Filed under: Features, Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Dancehall, Exclusive, Felicia Okoye, Hip Hop, Imperial Blaze, Interview, Sean Paul, So Fine, Trinity
The lip-licking, bicep flexing of LL Cool J are nothing compared to the innate charm of Dancehall superstud Sean “dutty eh” Paul. The Ladies love Sean Paul, or at least he loves himself a whole heap of women, and offers no apologies for this. Bursting into the dancehall scene in 1996 Sean Paul’s single “Baby Girl” was dedicated to…Yep, the ladies, a crooning, melodic, reggae ballad, advising women to step out of abuse relationships, [insert Ch-Rihanna reference gag here], from day one Sean’s music always struck a chord with the ‘gyal dem’. Sean affirms, “Some people DJ and talk about money ‘I’m he richest motherf***er’, some people talk about how they got all the guns. For me, it’s all the girls. Girls in my country choose my music, because they realise that the first thing I said to them was not “girl cock up your batty and ride…”.
And so began PinBoard’s chat with Mr Sean Paul on a sunny Wednesday in a swanky London hotel. Prior to meeting Sean-a-Paul one of his larger-than-life (literally) workers informed me that Sean was in particularly good spirits that day, attributable to ‘popcorn’. Whether that was literally or figuratively speaking remains to be confirmed. Either way, that fine day Mr. Paul was feeling particularly expressive, rather cheery, occasionally abrasive and ever charming.
Sean Paul’s career has spanned over 12 years and counting, with each of his albums propelling his popularity with his worldwide audience. With over 10 million albums sold off three alums: Stage One, Dutty Rock and The Trinity including a collaborative catalogue the size of a phone book, Sean Paul is one of the fair few dancehall artists that can boast international stardom.
International recognition, yes. Love from his wider Dancehall community in Jamaica? At first- not really. I recall a conversation I had with a tourism worker during a recent trip to Kingston, Jamaica in which I was told about the initial Sean Paul backlash. He was accused of not being Jamaican enough (his heritage of Jamaican, Chinese, Portuguese & Sephardic Jewish) not being ‘real’ enough (coming from privileged background young Sean played Water Polo for the Jamaica National team, not quite the rags to riches/ Rose out of concrete story that is often championed in the Dancehall circuit). And his music supposedly too commercial sounding to be appreciated by the underground Dancehall DJs.
It’s a bit of a sore subject, but one that Sean is anxious to get clear, I ask how he feels about often not being recognised by Jamaicans as one of the best Dancehall artists, to which he sharply responds, “Oh no for sure, neither was Bob Marley at the time, Shaggy, at certain times neither is Beenie Man even. In 1996 I was the latest artist and by 1999 I was old and Lexus was the new artist, so we have 10 times the number of artists that you do per land mass ‘pon here so. With the amount of artists you have there, there’s definitely a power battle. My step-up in the business has been exemplary to show people that competition sparks greatness. I know there’s no way everybody in the world would like me, but I know that everybody in my country respects me for what I’ve done and everybody feels good about where I’ve taken the music.”
Then, in a strange sequence, Sean Paul’s Press Officer, signals that there’s five minutes left of the interview. Clocking this, Sean playfully belts “Don’t ramp with me. I’m controlling this mate, got to get this out ‘cause she’s pissing me off with these questions. Facing me, he says calmly, “I have to get my story out to you tall girl, y’hear?”
…Stunned, I ask, ‘Am I really pissing you off?’
Filed under: Features, Gigs, Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Read, Reviews, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Backstage, Erykah Badu, Exclusive, France, Gig, Hip Hop, Interview, Meets, Pictures, PinBoard, Q&A, Review, Soul
3 days ago, while in Paris, PinBoard had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of the most innovative and exciting artists around today. Erykah Badu’s style, creativity, vision and movement is unparalleled. And so, to have had the opportunity to not only see her live in Paris, but also to meet her, speak with her and gain insight into who she really is, as a person – was truly an honour.
I’ve seen Erykah Badu live many times, but her show in Paris topped them all. The location, the vibe, the excitement and her performance made it a truly special gig. One I won’t be forgetting in a hurry. Performing a vast selection of new and old material, spanning all her albums, Badu with all her might, sang “On & On”, “Didn’t Cha Know”, “Healer”, “Soldier”, “Orange Moon”, “Other side of the Game” & “Me”, ending perfectly with “The Light” and…”A Milli”. And shouts to all our Parisian readers out there: ya’ll sure know how to get down! The energy was palpable.
But it’s the randomness of all of this which still feels quite surreal. From discovering that day Erykah was playing Paris; to finding out that the only tickets left were €60 (a large chunk of our 4 day budget); deciding we’d try an alternative route i.e. the hookup; Sending a couple emails around; hearing back from a contact in Dallas, Texas informing us that we not only had tickets but also backstage passes; finding the venue (a minute outside of the centre of Paris); to realising that ‘backstage’ really meant an intimate Q&A with the lady herself! Er, surreal to say the least! Completely unprepared, we frusiouly tried to remain cool, calm and collected. After all, we were repping London hard that night! Haha!
We got a few solid questions in, recorded most of the session. The footage is dope, and the pictures we have are incredible. I’m planning to roll of all of this out, along side our Sean Paul interview and Marsha Ambrosius (video) interview in the coming week or so.
Trust me, you’re gonna love, love, love, love, love it!
Peace, Love & Erykah Badu
Speeakz & Crew
Shouts to Carla & Mike
Filed under: Features, Interviews, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Banksy, Day N Night, Dilla, Exclusive, Interview, London, Melo-X, PinBoard, Treat Her Right (And I Know), Video
HERE IT IS PEOPLE!
I know, I’ve been promising it for tiiiime now, but it’s finally here!
