Bwoywonder

The Voice UK Contestant To Release Debut Single

2013-05-14T18:09:47-04:00

Soul singer and songwriter Adenikè, who you might recognise as the Judges 'regrettable rejection' from the current season of BBC's The Voice UK is set to unveil her brand new single titled 'I Stayed' which is due to be released on June 10 this year.

The London native recently appeared on the singing talent show, performing a resounding cover rendition of Anita Baker's 1986 classic 'Sweet Love' which has garnered praise from Anita Baker herself.
Despite not progressing further in the competition, The Voice judges Tom Jones and Jessie J in particular heaped praises on Adenikè with Jessie J tweeting, "I have regretted not turning for Adenike [...] She is amazing. So hard".

Picking herself up from the rejection, Adenikè went straight to work and is taking advantage of her brief experience but hefty appraisal from the show by setting a release date for her new offering.
'I Stayed', a strong and emotive ballad, with rousing string arrangements and powerful drum patterns, sees Adenikè in the form of her life with a pitch perfect vocal performance and enchanced songwriting talent that are well beyond her years.
She passionately pours out her heart about lost love and heartbreak on this Okiem Warmann-produced record With visuals, beautifully shot and directed by Olan Collardy for Cardy Films, which brings 'I Stayed' to life.

Follow Adenike on her TWITTER and stay updated with links to download her new single
You can listen to Adenike here on her SOUNDCLOUD

UK Producer Teddy Music Releases New Single 'Gravity'

2013-05-06T22:46:03-04:00

One of the UK's most influential grime music producers, Teddy Music recently let us have a sit down interview to discuss his brand new single Gravity featuring Birmingham Grime artist C4.

What can we expect from your new Single?
There's a remix on there produced by Bass Boy, then I got the instrumental there. More time I come from the instrumental genre, I kind of like to add my instrumentals no matter what to every single release I do. People like to listen to the beat sometime they don't just wanna hear the vocals, truthfully.

You previously worked with G. Tank for Ghanian Fire, will there be any Afrobeat influences on your new EP?
No, for no its all gonna be slightly grime. Coz I'm currently in university I only find time to make Grime. Once I finish university my job will be music 100% so I'm gonna be making all different kinds of music, it'll be Afro-beats down to house music down to a bit of dub step.

Whatever I feel like making at the time I'll make it. I feel like thats my job so I might have to do certain things to make money.

Who was your favourite artist to work with on this new project? who bought their A-game?
I don't really wanna let off too much coz when you let off too much then they know what to expect! I was privileged to work with every single one in the studio!

Visuals are a big part in any musicians work, how important do you feel this is to you as someone who is mainly behind the boards/decks?
Visuals are definitely important nowadays. If you put in as much effort as you did into the track into the video then you have a good result.

As someone who has played across the UK and beyond, where do you consider has the most receptive crowd to your music?
Prague. I went Prague and they were screaming my name man! Every tune I was dropping they were just going sick! They appreciate sound, no matter the genre they appreciate sound and I think that's how everybody needs to be in order for us to all go up.

They just need to enjoy sound and stop classing it yea grime, thats Grime! thats Dub-step!
'I dont like Grime'! How can you not like grime? I can play you a Grime tune now and you might like it, so how can you say you don't like Grime?

With the likes of US producer DJ Khaled and Kay Slay dominating their scene across seas, are you happy with the role of the DJ/Producer in the UK scene at the moment or do you think your field deserves more attention?
If you just keep sitting there saying 'I do grime, I do this I do that' then your just labeling yourself, just make music and put it out there professionally and don't even say its Grime, just put it out.

The tune I've done with C4, I've done a professional video, the way they wanna see it, I've done a professional track, there is singing on there, got a professional mix down, there's singing on there, they're listening to it saying this is a GOOD song!

"GRAVITY" feat C4 is out on May 12th, pre-order on iTunes HERE

Keep up to date with Teddy below..
Twitter: @Teddy_Music | Facebook: Facebook.com/TeddyMusicUK | SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/teddy_music

EXCLUSIVE: Wiley - 'Lights On' (BOT Remix)

2013-05-03T07:07:18-04:00

Wiley aka The Godfather of Grime aka EskiBoy and now a No.1 selling artist (his 2012 summer smash Heatwave topped the UK charts) has now not only got a sure-fire top 10 hit with his forthcoming release Lights On, featuring Angel & Tinchy Stryder but has also blessed us with an exclusive remix by BOT!

