Sof's Song of The Week 
Lana Del Rey

'Blue Jeans'

Singer-Songwriter Lana Del Rey has unveiled the video for the third single 'Blue Jeans' from her album 'Born To Die'.
'Born To Die' stormed into the Album charts in both the UK and US earlier this year despite the negative reviews from Rolling Stone.

'Blue Jeans' is an indie-pop song with a dark edge which perfectly compliments Lana’s haunting voice as she sings "You just need to remember...I will love you till the end of time, I would wait a million years" with her Nancy Sinatra-esque voice. The black & white video is directed by Yoann Lemoine, who is fastly making a name for himself as he also directed Del Rey’s video for 'Born To Die', Drake & Rihanna’s highly anticipated Take Care video and Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream'. The conceptual video is shot to the effect of a vintage hollywood movie from the 50's reflecting great imagery and cinematography.
I am a new certified fan of the songstress.

Lana Del Rey - 'Blue Jeans' Music Video

Lauryn Hill Returns with London Show

It was announced today that after a 5 year absence from the UK, non other than Lauryn Hill will be performing a rare gig at the Indigo o2 on April 14^th

The former Fugees singer who is best known for her album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ and controversial interviews has enjoyed huge success over the years and will be headlining this one-off show. This is a show certainly not to be missed! Tickets go on sale 23^rd March and can be bought from www.livenation.co.uk

Hot new girl group Stooshe cover Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House'

Over the past couple of years the UK music scene has been blossoming and growing, serving up some great solo artists such as Jessie J, Adele and Wretch 32. Just as I had been saying there is room in music for a girl group..BLAM. A wild and wacky trio full of attitude and big voices come out and firmly make their mark. Make room for Stooshe.

The up-front and in your face trio burst onto our radio stations with Top 5 hit 'Love Me' which features Gym Class Heroes front man Travis McCoy. The first time I heard the track I knew I was listening to a group who plan to stay around for a while. 

Then I watched the video below of the group performing 'Lego House' by 'Ed Sheeran' and I was blown away. Unlike most girl groups, each individual can really sing. Together their harmonies are on point and their voices compliment each other well. 

If this is the first you are hearing of Stooshe, prepare to hear a whole lot more!

Stooshe cover 'Lego House'

Stooshe feat Travis McCoy - 'Love Me' Music Video

Katy Perry covers Jay-Z & Kanye 

'N***as In Paris'

If you follow my posts you will know I’m a massive fan of genre-crossing covers so you can imagine my excitement levels reached an all time high when I heard Katy Perry had done a Radio 1 Live Lounge cover of Jay-Z and Kanye’s ‘N***as In Paris’. My newly manicured fingertips couldn’t type into Youtube’s search box fast enough. Tweets galore were being posted bigging up the 28 year olds cover who changed the lyrics to 'Ninja's In Paris'. Tweets like ‘Omg Katy Perry KILLED it’ had me frantically searching for the cover.

Naturally, I believed the Twitter hype and was waiting to witness Ms Perry tear it up. Approximately 15 seconds in, and my eyes were already wondering off the screen and vaguely tuning in and out of her performance.

The blue haired busty singer ‘rapped’, no wait, attempted to rap her way through the Radio 1 Live Lounge. Other than the parts she sung in her unique Perry pop way, the rest was a mixture of horrendous flow and teenage awkwardness. I felt like I was watching a school talent show gone wrong. You know when a little awkward kid attempts to channel their favourite rapper and barely gets through the lines. Yep. That was Katy Perry as she rocked a NY baseball hat and made random ‘gangsta’ poses. If she had done more of her singing and less rapping I would have been sold, but the balance was just all wrong.

The internationally successful star said ‘this is about to get real embarassing’ right before she performed the cover. How right she was. 

I suppose you got to admire the fact she doesn't take herself too seriously. But Katy, please don’t ever cover a rap song. Thanks.

Watch the cringe fest below.