The PinBoard crew had the pleasure of catching up with the incredibly talented Melo-X while he was over here in London on tour with Theophilus London. We shot on location in ‘Banksy’s Tunnel’ in the heart of London and got to know the man behind the music.
In this EXCLUSIVE interview, Melo-X talks about his influences, his album Mustafa’s Renaissance, Dilla, his favourite MC’s and much, much more. It’s a pretty dope and insightful interview, so sit back and kick it with Mr. Melo.
And so there you have it! We’ve been telling you about this man, if you don’t know by now – I don’t know where you’re living. His album Mustafa’s Renaissance is incredible, make sure you cop that. Also, hit up his myspace and show him some love. Aiight?
Peace, Love & Melo-X
Speeakz
Much thanks to Melo-X, Shan (Phearon Lightworks) & Shernay (Chocolate Bear Productions)!
Filed under: Download, Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Cargo, Exclusive, Gig, Hip Hop, Interview, K'naan, London, PinBoard, Review, Somalia
Growing up in war torn Somalia during the height of a Civil War, as K’NAAN Warsame did, would undoubtedly elicit it’s fair share of repercussions. PinBoard caught up with the man himself during his short stint in London, last week.
In past interviews K’NAAN – now on to his sophomore musical offering, Troubadour – has talked of growing up around resounding sounds of gunfire, as mutilated dead bodies paved the streets of Mogadishu, where he spent his formative years. Dodging bullets and losing loved would surely have damaging psychological effects, yet conversely, the survival of such troubling times allowed K’NAAN the sensibilities to thoroughly observe his environment (”My job is to write just what I see/So a visual stenographer is who I be”- “I Come Prepared”, Troubadour) .
Having been accustomed to constantly watching his back, for the sake of life preservation it’s no wonder that today, K’NAAN describes himself as a “Consistent Observer”. And with observations, came the personal musings and philosophies that set K’NAAN’s lyrical prowess apart from the rest.
If you’ve listened to a K’NAAN Verse, an interview, or even a Twitter offering from the Universal signed rapper, it’s clear that he’s as sharp as they come, and his art only further demonstrates his abilities. If this were a music class the ’slow’ rappers would be huddled in the corner, drinking purple substances from Styrofoam cups, sporting their aptly labelled ‘dunce’ hats, while spitting incoherent babble (”A lot of mainstream niggas is yapping about yapping/A lot of underground niggas is rapping about rapping/ I just want to tell you what’s really crackalacking” -”Somalia”, Troubadour) while K’NAAN sits quietly confident, top of the class. For this Somali born musician, it’s not about ‘privileged’ or education (”probably get a Grammy without a grammar education/so f**k you school and f**k you immigration.” “Somalia” Troubadour). It’s about street smarts, and observation based philosophies.
So, exclusively for PinBoard, observe K’NAAN’s musings and philosophies…
On Music…
PinBoard: If you were to use an analogy to describe what your new album Troubadour represents to you, what would it be?
K’NAAN: There’s a guy that had an analogy for it. Jimmy Lovine, the CEO of Interscope in the U.S, the guy that works closest to him said, K’NAAN’s album is as if hip hop is glam music now and this is Nirvana. It’s a big compliment!
PinBoard: And in laymen’s terms, what does Troubadour mean to you?
K’NAAN: I think it’s different, it’s fresh, it’s like it’s own path that it’s finding. There is nothing that is made as a blueprint that this album is following. So even whatever artists I might be fans of in hip hop like Nas, or Jay- Z or something, they never made this kind of album, so even they’re not the Blueprint for this.
PinBoard: What sets this album apart?
K’NAAN: The album has a certain musicality to it, certain melodic capacity to it so you won’t find a song like ‘Fire in Freetown’ on a lot of albums, you won’t find a song like ‘Waving Flags’ on a lot of albums. Content wise I think it’s different but it’s also what I like about hip hop, what’s fresh about hip hop. A song like ‘15 Minutes Away’, about money transfer, that’s what a fresh hip hop artist would do. Like when I first heard KanYe, I thought he would make something like that.
PinBoard: Was it an organic process or more contrived like ‘what can I do to raise the bar’?
K’NAAN: For me it was about raising my own bar. I wanted to see how much I’d grown as an artist, so most of anything I do in my life are really quite selfish. I do things for my own entertainment or to test my capacity as an artist and this was one of those journeys.
PinBoard: What’s the response to your music been like from your family and community?
K’NAAN: It’s been really positive for the most part. But if you talk about Somali people as a community, it’s the songs of their experience so it means more to them. But even then there’s cultural complications. There’s religious elements, like someone who’s seriously religious might say “well I don’t like it, ’cause he’s doing music, period”. So that’s a cultural response in itself, but outside of that it’s been wonderful.
On Identity…
PinBoard: I recently spoke to an artist called Corneille who is of Rwandan parentage and he said he found it burdensome having to try and represent in some way not just his country but also the continent of Africa in a wider sense. Do you ever feel that?
K’NAAN: No, because it’s necessary…I take the opposite of his philosophy. I get why it could be burdensome, and I know it’s not easy but that’s why it must be done. Not too long ago, you wouldn’t have expected a rapper, from Africa, naming himself as an African and talking about African experiences, to do anything in the U.S let alone for other artists who are generally the heroes of the public to be seeking him out. KanYe puts so much of my music on his website. He premiered the video for ‘”T.I.A (This is Africa)” on his website. Nas is the same and vocal about the music that I’m making. And that was not in our foreseeable future and it takes for someone to be proud and really, like pride, not saying pride. And you can see it, you can hear it in the music.
“T.I.A (This is Africa)”
PinBoard: How do you feel about often being labelled as the African War Child?
