resentful that you are not getting the credit for these songs?
Posted by: moneymoneymoney
No, not at all. There are songs that I can write that I know will sound better on other people than myself. Some songs are written with other people in mind.
I get as much pleasure in writing songs for other people as I do for myself.

Are Rihanna and Chris Brown engaged?
Ollie
I think I would know if they were! Ri and Chris are both really good friends of mine. I don’t think she knows that she shouldn’t wear a ring on that finger.
I have to be honest and say that when I first heard that they were together I didn’t think it was real.
Just months prior to them starting dating record companies were trying to put me with Rihanna to build up some controversy.
They’ve been trying to do it with me for years but I refuse to sell my soul.
But I’ve hung out with them so much that I know that it’s the real deal and they’re in a relationship.
They tear hair out of each other and argue.
I’ve seen them kiss and make up like other couples do. I’ve seen the ups and downs.

Do you ever suffer with stage fright?
Todd
I’m always fine when I’m at the venue but the few seconds before I come on stage I do get nervous and my heart is almost pumping out of my chest.
The day I don’t get nervous will be the day I’ll stop what I’m doing.

In your opinion who is the most stylish male/female?
Hayley
KANYE WEST is the epitome of style. He has bought back those weird 80s glasses and sets trends.
Rihanna. I won’t say that she was the first person to rock that short do but we’ve certainly seen it a lot more since she had it done.
It was actually my idea to have it all cut off into that crop.
When she first started out everyone was comparing her to Beyonce so I told her that chopping it all off would distance her.

Has music always your passion from a young age?
Posted by: FlashGorden
Yes, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. If it didn’t work out I’d have become a painter.
I do that now when I want a release from the record industry.

Hi. Are you excited about your upcoming tour with the Pussycat Dolls?
Autumn, Newcastle
Yes I can’t wait. It’s going to be an amazing show. The girls are all so great.
I hope to do another tour of my own in the UK next year as well.

Tell us more about the plans for Venice Beach, your semi-autobiographical movie. Are you keen to get into acting?
Posted by: bigupengland
Acting won’t ever take the place of music. I could never take the WILL SMITH route and be a full time actor.
I did one movie, Stomp The Yard which was a really fun experience which I’d like to do more of.
I’ve had no training but I learnt a lot from one movie I’ve done.
Just got director PAUL HUNTER on board to do the film. I’m trying to work out how much of my actual life I want to put in there.
I’ll play myself although the character will be called Sean and not Ne-Yo.
50 CENT’S movie Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ wasn’t really my cup of tea but 8 Mile was good.

Were you surprised Closer did so well?
Becky, London
No, not really. Getting to No.1 in the UK wasn’t a shock.
I was surprised it did so well in the States as it didn’t get a great reception at first.
We did think about not releasing it but everyone, including JAY-Z told me to stay with it and it proved to be the right decision.

Who would you most like to work with next in your career?
Jane Baker, Nottinghamshire.
ALICIA KEYES because I love her. She can do no wrong in my eyes. I have a little crush on her. We did a tour together a while ago but I’d love her to star in one of my music videos.

Hey Ne-Yo. Happy Birthday in advance! What’s the best present you’ve ever received?
Miss independent89
Two years ago my mum bought me a box with a note card inside which read: ‘Whenever life gets too much, always remember you can come home.’
Inside she had filled the box with Ninja turtle figurines and comic books from my childhood. I’ll never forget that. It was really touching that she thought to do that.

Are you a fan of Miley Cyrus?
Sophie, Milton Keynes
No I wouldn’t say I was a fan but I actually took time to listen to some of MILEY’S Hannah Montana stuff recently to find out what all the fuss was about.
It’s good music, obviously not what I want to listen to all the time, but yeah she’s fun.

What is your verdict on Britney’s comeback?
Suzie, Brighton
Body’s looking better. I’m happy for her. She’s going to come back and be massive.

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Keeley
I’m going to say Vegas, just because I love going back there.

How many tattoos do you have?
Becky, Berkshire
I’ve got five but it’s getting addictive. I’m planning my next one now.

When was the last time you cried?
Olivia, Richmond
When I saw The Secret Life Of Bees I had a serious lump in my throat. I didn’t bawl my eyes out but I was close.
I was conscious I didn’t want people to see me.

What is your favourite biscuit?
Kitty, Wigan
Ginger snaps.

Baths or showers?
Fi, Henlow
Showers. Baths are for people who have time and I just never have that.
The Year Of The Gentleman is out now

Ringtones Kill Songs...

2008-10-12T23:33:00.002+01:00

When I like a song a lot I get addicted to it and think it's a good idea to set it as the ringtone on my phone. After a while I get sooo fed up of hearing the same song over and over it loses it's initial appeal. I think the reason the songs begin to annoy me is because it's really annoying when someone calls/texts you who you don't even like, or when someone calls/texts over and over.
There's a growing list of songs that have lost that appeal and are dead to me.

RIP, here's a few songs that I have killed.