Photo credit: Eddy Leanardo

Now for those who know Wiley, he is notoriously 'generous' with his music and has been known to release not one or two tracks but a whole albums-worth of his own work to his supporters via zip file links on Twitter for free!

My sources however can confirm that this BOT remix has definitely not been heard outside of his camp.

Listening to the remix you can hear grime. The claps you heard in classic anthems like Lethal B's, Pow are apparent with the cut-up vocals of rising UK r&b artist Angel. Underground radio worthy, of course, but this deserves a sly play on a national radio just so we can hear more of the UK's most dynamic genre played to a wider audience.

Wiley and grime are like a married couple, despite having chart success with dance tracks, the East Londoner will always stand by the genre and will never compromise his love for her no matter how much he may flirt with a more commercial sound.

He has always said he'd like to take grime to the heady heights of major chart success and we believe one day he will do just that.

Lights Out is available on pre-order from iTunes now
Follow Wiley on TWITTER for info on up-coming tour/show dates.
Listen to Wiley on SOUNDCLOUD
Watch Wiley on YOUTUBE

US Soul Singer Anthony Hamilton Announces UK Show

2013-04-25T22:40:23-04:00

Anthony Hamilton, one of the hardest working and most revered soul vocalist to come out of America will be playing a one-off show at the IndigO2 Arena in London this July.

Mr. Hamilton, the GRAMMY award winning singer/song writer and producer, will bless the prestigious O2 stage on 11th July 2013 with cuts from his last studio album 'Back To Love', his multi-platinum selling sophomore offering 'Coming From Where I'm From' as well as his most recent and internationally recognised work, 'Freedom' featuring Elayna Boynton, an original soundtrack taken from the hugely successful film Django: Unchained.
Away from performing continuously to fans across the States, Europe and beyond, Anthony Hamilton has recently been added to the cast of 'The Best Man Holiday', the sequel to cult late 90's film 'The Best Man'.

Lovers of spine tingling love ballads with a healthy portion of neo-soul can catch Anthony Hamilton on the 11th of July 2013 for one night only, at IndigO2 Arena London. Tickets are available from AXS.com now.

Follow Anthony Hamilton on TWITTER
Latest music, news and other gig information available on Anthony Hamiltons website.

EXCLUSIVE: Parachute Youth - Cant Get Better Than This (Hostage Remix)

2013-04-24T23:05:08-04:00

Australian electro pop duo Parachute Youth have been dominating club land and DJ playlists in Europe with their dance floor hit 'Cant Get Better Than This' since early last year.
Having recently touched down in the UK the 2-man group have a fresh new remix which I've been able to premier exclusively on the Huffington Post!

The dance duo, consisting of long-time friends Johnny Castro and Matt K Von, had been producing together for years in the land of Oz before their debut single, which they came up with while at a 'lame party', hit the top of the charts in 5 different countries in Eastern Europe!

Matt, one half of the duo subsequently moved to France to develop their sound and idea for a video for their debut hit while the self-taught musical other half, Johnny remained in Australia.

The 2 reunited to further work on the concept for the music video for 'CGBTT' which came runner up for Best Video at the In The Mix Awards 2012.
Parachute Youth were not going to settle for second best and went on to win 'Best Track/Remix' at the same award show.

The success they've garnered last year put them at the forefront of many 'ones to watch' lists including MTV Iggy.

Fast forward a year to 2013 and Parachute Youth are looking to make a bigger stamp in the UK, having already had a previous remix of 'Can't Get Better Than This' blessed by BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac this year and can only now expect to do bigger things in the UK club scene.

The remix by Scottish rave-fave DJ Hostage takes on a much more direct approach to getting on the floor than the original with its heavier bass line sub and punch.

Having remixed numerous tracks for various other artists as well as featured on BBC Radio 1 Live Essential Mix, Hostage has spun all over Europe and the Far East including Fabric, Rockness (Annie Mac Presents), Glastonbury (Arcadia), Fuse (Brussels) and Social Club (Paris).

This fresh unheard remix by Scottish rave-fave DJ Hostage, takes on a much more direct approach to getting on the floor than the original with its heavier bass line sub and punch.

Having remixed numerous tracks for various other artists as well as featured on BBC Radio 1 Live Essential Mix, Hostage himself has also spun all over Europe and the Far East including Fabric, Rockness (Annie Mac Presents), Glastonbury (Arcadia), Fuse (Brussels) and Social Club (Paris).

