Thursday 26 April 2012

Film Review: Marley

Born in the 80’s to Rastafarian parents, it’s needless to exert how much relevance Bob Marley held within my household growing up. Whilst most parents declared Bob Marley as regimented listening on a Sunday afternoon, within mine it was all around the calendar and clock. The Sunday rule was only passed later in childhood within my household, as myself and brother started to explore dance, soul, hip-hop and other genres dubbed ‘Boof Boof Music’ by my mother. Slyly suggesting it was blasphemous to be played on a Sunday because it sent the wrong messages, as opposed to the peace, love and unity Bob Marley was an ambassador of.

Still as a child I idolised Bob Marley in the same way, if not greater than Michael Jackson. Whenever his music played within the home, it carried harmony, like that found within a sanctuary. Through my adoration, I learned about other factors of life, such as inter-racial relationships and I still remember to this present day the upset I felt within as I learned that Bob Marley had passed years before I was even conceived, let alone born. In a way, it made me love him and his music even more.

Digging deeper in exploration, I discovered music from ‘The Wailers’ Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and others, leading to the first concert I ever attended to be that of his son Ziggy Marley. But admittedly, there was still so much I didn’t know at the point I became more submerged into my Boof Boof Music’ as I revelled within my adolescent years.


Marley – the docufilm – gives an insight into Robert Nestor Marley I would never had found through my own investigations. From his creation, we learn about his parents and the family life he was born into. The struggles he faced as a young man and how he found peace within Rastafarianism. The musical journey he travelled before and after the world knew his name, a journey that opened doors for many of musicians including those in the present day.

His humility when interacting with others, as well as the pain and suffering he overcame at various points of his life. Bob Marley was a man with characteristics many could benefit from if they were adopted. Yet while he is known for his masses of offspring, none of the women in his life had a bad word to say about his conduct with them or his relationships with his children.

But while I will state that this docu-film is about a decade overdue (if not longer), finding out more detail about his death and the cancer that eventually killed him, was quite an emotional yet informative experience. Knowing that a man who was present in Zimbabwe celebrating their independence, while also bringing peace to violent political warfare in his home country of Jamaica. As well as being prominent in the UK, US, Japan and anywhere else on the globe, can still be brought to an end by illness, magnifies that all of humanity is here by the grace of a higher power on borrowed time. Bob Marley died young, leaving a legacy greater than any achieved by his white family who disowned him. But his actions showed that purity of the heart can take us further than any amount of anger or bitterness. For that reason, I would recommend this film to not only those that love Bob Marley and/or his music, but to everyone!

Video: Live & Kicking Teaser

Host of Choice FM's breakfast show and well known on the MTV Base platform, comedian Kojo sold out both 'Live & Kicking' shows earlier this year at Hackney Empire. A great moment in history aptly recorded, Kojo is getting ready to release his first ever comedy DVD.... 



Make sure you keep an eye out for this when it gets released later this year!

New Video: Hush Little Baby

Wretch 32 feat Ed Sheeran
 

Wretch 32's latest single, taken from the 'Black And White' album and released on 27th May 2012 on Ministry of Sound Recordings/Levels Entertainment. 

Pre-order on iTunes: http://bit.ly/HUSHLITTLEBABY 
Buy the album 'Black And White': http://bit.ly/BLACKWHITE

Monday 23 April 2012

UK Film: Victim (Trailer)

Starring David Harewood, Ashley Madekwe, Jason Maza , Michael Maris, Ashley Chin, Shanika Warren-Markland and Anna Nightingale.

UK Film: Piggy (Trailer)



Released 4th May 2012

UK Film: Ghost (Trailer)

Having personal reservations about why boxing is called a sport, the story behind this film is something I found gripping. Why do I have reservations? Fighting in the street is array and within the home it's domestic violence. Both are an offence, so why is it accepted within a ring and called a sport?

Within Ghost we explore the experiences of a boxer who has sadly taken the life of another man within the ring, causing him to retire from the sport. But while his conscience keeps him away from the sport, the ex-boxer is also haunted by the ghost of his victim.....



Do they find peace with eachother?

No release date has been set as yet, but I'll do my best to keep you updated.

New Music: My All

Kyla feat MC Neat (produced by Paleface)

Kyla has returned on another bassline track alongside MC Neat, known mostly due to his garage hits alongside DJ Luck. Covering Mariah Carey's My All, Kyla shows off her talents and vocal range.

Give it a listen....




Due for release July 2012

Film: Something From Nothing - The Art of Rap (Trailer)

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP is a feature length performance documentary film about the runaway juggernaut that is Rap music. At the wheel of this unstoppable beast is the film's director and interviewer Ice-T. Ice-T takes us on a deeply personal journey to uncover how this music of the street has grown to dominate the world. Along the way Ice-T meets some of the remarkable superstars of Rap, from Eminem to Dr Dre, to Snoop Dogg and Kanye West. He exposes the roots and history of Rap and then, through meeting most of it's most famous protagonists studies the living mechanism of the music to reveal The Art Of Rap. This film features unique performances from it's entire cast and does not use any archive material.



Still awaiting a UK release date, this one is highly anticipated... I'll do my best to keep you informed once a date has been confirmed.

Video: He's Not

Suli Breaks 

Upon watching this video I felt compelled to share....



Then I questioned:
How many people see things as they are? Instead of how they hope, wish or expect them to be...

