Everyone and their Mama was talking about this documentary today. Drake and MTV got together for a one hour documentary, which followed Drake everywhere during his ‘Away from Home’ tour, while simultaneously recording his debut album Thank Me Later. I was out and busy all day, so haven’t had a chance to check it. Many of you will have already watched it, but some like me, have yet to. So this is for the latter group. Press play with me. Find parts 2 & 3 after the jump. You’ll also find a deleted scene down there, which sees Drizzy in the studio recording the albums opening track ‘Fireworks’.

Update: Just watched this in full and enjoyed it. I’m finding it incredibly refreshing to hear someone in Hip Hop speak so eloquently. And speak so candidly about feelings and fears. I guess that’s what I really took away from this documentary more than anything. The fact that this guy is leading with his heart and not in a corny way, but in real way.

I’m seeing a lot of my age people (24-30 < damn, that’s my bracket now?) moaning about Drake’s debut album (many before even really listening to it). And actually, I really do understand why too. We’re at an age where the music we grew up on sounds very different to what Thank Me Later sounds like. And while most of us won’t admit it (and many of you haven’t), it’s beginning to get difficult to adapt and open up to the ‘new wave’. Just my opinion. And I think this is for many reasons – one being that ‘kids’ are hyped about it and heaven forbid someone our age is hyped over someone/something that kids are. And however controversial, my next statement is, I really think that a lot of the time, it does boils down to good ol’ fashioned snobbery – and please don’t get it twisted – I am guilty of this A LOT, A LOT – but hey, least I admit it lol.

Truth be told, I have listened, examined and scrutinised this album to high heaven and each time I conclude: It’s a great debut album. My main criticism is that lyrically speaking it is rather repetitive, BUT it is in those lyrics that you once again get to hear that heart I was talking about before. When was the last time you heard a male Hip Hop artist speak eloquently about the matters of the heart? Or about the admiration they have for their mother? Or the honest errors of their ways?  And not just saying it to say it, but actually mean what he’s saying. Moreover, when was the last time you heard all this on a debut album? It’s really quite brave and rather unprecedented.

It’s fine if this really isn’t your thing, but I can see so many people (my friends included) just brushing it off. All I’m saying is, give it a chance. Listen to it properly. Don’t be so judgemental. You may like it. You may not. Either way, at least you can say you gave it a go.

Eh, that’s my two pence anyways.

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John Legend & The Roots have a collaborative album, entiled Wake Up!, coming out in September. I’m stupid excited because in my opinion, John Legends last two albums have been crazy underwhelming and largely boring. This is exactly the type of thing he needs to be doing to ‘wake’ me up. He’s got a real chemisty with The Roots too (evidenced on the tracks found on their new album How I Got Over) so I know it’ll be dope.

Check them all out performing a new track off that new called ‘Hard Times’ and yes, as presumed – it’s real, real nice. Great music man, great music.

In episode 1of “I’m Better Than You”, Mickey is featured in the studio previewing his new single, “Paradise” for FKi, Discussing the potential of the single, Working out, Alcohol and a performance with GFCnewyork Artist Nakim.

Written by Ash ‘Remedy is Music’ Roye

All year long The Poejazzi team have spent 2010 hosting a range of amazing events all over London showing off the wealth of wonderful spoken word geniuses that can found all over the UK. Rammed out shows at The Roundhouse, Days of Decadence and The Royal Festival Hallto name a few have helped strengthen their that this is the “Year of The Poet”.

Next week for the 2nd year in a row they will be taking over the E4 Udderbelly on the Southbank for the night and what a night it promises to be. On the Bill will be internationally acclaimed wordsmith Yungun. He’s supported Slum Village and De La Soul  over the years as well as Mark Ronson and Zane Low feeling what the lyricist has to say. Also the awesome Benin City will be rocking the stage with their Afrobeat Spokenword Funk masterpiece that the peoples at XFM and BBC 6 Music are loving! Fresh from finishing a 10 date sellout stint at the National Theatre with his one man show The Thirteenth Tale Inua Ellams will also be on the stage. Hosted by Exceptional new Singer Songwriter Lail Arad this promises to be a great night out on the Southbank.

Go here for tickets before this one sell out!

12 new photos of Michael Jackson taken in 1999 will go under the hammer in Paris this December, along with 700 contact sheets of the Pop legend never before seen in public, auctioneers revealed this week. Action house Pierre Berge & Associates said the photographers were take in Paris in July 1999 by French photographer Arno Bani on a request from Jackson who had seen his work in a Sunday Times Magazine. “The pictures, which are to be published in October worldwide, were supposed to have illustrated his 2001 “Invincible” album but the record company finally used other shots for the album cover”. Bids are to start at 1,000 euros a picture. [Source]

Something about that picture up top, is so haunting. Reminds me a lot of Bowie in the 70′s. I always wondered why there weren’t more pictures in the Invincible album – these would have been amazing in the album sleeve. After the jump you can peep another bunch of smaller images.

I was sent these pictures by my fellow MJ Forum stans – one of them also sent me something they mocked up – it’s of this picture but as a CD cover. It’s just for fun and it looks quite cool, so decided to give him some shine – check it out after the jump too.

