The observed

I was pleasently surprised yesterday when Tinchy twittered that he, N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Taio Cruz were to be featured on the front cover on the Observer Music Monthly. As a muso, I invest in this publication as rule but made that trip to the newsagents a tad earlier to indulge in this article as soon as possible. After reading, I can't say I was as disappointed as I first anticipated as Ben Thompson appeared to have done his homework and raised various points of interests throughout.

This feature is a great turning point with regards to the exposure of the uk scene at present and it's bright future.

Check out the full article here:

Swine Flu Jab

The swine flu jab is due to come into effect next week with 'priority patients' (at-risk patients, frontline health staff, asthmatics, the elderly) first in line to be immunised but the real question is which bright spark decided to play God this time?

The media representation of 'swine flu' has highlighted propaganda issues in it's clearest form. First, it's a worldwide threat that will kill millions, next it's reported a large number of swine flu deaths are in conjunction with 'health related issues' and now the vaccine is upon us, swine flu deaths are 100% 'not related to medical health issues' and we ALL need to be vaccinated. The medical industry, is first and foremost, a business and lucrative deals and extensive money can be made in 'supercures' but what cannot be guaranteed is your life. You can 'try and test' a million random people all over the globe but genetic make-up is one of a kind and what's good for the goose...

At the end of the day, it's your choice and that's the key...CHOICE!

Why the lies

We have been Bamboozled after all these years that the legendary Roxanne Shante has been leading us to believe that she is a doctor- and has found a way to excel beyond rap, using her talent and career to propel herself to even better measures; iconic and insipring to men and women alike- we have been giving the truth....SHE LIED..see for yourself

"It is very easy to criticize someone and I have left myself open to criticism," she said in an open letter. "All I can say to that is before you level any further criticism and cynicism, walk in my shoes. I am making this statement to apologize to the people that truly care about me for any angst that this situation has caused, and to thank them for their continued support...Like all of you, I am human and may have not made the correct decision all the time. And, like anyone else, I would like to think that my entire life or career is not judged by one error or mistake."


We understand Shante, but they say the truth shall set you free.

Rinse need your e-signature NOW!

Rinse are applying for an FM License. Rinse cannot do it without you, you, you, you and you at the back too soooooooooo click on the logo and sign ya name!


Go support!

Too Far?

I hate flying, period! I hate flying EVEN MORE, when I have to worry about external stuff aside from dropping out of the sky and that fact that I'll drown instantly because i can only swim 5 metres or a pigeon getting stuck in a propeller, which leads to engine failure which leads to falling into the sea and the fact im going to drown coz I can only swim 5 metres...so thorough security checks are a huge thumbs up in my book as I can at least cross 'aeroplane potentially going up in terrorist flames' off my 'panic list'.


However, naked scanning? I'm not 100% comfortable with, I'm afraid. Basically as from today, Manchester airport has introduced an x-ray machine that enables security to see your naked body in order to spot any hidden exposives or dangerous weapons that may be tucked away in the 'nooks and crannies'. The scanned image will project a clear outline of your private parts as well as any body piercings, prosthetic parts or cosmetic surgery enhancements. Yes that's right! Everything will be on show! It's been 'said' that the images will be viewed in a private room by one officer who will then delete the image immediately once satisfied that no threat has been detected but let's be honest, what's the likelihood of that happening? Your bits and bobs could be all over the net in milli-seconds!

Is this taking it toooooo far?

Discuss

Adios Miley!

LMAO - this is genius! and utterly true! Good points well made, Miley. You do know this means you can't EVER come back now though right? lol

Well I THINK I've seen it all now!

A sign of things to come?

Looks like the 'Sugababes' have fallen at the 1st hurdle. Scheduled to perform at a charity gig at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall, they were forced to 'pull out' due to 'contractual reasons' - apparently Jade Ewen is not officially a 'Sugababe' because she hasn't signed on the dotted line. Now, I'm a very strong believer in karma and so far in the space of a, like, a week there has been reported arguments and now this...I'm just saying! You reap what you sow, no?

And Who Does he think he is......Lil Wayne...tragedy!

check out dude that perpetrates Weezy to score a female...what is the world coming to when people really dont wanna be themselves!

Westwoods Top Tips

As much as everyone likes to go in on Westwood, he's been in the game a mighty long time and knows what he's talking about so if you're serious about getting into the music game give this a listen. Definately provides some food for thought!