Nas - Nas is Like
Mark Ronson - Ooh Wee
Dizzee Rascal - Oldskool
N*E*R*D - Lapdance
Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M

Now, I've decided to set my phone to default not custom tones. I can't keep destroying songs for myself.

Lemar's Interview with The Sun

2008-10-12T16:18:00.006+01:00

Here's an interview with Lemar from The Sun.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Lemar, 30, said: "A lot has happened this year but it's only now that I feel like I belong in the music world.

"The Reason the first album where I feel truly happy with everything and I think it shows with the writing. I've taken my time, whittled down 10 songs from 78 and developed a new sound."

He added: "I had this major realisation when recording the new album in Miami. I opened my TWO balcony doors and realised I was living the dream.

"I just stood there for about 15 mins thinking: 'Wow, this is amazing.'

"It's weird the cards that life deals you. I followed one path and it worked out. I'm lucky someone had faith in me.VIEWh follows a two-year break in which he became a dad for the first time.

He told me: “My baby girl inspired the track The Reason. Honestly nothing in life can compare to having a child.

"Everyone had built it up that I thought it might be an anti-climax - like a movie you see an excellent trailer for and the film is then a let down.

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"But it's great. I even enjoy getting up in the night and changing nappies.

"Being a dad has helped me re-discover why I wanted to be a musician in the first place."

Despite his uneasiness as slotting in the industry, it doesn't phase Lemar to be working with artists such as LIONEL RICHIE or JOSS STONE.

In fact when I ask how he'd feel if MADONNA were ever to come calling, he responds: "I don't really get starstruck by people in my profession. Madonna is great and I've never met her but it would be just mad if I met MOIRA STEWART. Or even TREVOR MCDONALD and TERRY WOGAN.

"These are people who were on the TV when I was growing up as a child. They are exceptional in their field."

After pondering my question a little longer, Lemar admits he would be in awe if he met one particular US singer.

"I hope I will be in ALICIA KEYS' eyesight after this album," he said.

"It would be amazing to work with her."

If She Knew The Reason is out on November 24.

My Weekend...

2008-10-12T16:17:00.003+01:00

Urgh, it's been boring and painful. I've learned some lessons

1. I cannot do DIY
2. I should never attempt DIY
3. I'm am not that flexible
4. There's a reason that I shouldn't leave coathangers on the floor
5. Never, ever leave a kid unattended with a laptop and jam sandwich

On Friday I deicded to hang some pictures, I shouldn't have, I really shouldn't have. For starters I don't own any form of "tools", I'm female (okay I'm sure there's some females out there who are great at DIY but I am not one of them) and I didn't realise it was so complicated to hang pictures. When it comes to mentally challenging things I'm fine, I'm fairly smart I'd like to think, but anything physical... it's just a no. I bought 2 sets of pictures, one is a set of three for my living room, they're canvas and quite nice. Second is a frame that you can put 3 pictures in for my hallway.

The first pictures, in the living room... I got all my pictures ready, I felt like that lady that helped out on the show Home Improvement. I got in the DIY mood, I was like "I'm gonna hang these motherfuckin' pictures!". I then looked out the nail-things that were provided all I needed now was some way to get the nails into the wall. I was so caught up in searching for something that would work I forgot to measure the gaps. Big mistake. I came up with the ridiculously smart plan that a candle would work as a hammer, it didn't. I didn't consider the fact that the nail would go into the candle as it's made of wax. After much a struggle and many cuss words later, I managed to get my three nails into the wall. Victory. Sarah 1 - DIY disaster 0, or so I thought. I was so chuffed with myself. I then tried to put the pictures on the wall. I think I may have swore again at this point. The nails were in totally random places, I finally managed to get them in the right places although behind the pictures are like 3 other nails and several holes in the wall.

The second picture, it was too heavy for the string/wire it came on so I had to think logically and improvise. I decided to use shoe laces, shoe laces to hold up my picture frame. I am brilliant, I know. Well if you close the door in the living room too hard the picture in the hallway shakes very badly, it will fall down one day. So my DIY didn't go too badly at all. Much better than trying to make my bedside drawers (they're ornamental only now).

I was so embarrassed yesterday. You know when you kinda try to show off and it horribly backfires and everyone laughs at you? Yeah, that happened. There were people in my living room and I decided to be a hero and jump over the barrier safety gate that doesn't allow Jake to get into the hallway. It's stupid how when I'm alone I can jump it fine but when there's people there it goes terribly wrong. I jumped, my foot got caught on the top, I fell and landed on a coathanger, which enabled me to do the splits (which I cannot do!) and then slice my hip on the radiator. Yes, sliced, I didn't think my radiator was sharp but I have a huge bloody slice across it. I cannot move the right side of my body. Well I can kinda, it just sounds more serious if I say that. Once I stopped shouting I hopped into my living room to find everyone staring at me covering their mouthes in some way or another. Asking "are you okay?" But I could hear the laughter behind their transparent concern.

