Skylar Grey - C'mon Let Me Ride

Having already penned the chorus of Love the way you Lie, as well as beautifully singing the hook on I need a Doctor, Holly Brook Hoffermann, known worldwide as Skylar Grey was without doubt owed something by Eminem, until now. Seeing a glorious return to his infamous sense of humour (still without summoning a smile in the whole video), Skylar's latest single, which features Mr Mathers himself, is pure brilliance. C'mon Let me Ride, has been met with a very mixed reception, probably intentionally, but the reason for this is mainly misinterpretation.

The music industry is sick of 'sluts' singing about sex. Plain and simple. But you only have to scroll down the comments under this video to see the public's belief that this is another one of those meaningless tunes. Ironically, however, it is a parody of that type of music. Although let's face it, this is pretty blatent. It's hilariously provocative, with a hook of "C'mon let me Ride your bicycle, it's so fantasticle on your bicycle..." Yet it is very catchy and the style of the tune is astoundingly reminiscent of P!nk in her earlier days. Eminem's verse is captivating, although really when does he ever disappoint? His flow isn't what it was, but he's less shouty than on the Bad Meets Evil album, and with a verse that includes the likes of Mick Jagger, Alan Iverson and Godzilla you know it's worth a listen.

Quite amusingly the Youtube video is positioned right next to a picture of Kesha; probably one of Skylar's targets with the tune. It's set in a woodland caravan site, with Skylar posing as a lumberjack, as well as a player on a 'bicycle', mocking the three classic, blonde, beauty-queen type girls around that are posing for the locals. Skylar herself is pretty hot though, it has to be said.  Em's dressed like the real Slim from his Detroit roots, Shady's back.

Whatever you think of Miss Grey, it is with debate she is a pure unadulterated talent, with a whole host of collaborations in her back-pocket that could rival anyone. Her forthcoming album Don't Look Down, featuring C'mon Let me Ride and Invisible, is set to be released later this year.

Why Detox will never be released...

...or at least not as the massively anticipated LP that was set to feature the likes of Beyonce, Snoop Dogg and of course Dr Dre's original protege, Eminem. Dr Dre proved he hasn't lost his music-making and performing talents performing at the world-renowned Coachella Festival 2012, alongside the infamous Tupac Shakur hologram as well releasing his 2010's single's 'Kush' and 'I need a doctor', which featured Snoop Dogg and Akon, as well as Eminem and Skylar Grey respectively.

But according to n interview with 50 Cent, a close friend of Dre's who was originally signed to his record label in 2003, 50 made  it clear it's unlikely the full-album that was originally planned will go through. Interviewed in Paris 50 said, Dre has returned to his home in the studio producing for other artists, commenting, "He's successful with Jimmy with Beats (headphones) … I'm not sure if he's going to actually release a full CD or if he wants to just release the music that he's comfortable with. He might do an EP or something like that – five or six songs."

Now I'm a great defendant of hip-hop today, the recurrent phrase that is sometimes banded around of how, "hip-hop is dead", is to me completely inaccurate. But the increased commercialisation of modern-day music is something you cannot deny or hide from. Product placement has without doubt gone too far. Roll back ten or so years and something like this would have never been considered by such an artist as Eminem, but the most blatent example of it appeared in his 2010, Not Afraid video, with a close up on Nike trainers that seemed to last a lifetime. Music videos are now packed with advertising, in Lady Gaga's Telephone video featuring Beyonce, there were 9, yes 9! Separate examples of it with the likes of Diet Coke, Virgin Mobile and Wonderbread (if you can believe that) being advertised. 

In a recent interview with Ice Cube he observed, "What would you rather sell somebody: $300 headphones or a $10 tape?" Sadly, a small proportion of music today is controlled by PR, music videos represent a fantastic opportunity for big corporations. It seems to me as though Dre has fallen into this trap.

Whether Dr Dre releases Detox as a full LP or not remains to be seen, the stage of building hype has gone, fans have lost interest and to me the whole concept of Detox was a publicity stunt thought up in a plush Californian office to reignite interest to Dr Dre's name, and ultimately his brand, sad really. 

Alt-J present an awesome wave

The first thing any true fan will know about British-band Alt-J, is that this in fact is simply how their name is spoken, written, it is represented by a simple triangle. Sadly, my iPad did not have this feature, a shame given that it would have given this post the Alt-J indie stamp. This feature of the band, the initial inclination that opens up to the whole world of the quirky-style of the four Leeds University graduates.