K’NAAN: Well it’s not my identity. I’m an artist and I feel like people who know my music tend to label me as an artist. They see the interesting compositions, the signature changes I can make, the melodic sensibilities of my music, lyrics, they see those things. For example when Nas is talking about my music, he doesn’t talk about the person who comes from war, he’s like “the music on this thing is like…” he’s talking about it from that sense. It’s media that usually pick me out as an African war child or something like that, because even that is fine, even that needs representation. But if you ask me as I person, I represent my art, but if they take me on as ‘that guy’ I’m good for that too.
PinBoard: How would you define personal success?
K’NAAN: It’s rarely attainable in my view, I mean in art. Because there’s always this small faint light which is dangling just above where I’ve reached. So whenever you’ve reached somewhere, there’s always that bit further, another light that I have to reach. And I want to touch all my lights, that’s my idea of success.
PinBoard: So what do you foresee? International Stardom?
K’NAAN: Honestly, that’s not an artistic thing at all, that’s not an accomplishment, it’s a bi-product of my art. I really never had ambitions to be famous and whether I like it or not, I can see that things are happening. But I’m really not made that way, I’m very much private and very much comfortable in my creative world rather than the exposure of the craziness, so I don’t entertain it. Like recently I was in Miami for the Winter Music Conference, which is crazy, like South Beach. And I was staying in the Delano hotel, right in the centre of everything where Diddy was having his personal parties in the lobby and stuff like that. I had a show to play at the pool. I played my show, came up and ordered room service and that’s the extent of how I see that world, so I’m just not made for it.
Continue reading this interview…
Filed under: Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Hip Hop, Interview, Muhsinah, PinBoard, Soul, The Oscillations: Sine, The Oscillations: Triangle, Zayns
As previously stated, PinBoard got the chance to sit down with the lovely and talented Muhsinah for an exclusive interview. We really can’t tell you enough how talented this lady is, holding the titles of singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, composer and more (the list could go on, it really could). She has managed to produced a sound like no other and one of our favourite albums last year The Oscillations: Sine.
We caught up with her just before her exclusive friends and family listening party, [shouts and thanks to the whole Arale family] where we were lucky enough to hear several tracks from her forthcoming LP, The Oscillations: Triangle [which are all INCREDIBLE by the way trust us!] but sadly won’t be released for a while.
Whether you’re already a fan, or are only getting to know her now, we advise you sit back and enjoy the following interview. Get to know Muhsinah and what she’s all about. We also recommend you catch her live on her only London date at the ARALE 01 launch party Sunday 18th in Islington.
PinBoard: For those that don’t know, tell us, who is Muhsinah?
Muhsinah: Me? Well I am a musician, a composer, a pianist, a singer, a songwriter, an arranger, a makeshift recording engineer, a creative person and a nice girl. (laughs)
PinBoard: Where did the musical infatuation begin?
Muhsinah: It really started with my mum way back when I was growing up. When she would vacuum the living room she’s always have records on, so I think it had an influence on me then. But as far as having as formal training, I started taking piano lessons when I was 11 and didn’t stop til I was 22. So I’m very thoroughly trained in the classical art of the piano playing, which I used and converted into some mutt of whatever music I make now, but that’s where i started falling in love with music.
PinBoard: What are you listening to the moment?
Muhsinah: I’m really into New-Wave, Punk, really into classical music, and maybe old soul music and really into soundtrack. My favourite is probably most Westerns, like Spaghetti Westerns, like those Italian Westerns all written by the same person. But I like ‘em all…
PinBoard: Why did you decide to go down the musical route?
Muhsinah: Mostly because most people can relate to some kind of music, whether it be a different genre, slow or fast you, dark or mellow whatever. You can have something in common with someone else, and people always talk about music, whether they have a deep knowledge of what they’re into or not.
Muhsinah – “Construction”
PinBoard: You were just on tour with Common, what was that like how did you guys hook up? [Muhsinah also featured on track "Changes" on Common's latest LP Universal Mind Control]
Muhsinah: With Common his A&R found me, he was like we want to bring to Common’s concert so you can at least meet him. Then I met him and he was like “Oh you’re dope, we really need to work together” and I always take that with a pinch of salt, it’s like you never know what people mean, that could’ve meant nothing he could get with his life and never get in touch. But the fact that he called me up like the next few weeks, meant so much, he was like “We wanna do a song with Alicia Keys and we want you to write it” I did it, but it didn’t make it, but the fact they called me up to consider me writing a song was amazing. Then a few months after they had another song for his album and they wanted to ring me into the studio in New York and when I got there they were so impressed by the way I record, I’ve had a lot of practice at it (laughs) Then they were like “So you wanna come the road with us”, so right after that I became part of Common’s band and have been in his band ever since late July last year.
PinBoard: You featured on three tracks on the Foreign Exchange LP last year Leave It All Behind, how you get together with them?
Muhsinah: Well Phonte from Little Brother called me up out of the blue on day and I had no idea. He called up and was like “Hey it’s Phonte” and I thought it was my little brother playing around with me so I was like “Yo stop playing” but he was like “No seriously its Phonte” (laughs) he went on and was like “I really want to put you on the next Foreign Exchange project.” This was before they even thought about doing another project but he was like “At least we know we can have you on it” So when they started recording he was like we gonna fly you to North Carolina I got there and we did three songs together.
PinBoard: How would you describe your sound?
Muhsinah: I use unconventional melodies, and I love to use live elements and body sounds like claps, ooh and arrs [laughs] My arrangements are unconventional heavy strings, rocking drums. But I also think my name is a big influence on how I’ve taken my life and made it into something. Like I’m supposed to contribute something, my music is a reflection of me and how I am as a person. Moody, happy, excited all the time, really nerdy but cool sometimes. My mood changes and I change too, and I think everyone’s music is a direct reflection of who they are and everyone’s music is going to because we are all different.
