Wow! Wow! Wow x 100 trillion! Check out some previously unreleased/unheard Michael Jackson…

Only a few seconds long, but enough to make me nearly hit the roof!!! New Michael Jackson music? It’s so strange hearing a song of MJ’s I haven’t heard before! It just doesn’t happen – ever! Sony are tight with their unreleased music (due mainly because Michael Jackson refused to release anything that didn’t make his albums). But, according to Tommy Motola head of Sony BMG – the label has more than enough music to satisfy fans for years and years! While this is a good thing for music lovers, I’m not entirely sure exploiting his death by releasing album after album, after album, after album (think Biggie/2pac/Elvis etc) is the right way in which he should be honoured.

…But of course selfishly, I WANT to hear that music!

Peace, Love & Michael Jackson

Speeakz

Shouts to TMZ

The Way I See It was one of my favourite albums from 2008. This is why…

I love how Raphael Saadiq has stayed true to the 1960 theme throughout all his videos. This album was, after Back to Black the most well produced ‘throwback’ album to have emerged in a long, long time. Don’t get me wrong, Daniel Merriweather and a couple others have done a good job, but Saadiq took it to a next level with his album. Will never forget the day my aunt (a massive, massive Motown fan) asked me “who’s this? I haven’t heard this before”? A true testament to it’s authentic sound.

Of course PinBoard was lucky enough to interview Raphael Saadiq a while back (a night before the U.S elections in fact) and so if you haven’t already, make sure you check it out - it’s a real dope insight into the man, producer and artist.

Peace, Love & Raphael Saadiq

Speeakz

I j’adore this lady!

Love the tune. Love the video. Love the album. Epiphany is out now!

Peace, Love & Chrisette Michele

Speeakz

I didn’t know this, but Pharrell is producing the soundtrack to an animated 3.D movie called “Despicable Me”. This is the first track of leak off it…

Pharrell Williams – “Despicable Me”

Now, I know I shouldn’t, but I really like this track? It’s a weird one, nothing special about it – but something in there makes me want to listen to it again. It’s kinda left field, even for Skate Boy P, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t a dope tune!

…You guys agree, or have I gone mad?

Peace, Love & Pharrell Williams

Speeakz

P.s Maybe it’s due in fact that I actually did have a “bad, bad day”?

This video has popped up everywhere, have you seen it? I just watched it for the first time, it’s really crazy…

Damn! I mean, everyone joked about it, said it wasn’t ‘that’ bad – but that video proves how serious that was. His entire head was on fire and he lost a big chunk of his hair – leaving him with a red raw scalp. Cannot imagine how painful that must have been. It’s been said that this was the point where MJ became obsessed with pain killers and consequently cosmetic surgery.

…Makes you wonder, if this never happened – would Michael Jackson have had ‘turned’ out the way he did?

In other MJ news (NOT GOSSIP) – the King of Pop has reportedly sold more than 9 million albums across the world since his passing 3 weeks ago. Even in death, he can’t help but break records. Incredible.

Peace, Love & Michael Jackson

Speeakz

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?’

To which, Sean, dark glasses giving nothing away, retorts “Yeah because you’re asking some kind of crazy questions, for real but [in cockney accent] I got you mate.”

We stare at each other in silence for a few second, me attempting to work out if he’s being serious. He cracks a wide, gleaming smile I decide that even though he wasn’t joking, he’s not that pissed off. It’s all love.

Sticky subjects behind us, we move on to positive territory, his long awaited comeback, as Sean Paul offers insight on his creative process since 2005 album “Trinity” in preparation for the soon to be released album, Imperial Blaze.

“I decided I needed to draw back to myself and take about three years out and learn how to produce some things. I would run in the days then go home and learn to play the drums and listened to riddims from producers all over the world …”

Sean Paul’s aim with this time around was to show a little creative growth “No longer am I only saying ‘Just give me the light’ I’m saying, ‘Girl you’re so fine I’ll be there for you anytime’. So the swagger is getting more mature as I move on and I groove on.”

