Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Brandy, Cry Baby, New Track, Rapping, Video
…And erm, does it pretty well too? Damn?
Peace, Love & Brandy
Speeakz
Filed under: Gigs, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Floetry, Gig, Hip Hop, Jazz Cafe, London, Marsha Ambros, Marsha Ambrosius, Review, Soul
Yesterday/Lastnight (Sunday 5th July) was insane.
Jumping between Hyde Park/Wireless and Camden/Jazz Cafe was, er, interesting to say the least.
Wireless of course was off the chain for all types of reasons which I will go into on another post (coming soon), but Jazz Cafe and more specifically Marsha Ambrosius was stupendous.
I’ve waited a long, long, long time to catch this lady sing live. Never got a chance to see her during the Floetry days and while they were dope as a group, it was always Marsha’s voice that got me locked in. Her vocals are like no one else’s, soon as you hear it, you know it’s her. Soulful, yet so Hip Hop.
So yea, arrived at the Jazz Cafe for about 10pm, listened to a couple of UKSOULJAM’s warm up acts and waited for the headliner to arrive. Once she did the audience was 100% locked in. A mass of people who knew lyric-by-lyric, adlib-by-adlib, all eager to see this home grown star return to the London stage. Lord knows it’s been too long!
She came on and opened with “Co-Star” off her insanely dope (cannotstoplisteningto) “Yours Truly” mixtape. A great way to start the evening, it’s one of the illest cuts off that tape. While the set was only short (about an hour) she covered a lot of ground and did the tunes everyone wanted to hear. As soon as she sang ‘baby’ from “Getting Late” – that was it. The crowd erupted into a shattering sonic scream, literally blowing Marsha back. She continued to perform one of her most stunningly beautiful tracks, in the most…Stunningly beautiful way. Her voice, I will say over and over, is mind blowing. She then went into “Say Yes”. Ha, you can only imagine the reaction of the soul-hungry crowd, right? Yup, everyone went mental [again]. She loved it, she knew it was the song everyone was waiting on. Easily one of Floetry’s best (and biggest) tracks – written of course, by Marsha. A sultry, sexy, meaningful and deep song that everyone soul fan references. She sang is perfectly.
Aside from “Say Yes”, the track I think we all, unanimously wanted to see her perform, was “Butterflies”. Marsha famously wrote the song for Michael Jackson which subsequently ended up on his Invincible album. Easily one of the stand out tracks on that record (outside of “Rock My World”). It was evident she was going to perform the song in light of MJ’s passing, and we were all anxiously waiting for an emotional rendition of it. But before she sang that song, just as she sat on her piano, she spoke briefly about the King of Pop saying “I worked with that man, spent time with that man, I spent time with his kids – I cannot believe he’s gone”. Visiably upset, it was clear that Ambrosius had been deeply affected by his sudden and untimely passing. She continued saying “before I sing ["Butterflies"], I’d like to perform a song we were working on, but never got to finish”. Wow, I mean, you can imagine what that was like. I for one felt incredibly privileged. I don’t remember what the song was called, but we do have footage of it (coming soon), but she sang and played with so much passion – the Jazz Cafe grew silent. No backing vocalists, no band – just her and her piano. It was a moment. After a roar of applause, she began to play “Butterflies” – most probably the most emotionally charged part of the evening. As an MJ fan, a Marsha fan and a fan of that song – it was phenomenal.
“Butterflies” signified the end of her set, sadly. I really could have done with another hour of her on stage – an hour wasn’t enough. She has tons of material and could have quite easily performed for the rest of the night, but that’s just me acting spoilt. I was happy I got to witness her music live, something, as I mentioned, I’ve been waiting for for a long time now.
I just hope she returns again soon!
PinBoard had the pleasure of interviewing Marsha Ambrosius just before her gig. We got some real exciting stuff coming, including some exclusive, exclusive material from the lady herself. The interview will be up soon. Watch out for that.
Peace, Love & Marsha Ambrosius
Speeakz
Shouts to UKSOULJAM, Keep the Faith, Paul Aaron & Marsha Ambrosius
Filed under: LDN Life, Music News, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Cargo, July 18th, LDN Life, London, Summer bubblers
It’s back. I’m gonna be there. You? Do it.