PinBoard: What can we expect on your next LP Triangle?
Muhsinah: Since Sine, I’ve discovered a bigger piece of myself, I’ve realised that we all have a story to tell and we all have to tell our story before time is up. I think this moving on period I’m experiencing is really important and I’m really thankful that I’ve lived long enough to tell my story. As for the music I’m not really using samples any more, it’s not really hip-hop sounding anymore its more of a rock based project but you know I’ve never been one to categorise myself in any genre anyway so its just the next level for me and I hope you all like it.
Muhsinah’s The Oscillations: Sine, is out now and couldn’t come any more recommend and again, London, you got the chance to see what she does live tomorrow night at the Lexington (Islington) for ARALE 01 launch party (more info).
…Oh and if you thought all that was great, we’ll have some more exclusive content from Muhsinah right here in the next couple days!
Peace, Love & Muhsinah
Zayns
Filed under: Interviews, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Blaq Poet, Blaqprint, DJ Premier, Footage, Hip Hop, Livem, Primo, Video, WeAreHQ
WeAreHQ.com had the privilege of joining one of my heroes, the invincible DJ Premier and legendary rap co-hort Blaq Poet during their visit in London to bless the airwaves of Kiss 100 and the wild-out underground chamber of super-club Fabric.
A must-see 40 minute installment in two parts- the duo drop mad insight.
Part I:
Part II:
Shouts to Magdi for setting up the whole honourable appointment and renowned London Hip-Hop producer Andres ‘K-Nite 13′ Albert for shooting & putting the piece together aswell as the rest of the WeAreHQ posse. Good job gentleman.
Blaq Poet’s forthcoming Blaqprint LP with heavy production from Primo is out shortly. The new single ‘Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed’ is rather FIRE also.
Peace, Love, Preem & Poet,
Fantastic**t.
Filed under: Features, Interviews, Music, Must Read, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Change, Daniel Merriweather, Exclusive, Hip Hop, Interview, Love & War, Mark Ronson, R&B, Stop Me, The Dap Kings, Wale
As this 26 year old frequent flyer (Melbourne to NYC to London and rotate) readies his Mark Ronson produced debut album, ‘Love & War’ on April 23rd and his debut single “Change” feat Wale today [February 2nd] PinBoard attempts to find out weather Sir Merriweather is a lover or fighter…
PinBoard: So how was your PA at YoYo last night? [interview conducted day after the gig]
Daniel: Sick crowd, it was packed. I’ve just put this 9 piece band together that I absolutely love and we managed to fit everyone together onto that stage except for percussionist Gareth who had to stand in front of the DJ booth. I did ‘Change’, ‘Stop Me’, ‘Cigarettes’, ‘Impossible’, ‘Could You’, it was fun man.
PinBoard: I’ve read that you started playing violin at 4 years old…?
Daniel: I learnt by ear, I got pretty good and by 13 I was playing Vivaldi concertos by memorising them. That was an interesting way to start music because it’s such a tough, technical instrument to play so I guess anything from there is a bit easier. But I couldn’t read music so I couldn’t really pursue the violin, so singing became my love around 10 or 11. I used to love singing ‘Guilty Pleasure’ by Boyz II Men [laughs], huge favourite and CoolieHighHarmony is still an amazing album.
PinBoard: When did you start writing songs?
Daniel: Everything sort of came together when I had a guitar in front of me and I was writing chords, putting melodies and lyrics together and realising that power to be able to create which is what I really value, it keeps me going.
PinBoard: Which artists were you listening to back then?
Daniel:I listened to everything as a kid, it’s probably the same for you, as the MTV generation we’ve had all types of music at our fingertips. For me it was like lisentening to everyone from Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and Donnie Hathaway to Jeff Buckley and Radiohead to D’Angelo and A Tribe Called Quest.
PinBoard: Then who do you listen to you amongst your contemporaries?
Daniel: I love my Hip-Hop; I listen to Jay-Z all day. I also love MGMT and Hercules and The Love Affair, there’s a lot of good music out there . To be honest though, when I was making my album, I tended to block out things and not listen to a lot of contemporary music for two reasons: firstly I find learning from the greats of the past valuable, and secondly it can sometimes be confusing listening to current sounds when I want to be in the zone, put my head in the sand and write from a pure place.
PinBoard: When did you start writing for your debut album, ‘Love & War’?
Daniel: Within the last 6 months. But I had been working on stuff before that, I mean I’ve probably got near enough 350 songs sitting on a hard drive somewhere, from demos to anything that I started recording from when I was 18.
PinBoard: Having been recording for so long, has it been a struggle to gain recognition as an artist?
Daniel: I’m the kind of person, I don’t really make plans and I’m sort of disorganized. I was just so fortunate to get a record deal when I was 19 years old to this great independent record label in Melbourne. Though my focus wasn’t on getting recognition, it was on making the kind of music I love.
Filed under: Features, Interviews, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Read, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Cargo, Exclusive Interview, Hip Hop, Interview, London, Theophilus London
A fortnight ago, a young gent stepped off the plane, straight outta BK to EC1. His name is Theophilus London, rising rapper & renaissance man. We are PinBoard, burgeoning blog & purveyors of brilliance. Let us assess…
PinBoard: So, London comes to London huh?
Theophilus: Yeah, it’s my debut, I’m excited. I got alot of family out here, alot of fans. I’m actually known out here by a quite a few.
PinBoard: How does such a fame come about in a place so far away from your own domestic scene, without any major label exposure?
Theophilus: I think people can except real music out here- there’s just something in the air. And then of course, my last name is London. I was on the flight and the stewardess was like “London, your last name is London and you’re going to London!” But I’ve been doing my research and speaking to alot of great music guys out here, checking for beats.