UK Film: Three Stops Down From Plaistow (Trailer)

Three Stops Down From Plaistow is a story of two best friends that come to blows after a robbery goes wrong. Chris & Johnny run the biggest organised crime outfit in South London, all of which goes to pot over loyalty and money. With Chris hitting the bottle and Johnny making rash decisions, who ends up coming off worse??

If you’re wondering what the title actually means then it’s old cockney rhyming slang for someone who is Barking Mad! Reference to the London Underground network, Barking being three stops down from Plaistow on the tube map).



Scheduled for release by October 2012

For More Information:
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Sunday 15 April 2012

Video: Smokey's Barbers - Episode 2

Jazzie has a lot to answer for in episode 2 of Smokey's Barbers......

Attack of the Baby Mums

Friday 13 April 2012

UK Film: Storage 24 (Trailer)

BAFTA Award winner Noel Clarke releases the trailer for his latest film....

London is in chaos. A military cargo plane has crashed leaving its highly classified contents strewn across the city. Completely unaware London is in lockdown, Charlie (Noel Clarke) and Shelley (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), accompanied by best friends Mark (Colin O'Donoghue) and Nikki (Laura Haddock), are at Storage 24 dividing up their possessions after a recent break-up. Suddenly, the power goes off. Trapped in a dark maze of endless corridors, a mystery predator is hunting them one by one. In a place designed to keep things in, how do you get out?



Interesting storyline... Should be a good watch!

Released in cinemas 29 June 2012

New Video: On My Way

A Money feat Wyen Solo

You may remember when I introduced Wyen Solo last April and interviewed her last October... The young singer/songwriter has continued grafting in her bid to reach success, recently teaming up with rapper A Money to bring us this...



The mellowness is so calming alongside such a strong message of self-belief. I look forward to what will be coming from her next!

Video: Come Dine With Man - Episode 1

Didn't really know what to expect when I clicked play, but I was pleasantly surprised.....



Can't wait to see the next episode!

New Video: Rain

Marger

As time has gone by, I've liked Marger's work more and more.... I especially like the visual effects in this video.




Taken from the Cheeky EP available here

New Video: Breathe

Delilah


Thursday 12 April 2012

New Video: Only Human

Wiley & Cashtastic ft Tereza

Really like the vibe on this one...



The vocals tie it all together very nicely!

Tuesday 10 April 2012

DVD Review: Showtime

The Heatwave presents… Showtime (A Rollo Jackson film)

Belonging to a family with tight connection to the reggae and dancehall movement in the early 80s and 90s, I’ve never been able to dispute the unity a good sound can bring. Growing up, watching recordings of the latest SunSplash or Sting was considered the norm for those who weren’t lucky enough to be present as the vibes took place on the sunny island of Jamaica, whilst also serving as a visual for those who were to reminisce.

During the same period, the reggae and dancehall sound broke it’s borders, finding an extended home in the UK via the likes of Aswad, Musical Youth, Tippa Irie and the late Smiley Culture. Through these artists and others, the music became an avenue of free creative expression that allowed evolution to take place continuously, bringing fruition of new genres within the UK.

This geographic and musical growth is the focus of Showtime; the brain child of Gabriel and Benjamin D at The Heatwave, bringing together members of the UK dancehall foundations and all the following genres which advanced from it. Welcoming music lovers who are newcomers unfamiliar with the dancehall pioneers to the connoisseurs, the blueprint for the night is “If you love the tune, go insane” states Benjamin D. The Heatwave have made Showtime a place to find education as well as entertainment, in the meantime giving homegrown artists an opportunity to try something new.



Throughout the Showtime DVD commentary from The Heatwave and various artists including Glamma Kid, Wiley, Stylo G, Stush, Lady Chann, Riko Dan and many others, brings together individual experiences of the music, depicting the formation of the inner passion seen exerted while performing on the stage. Filmed at Cargo in Shoreditch, East London on 15 June 2011 in memory of Smiley Culture (a pioneer within the evolution of the dancehall movement here in the UK), homage is paid to the inspiration he gave to many. Artists recollect their own personal memories of Smiley Culture and how they feel his influence presents itself within their music and the music being released throughout up to the present day. In addition the DVD includes a performance from Smiley Culture’s sparring partner Asher Senator which took place on the night of ‘Smiley Culture Character Reference’ adding a nice touch to the overall project.

The acts on the night were in abundance from the various genres; General Levy, Skibadee, Wiley, Lady Leshurr, Stylo G, Stush, Lady Chann, YT, Glamma Kid, Riko Dan, the list just simply goes on! To bring so many strong names under one roof, to perform alongside eachother on one stage is a strong amalgamation of homegrown talent which illustrates the musical unity Showtime and The Heatwave sound represent. I think it’ll be fair to say that the DVD captures a night when history was reformed. I’ll definitely be showing it to my parents!

To obtain your copy of the Showtime DVD go to: http://www.theheatwave.co.uk/showtime
Follow The Heatwave on Twitter @TheHeatwave

Video: Can't Say No

Conor Maynard

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I am absolutely loving this track to the max!! I didn't know who it was at first but kept hearing it on the radio... So glad I finally found out who it is.



Video spoils the track a little bit but nobody can tell me that Conor Maynard isn't better than Justin Bieber.... No Way!!

Saturday 7 April 2012

Video: OMAs re: event cancellation

The general upset of the police deciding that the OMA Awards were not to go ahead was felt far and wide. Host of the night Arnold 'Snakeyman' Oceng decided to call the OMA founder Milton McClymont to find out what his perspective on the matter...



Look out for the full video of the debate coming soon from Jump Off TV

New Video: Take Care

Drake feat Rihanna