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Ryan Leslie performed the first of 2 nights at the Bowery Ballroom last night, performing both old and new material. The video up top is of him performing a new track called ‘Maybachs & Diamonds’ which features Young Money’s Cory Gunz. After the jump peep him performing another new song called ‘The Glory’, as well as performances of ‘You’re Not My Girl’, ‘Quicksand’ and ‘How It Was Supposed To Be’.

It seems he’s rapping a lot on the new tracks. Hmmm, not sure I’m feeling it – but will wait for the new album before I form judgement.

Shouts to ThisisR&B

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Brand new Strong Arm Steady video – ‘Pressure’ comes off the their most recent album In Search of Stoney Jackson which was produced entirely by Madlib. If you a Hip Hop fan this record should be in collection. No joke.

Click cover to download

SouthernPlayalisticMaybachMusic sees Big Boi jumping on Rick Ross tracks and vice-versa, all thanks to Mick Boogie and his mastery. Big Boi’s new abum Sir Luscious Left Foot drops July 6th but before that he’s got a mixtape coming – next week. Rick Ross’ new album Teflon Don is out July 20th. Tracklist after the jump.

Shouts to LI via Y2K

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I’ve been listening to Numaad‘s debut EP, Now, every day for the past 2 weeks (no lie). I wanted it to fully soak in before I wrote about it. It’s that time now.

Numaads consists of Dutch producer Sense and singer Esperanzah, who together have created something quite wonderful here. Her sensual vocals, over his experimental and inspired beats is pleasing to both the ears and the mind. Soaked in influences from near and far, you can hear on Now something very honest and heartfelt.

Bluesy neo-soul, moody beats and eclectic instrumentation brings the EP’s title track alive. ‘Now‘, my favourite song off the extended player, is a stunning example of contemporary soul. It’s the perfect introduction into Numaads’ world and sets the tone for the rest of the EP. Watch the video for this track above.

Track #2 is entitled ‘Wanting‘ and sees Esperanzah on her spoken word flex, backed once again by a strong production of jazz chords and a groove beat. Switching between rap and singing with little to no effort, this sees a slight departure from the first song – but once again, it just works.

‘Thankful‘ follows and is my second favourite song from the EP. The production here sounds so…Dramatic. It’s beauitful. A deep drone beat, random bells and drums spontaneously boom and clapping – all the while Esperanzah’s vocals float atop, effortlessly, perfectly. I have to give it up to Sense, his production here is remarkable.

‘World‘ the last of the original songs (the final 2 songs are remixes of the title track) on the EP concludes the session well – once again a blend of spoken word and singing, this song will have your head bopping with ease.

As I mentioned, the last two tracks are remixes of ‘Now’ – one by Robot Koch and the other by J Rawls – both are actually really good. You can listen & download the former, for free, below via Numaads bandcamp.

Like I said in the beginning of this post, I’ve been listening to Now non-stop for the past 2 weeks, with good reason. It’s a beaufuflly put together project which will satisfy most soul lovers. This, in my opinion, is modern neo-soul and as much as ‘we’ may hate that tag – it’s true. Smokey vocals and sexy beats – I love this!

Buy this EP via hhv now.

Brand new video from Rusko off his MASSIVE album OMG. While this tune isn’t my favourite off the album, the beat alone is evidence of what you can expect from this guys LP. Pure base. Pure vibes. I educated many-a-homies about this Rusko and his album – they, like me, never looked back. Get that goodness via iTunes now.

Jesse Boykins III and producer MachineDrum performed a brand new track, taken from Boykins’ upcoming album Love Apparatus. It sounds real, real nice – looking forward to hearing that. For those who are somewhat unfamilar with MachineDrum – he’s been producing pure crack for the likes of MeLo-X, Theophilus London and Mickey Factz over the past couple years. His beats are ridiculous. After the jump peep him performing some madness in Paris…

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High off the universal praise of ‘Watch for the Hook’ which Factz dropped the other day, he’s back with a new jam called ‘Bitch I Think I’m’. This guy is unstoppable. Dropping music frequently for the past how many years now? All of which, like this, has been extremely dope. Yep. Need that album. Mixtape come first though.

Download: Mickey Factz – ‘Bitch I Think I’m’]

Shouts to gfcny.com

New Feature Alert!

‘A MADNESS’ will feature highly random but highly funny clips from around the interwebs. They’ll most likely be music related in some way, but not necessarily all the time. Been meaning to kick start this for a minute now – just found this video and felt like it was the perfect time to launch it.

LaToya Jackson reunites with Michael Jackson’s famous pet chimp, Bubbles, for the first time in 20 years. The beginning of the video is ok, LaToya is just having some fun with him etc. But the last few minutes are flipping priceless. LaToya requests some ‘time alone with Bubbles’ and then privately (on camera) has an emotional ‘chat’ with the Ape. Lol.

Three things I kept thinking: 1) That Chimp don’t remember you. 2) What if that just isn’t Bubbles. 3) How many times did LaToya say ‘Bubbles’ in this one clip? Pure jokes.

A MADNESS!

Tinashe is a crazy talented dude, I’m really excited to hear his debut album which is due out in August. I like this track and it’s video.

Backstage interview with Theophilus London in Miami…