PinBoard: It begs to be asked, but the moniker Theophilus London alone seems to generate a great deal of intrigue. But for the record, what really is your government name?
Theophilus: Well, I was actually born Theophilus Musa London II. The name originates from my Great Grandfather, but my middle name came from my Father who was Muslim because I’m half myself. When growing up though it sucked, I was kinda’ pissed, I used to get beats for not being able to write my name in scripture. I had to learn Theophilus at the age of three- which was not easy. I started getting people to call me Theo in high school and then I came up with the name Kapps because I used to pop caps and stuff and shoot people… nah I’m joking… Kapps came from the fact people used to say I had the ability to be captivating on stage.
PinBoard: Is it true that you got into Hip-Hop at a time you consider late in comparison to the rest of your peers?
Theophilus: I love my Mom, but I do blame my Mother for being the reason I got into Hip-Hop late. I first started getting into Hip-Hop when I moved from my Mother’s house when I was 10 years old, going from Brooklyn to Harlem to be with my cousins. They were all listening to Biggie and Tupac, I was still listening to Michael Jackson, The OJs, Garth Brooks and my pants were really high. My first real Hip-Hop record and I don’t care what anyone says, was ‘Notorious Thugs’ by Biggie & Bone Thugs around ‘97, it’s the first rap song I ever learnt properly. I had influence from other genres, but that started my influence in Hip-Hop.
Theophilus London Dance Moves X London Debut:
PinBoard: What was it like growing up in legendary Brooklyn? I’ve read in other interviews where you stated, “times were rough, and I was confused and vicious”. Why is that?
Theophilus: To me Brooklyn is like a big school, a big test and alot of guys get tested out there. Growing up in an atmosphere with with alot of poverty, people trying to get ahead, sometimes with the wrong things despite others trying to get ahead with the right things. A few times I had to take the subway to school myself from as early as 5 years old because my Mom had to juggle three jobs It was rough growing up, seeing alot of people get beat up and things of that nature but I was never into hurting nobody- at most I’d steal another kids toy but that’s about it. But now Brooklyn’s cool, the violence has calmed down and everyone is focused on getting money so it’s a very innovative time.
Filed under: Features, Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin', Uncategorized | Tags: D'Angelo, Exclusive, Interview, Lucy Pearl, News, PinBoard, R&B, Raphael Saadiq, Soul, The Way I See It, Tony Toni Tone
PinBoard had the pleasure of interviewing a true musical pioneer. A legendary musician, producer and artist, Raphael Saadiq has been in the game for over 20 years. Sit back, relax and let Saadiq tell you the way he see’s it.
PinBoard:Mr. Saadiq, it’s an honour. Now, your new album The Way I See It has garnered unanimous critical acclaim and the people have finally heard your vision – how are things for you right now at this current juncture in your career?
Raphael: I think they’re pretty good. Right now I’m just trying to get around the World and get feelings from everybody on the record. It was a great attempt for me and I’m glad I chose the direction I went in. So I guess life’s being good. I’m also with a new company and amongst new people, so overall it’s like a whole new situation and I’m just thankful for every day.
PinBoard: The Way I See It has a very faithfully produced classic/vintage Soul sound reminiscent of the late ’60s and early ’70s. What were you trying to achieve by crafting such a nostalgic piece?
Raphael: I was just listening to my heart you know? It’s what I truly love. I didn’t want to mess people about and I didn’t want to go halfway. Anything less or a lack of work wouldn’t have been me being myself. I’m glad I’m out here as a global artist so I can show myself naturally. At the same time it wasn’t about being burdened by everybody else, because ultimately I’m making something I myself want to hear by spending time creating that sound for this very moment in my life.
PinBoard: I don’t think anybody is ignorant to the fact most artists suffer – to a degree – major label constraints. In wanting to create something that isn’t diluted, were there any difficulties getting the record made and released?
Raphael: Well, I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I’ve done my whole career. News of what I was attempting got out and people talked, but I kind of made the record without anybody hearing it. The label didn’t hear the record until it was finished and once it was finished I was like, well, this is who I am.
PinBoard: The album’s conducted with a very authentic consistency and doesn’t at all have the tackier texture of other recent, Retro-Soul records. Were you using more traditional as opposed to modern recording equipment?
Raphael:I used analogue aswell as using some state of art stuff. But it was more about a feeling more than what I used – because it’s not about what I use, it’s about what I know. There was a feeling in the sound that I grew up listening to more so than alot of what I’m currently hearing in music.
PinBoard: It begs to be asked, but what was it like working with the God Mr. Stevie Wonder on ‘Never Give You Up’?
Raphael: Everything you can imagine. A dream come true. Him walking into a room and pulling out his harmonica, that was something. I thought it fit so well as a production because I knew I would have to do so well as a producer. I wouldn’t just call Stevie Wonder if it didn’t fit, I had to make sure I had the right type of record. Still, the whole thing hasn’t fully hit me yet.
PinBoard: Talking of dreams, I read that you’d been playing instruments since the tender age of six. When you were growing up with this gift, did you feel destined for some prolific career as a musician, performer and producer?
Raphael: It’s in my blood. But from my earliest memories of being in love with music, I didn’t know I was destined to be a singer or producer or anything like that. In my household everybody had guitars, and everybody had keyboards. So from having so many instruments in the house I knew I was destined to enjoy myself playing music and that combined with love – that’s what led me to becoming an artist.
PinBoard: Do you think the present interest in Retro-Soul has enabled you to come into your element as this artist and really design the record you’ve always wanted to? Somewhat also a cathartic experience if you will…
Raphael: I guess what’s happened is that it’s all paying off for the things I like and enjoy. The things I enjoy happen to be things everybody loves right now. As an artist in this business, I’m always looking for something to make me grow so I don’t become stagnant. You don’t want to get pigeonholed. You don’t want to have to do just one thing. I didn’t want to get caught up in that and so I guess I would also say it’s the best time of my life.