Peace, Love & Summer Bubblers
Speeakz
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, Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Download, I Didn't Know My Own Strength, I Look To you, New Track, Whitney Houston
FINALLY! Some brand new Whitney music! This Diane Warren/David Foster produced track is Whitney’s first, official single off hr upcoming album I Look To You…
Whitney Houston – “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”
I love it. Really, I do. I know many people will have problems with it, but you know, I respect Whitney so much for coming out with a classic, age appropriate power ballad. Too many artists, who have been around a long time, come out with material that they feel can compete with the Beyonce’s/Rihanna’s of this world. Truth is, they can’t. I mean, Mariah Carey and her new single is a classic example of what I’m saying. Whitney’s voice is clearly still there, while not as clear and clean as it once was, but you know, she’s grown now.
I think it’s a brilliant song. But what do YOU think?
Peace, Love & Whitney Houston
Speeakz
P.s Will of course post the downloadable version as soon as it’s available Grab it while you can folks!
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Black, Bubbles, Interview, King of Pop, menstyle.com, Michael Jackson, Pop, Quincy Jones, Snake
Someone on twitter directed me to this interview Quincy Jones did with menstyle.com, written by Jeff Gordinier. It’s actually an incredibly insightful read. He’s talks candidly about Michael Jackson and how he believes “Michael did not want to be black”. He also talks about his death and why he will not be attending his funeral. It’s just nice to hear from someone who knew him so well, as apposed to random idiots who met him once etc…
Q: How have you been holding up since Michael Jackson’s death?
A: Oh, man. It’s surrealistic. I went to Shanghai for the movie festival over there—I took Halle Berry—and then went back to Luxembourg, and in three days I lost Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael. And Michael’s thing is still surrealistic to me. I can’t process it, man. I don’t know how to process it. It’s just unbelievable—him leaving before me. I can’t believe it.
Q: How did you learn that he had died?
A: Well, everybody in the world called me. I got 500 e-mails. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. At first they said they’d taken him to the hospital, then they said he’d had a stroke or a heart attack—it just kept going back and forth and we didn’t know what was really happening. And at first I thought he was just kind of freaked out by the coming concerts, because I was in London when they announced the 50 concerts and they sold out in four hours. . . We’d see each other all the time, and I just can’t believe he’s not here.
Q: Have you been crying?
A: Oh, man, it’s more than that. It’s way more than that. It hurts my soul, man. It’s just a lump down there.
Q: You were there to witness the strange evolution in Michael’s appearance. Did you ever step in and saying anything about it?
A: Oh, we talked about it all the time. But he’d come up with, “Man, I promise you I have this disease,” and so forth, and “I have a blister on my lungs,” and all that kind of b.s. It’s hard, because Michael’s a Virgo, man—he’s very set in his ways. You can’t talk him out of it. Chemical peels and all that stuff.
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Beyonce, Interview, LeToya Luckett, No beef, R&B, Radio
In a recent radio interview, LeToya Luckett was asked about her feelings towards former band mate Beyonce…
There’s no real reason for posting this up, other than I know a lot of fans stans love to beef it out between these two. The truth is, what happened, happened years ago. They’re both completely different artists and hopefully, after hearing from Luckett, that they’re both cool – all that stupidiness could be forgotten on.
Peace, Love & LeToya Luckett
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Document, Final, Michael Jackson, Will
I know I said I wasn’t going to post these kinds of things, but this is hella interesting. Especially the part where Michael states that if for whatever reason his mother cannot take care of his children, DIANA ROSS shall be their acting and legal guardian. Wow.
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: King of Pop, Magazine, Michael Jackson, Tribue, Voice
My cousin (lol) just sent this over to me. It made me smile.
Peace, Love & Michael Jackson
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: BET Awards 2009, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, News, Real Story, Tribute
So the BET Awards were generally quite poor. It was built up and openly advertised as some massive, respectable Michael Jackson tribute and in practice came across quite half hearted and at times, quite disrespectful.
Chris Brown, Whitney Houston, Beyonce and a whole host of others were meant to perform and none of them happened. And if they did, they sang their own songs (i.e Beyonce). Well, Matthew Cherry, head of Cherry Entertaiment not only attended the show, but also the rehearsel gives an insightful break down of what was meant to happen and what could have been…
What’s going on world. I haven’t really blogged much since getting this account, save for putting my video work up, but after last nights BET Awards I had to say something. So many thoughts ran threw my mind last night after I watched the awards and here they are.
I did not work the BET Awards. I was there with the DP that I worked with on Girlfriends and I was there observing the show rehearsals from the control room. As you all know I go hard on twitter and the reason for a lot of my excitement was due to what I saw in rehearsal. I was one of the few people that saw the rehearsals prior to the show airing and for some reason or another a lot changed from what was originally supposed to air.