Delete My Facebook Account

The video concept is big and no-one can try say they haven't been there! Facebook can break your heart, real talk lol



The girl singing in the clip is a Miss Dionne Reid - am loving her voice, major!

What day is it?

I just lost vital life time to this...Shout out to ATCN...click here to do the same!

It's The End Of The World As We Know It..

Ok, exaggeration much? but the departure of the last original remaining member of the Sugababes, Keisha Buchanan, has rocked the foundations of the popworld on a grand scale. Keisha was always a dead cert to fight til the end...so what went wrong?

To know where you're going, you've got to know where you've been...Let's take a brief look at the history of the 'babes' line up...

Having studied media and cultural studies at degree level, I was taught all about the manipulation of the media, the portrayal of only one side of a story beneficial only to cranking up the celebrity shelf life and the evil's of PR and bearing ALL of of this in mind something continues to niggle away at me...'what's wrong with this picture?'. All good scientific experiments have a sturdy hypothesis and mine is the following 'Why quit one of the most successful girlbands if the rumours are a fabrication?' There are a number of answers:

a) Keisha WAS the sole 'bully' of the group and jealous of being over-shadowed by Amelle and HAD to leave.

b) Keisha was part responsible for the 'bullying' (let's keep in mind there were 3 members and much as we love Heidi, she's not perfect!) but was made the scapegoat as these rumours had surfaced around her before so it was the easiest option to prove 'bullies' will be 'dealt with' as appropriate.

c) Sugababes management wanted to 're-vamp' the group and Keisha's departure was a product of an elaborate plan.

When taking each of these into account, I believe the majority would opt for option a) or b) because the world and it's chilhuahua love a good bitch, thrive on the misfortune of others and Keisha has been the only original member of the group left standing which poses a number of questions but I'm more inclined to go with option c). The wonderful world of the music industry is ever-changing but the only two aspects that remain constant throughout is formula's and IMAGE. The girl groups of today look like this:

Let's be honest, the latest releases from the Sugababes were far from setting the world alight and with girl groups like Girls Aloud supporting Coldplay on tour and The Saturdays hot on their heels, I'm sure a meeting was held in order to discuss and strategise the 'Rise of the 'babes'.

Conquering the US is a detrimental factor of true success and with girl groups in the US looking like this:

...this lady is the answer...

I'm just saying...isn't she more 'aesthetically pleasing' industry-wise???

According to most recent reports, the new trio are already state-side recording an album and shooting the next video. To put ALL of this in place after such a 'shock' departure has to be questioned. What do you also make of the fact that Keisha is still signed to Roc Nation despite the 'trouble' she has 'allegedly caused? Surely Roc Nation wouldn't condone such behaviour! As much as I never thought I'd see myself write the following, I have to admit to the fact that the face (Keisha's face, that is) didnt 'fit' and when your time's up, it's up! Unfortunately a large number of society will never think to question what's really going on and until that time, the above injustice's will continue to occur.

My Winter Mantra

With swine flu cases on the rise again due to the change of season, you'd better recognise!

Standard!

Time off for Kanye? Much Needed

Personal tragedy is something that we all can empathize with. It is inevitable- death, hurt, disappointment...When it rain it truy does pour, and how we deal with it is most important. Many people feel as though blocking it out mentally and proceeding is the way. I myself have subscribed to this paradigm, and at other times I really needed to sit down and confront my feelings and the reality of what has happened. I am not one to judge anyone else, so I truly feel to each his or her own, but I do know that you cannot go through life avoiding the so called elephant in the room.

Much pub had been giving to Kanye West's tragic and untimely loss of his mother. He has given us insight into the hurt, through his lyrics, interviews, and has shown us the courage to live on and use the occurance as a motivation, through the Kanye West foundation.