Continuing reading the interview after the jump GO!
Filed under: Download, Features, Interviews, Music, Must Listen, Must Read, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Brook, Download, Exclusive, Hip Hop, Interview, J*DaVey, Jack Davey, PinBoard, Soul, Soultronica
Once upon a time, Soulful-Hip Hop married Electronica, soon after they had a baby and named it J*DaVeY. The baby grew up fast and began making music and in doing so turned convention on it’s head. J*DaVeY’s mishmash of sounds has created a sub-genre of music that incorporates elements ranging far and wide. It’s both hard and soft, edgy yet subtle, it’s lyrical but beat driven. It’s a bit of everything and usually when people say “it’s a bit of everything” it gets messy, but it’s obvious J*DaVey has a very clear vision of what it wants to be and therefore avoids any unintentional messiness.
With the release of their two new EP’s “The Beauty in Distortion” and “The Land of the Lost”, PinBoard [a long time fan] connected with the twosome to find out a lil’ more about the band everyone is talking about…
Name/Age/Hometown?
Brook D’Leau/26/Los Angeles, CA
Miss Jack Davey/26/ stLA, CA
You were introduced through a mutual friend during high school, what were your first impressions of each another? Was there an instant chemistry?
J: Brook was just this cute guy with a cool vibe. We met at my senior prom & were instant friends. It wasn’t till a year later that we both discovered each others music.
Jack, how did your name change come about and why Jack Davey?
J: it’s not a name change as much as it is another character, the little monster inside of me that is compelled by the music to act out. Jack is for jack of all trades & Davey for adventure.
Your music is a blend of various genres, past and present, which artists would you say have had the most profound influence in your music?
B: Prince, The Police, Talking Heads
J: Prince, Jim Morrison, Miles Davis, E.Badu
Continue getting to know J*DaVeY after the jump! GO!
Filed under: Download, Features, Interviews, Music, Must Listen, Must Read, Must Watch, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: A Beautiful Mess, Exclusive Interview, Jill Scott, London, May B I'm The 1, Ra-Re Valverde, Soul, Tour
PRESS PLAY, THEN DOWNLOAD “MAY B I’M THE 1” & LISTEN WHILE READING THIS INTERVIEW
Ain’t nothing like good soul music! It’s clear we love Hip Hop here at PinBoard, but we also love, love, love soul music. You know, real, true, honest soul music!
…So, naturally I was super excited when I discovered the music of Ra-Re Valverde!
This lady not only possesses a voice that has been described as “chocolate silk” by Jill Scott, but has the ability to be truthfully [and sometimes brutally] honest with her words. She’s worked with the likes of Lalah Hathaway and Rahsaan Patterson and while listening to her debut album “A Beautiful Mess” her voice and words give you a real insight into her life and her mind. It’s very rare for an artist to produce such high calibre work on their debut album, but Valverde does so - seemingly with ease.
I caught up with Ra-Re @ her hotel while she was in London supporing Jill Scott on tour and it’s my pleasure to introduce you to her…
Name/Hometown
Ra-Re Valverde/New York
How was it growing up in NY?
I love New York! It’s got so much flavour, rhythm and movement. I live in Harlem at the moment and I’m really only now learning about it’s history, I truly love it there. I love that you can still see women on Sunday’s wearing their church hats!
What age did you realise you could sing?
Oh, when I was really young. It all began in church, that’s where I had my very first solo. I was so, so scared but I quickly realised I could move people with my voice. Singing is in my family too, my Grandmother was the lead singer in our church singing group (”The Rose Budds”) and my mother sings also and my sister…not so much! [she laughs].
My mom and dad always made sure I was surrounded by music and the arts, so I always knew it was something I wanted to do. I remember every morning my Grandmother used to make us breakfast and sing the same song, every single morning. I never knew why until I asked her one day why she sang the same song every morning and she replied “because that’s my morning song”, I realised then that she loved making us breakfast and singing to us, it made her so happy and from pretty much then onwards, I knew I wanted to sing…
“A Beautiful Mess” is your debut album, can you tell me a little bit about the album and what people can expect?
You’ll get a piece of who I am and where I am as a woman and as an artist. I show a lot of vulnerability on this record. That’s something I don’t normally do and didn’t know how to do until I began making this record.
It’s experimental and not exactly what people may have expected from me [as a soul singer]. I used a lot of different influences including Radiohead (I wont lie, I was introduced to those guys very, very late!), Bjork, Prince’s first album…“A Beautiful Mess” is surprising! I really challenged myself when making it. There’s no bullshit on this record, for real.
My producers Baby Jupiter and László (a German producer that Ra-Re met via Myspace and has yet to meet in person!) really helped me with the sound that’s on the record!
Songs like “Outside the Box” and “Love Will” are pretty inspiring and personal songs. What song do you think is most personal on the album and why?
Hmmm…That’s a good question. [Valverde picks up her album and studies the tracks] Hmmm…I’d say “Outside the Box” is definitely one of them. I surprised myself with that one because when I went into the studio, I didn’t know I wanted to say what I said on that song. I heard that track and those words just came out, it was also the first record I did for the album.
“Love Will” is also definitley one of them too. I was dating my ex-boyfriend [Peter Hadar], who’s also a musician and we were just arguing all the time and so I wrote that song, gave it to him and told him to write his piece and that’s what came out. Honestly, we didn’t argue after that – we said it all on the song!