Finally, my son awoke really early this morning, I was half asleep so nodded back off while he was watching CBeebies (kids TV channel) he was hungry so I gave him a jam sandwich. I trusted him, I now know not to. I woke up and the bloody sandwich was in bits everywhere and he had intentionally smeared jam all across one of my laptops. He was standing on the keyboard part smiling. I felt angry but when your kid smiles you can't get mad. Do you know how hard it is to get jam out of laptop keys? No, well it took me two hours to fully get the stickiness to vanish.

I haven't had a particularly bad weekend, just uneventful and sore. I now have a lot of course work to do before the Autumn break, only 3 more days of college left. Then I get three days off. Decent.

Madonna NY Concert: Diddy & Pharrell

2008-10-12T15:51:00.003+01:00

Diddy was seen heading to Madonna's New York show yesterday sporting a less than Diddy piece of attire, a sling.
According to a spokesperson he underwent surgery last week for a shoulder injury that occurred a few years ago and he will be fine.
He even took time to support Obama's campaign by wearing an Obama pin on his sling.
He's rocking the red with the cardigan, shoes and shades. Despite the sling he's looking pretty good, definitely got that swagga.

Pharrell also showed up at the concert but as a performer, he performed the song "Give it 2 Me", which he co-wrote and produced.

[Source]

50 Cent VS Kanye West Fued Fake?

2008-10-12T10:46:00.003+01:00

According to Rev Run, the Kanye West and 50 Cent fued last year was fake and a major publicity stunt.

"They are not really fighting. They are friends, that was just a publicity thing for their albums. I think they are really close and nice to each other. That was just a first week sales battle."
Rev Run on Kanye Vs 50 Cent

Last year 50's Curtis and Kanye's Graduation were released around the same time and there was a public fued going on. 50 Cent said he would quit making music if Kanye's album outsold his, which it did, yet he is releasing another album this 4th quarter.
It looked as though there was to be another Kanye VS 50, but Ye put that to rest after he pushed his album, 808's and Heartbreak, release date forward.
Well it was a pretty good publicity stunt, I knew they were cool with each other but I didn't realise it was a complete scam (kinda).

Jay-Z Can't Even Get £7,500 to Play in London?!

2008-10-11T20:58:00.003+01:00

I didn't believe this when I first heard it, 'cause if I had £7.5k I'd sure be payin' for Jay to play at my club. Mind you, I don't have a club either.

Jay-Z can't find a nightclub in London to pay for him to host the place for the night, according to TheLondonPaper. Jay originally set his price at £25,000 to play at a London club as he's in town to watch his basketball team, New Jeresy Nets, play Miami Heat. Now, Jay has had to put his price down to £7,500 but there's still no clubs willing to foot the bill.
A club source told theBuzz:

“No club is willing to stump up the cash. At this rate he might even have to party for free."

Poor thing.

Video: Lemar - If She Knew

2008-10-11T12:10:00.003+01:00

Here's the video to Lemar's latest single If She Knew, it's the first single from his album, The Reason, to be released later this year.

Click here for more info on the album.

Lemar told The Sun that there was a lot of drama during the filming of the video,

"It was a little frustrating and very tiring as due to the mishaps filming went on for 19 hours. My wardrobe did not arrive from England and some people didn't turn up either. It was a nightmare as we had had weeks of meetings discussing what I wanted to wear and that all went down the drain. We had to re-match everything and re-style everything. I was annoyed at first but I guess all the problems just added to the excitment. I have to appreciate there are harder jobs I could be doing. It's a very symbolic video about the break down of a relationship with your partner. It's simple but effective."

Poor Little Girl, Rest In Peace

2008-10-10T15:05:00.002+01:00

I'm a firm believer that some people simply shouldn't have children. I've seen this through my own eyes. My next door neighbour's daughter was taken away from her neglect. If you're not going to look after your child properly then why bother having children in the first place? It breaks my heart to read stories like this one and I don't understand how people could simply be so evil.

A KILLER put his tiny girl through months of hell before finally breaking her back in two, a court heard yesterday.

Father James Howson snapped daughter Amy’s spine over his knee or the back of a chair, it was claimed.

The 16-month-old died hours later. A post mortem found more than 40 injuries — some dating back at least eight weeks — including seven other fractures.

Amy's mother Tina Hunt, who admits allowing a child's death, smiled as she arrived at court.

Howson, 25, had allegedly previously broken her leg and arm by TWISTING them — yet no medical help was ever sought. And when the neglected tot died she weighed the same as she did ten months earlier.

Prosecutor Gary Burrell QC said Howson “snapped her back in two at waist level, as though he held her over his knee or thigh or possibly a chair or sofa back with her back downwards”.

He went on: “He then used extreme force on her body so as to hyper extend the back and cause a complete break at the level of the first lumbar vertebra.”

Amy had also suffered a wound to her forehead and had bleeding to the brain.

She had previously suffered three fractures to her left leg, two to her right arm, one to her left arm and a broken rib plus bruising and abrasions to her chest, legs, head and back.

Mr Burrell said: “She would have been unable to move without severe discomfort. There was evidence of deprivation of food and water.”

Amy was found dead at home in Doncaster, South Yorks, on December 23 but Leeds Crown Court heard the attack may have taken place the previous night.