Katy Perry - Radio 1 Live Lounge cover

Sof’s Song of The Week - Estelle 'Thank You'

My song of the week was not a difficult choice to make as I have been listening to London girl Estelle’s brand new single ‘Thank You’ non-stop.

This classic ballad is from her third solo album ‘All Of Me’ which has taken a whopping 4 years to deliver, but was well worth the wait.

The West London girl seems to be making a habit of keeping us waiting to drop her albums as her debut album ‘The 18^th Day’ dropped back in 2004 followed by a 4 year wait to deliver her second album ‘Shine’ in 2008. She then made us wait yet another 4 years as earlier this month ‘All of Me’ hit the shops. I guess we should pencil in 2016 for her 4^th album.

Estelle blew up internationally and placed herself firmly on the map when she came out with ‘American Boy’ feat Kanye West which bagged her a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. Her latest album serves features such as Chris Brown and Trey Songz on an upbeat R’n’B track ‘International’, however I prefer her more subtle and emotionally driven music like ‘Thank You’.

This Akon-written track features her signature British accented vocals delivered with raw feeling. The song shows a bittersweet appreciation to a cheating lover as she sing "These tears I cry sure won't be the last...they will not be the last, no 'cos this pain insude which never seems to pass..its never seems to pass me by. So I thank you, said I thank you, yes I thank you for making me a woman".

If you enjoyed the style of Lauryn Hill’s ‘Misunderstood’ then do not sleep on this album! Everything from the lyrical content to the vocals and the spoken interludes about love are very similar. It’s surprising how an artist like Estelle with such raw talent has not received any hype around the release of this album. Perhaps she should date an NFL player or 'leak' nude pics online or better yet attend an awards show with meat hanging off her.

Estelle - "Thank You" Music Video

George Clooney Arrested

It’s no secret that George Clooney has been an activist on Human Rights for many years and like many fellow Hollywood actors has tried to use his name and fame to try to make a difference.

Just yesterday the 50 year old actor met with Barack Obama and warned the US Congress of the issues in Sudan in hope to bring awareness to the Humanitarian crisis saying, "It is a campaign of murder and fear and displacement and starvation"

Just a couple of hours ago, Clooney and other protestors including his father Nick Clooney, and Martin Luther King 111 have been arrested.

The protestors gathered outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington and following 3 warnings not to cross the police line, were arrested and taken away in the back of US Secret Service van.

The actor had previously said he wanted to draw more attention to the violence in Sudan, and with the news of his arrest spreading like wild fire I’m sure it will gain all media outlets attention. Good work Clooney.

Jay-Z performs 90-minute set at SXSW

Arriving fashionably late and being police escorted into the venue due to delayed flights, Jay-Z rocked the stage infront of 2,800 people at the South By South West in Texas.

The entire 90 minute set of Hova’s biggest hits, including his ode to daughter Blue Ivy ‘Glory’, was streamed live online onto American Express' Youtube channel. Other performances included “Empire State of Mind” “Run This Town,” “99 Problems” and “Encore.” Every song performed alongside the live band gave me chills and I almost experienced mild palpitations when I remembered I have tickets to the Watch The Throne tour with Kanye West at the o2 later this year!!

While Jay-Z was putting on a great show, his Mrs, Queen B was strolling through New York City with their baby Blue Ivy and Mama Tina Knowles, who by the way looks like she could be Beyonce’s twin sister!

Beyonce and Mother step out with Blue Ivy

Drake & Rihanna Exclusive snaps from 'Take Care' video

Sneaky snap shots from the video have emerged online from the long awaited music video for Drakes 'Take Care' featuring Rihanna. The emo house song reflects love, loss and togetherness as they vow to no longer dwell on painful relationships of the past but to build a relationship built on mutual love and trust.

Rihanna opens the song ‘I know you’ve been hurt by someone else....I can tell by the way you carry yourself. If you let me, here’s what I’ll do I’ll take care of you...’