The Scot soundman also holds weight as a production powerhouse where his encyclopaedic of musical knowledge is used to create "cutting edge genre-blurring productions for the mind and feet".

Parachute Youth, having already kicked off their UK campaign with gigs in Banbury & Oxford, will play an invite-only show in on the 30th April at The Social in London.
The group will then head off to their European leg in Warsaw, Krakow, Kiev and Luxembourg in May before returning to London in June to throw down at KOKO.

Again, having already conquered the charts in 5 countries last year with awards and accolades, PY have even more music coming to our shores including an E.P, which, fingers crossed, will also include the above, exclusive Hostage remix.

We club-loving, dance floor-filling Brits will be looking to welcome these two Aussies with open arms into our discotheques, bars and house parties from this Summer and there onward.
Jason and Kylie, Madge and Harold, Home and Away, now Johnny and Matt's Parachute Youth will be England's next best import.

Follow Parachute Youth on their TWITTER
Check tour updates and venues on their Facebook Page

Keyshia Cole to Hit the UK for First Ever Tour

2013-04-17T10:58:15-04:00

U.S R&B singer/songwriter & producer Keyshia Cole announced she will be touring the UK for the first time ever.
The multi platinum selling, Grammy nominated songstress and voice for many a-broken hearted women across the globe, hits British soil in May 2013 for a trio of dates in Manchester, London and concluding in Birmingham.

Having released her fifth studio album, 'Woman To Woman' to critical acclaim in November 2012, (which she produced, with collaborations with the likes of Bangaladesh, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League & Boi1da) Keyshia Cole will be looking to treat her faithful UK fans with new material including 'Enough Of No Love' featuring Lil Wayne, her first single from the new album.

But supporters will be looking to hear Keyshia perform the anthems that have made her the female ambassador of the hard-done-by. 'Love' and 'I Should Have Cheated' will no doubt be sung in unison by her audience as she belts out her more classic hits.

Dates for the UK show kicks off on 30th May at The Ritz, Manchester, 31st May, IndigO2, London and wraps up on 1st June at The Institute, Birmingham

Tickets can be purchased from Ticket Master from today.
Follow Keyshia Cole on Twitter.

Folly Rae - Free Your Mind (Video)

2013-04-15T00:03:24-04:00

Two months ago I reviewed a track entitled 'Free Your Mind' from an up-and-coming songstress by the name Folly Rae.

This weekend, Folly released the video for the haunting song and they match beautifully.
The Hertfordshire residing folk singer/songwriter creates a visually arresting, picturesque but almost eerie music video.

Having minimum performance scenes and letting the music and the high-speed camera do the talking, Your given the impression that 'Free Your Mind' is comfortable with a more narrative-based, art house style video, which seems to suit Folly Rae's genre of music.

Folly Rae has already received airplay on BBC 1Xtra for the song, and off the reaction of BBC DJ Charlie Sloth, her debut EP 'My Enemy' could be getting even more adoration on the airwaves.

Follow Folly on Twitter at Folly Rae.
Watch more Folly videos on her YouTube
Listen to more Folly on her Soundcloud

A Letter of Complaint to Our Spring Season!

2013-03-24T00:38:47-04:00

Dear Spring, I want a refund!

Not only have you failed to supply the correct type of weather standard to your time of month, but you somehow gave me that of last season! snow!

Someone in Mother Nature HR needs to give me answers. If this matter is not dealt with I will be forced, not only to take my business to another country, but also forwarded my complaint to the papers.

I can see the headlines now, 'Short-sleeve shirts shunned'!..'Summer shoes shelved'! and all because of your late delivery of sunshine, lack of light and no chirping birds in the morning.

I have never in my years known your season to have this mishap, I usually expect this sort of climatic behavioral problem from your neighbour season, summer, but from you! Spring?!

I have easily spent hundreds on a new barbecue set, light clothing and new white trainers that might not see the light of day because there hasn't been enough light in the day!

Because of this seasonal error the opposite sex have been forced to remain fully clothed in heavier garments for longer than expected. This has meant less flesh being shown, fewer females outdoors, and the postponing of our mate-calling rituals. This has also forced many single males to continue to occupy heavier built females from the winter season, longer than expected.

If a refund is not realistic then may I ask you give the UK a credit note whereby the tech guys at Mother Nature HR give us more sun for our season, more heat for our month and no or less precipitation in April and May.

