Lowkey by name not by nature

So I heard this track on an episode of The Cut which I featured a few days ago, as soon as I clocked the 1st few bars I thought "This guy is amazing!" Now usually I would either wait for the credits or go frantically searching the web, but this time I thought "It will come to me. He's that good I will hear of him again and I'll find out his name"
This morning I'm on the Guardian online newspaper reading an article that caught my eye titled 'When will Hip-Hop Hurry Up and Die'-yeah, I know! only in The Guardian lol- I read half way through, and went straight to readers comments and a man mentioned the fact the UK Hip Hop was doing just fine and named Lowkey.  I Youtubed him and there was my track! So here he is I maybe late, but I always deliver lol

Lowkey is a 23 year old lyrical power house of mixed British and Arab heritage. At his age not many people can say that they're a Political Activist, Poet and Playwright. He has been fortunate enough to be given airtime on all of the UK's major Radio Stations and has won Best Newcomer awards for is talents.
Lowkey is also a co-founder of non profit organization The Peoples Army, started in Brixton, South London.
Alphabet Assassin is the follow up to his critically acclaimed Key to the Game mix CD series.

Bookings contact: bookings@soempire.com
More info on The Peoples Army http://www.myspace.com/thepeoplesarmy2008
Lowkeys Myspace page click the title of this posting

Just incase you're interested in that article in The guardian Online (be warned it's very meaty, you'll see what I mean lol)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/nov/26/notes-noughties-hip-hop

YalonDa Brown

This cutie is YalonDa Brown, she is a 26 year old breath of fresh air and an extremely gifted Saxophones, who started her love of instruments at the young age of 6. Since then she has gone on to perform along side the likes of Alexander O'Neal, Mica Paris, Omar, Soweto Kinch and Sway, you'll even catch a glimpse of her in Donaeos' Party Hard video! Miss Brown has also played at numerous Festivals around the world, and has also played before the High Commission and at the Ocho Rios Festival in Jamaica.
YalonDas' grafting paid off when she picked up MOBO awards two years running for Best Jazz Act in 08 and 09!
But this artist doesn't want to be pigeon holed and I don't blame her!

YalonDa Browns' latest EP is set to be be released soon, so be on the look out it's called See You See Me. In the mean time you can support this unsigned talent by uploading A step Closer -her previous EP- from itunes, HMV and Amazon.

For more info on up coming performances, just click on her name at the top for a link straight to her site which has a list of tour dates

http://www.youtube.com/user/yolandabrownmusic

The Cut by BBC Switch

Samuell Benta

"The Cut is a brand new multi-platform soap from BBC Switch, with fast-paced storylines packed with plenty of drama for soap-loving teens.

Featuring a hot cast of rising stars and storylines suggested by teens, The Cut broadcasts online from Monday to Friday in five-minute episodes at www.bbc.co.uk/switch with an omnibus edition on BBC Two on Saturdays.

The story starts with 18 year old Jay. A stranger's death draws him to London where he meets the Mackinnons and the Loxleys, two families with an age old history of bad blood.

Posh girl Marla Mackinnon falls for Jay straight away, but Mack, her controlling dad, will never stand for it.

Olive Loxley’s dreaming of escape from her over-protective sister, Toni and their family café, but is troubled Stephen Mackinnon really her way out?"

Should you get hooked on this like I did-my reasons were purely for the eye candy that is Samuell Benta who plays Jay lol-you can catch up and watch them in 20 minute episodes on BBCi player by clicking on the title at the top of this entry.

Crepe City for you sneaker freaks

For those of you not familiar with London slang the 1st time the word crepe is used in this flyer doesn't mean pancake in French even though the 2nd time it does! It means trainers; kicks; boogs; sneakers what ever term of endearment you choose to use! and I love that someone has taken the initiative to put on a festival for us sneaker freaks! There will be an all day bar, sneaker portraits on show, music -goes without saying really- and oldskool films to entertain you.