*While hearing the album, I took notice of the guy featured on that track because his voice so amazing and after learning that in fact Ra-Re and Peter were in a relationship when writing that song intrigued me even more*
…He’s amazing! Really, he’s so talented and his voice is amazing! I definitely recommend you check him out and connect with him… *Advice I have since taken – watch this space!*
Oh, also “May B I’m The 1″. I wrote that song after a night out with my girls. I had had too much to drink, came home and wrote that song. As women, we can be so damn emotional and that song is me saying “OK, maybe this is my bullshit, my fault” etc – you know?
*“May B I’m The 1″ is my personal favourite song on the album*
Your voice is so soulful, I wonder, who did you listen to when you were growing up?
I’m a Hip Hop baby. I grew up on that so, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots [they got me through college] and aside from that my mom had a crazy record collection! I recently stole a lot of it so people like Stevie Wonder, Prince, Chaka Khan, Oleta Adams…The greats!
Continue reading after the jump GO!
Filed under: Interviews, Music, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Interview, Magic Video, R&B, Robin Thicke, Soul, Watch
Robin told me about this video when I sat down with him for an interview a few weeks back and here it is…
Hmmm…LOL. Aiight, so it’s kinda corny, but I did like some parts and not to mention, the tune is still big!
Peace, Love & Robin Thicke
Speeakz
Filed under: Features, Interviews, Music, Must Listen, Must Read, Must Watch, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Employee of the Year, Exclusive Interview, Hip Hop, Outasight, Radio New York
Yessir! We have yet another EXCLUSIVE interview for you!
Outasight is one of those artists that can’t be categorised or put in any box. He crosses genres and mixes styles effortlessly. He’s truly unique & he’s super talented! We think you’re gonna like what he’s doing! So, take a minute and get to know the man behind the music…
Download this and listen while you read: Outasight – “Another Late Night”
Name/Age/Location
Outasight, reppin New York, New York, originally Yonkers NY (914!!!!)
Where did the name Outasight come from?
Outasight is a name attached to me a long time ago for my mysterious nature at times…hahah
How would you describe your sound?
Energetic hip hop mixed with melodic soul. Positive, smooth, head knockin
I ask that, because it’s pretty hard to compare it to anything else, which I think is pretty fly. How did you develop the Outasight sound?
By being me. My sound is an incorporation of all the influences of music and art that are around me. I then take these influences and just do what I do.
I think your new album “Radio New York” is overly dope! What’s the concept behind it and what were you aiming for when creating it?
The concept was a big middle finger to this one large publishing company who said my music was too left field for the radio. So, I decided to be the radio. I just wanted to make the music I create and put an interesting twist on it. My aim was really to just continue my personal growth as an artist.
Continue reading the rest of the interview after the jump GO!
Filed under: Competitions, Download, Features, Gigs, Hate Post, Interviews, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, Must Watch, Reviews, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Album Playback Party, Album Preview, Album Review, Blog, Brixton Academy, Erykah Badu Live, Exclusive Competition, iTunes Festival, KoKo, Leaks, Listening Party, Live, London, N*E*R*D, N*E*R*D Gig, N-E-R-D, Nas, PinBoard, Robin Thick Exclusive Interview, Robin Thicke, Robin Thicke Competition, scala, Signed Poster, The Catch Up, The Cool Kids Gig, Tracks, Untitled
As you can tell, we’ve been hella busy this week doing some seriously cool/fun tings! I know the posts have been coming through thick and fast, but boi, blogging is a fast paced bizness!
Anyways, just so you haven’t missed anything or haven’t skipped something you really need in your life, I thought I’d do a little ‘catch up’ post for you…
This week so far [Click The Banner]…
Robin Thicke EXCLUSIVE Interview
Robin Thicke Album Playback / EXCLUSIVE ROBIN THICKE COMPETITION
Erykah Badu @ Brixton Academy Review
N*E*R*D @ KoKo (iTunes Festival) Review
The Cool Kids @ Scala Review
Kidz In The Hall / Brother Ali / Atmosphere @ KoKo Review
Nas – “Untitled” Leaks
I’m gonna go sleep now.
Don’t expect much activity in the next couple days! Normality will be resumed Monday!
Peace, Love & PinBoard
Speeakz
Filed under: Competitions, Interviews, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Read, Reviews | Tags: Album Review, Competition, Exclusive, Listening Party, London, Playback Party, Preview, Robin Thicke, Signed Poster, Something Else, Win
Yesterday we brought you PinBoard’s EXCLUSIVE interview with Robin Thicke and today we’re gonna shed some light on what we thought of his new album “Something Else” which is set for a September 22nd release. We’ll also give you the chance to win an exclusive signed poster *picture below*…
So, I arrived at this super plush, private club called Bureau in Kingly Court (LND, you know!) to hear the new Robin Thicke album. As I entered, I was greeted with a nice tall glass of champers [really not good on an empty stomach] and walked into a super sexy main room, where peeps were chillin, listening to music and generally trying to suss who’s who whenever someone walked inna the place! You know how it is! Kinda stoosh, but it’s cool.
As I walked across the centre of the room, to find a seat Mr Thicke connected with me and thanked me for making it down (the dude thanks me, for coming down? LOL!), which I thought was cool and again, evidence of how nice the guy is! I quickly saw a familiar face, grabbed a seat, bussed some jokes and waited for the album playback to begin.
About 10 minutes later, Robin took the mic and began to introduce himself and his album and spoke about what it was all about etc and…pressed play.
Now, I think it’s pretty impossible to get a good sense of track from only hearing it once, so I ain’t gonna go into too much detail but will give ya’ll the general feel of each joint and will try and decipher my notes in doing so..