Amy was born in August 2006 but was last seen by health workers in March 2007. They said her parents missed appointments and there was no answer at their house.

The jury was told that Howson had been looking after Amy because her mum Tina Hunt, 26, was expecting their second child and suffering morning sickness.

When arrested, Howson claimed the family’s Staffordshire bull terrier may have caused some of the injuries, and that Amy had fallen out of bed the night before she died. Howson denies murder and cruelty.

Hunt admits allowing a child’s death and cruelty by not seeking medical attention. She will be sentenced at the end of the trial, which continues.
Taken from The Sun

Reading stories like this make me want to cry - how was this pathetic excuse for a man allowed to do this to an innocent little girl and why did the mother not try to do anything about it? How could a mother watch as her baby was beaten to death?Little Amy

There's some things in life I will never understand. No matter what I'd always put Jacob first, I would never let harm come to him ever, especially not just sit and watch as a man tortured my child for weeks. She was a real cute little girl, it's tragic that her life had to end like this.

NASA Relsease Tracklisting and Release Date

2008-10-09T18:58:00.005+01:00

NASA - no not the astronauts - North America/South America, a music collective centered around the due of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon have released the date for their latest album to drop and released the amazing tracklisting. The albums due to be released on the 17th of February '09 and will be called "The Spirit of the Apollo". They've been working on the album for five years and it's almost done.
NASA have worked hard to put all their musical heroes together on this album. NASA ignore all boundaries and drop tracks with Karen O and Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA and John Fuchante and Tom Waits and Kool Keith...

"The idea is to ignore all of the boundaries and borders that are in place to keep people divided, such as musical genre, race, politics, geography, language, etc. As a result, they gathered the craziest and most eclectic collection of musicians ever assembled on one album in the hope that they can show, through music, that all those superficial divisions are an illusion. N.A.S.A. proves we are all one race of human beings interested in collaboration and unity, ignoring preconceptions, and transcending genre definitions."
From NASA Myspace

Here's the tracklisting:

'Intro'
'The People Tree' (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab,& Z-Trip)
'Money' (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip)
'NASA Music' (feat. Method Man, E-40, & DJ Swamp)
'Way Down' (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch, & John Frusciante)
'Hip Hop' (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip, & Slim Kid Tre)
'Four Rooms, Earth View'
'Strange Enough' (feat. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, & Fatlip)
'Spacious Thoughts' (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
'Gifted' (feat. Kanye West and others TBD)
'A Volta' (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank, & Lovefoxxx)
'There’s a Party' (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)
'Whachadoin?' (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)
'O Pato' (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Bãboa)
'Samba Soul' (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)
'The Mayor' (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, DJ AM & Scarface)
'N.A.S.A. Anthem'

Here's a taster of what there is to expect

Video: Ice Cube - Why Me?

2008-10-08T16:12:00.007+01:00

Ice Cube's video to his new single Why Me? speaks out against gun crime devastating communities.

The song features Musiq Soulchild. The song and video are real, Ice Cube always tells it like it is.

Eminem Best Rapper Alive?

2008-10-08T13:00:00.007+01:00

Move over Weezy, you are not the best even if you have a song called "Best Rapper Alive".

According to a poll in Vibe magazine Slim Shady is the best rapper alive. Almost a million votes were cast, Jay Z came second. I do really like Eminem and think he's really talented but I agree with what he said.

"It’s obviously an honour to have won the fans' support by being voted the
Best Rapper Alive.
“I don't think that there is any one rapper that is simply the best though…. But since VIBE's offering the distinction, hell yeah I'll accept!"

But yeah good on him, can't wait for the new album to drop. Should be good.

Kanye West Love Lockdown Video

2008-10-07T22:24:00.003+01:00

Here it is, the video to Love Lockdown.What do you think of it?

Cookin With Coolio... Again

2008-10-07T14:16:00.003+01:00

I posted last week about Cookin' with Coolio, Coolio's Youtube channel dedicated to his love of cooking. I thought that was weird but now it seems according to Digital Spy Coolio is to release his own cook book! Well there you go.

Funny thing I read is that he said

"I ate in one of his restaurants and I was not impressed. I would take all
his dishes and make them better"
Coolio on Gordon Ramsay's cooking skills.

I wonder what the book will be called, I'm not sure he's a better chef than Ramsay but who knows! Maybe they'll have a cook off or something. Someone give Coolio a cooking show on TV.

Sway feat. Akon - Silver and Gold

2008-10-07T13:57:00.002+01:00

Here's the new single from Sway featuring Akon. Sway was recently signed to Akon's label and this is their first song together. Akon is keen on bringing UK hip hop/grime to the USA.

Read HERE for previous posts on Sway/Akon.

I think the song is really catchy, I think it will be popular in the UK anyway. I hope Sway breaks into the USA.

Kanye West New Single - Heartless

2008-10-07T13:38:00.003+01:00

Kanye West has debuted his new single Heartless at a show with T.I. He has also revealed that the release dates for the much anticipated new album 808's and Heartbreak will be November 25, the same day as Akon's album is set to be released.