From the snapshots the video looks extremely soft and simple. The video director Yoann Lemoine described the video by saying there is a 'Big sense of emptiness in it. It’s not narrative at all, and it involves animals’.  The pair who are rumoured to have briefly dated in the past were described as being 'super close' by the video directore who added 'they fit together pretty well so it was just easy'.

 

The video is set to premiere on March 23rd so kepp your eyes peeled!

Ex-Pussy Cat doll brings out Mixtape

The name Melody Thornton may not mean much to you, but if I were to say the ex-Pussycat Doll who belted out all of the girl groups ad libs from the bottom of her teeny tiny frame, bells may start to ring.

Following the split of the 6 piece girl group it was really no surprise that Nicole Scherzinger, the lead and on/off girlfriend of Lewis Hamilton, would go on to take centre stage and fly high with her solo career. 

Melody who is arguably the better singer, with impressive vocals reflective of Christina Aguilera, has released a spin on Jay-Z and Kanye’s 'No Church in The Wild' with a short teaser 'Lipstick & Guilt'. The short track holds a dark and moody edge and Thornton lets loose with her powerhouse vocals as she lyrically speaks on the difficult sides to the music industry.

This is the 27 years olds first serving from her P.O.Y.B.L (Piss On Your Black List) Mixtape which is available for download on March 15th.

Check the video out below.

Melody Thornton: Lipstick & Guilt Video Teaser

Sof's Song of the Week - SBTRKT 'Hold On' Featuring Sampha

SBTRKT may just look like a bunch of random letters put together, but it is actually the name of an underground London producer and an abbreviation of the word 'Subtract'. 

The producer, who's real name is Aaron Jerome started off his musical career as a DJ around East London. The self confessed 'unsocial' producer chooses to keep his identity concealed as he is always hidden in his images and videos, sporting a tribal mask. The shy producer said "I'd rather not talk about myself as a person, and let the music speak for itself."

Mysterious: SBTRKT DJ's with his signature mask

I first heard this catchy track in the summer of 2011 and instantly fell in love with it. Months later, it is only now being officially released.

'Hold On' which features the heavily English accented R&B vocals from Sampha, is best described as a Dubstep/Electro track, although there are so many elements to the song it proves difficult to accurately define. If you like this, you will love the SiSi BakBak remix which slows the beat right down and chops up the vocals creating more of a House tune.

SBTRKT feat Sampha - Hold On Audio

T.I signs Chipmunk and Iggy Azalea

Chip, T.I and Iggy Azalea

Southern rapper T.I has signed a handful of artists in a bid to expand his label Grand Hustle.

He’s only gone and signed our very own Chipmunk! Who by the way has reinvented himself as simply Chip.

During an interview with MTV News, T.I introduced both artists with one on each side. During this interview Tottenham raised Chip said “I’m 21 now. I’m pretty much, I wouldn’t say as big as I can be in the UK, but we kind of hit a glass ceiling. I got signed when I was 17. I had a platinum album, previous number one singles, Top 10 hits, countless Top 10 features. The biggest hit I had in the UK was a song called “Champion” featuring Chris Brown. It’s actually the theme song on Madden 12”

As well as the North Londoner, T.I has signed Australian female rapper Iggy Azalea who has been blowing up from her buzz she has created on Youtube with her not so high quality rap videos.

When a music mogul such as Jimmy Iovine says to someone ‘You’re the next Tupac’, you know they are tipped for big things. Well either that or an impossible expectation to live up to.

