Category: Reviews
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ALBUM REVIEW: Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Is there such a thing as a post–Kanye West sound? Cleveland born rapper, singer and actor Kid Cudi sure makes it seem like it. Not only did the Cudder (as he’s sometimes called) attract the interest of Mr West, with his first and only mixtape A Kid Named Cudi early in 2008. The former employee…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Rakim – The Seventh Seal
Whenever any ’70s or ’80s babies preach about the classic days of Hip Hop, they usually refer to the early ’80s and 90s era. But what they most commonly mention is that one particular individual defined what it meant to be an enigmatic emcee during this period. Rakim, the proclaimed “God MC” drops his eagerly…
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A Window @ Oval House, London | Theatre Review
A Window (a triptych) playing at the Oval House until 14 November, is the latest theatrical piece by controversial playwright, Edward Bond. As with several others of Bond’s, it is in association with the Big Brum Theatre company which works extensively with young people, taking their plays on tour around the UK’s schools, seeking to…
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A Window @ Oval House, London | Theatre Review
A Window (a triptych) playing at the Oval House until 14 November, is the latest theatrical piece by controversial playwright, Edward Bond. As with several others of Bond’s, it is in association with the Big Brum Theatre company which works extensively with young people, taking their plays on tour around the UK’s schools, seeking to…
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50 Cent – Before I Self Destruct (Album Review)
Although 2009 has seen Eminem, Jay-Z and Rakim make welcome returns to the game, there is yet another figure which the Hip Hop community has felt empty without. 50 Cent, the most influential and controversial artist of the new millennium, steps back into the rap arena with the hugely delayed – but equally anticipated – …
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EVENT REVIEW: OneTaste Festival, London (Sunday 8 Nov)
Taking place last weekend was the OneTaste Festival, an eclectic mix of music, spoken word, dance, film, theatre and alternative concepts. The festival brought together some of the best emerging talent in a wide range of genres and styles that sat harmoniously side by side on the One Taste stage. Founded by producer Danni Evans…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Melanie Fiona – The Bridge
New Canadian/Caribbean R&B/Soul singer songwriter Melanie Fiona has delivered a wonderful debut album called The Bridge. On it, she reveals countless sides of her personality. She is strong, sexy, contemplative, and joyous. On this album, she uses a variety of different musical styles with an authentic old school yet modern feel to it. It’s a…
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LIVE REVIEW: Janelle Monae @ Cargo, London
I can’t for the life of me remember how I first came across Janelle Monae. She appeared on several Outkast affiliated projects in ’05 but I don’t think I paid much attention to them – it was her EP that caught my ear a few years ago. Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase was…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Wale – Attention Deficit
Three years and five mixtapes into his career, Wale‘s debut album, Attention Deficit isn’t offered as an introduction to Olubowale ‘Wale’ Folarin – instead, it seems to be announcing that he’s always been here and you’ve only just caught up. Named one of XXL Magazine’s Hip Hop Freshmen of ’09, Wale’s over-confidence in his position…
90210, 9th Wonder, Allido, Attention: Deficit, chillin, diary, DJ Green Lantern, Go-Go, gucci mane, hip hop, Interscope, J.Cole, Jay-Z, K’Naan, kanye west, let it loose, Mark Ronson, Marsha Ambrosius, Melanie Fiona, new album, pharrell, Prescription, pretty girls, Shades, The Neptunes, Triumph, TV in the radio, Wale -
LIVE REVIEW: Portico Quartet 'Isla' Album Launch (London)
KOKO of Camden was full to capacity last night with Portico Quartet appreciators, for the official launch gig for their new album Isla released on 19 October. According to their good mate and fellow artist Jamie Woon, who I bumped into at the show, there were ticket touts hanging around outside the venue. As he…