I couldn't find a really decent version on good old Youtube, but here's the best one I could find. It sounds like it might be good. He is relaying on autotune a little too much for my liking however, and he is really fond of that vocoder. That break up has clearly had an effect on this album, the album title and the first two tracks are about heartbreak and love. Aww someone give him a hug!

Coldplay and Jay Z Collaboration + Akon, Dr Dre and Eminem Albums

2008-10-07T13:22:00.006+01:00

Coldplay and Jay Z are to do a collaboration. Hova is going to be doing a remix of their single "Lost" for their Prospekts March EP which will be released in November.

Colyplay vocalist Chris Martin and his wife Gwenyth Paltrow are good friends with Jay Z and Beyonce and even attended their wedding earlier on this year.

Chris has been involved in his fair share of hip hop, he has written various songs including ones for Jamelia and Nelly Furtardo. He also sung on "Homecoming" by Kanye and sung and produced "Beach Chair" by HOVA.

The Blueprint 3 will be released later on this year. Winter '08 is a great season for hip hop. We've already had loads of great albums released earlier on in the year but as well as Jay's album we've got Eminem with King Mathers and Dr Dre with Detox.

Akon is dropping a new album on November 25th, the album is entitled Freedom, it was originally to be called Acquitted. He released the first single from the album called "Right Now".
Hopefully this means a UK tour may be on his books... hopefully.

Here's the single - Right Now

Oops I went shopping...

2008-10-04T16:25:00.003+01:00

Okay I got my student loan in yesterday and I was bored so I went shopping.

I bought loads of stuff but I especially like my new sneakers.

They're hot, huh?

I also got a leather jacket, a few tops, new jeans that take like 10 mins for me to fit in. I try to convince myself I'm smaller than I am LOL. Umm I got loads other things. All in all successful shopping trip!

Oh I bought heaps of "house" things too.

I'll take pictures of my new outfit later. I'm away out for tea/
Peace. xox

Akon Wants To Sign Dizzee Rascal To Kon Live

2008-10-02T15:30:00.006+01:00

Akon recently signed British rapper Sway to his record label and hopes to help break him into the USA. Now, Akon said in an interview to the Daily Star that he would like to sign Dizzee Rascal also. He's really digging grime just now, it's good because UK Hip Hop will now hopefully get worldwide recognition.

“Dizzee is dope. I really like him. I think that whole grime sound, if it ever
breaks outside of the UK, is going to be huge, it’s so new and fresh.I want to
be the one to bring it over to the US and one way would be to get Dizzee on my
album. Give him my number.”

Sarah/LilMissUrban

Another creepy kiddy raping priest

2008-10-02T01:30:00.001+01:00

A priest who sexually abused six boys at a Catholic boarding school has been sentenced to six years in jail.
Why do Priests insist on doing this?

William Green, 67, abused pupils aged 11 to 15 at St Bede's Boys' School,
Whalley Range, Manchester, between 1975 and 1987 while working as a religious
education teacher. Green abused "lonely" and vulnerable boys hundreds of times,
Manchester Crown Court heard. Green, of Walmer Bridge, Preston, presented
himself as a "friendly father figure" who won his victims' trust by offering
them "privileges and treats" of tea, sweets, cigarettes and television in his
room, Alaric Bassano, prosecuting, told the court.He added: "The sexual abuse
followed a similar pattern in all cases: games of wrestling progressed to acts
of simulated intercourse in which the defendant rubbed himself against the
boys." Green also assaulted an eight-year-old boy at St Margaret Mary's Junior
School, Moston, in 1968, where he also worked as a teacher. The court heard
Green's victims suffered from depression and anxiety and that one victim
attempted suicide as a result of the abuse. Passing sentence, Judge Goldstone QC
said: "As a priest and teacher you systematically and sexually abused boys whose
ages ranged between 11 and 15. These boys were vulnerable and they were groomed by you for the purposes of your own sexual gratification." He added: "I have been invited to temper justice with mercy, but my principle duty is to punish
you and deter others in positions of trust or authority from behaving similarly.
Your remorse is genuine but it is a pity that you showed no mercy to your
victims while you were abusing them." Green pleaded guilty to 27 counts of
indecent assault."

Swagga Like Jay and Puff

2008-10-02T00:24:00.002+01:00

I love this pic of Puff and Jay at Robin Thicke's release party for his latest album Something Else. Jay's doing that pose in almost every pic from that night.

They definitely have swagger. Ha.

Jermaine Dupri Pukes All Over Janet Jackson

2008-10-02T00:06:00.005+01:00

Jermaine Dupri was sick on his hubby, Janet Jackson. The incident occured at his 36th birthday party in a New York club. A source told the New York Post newspaper:

"Jermaine was doing really well, but then he looked a bit funny. He leaned
over and vomited in Janet's lap. Janet squealed before bolting out of the scene
and speeding off in her chauffeured Maybach car."