If this means requesting more Sun to be delivered from June and July and distributed to us earlier, then so be it.

May I also add, due to the distress and confusion caused by your meteorology mix-up, that the typical warmth from the month of September also be rolled over into October.

Just like our recent economical meltdown, I also believe your ice caps are going through the same thing but with that being said, If the fat cats at Mother Nature Ltd stopped hoarding all the sun and heat for other countries and gave the UK some of the good stuff, we'd return the favour by becoming a happier, healthier and more environmentally friendly nation thus reducing your chances of messing with our season again.

I look forward to the following requests being implemented in the coming months.

Yours

a freezing UK resident.

Funky Bling London: New Bag Collection 2013

2013-02-27T15:41:02-05:00

Funky Bling London, the acrylic accessories brand that have been dominating the wrists, heads and necks of the hottest A list celebrities throughout 2012, are now out to take over the bag game!

Funky Bling's head designer/entrepreneur Tatum Mazzilli (her clients include the likes of Nicki Minaj, Nicole Scherzinger as well as Mrs Carter herself, Beyonce) has ventured into customised backpacks and holdalls for the fashion conscious and trendsetters of London.

Backpacks will be the new handbags for ladies If they look anything like the 'blinging' DOPE BAG above, embezzled with crystals, acrylics and chains.

Colour has always been Funky Bling London's must have option, and lots of it. The new shoulder bags will be no different, neon Yellow and liquid Red are just 2 of the colourways soon to be available, embedded with huge latex covered LIPS and the infamous acrylic slogans which I am sure will be customised to the individuals taste.

Look out for more designs/bags from Funky Bling London due for full release in the next few weeks by checking updates on their Facebook fanpage
All bags will be exclusive to the home of Funky Bling London, Year Zero London based in fashion hotspot 37 Beak Street, Carnaby St. London W1F 9RZ

London Fashion Week: Jylle Navarro A/W13

2013-02-13T11:26:52-05:00

In the English Premier League, all eyes are out to watch the big guns play every weekend, but sometimes its the little teams that produce the most exciting games.

This can also apply to London Fashion Week 2013. One such small 'team' is knitwear designer Jylle Navarro. Barely out of Middlesex University, Jylle Navarro has already had her fluorescent and neon 'alien form' knitwear on clients from the likes of Nicki Minaj to Pete Burns.

Jylle Navarro will be exhibiting her colourful wool and synthetics on the last day of London Fashion Week Sunday 17th February 2013 at Cult Mountain with music from twin rappers My Bad Sister.

Cult Mountain will also be selling Jylle Navarro's signature pieces on the day from her knitted gimp masks to her rainbow colour neck wraps. This is one 'match' you don't want to miss.

For more updates and press enquires contact Jylle Navarro's Facebook fanpage

London Fashion Week: Jylle Navarro A/W13

2013-02-13T11:26:52-05:00

Folly Rae: Brings Good Music Back to the Folks

2013-02-06T21:20:45-05:00

Folly Rae, the playfully named half English half Norwegian singer/song writer from Hertfordshire, is a new face to many in the music world. Yes, the name is not familiar to the commercial scene (yet), but she has been causing ripples in the underground live music scene for a few months with folk being her genre of choice. Only a matter of time before Ms Rae makes a bigger splash.

Her first single, Free Your Mind a beautifully haunting track by production duo ScholarStix is currently doing the rounds online and at her live shows to heavy appraisal.

If her single is anything to go by then expect even more from this folk friendly female when she releases her EP 'My Enemy' this summer. A culmination of relationship woes and experiences through the eyes of this former poetry writer.

Want to see who I'm talking about? Folly Rae will be performing at BOXPARK, Shoreditch, East London Thursday 14th February 2013, 6-9pm for their Valentines day live music event.
Want to hear who I'm talking about? check out her SoundCloud.

10 UK Urban Music Videos That 'Upped The Levs' in 2012

2013-01-02T01:44:32-05:00

In 2012 nearly every urban videographer or media company upgraded their Canons.

Unfortunately not many knew how to put their new toy to proper use. The scene which birthed and groomed the likes of Wretch 32, Chip, (formerly known as Chipmunk) Wiley and Tinie Tempah for the commercial music market, has continued to create visuals for new up-and-coming artists as well as working with established acts on mix tape projects, EPs and even some major label work.