It was in their second year of university where the band were first in the making, Joe Newman (guitar/vocals) came to Gwil Sainsbury (guitarist/bassist) with some demos he had developed inspired by his Father, who was also a musician and the two began collaborating helped by incidentally the Apple software GarageBand. Before graduating the pair met Thom Green (drums) and Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards), who interestingly studied Fine Art in contrast to the other three who graduated in English Literature the four moved to Cambridge. After two years of honing their skill and developing their sound the band signed to Infectious Records in 2011 and created their debut-album, An Awesome Wave.

Their sound is the musical version of The Mighty Boosh, unique, brilliant and something not everyone will get. With a compelling concoction of gentle-folk guitars, catchy keyboard melodies and pacey hip-hop/dub drum-beats, the band truly have something that sets them apart. But it is not just this they have in their arsenal, lyrically their music is fascinating, take Matilda the first single released from An Awesome Wave as an example, it describes the holy demise of Leon and the sickeningly corrupt drugged-up Detective Stansfield in the finale of Luc Besson's 1994 film:Leon. For a band that could easily be labelled as Pop-Rock this is different to say the least.

Other notable tunes, include the uplifting Something Good, an escape to harsh realities of a relationship with drugs, hum-provoking yet still with a chilled-vibe and Breezeblocks which is based on Maurice Sendak's  children book, Where the Wild Things Are. Whilst the band thanked their parents for not making them get "real jobs" in their Mercury-Awards winning speech, it is without doubt they have used their literature studies in composing their music.

The record is exquisitely well-rounded and never seems contrived, provoking-thought at every corner. Whilst in the mainstream-market not managing to score that highly, they have been widely recognised in the UK Indie-scene and with spots at some of the top festivals last Summer, including Reading and Leeds and T in the Park, the band have achieved greatly and will no doubt continue to.

Rudimental "Not Giving in" with fresh new sound

Thankfully, drum and bass is finally beginning to take it's long overdue position at the forefront of British music culture. But it's pioneering new artist's such as Hackney-based DJ group, Rudimental that really deliver this genre with a cutting-edge that's more than simply a heavy dance-beat. Earlier in the year their feel-good anthem "Feel the Love" featuring the unique vocals of John Newman stormed to number one, and their latest track "Not Giving In" has just as much promise.

It's another feel-good track, with a more motivational element to it this time. Rudimental are once again lent the utterly sensational vocals of John Newman on this track with Singer-Songwriter, Alex Clare, also featuring. Something about their music seems to strike a chord inside of you, whether it be the unique featuring vocals, the energetic beat or the charming trumpets. Starting slowly, with Newman describing "lost my heart and lost my soul", the trumpet comes into play to aid the rise to the chorus, which is joyous and backed by female, vocal backing. The song, lifts you, and unlike alot of tracks utilises the drum and bass elements intelligently, without overdoing it.

The video, is simply emotional. Set in a slum in the Phillipines. It follows a group of "street-rats" hustling, attempting to make the best of their situation. With one break-dancing and two robbing street-sellers for food, followed by a crazed-man pursuing them with a machetti. The ending is stirring, yet somehow manages to maintain the uplifting element.

With a debut-album set in their sights, early next year, this will not be the last we hear from the Hackney-quartet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9-Lwpgfd1E

I don't remember what I did Last Night...

...but tonight I'll do it again. Are the calls from lead vocalist of Clement Marfo and The Frontline, Kojo Williams, on the hip-hop/rock band's latest track, Last Night. Still immensely underrated despite the re-release of their inspirational anthem "Champion" in the Summer, the band tap into a market virtually un-entered previously. Combining the grimiest of grime in the form of passionate, former solo MC Clement Marfo with the distinct rock of the band, The Frontline, producing the seven-piece unfogettable tunes of Clement Marfo and The Frontline.

Their latest track has much more a party-feel than their previous motivational tracks such as Overtime and Champion yet is intended to galvanize the listener in much the same way! Marfo raps in a very bewildered yet fiery style, a hard-hitter who just wants to go out and have fun. The track, as is natural to CMTF has a very R&B feel with heavy synthesizers, most likely courtesy of Stacey Mansell the band's eye-candy. The chorus, is euphoric and simply unforgettable with Kojo singing, "I don't remember what I did last night, but tonight I'll do it again, ooohhh!" With their hard-working mentality displayed on previous tracks, their decision to put out a feel-good party-smash like this was well-timed to indicate they do have a fun side!