Janet at the birthday bash

All I got to say to that is LOL! I would have bolted the scene too. It's not very classy to be covered in puke. In other Janet news she cancelled another one of her shows and rumour has it she has a bun in the oven! That would be a nice present for Jermain'e birthday

Pics From The Set: Ciara - Go Girl

2008-10-01T22:41:00.003+01:00

What do you think of Ciara in these pictures?

These pics are from the set of Ciara's new single Go Girl

I think they're a little odd. I like silver but what the...

The video looks kinda futuristic or something.

Busta Rhymes Granted Entry To The UK

2008-09-26T10:13:00.003+01:00

Busta Rhymes has now been granted entry into the UK to play at the Orange RockCorps charity show.
A high court judge ruled that Busta Rhymes be released immediately from custody after he was detained in a London airport.
Read here for the full story on why he wasn't allowed in the UK initially.
A hearing will commence tomorrow on the legality of Busta being held in custody as the judge said that it may be unlawful.

“It seems to me that it is difficult to see upon what basis the temporary
admission of the claimant or his temporary release into the jurisdiction has
been refused…
“In all the circumstances it seems to me that he is entitled
to an order that he be released forthwith or alternatively is entitled to bail.”
Mr Justice Flaux

Songs: Ludacris, T.I, Raekwon,

2008-09-25T18:29:00.003+01:00

Here's some songs from soon to be released albums, enjoy.

Ludacris ft. T.I - Wish You Would
from Theatre Of The Mind to be released November 11th.

T.I ft Justin Timberlake - Dead and Gone
from Paper Trail to be released next week

Raekwon ft Ice Water - Spit Fire
from Chef Cocaine Cooked to be released October 6th

Busta Rhymes Detained At London Airport

2008-09-25T17:35:00.004+01:00

Busta Rhymes has been detained at a London airport after being denied entry to the UK following unresolved convictions in the US.

Immigration tried to put him on a flight out of the UK to Amsterdam, Holland immediately but Busta's lawyer obtained an injunction preventing this.

Busta is in the UK to play at a charity concert called Orange RockCrops, the concert will be attended by 5000 people who gained a ticket by spending 4 hours volunteering in community projects. John Legend is set to play there also alongside some rock bands. Ludacris will fly in at the last minute if necessary to replace Rhymes.

RockCorps organiser said

"He has the necessary work-permit and has been in the country twice already this
year, so we're a little puzzled that a question mark is now being placed over
his ability to enter the country to perform to volunteers."

Busta was in the UK earlier this year to launch the event on the 17th of August where he was picking up litter in London to promote getting involved in community projects and he was also in the UK playing at the Midnight Madness basketball event.

Hopefully he gets entry, after all it is a charity concert he is performing at. It's not like he poses a serious threat anyway. It's good of Luda to be on standby though. Just last week he carried the show alone basically at the New Mexico Takeover when two of the shows main attractions were no shows, The Game and David Banner.

JME FAMOUS? TOUR DATES

2008-09-24T20:31:00.005+01:00

I've been forgotten about, again. Thanks.
This time JME has announced his tour and it's all dates in England! Not cool.
Nevermind, I won't be there but you can.

The dates are:

London - Astoria 2 - 10th October
Leeds - Faversham - ?? October
Birmingham - Concrete Bar - 23rd October
Newcastle - The Cooperage - ??
OctoberSheffield - Plug - 17th October
Bristol - Thekla - 20th October
Manchester - Manchester University - 21st October
Nottingham - Rescue Rooms - 22nd
OctoberLeicester - Liquid - ?? October

Click HERE to buy tickets

My Theory On Glow In The Dark

2008-09-24T18:53:00.003+01:00

Okay I might be crazy but I can't stop thinking about who the line up is going to be at Kanye's Glow In The Dark Tour UK, although I have a hunch Pharrell and Co. will be there. Here's my evidence and all that jazz...

N*E*R*D were at the American GITD tour
Pharrell is in a group with Ye called Child Rebel Soldier along with Lupe (who was also at GITD in the US)
N*E*R*D are going to be in the UK in Novemeber even though they did an entire UK tour back in August. They announced a London date.

So, am I crazy or will N*E*R*D be there? I hope so, and I hope I get to get down with them on stage again! I'm pretty excited, anyone out there been to Glow In The Dark before?

Peace, Sarah

Bye bye summer

2008-09-22T15:00:00.002+01:00

Okay so it's officially Autumn, Summer didn't last long enough but here's 2 new songs from Ironik and Wiley that are sure to make you feel happy, rain or shine :)

Wiley - Summertime

DJ Ironik - I Wanna Be Your Man

Rock The Bells UK

2008-09-22T12:03:00.005+01:00

Rock The Bells is hitting British shores and it's about time.
The shows that are confirmed so far are:

Birmingham Carling Academy - 06/11/08
Manchester Apollo - 12/11/08

There's rumours there's going to be a London date announced soon too which I thought there would be anyway.

The line up so far is Nas, Mos Def, Pharcyde, DJ Scratch and Supernatural although there's more to be announced.