However some of these visuals, including many with big budgets, have been less than impressive and lazy considering the caliber of the artists they're working with.

I've compiled my personal top 10 list of visuals from urban artists in 2012, (some signed, some unsigned) which I feel showed real vision and upped the levels for music videos regardless of the toys (and money) they had at their disposal.
10.

This is a good 'net' (used to be called hood) video on a budget. What sells it is the amateur special effects that work well in its moderation against the backdrop of Lady Leshurr's semi-automatic flow.
9.

Clean editing, slow-mo and nice switches between Devlin and Wretch 32 as they go back to back on their no-time-for-a-chorus track. Gritty location makes for a gritty but well executed video.
8.

Just for being a hard-spitting UK MC and then dressing up in an elephant suit in public, this video shows Mic Righteous has guts to clown around and not be afraid to be different.
7.

The visuals only play out the strong social commentary in a very subtle way and lets D. Walker's performance, especially in the break, do the talking.
6.

A good mimic of an already popular music video (Drake & Rihanna's Take Care), and use of a high speed cam gives for a visually stunning performance from Angel.
5.

Apparently shot in one take, JME's video showed how with just one camera a harness and a banging tune, you can still get to No.41 in the national charts without a big budget behind you. Serious
4.

The styling, colouring and music go perfectly hand in hand with this offering by Naughty Boy and Emeli Sande. An appealing outside-the-box visual.
3.

Obviously a big budget production, yet the director, Colin Tilley, didn't make it a cheesy rock-type video, instead he strummed the right chord with his vision of a hectic, flashing and tight shot of Dappy as a true star.
2.

Flipping a popular music video into your own is common (see number six) but doing so using four different music videos takes some doing. Director Carly Cussen gives a hat tip to Jay-Z, Drake, Lil Wayne and Kanye West videos for Dott Rotten's visually arresting single.
1.

It would have been an injustice had the epic sweeping and rising crane shots for Leke's similarly epic single not been filmed in the souring cliff face of the English countryside. Sometimes to fully showcase your vision, you have to go outside your comfort and even travel zone! Well done to director Patrick Odur.

Fashion Designers to Look Out For: B-Side By Wale

2012-11-26T11:52:51-05:00

Having racked up various achievements throughout his 18 year history in the fashion industry, London based designer/stylist, Wale Adeyemi is no longer up-and-coming by any means.

However, Wale Adeyemi's new accomplishment in 2012 is the opening of his own-label store B-Side in one of London's most sought after fashion hub.

B-Side, located on 51 Hanbury Street E1 5JL (off Brick Lane) has a mash up of all influences from Punk, skate wear to Hip-Hop to cater to the every growing and evolving trends of young Londoners.

Less than a month old the store has a clean fresh decor with neat selection of T-shirts, wooly hats Jackets and sweatshirts which all sport that signature London design ethos from Wale Adeyemi.

B-Side is open 7 days a week Mon-Fri 12-7pm and weekends 12-5pm. Follow the brand on Twitter and LIKE their Facebook page.

TV Theme Tunes That Were Better Than Their Show

2012-11-19T15:50:17-05:00

Lets be honest, sometimes foreplay is more enjoyable than the sex! The 5-10mins of it in some cases make for the best part of the full 45mins (adjust time according to your stamina) of doing the do!

Same goes for TV theme tunes! The guitar riff intro to 80's detective series Magnum PI, starring Tom Selleck (which was sampled by New York rap artist Cam'ron) enticed you into thinking it was an A-Team style action packed bonanza. It wasn't. Not really anyway. That minute or so intro of Aussie series Home & Away, is probably the best duet to come out of Australia since Kylie & Jason's 'smash single Especially for you'. As long lasting as Home & Away is, the show takes 2nd place to the theme tune.

We have, however, had many exceptions to this blog title, 'I'll be There For You' by The Rembrandts from one of the most watched TV shows worldwide, Friends, was released as a single in 1997 and only managed a top 20 music chart position in UK & the US.

However The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air theme tune organically became so popular it slyly started to feature in many club DJ's playlist!

My all-time favourite TV theme tunes while growing up, which I can't see being topped, is a cross between Jimi Davidson's 'I'll Be Ready' for internationally popular series Baywatch and 90's Mr. make-explosives-from-sand, MacGuyver

I've put together my personal 5 favourite theme tunes from television shows, which I feel, didn't live up to the same expectation as their 30 second intro!

5

4

3

2

1