“You’re My Baby”
Robin really pointed out the intro of this song, making the DJ rewind it because he “spent a lot of money on them strings”! The joint was smooth and showed off Thicke’s falsetto brillantly. It’s most definitely a “baby making” song, reflecting on the sexy side of a relationship. I know it’s been said a million times, but the way this man channels Marvin Gaye (consciously or unconsciously) is amazing – at a couple points I was taken back to Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. The song also touched on a Latin influence, which was pretty cool.
“Side Step”
This tune was played twice (the second time being at the end of the album playback) because it’s a potential second single. Robin dedicated this to all the guys who had “given their heart to a lady and she then gave you the ‘Side Step’”. This tune has a real, old school feel to it, and while the subject matter was neccessarily fun, it had that fun feel to it. With it’s funk influenced bass line, this is the kind of joint you could easily pump in your car, on a sunny day.
“Ms. Harmony”
This song is also being considered for a second single. It’s soft keyboards introduce the track and then comes that ever-so-familiar Latin/African drum feel that Robin seems to be a fan of. It’s a great mix and when his vocals kick in, I instantly thought “Prince”. He really sounds like Prince at the beginning of this tune. High pitched, sultry and just generally tight. I wrote “Lost Without U” part 2 in my notes, so I’m assuming that this joint took me back to that, which is never bad?
Find the rest from “Something Else” AND get a chance to win an EXCLUSIVE signed poster from Robin Thicke after the jump (more…)
Filed under: Features, Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Album Review, Exclusive, Interview, Playback, Robin Thicke, Something Else, Tracklistings
Respected song writer, award winner and multi-platinum album selling soul singer Robin Thicke was in London Town yesterday for a day of press, promotion and play.
As I waited for Mr Thicke, I had the chance to quickly sample his new album “Something Else” via an old school CD player and while I never got to listen to each track fully, I could tell that this album wasn’t just “The Evolution of Robin Thicke” part 2. There was more to this record, more funk, more fun and more fire (OK. That’s all the alliteration ya’ll gon’ get!). But seriously, the album was sounding fresh and so naturally this got me even more pumped about meeting the man.
After about 10 minutes, the surprisingly tall Robin Thicke strolled in, super cool, shook my hand and took me around to the hotel bar seating area. After our introductions and I instantly disregarded every preconception I may have had of a successful recording artist, because it was clear that this man was a down to earth dude, who was not only responsive but also polite and interested.
I began by asking him about his new single “Magic” and what the song was about. “The song is about real people. It’s about everybody. I saw so many people on the road, or just around that had given up or felt like nothing was going to happen for them and I wanted to write a song saying “you got that magic, I got it too!”…We’re all Human and like everybody else, I’ve had my up’s and down’s too!”.
After the jump Robin talks about his highs, his lows and his hot new album Continue Reading…
Filed under: Download, Gigs, Interviews, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Gig, London, Mixtape, scala, That's Stupid, The Cool Kids
The Cool Kids new mixtape dropped yesterday. Yes, I’m late in delivering, but the next batch of posts SHOULD explain why. It’s been a very busy, eventful, stressful, crazy, non-stop couple days and the remaining week doesn’t seem set to be any different!
The Cool Kids – “That’s Stupid” Mixtape
The PinBoard crew will be catching up with The Cool Kids tonight @ their gig at Scala. So, will def bring you some of that good, good exclusive sh*t soon! Keep an eye out!
Peace, Love & The Cool Kids
Speeakz
Filed under: Interviews, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Exclusive Interview, Interview, PinBoard, Questions, Robin Thick
Update: Interview is now posted HERE
Yes, TinterNet Family!
PinBoard has secured an interview with “Lost Without U” singer Robin Thicke!
Holla at us if you have any question you’d like him to answer…
Either email us [pinboard.blog@hotmail.co.uk] OR just leave a comment!
The interview is tomorrow, so hit us up ASAP!
Peace, Love & PinBoard x Robin Thicke!
Speeakz
Filed under: Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: ESSO, Exclusive, Hip Hop, Interview, PinBoard Interview
We got another EXCLUSIVE Interview for you…
Here @ PinBoard we have been telling you about ESSO for a while now. Talented, skillful and innovative, ESSO is doing it all. With the recent release of his incredible third Mixtape “E3: E-Day” we wanted to give you guys a chance to get to know him a little better and get to know the man behind the Hip Hop…
1. Name/Age/Hometown
Esso, Harlem NYC, 23
2. What does ESSO stand for and what’s he about?
I stand for the new generation the new way of life and the new world we live in. I’ve kinda named it Young + Ignorant. The old heads can keep grown and sexy. Not my style at all.
I’m about being successful on my own terms, living my life the way I want to live it and being a leader instead of a follower. That’s how I was raised and that’s how I’m going to die.
3. Before you got into Hip Hop you attended Howard University, what did you study and how did you find college life?
College was cool, I was an Advertising major. It was a good experience and I played Baseball while I was in school also so school wasn’t such a one dimensional thing for me. College was cool as an overall experience, but I kinda hated the whole school aspect of it. If they had colleges with no classes I might go back and get a couple more degrees or something.
Continue reading the interview after the jump (more…)
Filed under: Download, Interviews, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Download, ESSO, Exclusive, Hip Hop, Interview, Kid From Harlem, PinBoard Interview
TinterNet Family!
PinBoard has yet another EXCLUSIVE interview for your viewing pleasure!
…This time it’s with ESSO!
A dude many of you regulars will know from PinBoard coz we’re constantly singing his praises. This dude is doing big things at the moment and the interview we got will give you insight on the man behind the music.
We’re gonna drop the interview this week but until then, enjoy this new joint that was sent over to me this weekend. ESSO jumps on Lil’ Waynes “Mr Carter” and does his thing…
Don’t forget to keep checking PinBoard for the interview, dropping this week!
Peace, Love & PinBoard x ESSO
Speeakz