Tickets are £32.50 (NOT including stupid service charges and postage) but there's also a VIP package for £85 which includes - "Meet & Greet with artist, Access to VIP lounge & Party, Limited Edition Festival Backpack, Souvenir Credential, Official Rock the Bells T-shirt, Commemorative Poster"

I'm excited about this but disappointed they won't be in Scotland, it's sooo far for me to travel but it will be worth it I'm sure.

Peace, LilMissUrban

Bad Planning for Ghostface and Kanye Shows

2008-09-22T11:58:00.003+01:00

Someone wasn't thinking straight in the world of organising concerts.
Sadly for me - Ghostface Killah and Kanye West's Glow in the Dark tour are going to be in Glasgow on the same night at different venues.
How stupid can you get? I was thinking that maybe Ghostface Killah's show will be after Yeezy but nope, Ghostface is on at 7.30PM. This is really really annoying -why?!!
I'm sorry GFK but Imma have to go see Kanye.
Good thing is that I'm in Glasgow all weekend so I might see him going about! November is going to be GREAT for hip hop.
Dizzee Rascal, Ghostface and Glow in the dark in just one weekend in Glasgow, finally Scotland are gettin' some loveeeee. Brilliant!

Peace, Lil Miss Urban

Microsoft Ad Featuring Pharrell Williams

2008-09-22T11:19:00.004+01:00

Here's the commercial for Microsoft "I'm a PC" campaign, although Skateboard P is only in it for like 1.5 seconds.

New Single: John Legend ft. Andre 3000 - Greenlight

2008-09-19T20:56:00.001+01:00

New Single: Roots Manuva - Let The Spirit

2008-09-19T20:48:00.003+01:00

The third single to be released from Roots Manuva's latest album Slime and Reason.

Peace, Lil Miss Urban

Baby Dies After Car Mounts Kerb - London News

2008-09-19T20:45:00.002+01:00

Baby dies after car mounts kerb

A 15-month-old baby was killed in east London when a car mounted the kerb and hit his pushchair.
Finlay Woods was with his mother and grandmother when a Toyota 4X4 crashed in Cavendish Road, Chingford, on Thursday afternoon.
The toddler, who lived nearby, was taken to hospital by ambulance but died soon after arriving.
A 39-year-old woman arrested at the scene on suspicion of drinking and driving remains in custody.

Buggy trapped
Witnesses to the crash, which happened at about 1520 BST, are asked to contact police.
Police said the boy's mother and grandmother were walking with the pram when the vehicle mounted the kerb.
London Fire Brigade said they were called to reports of a child in a buggy trapped under a car but a member of the public managed to free the baby before they arrived.
A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said the boy suffered serious injuries and was treated at the scene.
He was then taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital by ambulance but later died.
Police said the woman was being questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/7624574.stm

This is so sad. I can't even imagine how the baby's family feel. The woman driving the automobile should go to prison for a long time - although it wasn't strictly murder she has killed a baby and doesn't deserve to see daylight for a good few years at least.

Vodafone Live Music Awards

2008-09-19T17:46:00.020+01:00

Okay, it's not that big over in the US but the Vodafone Live Awards are pretty big here.
There were appearances from The Pussycat Dolls to Mark Ronson to Kelly Rowland.

Here's the list of winners:

Best Live Male — Mark Ronson
Best Live Female — Kate Nash
Best Live Act — Primal Scream
Best Live Return — Spice Girls
Best International Live Act — Kings of Leon
Sony Ericsson Tour of The Year — Take That Arena Tour
Outstanding Contribution to Live Music — Primal Scream
XFM Live Breakthrough Act — The Ting Tings
4Music Festival of the Year — T in the Park
Live and Unsigned Awards — Kiddo360

Here's some of the fashion highlights of the event:I love Estelle's shoes, not sure about Kelly's outfit though, it's a bit plain.I love Fearne's look, she looks so glamorous... Mark's looking uber geeky however.Wow! Look at Nicole in that dress. She look amazing. Love the shoes too.The Pussycat Dolls. They all look great together but I'm not sure about Ashley/Kimberly's outfit (the one on the far left, I always get confused) It looks a bit frumpy compared to the rest.Emma Bunton and hubby Jade. Loving the shoes and he looks pretty smart.Holly Willoughby looks great - she's always dressed uber chic though. One person I can see that can pull off white heels without them looking tacky and cheap.

Peace, Lil Miss Urban

Diddy Is In The Shit... Again

2008-09-19T17:46:00.004+01:00

No it's not lying about jets or dissing Alaska for the lack of crackheads - this time he really is in the shit!
While walking to one of his Manhattan offices the incident occurred. I feel for him, nothing worse than standing in dog shit.

I'm so fly with in my silver shoes. Check me outttt! I'm too busy lookin' into the sky to notice the dog shit in front of me...

Oh no I didn't. My shoeeeessss!

Shit, is it on my pants? It better not be on my pants?!?!

Okay I'll just wipe my shoe on the sidewalk and hope to God that nobody noticed.

Pictures from INFDaily

Peace, Lil Miss Urban.