So go get your crepe on! It's £1 entry between 1-7pm where you can buy,sell and swap your trainers and apparel (male & female). Live music from 7-1am is £5 entry

For more info: http://www.crepe-city.co.uk/

You'll also want to check out the site I found this info on called The Daily Street which is a blog that informs you on all things trendy and UK born whether it be art, music or fashion. Show your support cause they're doing their thing: http://www.thedailystreet.co.uk/ you can also search them on facebook

Laura Izibor & Shine

You may have heard this on numerous adverts throughout 2009, and never knew who it was. Well let me introduce you to Irish/Nigerian Laura Izibor who is signed to Atlantic Records. This young lady has opened for the likes of Aretha Frankin, Angie Stone and Al Green! Shine was the first single to be releasd from her debut album at the beginning of this year. It was written by her and her alone and her blend of pop and soul lyrics are very mature for her 22 years.
Laura Izibors' album Let The Truth Be Told is available now

Linton Kwesi Johnson

A man in his own league, for those who don't know. Linton Kwesi Johnson is a highly celebrated and honoured Black Poet who was born on the island of Jamaica and made a life for himself in the UK any immigrant first, second or third generation would be inspired by.

To do this man justice I would have to write a whole blog about him.

Linton Kweli Johnson

if I woz a tap-natch poet
like Chris Okigbo
Derek Walcot
ar T.S.Eliot

ah woodah write a poem
soh dam deep
dat it bittah-sweet
like a precious
memory
whe mek yu weep
whe mek yu feel incomplete

like wen yu lovah leave
an dow defeat yu kanseed
still yu beg an yu plead
till yu win a repreve
an yu ready fi rack steady
but di muzik done aready

still
inna di meantime
wid mi riddim
wid mi rime
wid mi ruff base line
wid mi own sense a time

goon poet haffi step in line
caw Bootahlazy mite a gat couple touzan
but Mandela fi im
touzans a touzans a touzans a touzans

if I woz a tap-natch poet
like Kamau Brathwaite
Martin Carter
Jayne Cortez ar Amiri Baraka

ah woodah write a poem
soh rude
an rootsy
an subversive
dat it mek di goon poet
tun white wid envy

like a candhumble/ voodoo/ kumina chant
a ole time calypso ar a slave song
dat get ban
but fram granny

rite
dung
to
gran
pickney

each an evry wan
can recite dat-dey wan

still
inna di meantime
wid mi riddim
wid mi rime
wid mi ruff base line
wid mi own sense a time

goon poet haffi step in line
caw Bootahlazy mite a gat couple touzan
but Mandela fi im
touzans a touzans a touzans a touzans

if I woz a tap-natch poet
like Tchikaya U'tamsi
Nicholas Guillen
ar Lorna Goodison

an woodah write a poem
soh beautiful dat it simple
like a plain girl
wid good brains
an nice ways
wid a sexy dispozishan
an plenty compahshan
wid a sweet smile
an a suttle style

still
mi naw goh bow an scrape
an gwan like a ape
peddlin noh puerile parchment af etnicity
wid ongle a vaig fleetin hint af hawtenticity
like a black Lance Percival in reverse
ar even worse
a babblin bafoon whe looze im tongue

no sah
nat atall
mi gat mi riddim
mi gat mi rime
mi gat mi ruff base line
mi gat mi own sense a time

goon poet haffi step in line
caw Bootahlazy mite a gat couple touzan
but Mandela fi im
touzans a touzans a touzans a touzans

Crookers Ft Kelis - No Security

Crookers are two out of their mind dj's/producers called Phra and Bot From Milan Italy. This is their latest single which has got that Dubstep vibe to it featuring Kelis called No Security. Check it

Katie B

UK soul songstress Katie Brien is part of a group from South London called Bassics. They've been together for 2 years and met at a Performing Arts school in Croydon.
I had to put up the whole of this gig-which comes in 3 parts - because she's got some sweet vocals plus her range and control is on point. This is raw talent at it's finest.







Bassics have a debut EP in the making and currently have a monthly residency at the night 'Chemistry' at South Side bar in Brixton every first Thursday of the month.

www.myspace.com/bassicsmusic

Bellatrix UK Female Beatbox

Pure talent!

Mz Bratt....I like her, she's got female swagger!

Above is Mz Bratts' debut single which was released early summer this year. She's only 17 and rate her, she's doing her thing! Beneath you can check her out on Tim Westwoods show for BBC 1xtra, shot little over a week ago.

Trainers for Life Competition by Footlocker

If you like your kicks, and you have a creative streak in you, Footlocker have a comp' just for you.