My jaw hit my keyboard when I read the outlandish statement by the Interscope/Geffen/A&M Chairman. I don’t doubt for a moment that she will be hitting the charts left right and centre since the likes of Nikki Minaj paved the way for female rappers to fly high in the pop charts, but to make such a bold comparison to a rap legend I think is rather outrageous. 
Of course I am only judging by her Youtube videos as the 21 year old is yet to release a single or a mixtape, yet has graced the cover of XXL Mag amongst artists to look out for. Nevertheless I predict she will have a mixture of Lady Gaga/Nikki Minaj success. 
The blonde Aussie told MTV News how she met T.I “Tip reached out just to meet me, to say hello, and I found a position for him conveniently where he could be used, and he was fucking with it”

Iggy make XXL Mag cover

MTV News: Iggy talks about her musical direction

Iggy Azalea - 'My World' Music Video

Mark Ronson & Katy B - Move To The Beat

Mark Ronson, Katy B and their musical instruments

Grammy-award winning producer Mark Ronson, who is best known for his work with the late Amy Winehouse, has come together with the 'Queen of dub-step' Katy B to make the official anthem 'Everywhere in the World' as part of the ‘Move To The Beat’ campaign for London Olympics 2012 which has already been seen and heard in the new televised Coca-Cola adverts.

Having already proven he is one of the best producers to come out of the UK, Ronson has pushed the boundaries even further in his pioneering methods of music making.

The 36 year old travelled the world to meet with professional athletes and recorded all the different sounds that can be heard during an athletes sport activity. The producer skilfully recorded and sampled a variety of natural sounds ranging from a runners heart beat, to a gymnasts feet landing and hitting the mat, by taping microphones to the athletes legs, chest and arms.

If that isn’t impressive enough, the daring producer talked about the sounds taken from Brithsh Table Tennis ace Darius Knight, “He has a "very unusual grunt", said Ronson, "Sometimes he uses it to put off his opponents, and sometimes it is a sound of victory – to me it sounded like James Brown, so I knew I would use that."

As well as Knight’s grunts, the song will also feature Russian runner Kseniya Vdovina panting at the end of her sprint. "I knew the breath was going to be an important sound", says Ronson "The emotion I felt after hearing that – I wanted to put that in a track."

The ‘Everywhere in The World’ Coca-Cola theme song has kept to the classic Coca-Cola melodic tune that we are all familiar with and will begin to air regularly from March leading up until the Olympics in June.

Mark Ronson making music

Mercury Music Prize winner Katy B who vocals on the track said: "Move to the Beat is all about capturing the essence of people coming together for an event such as sport and the Olympics and finding the links between sport and music and just getting everyone to get up and get involved."

Having watched the making of the track in a short documentary on Channel 4 i was excited to see how such an unorthodox way of making music would turn out. The idea in principle sounded epic and so I was anxious to see if the final product would fulfil my high expectations. Having seen the advert and heard the track I’m still blown away by the concept and to know that the sounds I hear and nod my head to, which make up pf this rhythmic energetic music, comes from such natural human sounds. Cleverly and musically crafted, it is simply pure genius. Watch the full advert below.

'Move to The Beat/Everywhere in The World' Advert - Olympics 2012

Kim K’s Heart is as Big as her Booty

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has kept her promise of donating her wedding gifts to charity and then some!

So, her marriage to Kris Humphries was more or less a disaster waiting to happen and to be fair i was surprised it lasted the full 72 days. But it looks like some good has come out of it at least as the 31 year old has donated twice what she received in wedding gifts.

Kim sent a letter to every guest that attened the glamorous wedding saying ‘I would like to thank you for your generous and thoughtful wedding gifts. It has taken me some time to pull everything together but I wanted to let you know that the money for every gift received by me at my wedding has been donated to the Dream Foundation..’

The gifts estimated in value at £100,000 and was doubled when Kim gave a cheque to the Dream Foundation for £200,000. The Foundation, which Kim is openly very passionate about, is a California Charity that aids terminally ill patients.

Following the marriage break up, Kardashian received a massive backlash and accusations of the entire wedding being staged in order to cash in. Whether or not this is true, the couple certainly cashed in, reportedly receiving $17million from E! to cover a 4 hour special and an additional $2million for exclusive wedding photos for People Magazine.

Say what you like about Miss Kim K, you can’t knock the hustle.

Short lived: Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries 

Amber Rose & Wiz Khalifa Engaged!