On this Imperial Blaze album, Sean’s even penned his first song for Mama Paul, called “Straight From My Heart” which he recorded on her birthday “When I was a youngster, I think I was trying to prove myself to the world, prove myself to Jamaica, prove myself to myself. So I wasn’t singing songs about my mother. These days when young men keep talking about they have a gun, what the f***, people have had guns for 20,000 years and we’ve been doing the same things over and over to each other, so I just have to big up my mother.”

With most of the U.S hip hop and R&B world having worked with or continuing to seek Sean Paul out for collaborations including Estelle, Rihanna, Keyshia Cole and Beyoncé (he tells me he has a song with R Kelly to be released), what’s the next step in Sean-a- Paul’s climb to the top? As I ask, I silently pray that he doesn’t say “movies”. “I want to be a better producer”, he candidly reveals. (Phew). “I produced “I Know You Like”, which is on this album. The reason only one of the tracks I produced made the album is because I don’t think I’m the best producer. The people I’ve picked to work with me on the album are some of the best in Jamaica right now and the future of Reggae music. But me, myself I’m growing and I’m trying to expand musically that way and I hope to be better at it in the future.”

If there’s one thing about Mr Sean Paul, he’s ever so earnest and true to his strengths…And weaknesses, a refreshing trait in a world of inflated egos. As I leave the room after the interview, he offers well wishes and sheds light on his earlier annoyance with me, “You have preconceived notions just because you went to Jamaica and spoke to people … you just need to roll with me in Jamaica to understand”, he smiles, I reflect on how honest he’s been and I think I understand Sean Paul’s appeal.

Words by Felicia Okoye

I can only thank Abjekt for this! Bruvva came through. I was getting overly pissed seeing P.O.S’ new video all around the blogosphere but because I live in the damn UK, I couldn’t view it. Anyways, Incredible Hunk angry aside, here goes the brand new video from the incomparable P.O.S…

Such a DOPE video! P.O.S, ain’t no one like him. Simple. Never Better remains one of my most played albums in the past year. This track is just insane! Those drums, those bloody drums!

Peace, Love & P.O.S

Speeakz

Ryan Leslie is readying his new album Transition and as he does so, leaks are enevitably surfacing – this is the latest…

Ryan Leslie – “Nothing”

I mean, it ironically does ‘nothing’ to me. Yet again with Leslie, the track is produced and written brilliantly, I’ve just come to conclusion that he isn’t a great “artist”. It’s a shame, I thought he was, but his last album kinda proved to me this wasn’t the case. However, as ever – I will remain open minded and will wait to check out his new set before I judge it.

Peace, Love & Ryan Leslie

Speeakz

Oh my goodness. NOW we bow in the presence of greatness!

FINALLY, some brand spanking new Rakim. Hip Hop heads, I see you smiling. I am too. Let’s DO this…

Rakim – “Holy Are You”

Holy.Fu*k!!! Rakim, the “God emcee” goes in ‘aaard on this joint right here. Damn. I mean, yea…It’s on my iPhone already.  I’m a very happy dude. This track comes off Rakim’s long awaited new album The Seventh Seal, which is to be released early fall, 2009 on the artists Ra Records imprint in a joint venture with TVM and SMC Recordings

Peace, Love & Rakim

Speeakz

Whitney Houston’s brand new album cover was unveiled earlier today and I must say, I’m very impressed! I think it’s a stunning picture and is both appropriate & contempory. She looks amazing (yes, I see the ‘touch ups’ – but that ain’t a thing).

It was also revealed at Houston’s London album playback (gutted I wasn’t there) that her first official single will be an upbeat track called “Mill Dolla Bill”, which was penned by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beatz. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” was simply a “hype track” confirmed Whitney’s long-time mentor Clive Davis who also attended the playback (again, gutted).

All good news. Can’t wait to hear the new track (which will drop June 28th) and the new album.

Peace, Love & Whitney Houston

Speeakz