On Monday on the Jay Leno show, West admitted that he has not taken the time to fully absorb what he has been through, and with that giving himself the chance to sort out some things- namely his life and purpose. He aluded to that neglect as one of the reasons that he makes hasty decisions, i.e. the VMAs, and his need for and paticipation in controversy altogether. This is an excerpt from the interview:

“You know, obviously, you know, I deal with hurt. And, you know, so many celebrities, they never take the time off. I’ve never taken the time off to really — you know, just music after music and tour after tour,” he said. “I’m just ashamed that my hurt caused someone else’s hurt. My dream of what awards shows are supposed to be, ’cause — and I don’t try to justify it because I was just in the wrong. That’s period. But I need to, after this, take some time off and just analyze how I’m going to make it through the rest of this life, how I’m going to improve. Because I am a celebrity, and that’s something I have to deal with. And if there’s anything I could do to help Taylor in the future or help anyone, I’d like — you know, I want to live this thing. It’s hard sometimes…”

Yes he has entertained us with his personality and his music, but at this point the HUMAN Kanye West is what is most important. My best goes out to Kanye and supprt of his decision to
take some time for self inventory- we all need it.

Eyebrow Weave??!!

This has got to be the dumbest thing Ive heard this year....Theres a supposed new trend, the eyebrow weave. Now let me get this straight women of course wax and cut eyebrows for hygenic and aesthetic reasons which I agree with; only to wanna know add a weave to the situation....WTF...this needs to stop. Is this what the world has come to- will we really try anything? when i say we I am talking in general...I hope none of you women reading this are really considering the trend...Leave the weaves to your scalp. PPPPLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEE!

I Cheat its Ok, She cheats We're Through

Double standard, Double Standard....How many do we know? Probably couldn't calculate. Neither can I. Its crazy how the old cliche what's good for the goose is good for the gander goes out the window so conveniently. I myself have been known to apply it only when beneficial. Hypocrite I am not, asking a question I am.

If he cheats there are some very strong women out there that find a way to work it out and maintain what is sacred- the union; as man- can the same thing be done? I pose that to you all.
Why are women held to such high standard and expectation on one end and then so easily berated on the other? Only God can tell us, but for now I'll take the opinion of those who care to share.

Will There be a Let Down

I had a great conversation this past weekend and the point was made that a great disappointment is looming- in the form of Drake. Now I for one am on the side that believes he is very talented and hopeful that he succeeds; the question remaims will the fact that we are oversaturated with his music numb us to the goodness? Will we become immune?
Secondly the question was posed, does he have that star quality that presence of say a Ludacris. Will he be a big draw- what will his performance capability do for his fanbase. Not everyone can get away with a subpar performance and last. Will his swag be enough....U be the judge

What is she thinking

Todays Edition of what is she thinking subjects Kourtney Kardashian, aka, Kim's little sister....It is well known that miss Kourtney is pregnant- god bless- but she was recently interviewed by the Daily 10 and stated that she might be willing to pose nude while with child..huh? First of all I must back it up and ask, why should she be the subject of so much press? I mean ok ur sister is top shelf and ur no shab urself, but again her niche in life is?......someone help me out here- ok maybe u guys r as stuck as I am. Must be nice to be able to coat tail ride to stardom and years later be able to persevere through the question: what do u do again.......smh....Should we blame the TV station whom introduced us to their wonderful word. I will say again for the record, the reality TV game is getting out of control- next up, Tameka Foster- subject life after Usher. I still dont know what her life was before Usher, and its any consolation- her life will probably be the same after. We want to see that because.....you be the judge.

Basquiat

When is Enough......ENOUGH

When is Enough, enough is my question for the day....As a man I am all for handling your responsibilities and yes Kelis as well as baby Knight are entitled to such; However, I am not with a woman taking a man to the bank. If he owes, he pays bottomline- but this Nas and Kelis soap opera is getting out of hand. As of this week, Ms. Milkshake is asking for an estimated $400, ooo up from the $44, 000 she was already granted by the courts. She says she now needs $17,000 for Child Support, ok, but how do u ask for more for yourself than the baby- priorities may be the right word. Does she need $72, 778 for spousal support. In addition shes seeking retro child support totaling $29, 500. Her reasoning is there is a dependence on Nas for her to maintain the lifestyle that she has become accustomed to as a result of their being together.

Now I dont know what these irreconciliable differences that caused this break up are, but is there not an inevitable alteration in lifestlye with the break of two people. She wants the monetary without the commitment. I do not agree; if her story were like Angela Bassetts in Waiting to Exhale, and she was at the job when no one else was there helping him get on his feet than I would say more power to you sister. But in this case she came along when the cake was baked already. If anybody chooses to disagree, take a stab at it.

Basquiat