MOBO Nominations

2008-09-11T00:20:00.006+01:00

Here's the nominations this year:

Best song - Estelle (American Boy), Dizzee Rascal (Dance Wiv Me), Lil Wayne (Lollipop), Flo Rida (Low), Wiley (Wearing My Rolex)
Best UK female -Estelle, Leona Lewis, Adele, Duffy, M.I.A
Best R&B/soul - Estelle, Jay Sean, Ne-Yo, Usher, Chris Brown
Best album -Estelle (Shine), Leona Lewis (Spirit), Lil Wayne (Tha Carter III), Usher (Here I Stand), Alicia Keys (As I Am)
Best male - Dizzee Rascal, Jay Sean, Taio Cruz, Sway, Wiley
Best hip-hop - Dizzee Rascal, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Wiley, Lupe Fiasco
Best video - Tinchy Stryder (Stryderman), Bashy(Kidulthood to Adulthood), will.i.am (Heartbreaker), Leona Lewis (Bleeding Love), Estelle (American Boy)
Best newcomer - Skepta, T2, DJ Ironik, Bryn Christopher, Chipmunk
Best international - Akon, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Jay Z, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Usher
Best DJ - 279, Ace & Invisible, Masterstepz, Rampage, Robbo Ranx, Semtex, Shortee Blitz, Steve Sutherland, Tim Westwood, Trevor Nelson
Best reggae - Beenie Man, Busy Signal, Etana, Mavado, Tarrus Riley
Best jazz - Courtney Pine, Guy Barker, Lizz Wright, Tony Kofi, Yolanda Brown
Best gospel - Ekklesia, GreenJade, Jahaziel, Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett
Best African act - 9ice, Asa, D'Banj Mo Hits Allstars, Faze, Hip Hop Pantsula, Jozi, Jua Cali, Magic System, P-Squar, Wahu

Vote here...

Peace :)

LIL MISS URBAN

Cigarettes, salad and cereal

I think I'm in love with J.Cole

The day I met Wu-Tang Clan...

Sarah, Sarah, Sarah...

New Clothes: T-shirts

Fabolous - Money Goes (Remix feat. Jay Z)

Lil Wayne Reschedueled

New York

Redman Moonwalking in his Boxers

Ghostface Killah - Glasgow/Manchester

My new shoes are hot

D12 - Glasgow 01/04/09

B.O.B - I'll Be in the Sky

URGH! Another Heartbreaking Headline.

Geek Glasses?

My New Tattoos

The Game feat. Anthony Hamilton - Hustlers Dream

Hip Hop Is Changing

Prince Harry & Racial Slurs

Sway & Akon - Silver & Gold

The Game - 15/11/08 - Edinburgh

Kid Cudi

Ne-Yo/The Game - Camera Phone

Overplay: Jay Z & Santogold - Brooklyn (Go Hard)

Dizzee Rascal - ABC Glasgow - 15/11/08

Blood On Their Hands: Baby P

Reminder: GZA THE GENIUS LIVE!

What happened to Blackout! 2?

Mos Def - Life in Marvelous Times

Kanye West: 808's & Heartbreak Cover

Rihanna, Timberlake- REHAB video shoot.

Wiley, Daniel Merriweather and Mark Ronson - Cash in my Pocket.

Ludacris Underwear Giveaway!

Lil Dwayne Carter III

Mos Def To Release New Album

Kanye Talks 808's & Heartbreak with Big Boi

News In Brief: Eminem, Lil Wayne, TI, Ll Cool J

RIP: Levi Stubbs & Dee Dee Warwick

Alesha Dixon - The Boy Does Nothing

Concert Tickets

Some Of My Nikes

Craig David & Tinchy Stryder - Where's Your Love

In Brief: Tha Carter III Re-Release?

Kanye West 808's and Heartbreak Promo Shot

Kanye West: New song

Lil Lil Wayne On The Way!

N*E*R*D World Tour

Cypress Hill Being Sued For £15.7 Million

Ludacris Atlanta New Era Cap

Tupac & Left-Eye: Post Humous Collab'

EMINEM NEWS: book and album

The Game UK Tour

Jay Sean signed in the US to CASH MONEY

Kanye West: Naked Party?

MOBOs 2008: FASHION

MOBO Awards 2008

Do you dig these shoes?

Kanye West: UK lineup news

DJ AM and Jay-Z

Rihanna's new single- sexuality

The Game UK Tour?

Exclusive Interview with Ne-Yo by The Sun

Ringtones Kill Songs...

Lemar's Interview with The Sun

My Weekend...

Madonna NY Concert: Diddy & Pharrell

50 Cent VS Kanye West Fued Fake?

Jay-Z Can't Even Get £7,500 to Play in London?!

Video: Lemar - If She Knew

Poor Little Girl, Rest In Peace

NASA Relsease Tracklisting and Release Date

Video: Ice Cube - Why Me?

Eminem Best Rapper Alive?

Kanye West Love Lockdown Video

Cookin With Coolio... Again

Sway feat. Akon - Silver and Gold

Kanye West New Single - Heartless

Coldplay and Jay Z Collaboration + Akon, Dr Dre and Eminem Albums

Oops I went shopping...

NER*D World Tour