U like Keri Hilson?

Hello,

It has been absolutely ages since I last wrote one of these, I have had a lot to do so without sounding like a complete sellout I have actually been 'far too busy' to update.

This week's song is 'I like' by Keri Hilson. Some of you may have heard this, some of you may not, but I'm predicting big things for this tune. Keri Hilson's back catalogue is, well, for lack of a more respectful term, 'varied'. For every 'Knock you down' there is a 'Turning me on'. Nobody needs to ever hear 'Ms Keri Baybayyyyyy', ever again. The sound of a serious female vocalist pretending to be 'hood' is embarassing enough; the fact that other artists; Young Wheezy, Timbaland etc, who should know better, let her embarass herself is quite another. She is as out of place as a chartered accountant at a Dubstep rave.

Either she actually believes she is an outstanding rapper or she has been hitting the syzurp a little too hard recently. That said, as I before mentioned, there are songs like 'After Love' with Diddy and 'Way I are' with Mr Mosely that highlight just how good she can be when she tries. She has a beautiful voice, nice pitch and tone. She is in essence the perfect foil for an RNB collaboration; the question is, can she cut it solo? That is exactly the question posed by 'I like'.

The start of 'I like' resembles Taio Cruz/ Cheryl Cole type pop; ascending synths with simple break beats and pop type cymbals. Keri is in her more sensible persona, having banished Ms Keri Baybayyy to an Atlanta house party, she uses her hook of 'I like' to great effect in what is essentially a pop/dance ballad in the mould of Euro-pop. The track builds in momentum but never really reaches a climax. It is easy listening and will never set the clubs alight but like the BEP's 'Meet me halfway' reflects RNB's spftening attitude towards pop; focussing on melody and jingle. I think it utilises the strong personality of the modern woman; evoking a business type, rich, perhaps even spoilt heiress type of persona for Ms Hilson. Like Tulisa from N-Dubz, who has benefitted from shoving colloquilisms into her music at every available oppurtunity (LBD, Facebook, Bang Bang shoes etc) and the tragic Jordan Sparks in her latest outing (SOS, FYI, Texting etc) Keri has adopted the borderline pretencious business term of approval 'I like', and made it relatively catchy.

A 7/10 is a good result for Keri. I think she should be proud; its made my i-pod.


This week's playlist

Young Money- Bedrock

Toni Braxton & Trey Songs- Yesterday

Shakira, Timbaland and Lil Wayne- give it up to me

N-Dubz- Na na

Birdman, drake, Lil wayne- Money to blow

Beyonce, Lady Gaga- Videophone

Rihanna and lady Gaga- Silly boy

Jason Derulo- In my head

Jlo- Louboutins

Janet Jackson- Make me

Kardinall Offishal- Clear!




Surprisingly, the answer is a resounding 'yes'.

Has Chris Brown managed to transform his career path with this new robotic Swizzy inspired collabo?

So, firstly just to clear things up, I don't hate Chris.

Everybody hates Chris and its cliched and its totally unnecessary in music. Yes,what he did was horrendous; hitting a woman, even one as annoying as Rihanna, is simply indefensible. But let me ask you, what has that got to do with his music? Of all our western 'geniuses' most of them have been really really messed up. Have we boycotted Carvaggio's paintings because he was a Paedophile? No, we'be convieniently forgotten because he paints nice things. Wayne Rooney has a penchant for older prostitutes, R Kelly likes to pee on people. The list goes on. Einstein probably wore heels. The point is, Chris was a prick. But dont boycott his music because you will miss out. Just tape it off the radio and then he doesnt get any money. lol.

So, Mr Brown's latest attempt to ressurect his career comes from the Swizzy Sound factory, and yet again, he relies on his on and off friendship with Lil Wayne (with whom he has produced to date two top ten hits and a string of album collabos) to make the track 'I can transform ya' or 'Transformer' as I have seen it noted on some sites.

Whats good about it? Quite simply, everything. From the opening robotic loop of sounds that I can only describe as the typical early 90s sound for a robotc warrior powering up- something like 'Uh-nowee-nowee, Uh nowee-nowee, uh nowee-a way way- uh nowee nowee' (a loop to which my brother and sister have taken to repeating in piss take fashion whenever I unconciously start humming it), the track does not fail to hit homeon every lesson. Swizzy's gravelly voice reminds us that though he perhaps was an idiot to think he had a career in rap, his beats and Timberland style of saying cool things on a voice coder whilst other people are singing, are effective in terms of the feel of the song and add to the effect. The drums are simple standard break beats; the same ones you will hear on any Swizz Beats track, but work well and as usual, Lil Wayne's irreverant and chronically non sequitered lyrical style is as amusing as ever. To be honest, Chris Brown does very little, and thats perhaps a good thing; he gives nobody a chance to attack him, by essentially guesting on this very good track.