The publicly affectionate couple announced on Twitter last night they are engaged!
Amber & Wiz are known to regularly make everyone, including myself, get all mooshy when they tweet eachother lovey dovey tweets and are usually seen hanging off one another in public. They just can't keep their hands off eachother!
Everyday in their world seems to be a honeymoon, but now it looks like they will be booking their real life honeymoon as the 'Black & Yellow' rapper ecstatically tweeted 'She Said Yes!!!' with a picture of the huge sparkling engagement ring on Amber's perfectly manicured finger.

Engaged: Amber Rose shows off engagement ring

Shortly after Wiz tweeted the news, the high profile ex-girlfriend of Kanye West took to Twitter and said "He has made me the Happiest Woman in the World!!!! This is the happiest Day of my Life #LoveisBeautiful :-)"

Considering Kanye made almost the entire of his '808's & Heartbreaks' album about his ex Amber following their break up, I wouldn't be surprised if he at least makes a few non-subliminal mentions in his upcoming tracks.

Congrats to the lovely couple!

Sof's Song of the Week - Emeli Sande 'Daddy'

Emeli Sande is one of the UK's fastest rising stars. The soul singer has already enjoyed Chart success with her debut single 'Heaven' and feature on Professor Green's 'Read All About It'. The 24 year old, who sounds much older than her years, has written songs for Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole and even Susan Boyle to name a few. Speaking on working with Susan Boyle, the singer/songwriter says 'That was probably my proudest moment'.



We first heard the soul singers voice on songs like Chipmunk's 'Diamond Rings' and Wiley's 'Never Be Your Woman' however we had no face to the name. Now the Scottish singer is releasing her own material from her Platinum debut album 'Our Version of Events' and has delivered the second official single from the album with this compelling song 'Daddy'.


Without listening carefully to the lyrics, you would miss that 'Daddy' is a metaphor to 'drugs' or at least about going back to a man who isn't right for you because you are addicted just like a drug. On realising the songs metaphor I found the song almost haunting and chilling as her voice in this song is eerily remeniscent of the late Amy Winehouse particularly in the verses and the hook.


Emeli's distinctive voice sings the lyrics 'He's out your system yeah it took you a while, you got your family back and got your smile. And you promised your sister that you'd never go back again..' over church bells and chimes which growingly leads into a retro beat and an elevating chorus. 
The video which is shot similarly to an action film is gripping and the visuals compliment the song perfectly. Keep the great music coming Miss Sande! 
Watch the video for 'Daddy' below for your take on the song lyrics.

Emeli Sande - Daddy Music Video

Rihanna - The Road to Talk That Talk

In this two part fly-on-the-wall special, we follow Rihanna on her journey through making her latest Number 1 album 'Talk That Talk'.

The mini-documentary shows RiRi in the process of recording her 6th album whilst on tour and we get to see many different sides to the singer. In Part 1 we see a very playful side to the Bajan beauty as she joins her dancers and crew in a water fight backstage of her concert while her fans wait for her in meet and greet. We also see a very emotional side to Rihanna as she tears up on her last show of the tour in Boston.

Other sides of the star are portrayed in this mini documentary when she visits her home is Barbados as she is seen callin her Mum begging to borrow the car. (Her Mum refuses) We also follow Rihanna as she goes shopping in her Mums small 'Fab-u-lus' shop, goes swimming with her friends and revisits her childhood home. Such humble scene are juxtaposed with scenes of Rihanna at the Savoy Hotel in London with close friend/singer Katy Perry and on set shooting the artwork for her album cover on the streets of New York City.

In Part 2 the 24 year old openly talks about the struggle of making this album saying it was the craziest schedule she has experienced during her 8 year career saying, "One morning I just woke up and I just started f***ing crying so hard".

This is a great insight into the stars working and personal life during the process of making this album showing she is a hard working, hands on diva. Watch Part 1 and 2 below for fun, laughter, tears and tantrums.

'The Road to Talk That Talk' Part 1

'The Road to Talk That Talk' Part 2