All you have to do is write and shoot your own sneakermad flick
Download Footlockers' own endframe and add it to your piece
Then upload it to Footlockers' youtube channel.
The competition will run from October 2, 2009 till November 22, 2009, 12.00 PM (closing date for entries).
This competition is open to residents of France, Germany, Italy, Spain (including Canary Islands), The Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, and Hungary, excluding employees and immediate relatives of employees of Freedom Sportsline Ltd or of their respective parents, subsidiaries or affiliated companies or any other person professionally connected with this competition (“Foot Locker”).
To be precise. If you win, it's 65 pairs over a 5 year period, which isn't exactly life, but it aint bad either. Hopefully you plan on living a lot longer than that!

http://www.youtube.com/footlocker

Drug Users Health & Lifestyle site???

I must admit...I laughed when I first came across this site because I took it for a joke. I take it back - it's actually quite informative. It's not a piss take of a website, they actually take it seriously. They cover everything from women's issues to an overdose guide.

It may seem like a contradiction in terms but if you're going to take drugs, do it sensibly!

Wretch 32 ~ Punctuation

Wretch 32 has been part of the UK Urban scene for over 3 years now. He rolls with 3 other artists' who go by the names of Scorcher, Devlin and Ghetto. Together they're called The Movement, who are well established in their game.

Punctuation is an innovative song of rhymes with an equally impressive bass line.

Fine Jewellery

Colombian sister act Lucia and Isabella Bueno-Mallerino, have produced decadent yet delicate pieces of jewellery exclusively for Asterly Of London. This necklace is available in silver and vermeil gold, which is a longer lasting method of gold plating.
I love this piece as anyone who grew up during the 80's, would be able to relate to the Spirograph style of this pendant which is called a filigree.

'Aliya Necklace' is priced at £250....ouch!

Need a little black dress??? Try TESCO

Tesco have recently partnered up with London College of Fashion. Supporting up and coming student~designers with the theme of the much loved little black dress.

It all started as a project thought up by lectures at the famous college, who challenged their 2nd year students to come up with their own take on the 'iconic design classic'

It came down to 3 winning desings which are now available to buy right now. They are £35 each but will only be at 30 selected stores.

Jay-Z in Art

Jay-Z commissioned British artist, Adrian Firth to create this art piece where he used a total of 22,500 Swaroviski Crystals on Perspex. The piece was unveiled to coinside with the Rappers' latest Blue print 3 album and his forthcoming tour of the UK.

The iconic piece will be available to see for a limited period only at Platform, 31 Greville Street, Hatton Garden EC1 8AF. Opening hours Mon-Fri 10.30am-6pm

Find Banksys' Art About Town

If you're ever after a breath of cultural fresh air and feel the need to entertain yourself, get this book.
It's Banksy Locations and Tours: Revised and Updated for 2008: A Collection of Graffiti Locations and Photographs in London (Paperback).
I'll look out for an 09 version, as some ignorant people feel the need to get rid of his art work before the masses get a chance to enjoy it.

Available on Amazon for under a fiver

Foreign Beggars....They're baaaack!

Contact is the new track from UK act Foreign Beggars new album United Colours of Beggattron. If you live the UK and you've never heard of them, you should be ashamed! Educate yourself... & if you like Drum & Bass as much as I do check out the remix by Noisia or just wait until the last minute of this vid, it will make you bob your head and screw up your face like you just smelt something real, real baaad! Album's out now!

Death By Daylight are presenting an exhibition this month called The Lock Up. Which is said to be "A selection of stunning works made available from the most prolific, cutting edge & controversial artists of our time"

Artists exhibiting their works are Goldie, Pam Glew and David Whittaker to name a few.

Exhibition is on from Friday 27th Nov~Thursday 10th Dec 2009

Admission is free.

Quincy Quincy Quincy!

Quincy Bullen, Son of Pianist, producer, songwriter Eddie Bullen...He's 16, there's not much more I can say on the matter really! Other than he is clearly talented. Watch out for the drummer, dude's on point!

Meet Marisa Lindsay

This is one piece of talent the island of Barbados has been secretly hiding from us world! This footage was recorded earlier this year at the Beaches Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Jam. Just because we may not be aware...Miss Lindsay has been singing for a hot minute and has toured the jazz circles of the globe, blessing people with her neo soul voice. Look out for 16 year old Quincy Bullen on the keys!

Check out her first music video titled I Think I want To Be In Love shot this year
www.marisalindsay.com