Here is what changed. Alica Keys and Wyclef were supposed to sing “Heal The World” after they accepted their humanitarian award. Beyonce was first going to sing Smooth Criminal then they changed it to I’ll Be There/Halo and then she sang something from her own album the day of the show “Ava Marie”. T-pain rehearsed signing “Rock With You” and that was on show rundown as well. I’m kinda glad he didn’t sing that though. Then on top of all of this, of course there was the Chris Brown drama. As of Friday Chris Brown was slated to perform and he was going to sing “Man In The Mirror”. I’ve heard a lot of rumors as to why he didn’t the most talked about one being that Jay-z had him pulled from the show. Not sure if that’s true but I will say this. Beyonce, Jay-Z, Al Sharpton, Joe Jackson and some of the Jackson family all sat in the front row in the same row. Jay-Z and Al Sharpton have said publicly that they do not support Chris in this situation and that they sided with Rihanna. Entertainment is way more political than a lot of you may know and the mere fact that he did not perform caused such a big distraction could you imagine what may have happened if he did. This night should have been all about MJ.
With that said I would have tweeted during the show but my phone died and all I left you with was feelings of excitement about the show. I am a director but first and foremost I am a fan of a lot of these artists and I was sitting in the crowd enjoying great music like everyone else. If my phone didn’t die trust me my messages would have been a lot different.
First off I love Jamie Foxx and I think he is an amazing talent. With that said I do feel that he promoted his concerts too much and him and Neyo performed way too many times. There are too many talented performers in the industry to have them sing three or four songs each. You can tell they didn’t have much time to rehearse as he constantly asked if the feed was on and he walked off stage numerous times when he was supposed to be on stage. That’s more of a timing thing and with two days to get ready I’ll give them a pass.
Filed under: Gigs, LDN Life, Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Floetry, Jazz Cafe, London, Marsha Ambr, Marsha Ambrosius, Soul, UKSOULJAM
UKSOULJAM brings you a UK Exclusive as MARSHA AMBROSIUS of Floetry headlines her first UK gig in a few years & also her first UK gig since Floetry split. For the first time in the UK Marsha will perform material from her eagerly awaited solo album which features collabs & production work from some of the finest names in Neo Soul & Credible Hip Hop.\
Avid Floetry & Marsha fans will be aware that Marsha knew, worked & recorded with MJ writing his hit “Butterflies” (originally a Floetry song). Marsha will perform a special version of “Butterflies” on this July 5th show.
You can buy tickets HERE or on the door. Price: £8 advance, £10 on the door. £13 for upstairs restaurant table spaces.
You know how much a fan of Marsha Ambrosius I am, so ya know I’m gonna be there.
Peace, Love & Marsha Ambrosius
Speeakz
Shouts to Paul
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read | Tags: Final, Folds, Hip Hop, News, Recession, Vibe
Wow. The recession is biting hard. VIBE Magazine is no longer. It’s a sad day, but the 16 year old music publication, despite it’s meteoric history will cease to exists, effective yesterday. Above is what rapradar is reporting will be the very last VIBE cover (damn) and below is the official word from the publications (former) CEO…
Dear VIBE Team:
It is with a heavy heart that I share some tough news, VMG is closing down effective today, June 30th.
It’s been an 16 incredible years since VIBE’s inception. There are very few magazines with the richness of history and breadth of talented visionaries who created the powerful lens in which VIBE viewed and shaped urban music and culture.
Ever since I first set foot in this courageous company, I’ve regarded myself as incredibly fortunate to be be involved with this remarkable brand and group of individuals whose performance has never been nothing short of outstanding. We finished 2008 in an improved position versus the prior year, and accomplished so much, including:
* Editorial Awards
* Editorial transformation into content dept
* New Ad accounts being broken
* The Most Mag Launch
* Award winning re-design
* Profitable digital operation
* VIBE.com growth and improvements and programs such as Best Rapper Ever, #1 Stan, etc
* Mobile VIBE launch
* Micro-site development Mostmag.com to start off.
* V Sessions
* Improved PR coverageUnfortunately, over the last several months, a confluence of events has obviously posed VMG to exceedingly serious challenges.
* The collapse of the capital markets has impacted us greatly. Over the past several months, we have actively pursued investment resources while working intensively with our bank to find a solution. But the deal market right now remains very poor and at the end of the day, the lack of investment resources to restructure the huge debt on our small company has made this outcome become a reality.
