Can't Get it Out of My Head: Bonkers By Dizzee

Okay, so he may have messed up slightly with Obama-gate on that cold November night, but there is something about Dizzee Rascal that I find quite endearing. I think it’s the personal growth. Comparing the shy, inaudible, awkward teen that he was when he released his debut album ‘Boy in Da Corner‘ (which was a wicked album by the way), to the jokey, jovial, media friendly man that he has become today, just brings a smile to my face. Check out the video to his new Armand Van Helden single Bonkers, which is as it says on the can - kinda bonkers. The video is so ‘Aceeeed - Summer of Love 1992’ - loves it. 

Get to Know: Lenora Crichlow

We’ve seen her on Sugar Rush and most recently Being Human, and now talented young actress, Lenora Crichlow is set to star in the forthcoming BBC drama Material Girl. Based on the bestselling book ‘Fashion Babylon’ written by Imogen Edwards-Jones, learn more about the show on the fabulous The Musings of Ondo Lady - one of my daily blog fixes. Click here to read.

Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz are... No.1

I don't really pay much attention to the pop charts now that Top of the Pops has kicked the bucket (RIP). However, my interest was sparked  yesterday when I heard that Tinchy Stryder's track Number 1, featuring... wait for it... N-Dubz has now topped the charts. Mmm, guys, are you really trying to tell me this is the biggest song in the country right now? Seriously? Now I'm truly beginning to believe that my theory about N-Dubz is true.  But credit where it's due. Congrats Mr Stryder man. 

Raphael Live in London

I had the pleasure of seeing the legendary Rapheal Saadiq in concert last night, and all I can say is wow wow wow! What a singer. What a performer. What a musician. Despite the puce clouds, torrential downpour and lukewarm reception from the audience (seriously, why do people part with their hard earned cash just to stand with their hands in their pockets looking as if they'd rather be indoors watching Holby City?), my guy stood on stage for just under two hours and gave it his all. Sweat, funk, heart, guts: the lot. My only critique would be he took too long to get to the material that most of the crowd were waiting for - namely the Tony Toni Tone & Lucy Pearl stuff. For the most part he performed a lot of material from his new album ‘The Way I See It’, which if you’ve heard the lead single ‘Love That Girl, you will know is deeply inspired by the sound of Motown. And indeed it felt very much like an old skool Motown revue. The band were decked in black suits with white shirts and skinny ties. Raphael was rocking a banana yellow suit with white shirt and black nerdy glasses - tress cool. There were hand claps, foot stomps and Temptations inspired dance moves for extra effect. Dude truly went all out. But as much as I love Motown, and you know I love Motown, an hour or so into the show I had had enough. And so had the rest of the audience judging from the lacklustre response bestowed upon the talented showman. But after hearing classics like Anniversary (choon) Just Me & U (bigger choon) and It Never Rains (in Southern California) (immense), I was in my element. But the crowd still remained unmoved (SMH while KMT).

Estelle is Welcomed in Jamrock

Queen of quirk, Estelle, graces the cover of the latest issue of JAMROCK magazine. I first heard of this mag a couple of years ago but have yet to see it here in the UK. From what I can deciper it's a lifestyle mag that is similar to Vibe magazine, but focuses on issues of interest to Caribbean Americans. Nice concept. And isn't this a great look for Ms Swaray? Loving the sophisticated jazzy chaunteuse vibe. 

Give A Lil' Love

Has anybody been watching American Idol? I’ve been a reluctant customer this season (are you really telling me that’s the best talent they could find throughout the whole of America?), but as there’s not much happening telly wise on a Friday night, then hey, why not? Now tell me... Lil’ Rounds. Did she deserve to get voted off? Admittedly she’s made some dire song choices throughout the competition, but I thought she kinda brought home with the Chaka classic tonight, no? No one can deny that lil’ lady has one set of pipes. 

Slight digression, but how great was it to see Paula choreograph a dance routine on the results show? I actually forgot that she was the dogs bollocks of the dance world back in the day, and she’s not just some mumbling, bumbling, eccentric old Auntie type who landed the hottest gig on US TV by chance occurrence. To reacquaint you with the old Abdul fabulousness here’s a vintage vid for you. This track came out around the time I fancied myself as a bit of dancer/choreographer type, so best believe I’m sitting here wanting to get my Lydia Grant on. 

What's the Word?

I rolled through my favourite concert venue, the Indig02 in Greenwich, on Saturday to see the legendary funk outfit Cameo. The group came to prominence in the mid 80’s with hits such as ‘Word Up’ and ‘Single Life’, before slipping into obscurity during the 90’s. I was still a schooler when the group were at the height of their fame, so it was great to see them live in the flesh all these years later. Believe me when I say they haven’t lost any of their edge, eccentricity or stage magnetism. And you’ll also be delighted to know that front-man Larry Blackmon is still rocking the fire engine red cod piece! My guy was whinning his hips with so much vigour that I had to turn my head on several ocassions because the moves looked obscene. No surprise that the highlight of the night was when they performed ‘Candy’. Anyone who has frequented RnB clubs in recent years will be familiar with the Candy Dance which was featured in the African American rom com, The Best Man. Picture a thousand plus revellers trying to perform this repetitive routine in synchronisation. Pure jokes! The night was topped off with an after party featuring back to back soul classics from the 80’s and early 90’s. I saw so many old faces from my primary and secondary school that I felt as if I had stepped back in time. All I kept thinking was ‘wow, I wonder what so and so has been doing over the last 20 years?’. A very surreal and reflective night, but a feelgood one nonetheless. Word!