The video is quite simply mayhem (coincidentally the same name as their earlier hit featuring Kano) and certainly not one for the daytime 4music shows! With a whole host of Reality TV stars, partying their hearts out the video is likely to make you green with envy that you weren't invited to the chaotic brilliance! With hot girls doing questionable things, what more reason to check this video out?

With an explosive performance at this Summer's Reading Festival under their belts expect the band's captivating live-sets to attract bigger and bigger performances in the future!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0qH6HPDe_o

Eric Turner vs Avicii - Dancing in my Head (Tom Hangs Remix)

Chances are even if you have very narrow knowledge of chart-music over recent years, you will have heard Eric Turner at some stage. Beaming British Rapper Tinie Tempah to international stardom, thanks to Turner's infectiously catchy chorus on Tinie's 'Written in the Stars', Turner has certainly made his presence known in music today. iSHi, producer of countless British hip-hop hits such as 'Read all about it', 'Game Over' and many others, spotted the potential in the American Singer-Songwriter. Turner originally thought of himself as more of a band frontman, but iSHi firmly believed he was destined to become a Solo-Star and after lending his vocals to the likes of Tinchy Stryder, Lupe Fiasco and of course Tinie, Turner is now set for his debut studio-album.  but with Angels and Stars featuring Tinie Tempah and Lupe Fiasco failing to chart, let's see if he has more luck alongside the super-successful Swedish DJ, Avicii.

Entitled 'Dancing in my Head', bizarrely the main official-video version is a remix by Tom Hangs, but don't let this unknown element put you off, the track is utterly brilliant. Infusing the best of Avicii's DJ skills with a distinctive house-beat that quite simply makes you want to move, the track is at it's core a dance-track. But this really shows off the great depth of Eric Turner's voice that he can go from helping create some of the best hip-hop tracks of this decade to an infectious dance-song. The song is relatively simply describing a girl that he quite can't simply get out of his head and the track has that air of torment about it, Turner brings it together brilliantly. With the looks of Jesus, his voice is going to something special, and it is, reaching all the notes with complete ease.

The video is incredibly cheesy and looks like something that would have been classed as funny about 20 years ago. Really disappointing given the sheer quality of the song. It shows a guy seeing a girl across the bar at a club and since that moment not being able to escape the thought of her. At which point he goes into his basement to remove his brain! He is then followed around the city by his brain! It's comical and has a certain charm, but it's well below the standard of the song.

With Written in the Stars 2.0 released, expect more and more from this Boston-born singer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMScU2bRORE

Naughty Boy with Wonder

Having paired up with the productive genius that is Shahid Khan, better known as Naughty Boy on virtually every major step of her singing career thus far, Emeli Sandé's  feature on Naughty Boy's debut-single, Wonder, seemed a natural course of action and what a debut it is...

You see although he is by title a DJ, that is something of an insult to the British Songwriter, Producer, Rapper and Musician, as that list demonstrates just the extent of his talents, talents expressed in this creative tune. It opens with a highly tuneful piano-melody, and as Sandé's soulful vocals take centre-stage a gentle drum-beat opens, it sounds simple, but it's pure and beautiful

Wonder, is undoubtedly crafted to allow Emeli Sandé's beautiful voice and the passionate lyrics to take centre-stage, but backed up with some masterful production with a drum-beat that builds and drops according to the part of the song, it really is quite something to behold. The tune, brings up feelings of adventure, "I can be the night, I'm not afraid of thunder, I am full of light, I am full of thunder." Yet it's joyous and celebratory, with a real uplfiting feel of someone with an appetite for life to go out discover, do and be more. 

The  video is enchanting, yet not in a sombre way in the slightest, it's colourful and adventuresome bringing the beautifully bright, feel-good factor of the tune to life. Just as the lyrics are true, describing how at times life can be hard, the video is too, showing a forest that at times is perilous and uncertain yet on the whole vibrant, with coloured flares and pink grass (no drugs implied!) 

Both the tune and the video are fresh and upbeat and with a debut-album set to feature the likes of Tinie Tempah, Professor Green and of course the wonderful Emeli Sandé, Naughty Boy clearly means business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kASjW_aPbQ