* The print advertising collapse hit VIBE hard, especially as key ad categories like automotive and fashion, which represented the bulk of our top 10 advertisers, have stopped advertising or gone out of business. It’s also unfortunate that in a recession many companies reduce the multi-cultural campaigns. These facts, coupled with
* The relentless economic situation has depressed our growth initiatives on the digital front. To be clear, VMG has made significant improvement in this part of our business, but not at the accelerated pace required to offset the devastating effects of the most severe recession in our lifetime and the accompanying print losses.
I want to thank you all for your hard work and commitment, and for all of the adventures along the way. I’ll miss this place a lot, but I’ll miss you all and the magic you create.
Vibe will be remembered as a shockingly brilliant content company that everyone can be proud of and I look forward with great excitement to all of future endeavors you all pursue.
With great affection and respect –
Steve Aaron
Former CEO of VIBE Media Group
A sad day.
Peace, Love & VIBE
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Listen, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Billie Jean, Download, Erykah Badu, Michael Jackson, New Track, Tribute
Yesterday I posted their cover of “I Wanna Be Where You Are” and now The Roots & Erykah Badu pay tribute to the King of Pop by covering “Billie Jean”…
The Roots & Erykah Badu – “Billie Jean”
I haven’t heard this just yet, but I’m sure it’s just as dope as the last one. Wonder if they’re gonna put all these tracks into one project? That’d be pretty dope I think.
Peace, Love & Billie Jean
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Last Pictures, Michael Jackson, Rehearsal, This Is It, Tour
I received these images late last night, but they were embargoed til’ this morning. They’re all over the papers today. The images are bitter sweet – on one hand, I’m glad the night before he died he was happy and doing what he loved. But on the other, those pictures do not look like a man who has one more night to live.
Moreover, it looks like MJ’s show was set to blow us all away. Look at that stage! Man. What could have been.
Peace, Love & Michael Jackson
Speeakz
Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/AEG/WireImage.com
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read | Tags: AEG, Michael Jackson, Press Release, Refund Policy, This Is It
REFUND POLICY ANNOUNCED FOR
MICHAEL JACKSON “THIS IS IT” TICKET HOLDERS
LONDON (June 30, 2009) – At this time of mourning for Michael Jackson, we are together in our sadness at the loss of one of the greatest entertainers ever.
“The world lost a kind soul who just happened to be the greatest entertainer the world has ever known,” said Randy Phillips, President & CEO, AEG Live. ”Since he loved his fans in life, it is incumbent upon us to treat them with the same reverence and respect after his death.”
AEG Live (UK) Ltd, concert promoters, announced that full refunds will be available to fans who purchased tickets through authorised agents for any of the 50 Michael Jackson ‘This Is It’ concerts which were to take place at The O2 Arena in London .
These refunds will include all ticket service charges.
Ticket holders requiring information about receiving a full refund should go to www.MichaelJacksonLive.com from Wednesday, July 1, 2009. The refunds will be processed by each of the authorised ticket agencies (e.g. Ticketmaster, Viagogo, See or Ticketline).
It was also announced that fans will have the option to be sent the actual tickets they would have received to attend the shows in lieu of the full refunds which are being offered
The tickets printed with the special lenticular process, were inspired and designed by Michael Jackson for the fans attending his shows. Images of the specially created tickets may be seen on www.michaeljacksonlive.com beginning 1st July 2009. The special offer to receive the actual tickets that the purchaser would have received to attend ‘This is It’ will remain valid thru 23:59 GMT, August 14, 2009.
I think it is of the UTMOST fuckery that people have the option of getting their money back OR getting a ticket. Like, that’s beyond shady of AEG. I get it, they’re loosing money, a lot of money, right now but this is just outrageous! We (ticket holders) purchased that ticket, so why is it even a question whether or not we receive it?
I want my money back AND I want my ticket. Simple.
Peace, Love & Michael Jackson
Speeakz
P.s Please note, it’s actually not about the money – it’s the principle.
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: 1958, 2009, 25th June, Death, Died, Hospital, London, Michael Jackson, News, TMZ, UCLA
I haven’t posted anything for the past two days in respect of Michael Jackson’s passing. Before the site resumes back to normal, I wanted to just express, in a few words, what he meant to me. Please continue to share your thoughts and personal memories of him.
I don’t know what to say. I’ve written and re-written this post about 25 times. I finally realised it’s impossible to capture or summarise what Michael Jackson meant to me.
The King of Pop was someone I admired and looked up to all my life. Anyone who knows me personally knows this. One of my most treasured memories was of July 15th 1997, the day I saw him live at Wembley Arena. A day I will never forget. A day I’m proud, more so today than every before, I witnessed.
3 days ago my idol tragically passed away. Even in death he broke records. Crashing many Internet sites including Google and occupying more than 10 positions in many charts around the world. Only Michael Jackson.
He passed way too soon and while I am still very much in shock, I understand his music and legacy will never die. The records Michael Jackson shattered will never been reached again. Fact. The songs he wrote will never be forgotten. Fact. And his magic and madness will never be duplicated. Fact.
…With that in mind I can find some solace in his passing.
“I was raised on the stage, it’s where I feel most comfortable. Everything else is difficult for me”
-Michael Jackson – 1958-2009.
Rest in Peace
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Album, Comeback, New, Pop, R&B, Sizzle Reel, Trailer, Video, Whitney Houston
A brand new Whitney Houston ‘trailer’ has surfaced in anticipation of her much awaited comeback album…
*Jaw drops*. Oh my! While I still remain on the cautious side, I can’t help (especially after watching that) but get OVERLY excited about Whitney’s new album. It really has been too long since I heard that voice do what it do (presuming it still can do it). I pray her material is strong and contemporary, but still true to her style. SO many people, big in the 90’s, continue to get it wrong by trying to sound too young, too modern. It rarely works, if ever. But you know, I trust Whitney and moreover, I trust Clive Davis.
September 1st 2009.
Peace, Love & Whitney Houston
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: London, Michael Jackson, News, Swarovski, The 02, This Is It, Tour
MICHAEL JACKSON
KING OF POP
SWAROVSKI SET TO DAZZLE AT THE O2
With Staging Almost Set Fans Invited to Purchase Select Extra Tickets
The Countdown begins with 21 Days, 504 Hours Until Show Time!
Excitement is building and the tension is palpable as fans wait with baited breath for the kick off of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour. History will be made as Michael Jackson takes his first steps on the O2 arena stage on July 13th sparkling with Swarovski crystals.
Great news for fans! As the staging details are being finalised for the hottest show of the decade a limited amount of seats will be released this Wednesday, June 24th at 8am to registered fans.
“Since we put tickets on sale prior to designing the show, we were quite conservative in holding back seats to accommodate the footprint of this massive and technologically advanced production. Now that Michael Jackson and Kenny Ortega are very advanced in the creative process, our production team is prepared to open up those “holds” to the general public. This is a great opportunity for some lucky fans to experience entertainment history” said Randy Phillips, President & CEO of AEG Live
The iconic costumes and spectacular sets of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour will be encrusted with over 300,000 CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements, featuring 53 different shapes, 40 different sizes and 27 different colours!
Filed under: Music News, Must Read | Tags: Bargain, Chris Brown, Court, judgement, News, Plea, Probation, Rihanna
So, it’s over.
A plea bargain has been reached in the Chris Brown vs Rihanna battery case. Browns plea deal will see him spending 180 days in a labor domestic violence programe and get five years probation for felony assault. If for whatever reason he violants the terms of his probation he will get four years in prison.
Rihanna was not in court and did not testify.
All seems a bit too ‘easy’ in my opinion. I didn’t think he’d go down for years or anything, but 5 years probation? For beating a woman that badly? Damn.
Peace, Love & Chris Brown
Speeakz
Filed under: Music, Music News, Must Read, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: Black Eyed Peas, Boom Boom Pow, Hip Hop, Live, Much Music Video Awards, Performance, Video
So before Will.I.Am beat down Perez Hilton, his band performed their current smash hit single “Boom Boom Pow” (the irony) in Toronto last night for the Music Music Vidoe Awards…
Still don’t like this track too tough. But on to more pressing/interesting matters. So, as you know, Will.I.Am beat up Perez Hilton last night (lol) which resulted him in recording THIS video. Now, Perez of course had to have his say and aside from the video being FREAKING HILARIOUS – it also tells a very, very different turn of events. Watch the Hilton-meltdown HURR!
I would never condone violence of any sort, but it was really only a matter of time till someone beat that dude up. He’s made an entire career out of being really, really, really mean to people. And moreover, calling someone a “fag” while continuously preaching gay rights is like the dumbest thing I can comprehend. Seriously? Not cool man. Not to mention, I kind love the fact that the kind of video Perez just made is the kind of video he would LOVE to diss the hell out of if anyone else made it. Lol. Irony cannot be denied.
Peace, Love & Black Eyed Peas
Speeakz