I would reccomend 'Transformer' to anybody who likes music in the style of CBs 'Wall to Wall' or 'Gimme that' but moreover, I would say it has something of the 'Closer' likeability and is extremely easy to dance to.

9/10

Track list


War Child- I got Soul

Serani- Dutty Badmind

Ke$ha- Tik Tok

Basement Jaxx featuring Kelis and Chipmunk- Scars

Do you really want to live forever...forever? and ever?

Ok,

We're going to do something different this week by reviewing two songs with similar titles and themes. Technically they are the same genre too, though as will become clear perhaps the divide in that genre, more of a chasm splitting it asunder, has brought us to the point where it can no longer be considered as one entity. One thing that is guaranteed is the lasting impact of these two tracks on the rest of the years audio. One might even say that their influence will last 'forever'.

See what I did there?

Fair enough, it was a little gay.

Anyway, the first track is 'Forever' by Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne and Eminem. Now, those amongst us who wrongly believe that collaborations on the scale of 'swagger like us' are now to be guaranteed every year, should really try not to get their hopes up. Though a great song in its own right that brings together talents from the (arguably) great rappers of this year, 'Swagger like us' it aint. Where 'Swagger like us' sounded organic and as though for that one track everything just meshed seemlessly, 'Forever' seems mass produced and awkward. Don't get me wrong, singularly each verse is well constructed and well delivered. As usual, Drake is clever and uses a lot of metaphors and similes whilst at the same time throwing in the occasional 'Bitch' 'Fuck' and 'Nigga' to prove that he's still 'street' and wasnt a teacher's pet in English at school. Kanye disturbs me- now aside from all this Taylor Swift kerfuffle, who talks about statutory rape, in a song? Its just unnecesary and uncalled for. Kanye; thats one metaphor which nobody needs to hear. Except perhaps R Kelly. Sorry, couldnt resist.

Lil Wayne is his usual syzurped self, spouting nonsense about rollercoasters and theme parks. This song, remember, was commissioned on behalf of a film based on Lebron James' life. As the most intelligent of the four, Drake makes a feeble attempt to talk about sprained ankles and fame of the sporting world, but soon dribbles off into more 'shit' about how 'dope' he is. Sadly, Lil Wayne's verse resembles nothing coherant or enjoayble and you cant help but feel he is a fading star. Where is Common when you need him? Ahhhhh. Reassuringly clever rappers give me hope.

So, the last verse, and a lovely surprise- Eminem back tohis club banging best. Eminem's quips are witty, his flow is tight and he is so raw, so unprocessed next to Weezy's autotune that we are reminded exactly what rap should sound. Look out for references to Macademia nuts too. One of my favourite lines and one that only Em could make work.

All in all, a three star rating for Forever. Enjoyable and a few memorable lines but dont think it will be performed at any awards shows anytime soon.

Next song is 'Young Forever' by Jay Z and featuring Mr 'You got it wrong if you say our love is gone' Hudson. Now the nice thing about this offering from the Blueprint 3 (its track 15) is that it sounds like 80s music. And unashamedly so. Now, I have complained about Flo Rida before, and i know he takes a hammering from me every week or so, but i will do so again. Climbing onto a spinning stage in a bodywarmer and butchering an 80s classic and thinking that by adding bass and drawling nursery rhyme style lyrics that you can improve it is sacrilidge. Not cool. However, taking 80s music and recreating it properly; splicing the very dna of the 80s music to rap, carefully, and as the expert seemstress, creating something of a proper fusion; that is a thing of beauty, and that is what Jay Z and Hudson achieve here. Flo-rida's butchery can be best likened to selotaping lambourghini doors to an escolade and hoping for the best whilst driving on the motorway; on crack.

Of course Hudson's lines are ripped straight from the original 'Alphaville' classic of the same name. Hudson's voice lends itself well to the 80s lyrics, synths and strings. Jay's lyrics are as open and hard hitting as ever, speaking of the hollowness and emptiness that he has sometimes been dogged with. A sombre and honest song, probably closest in genre to Successful by Trey Songs and Drake, it will make you think and hopefully, give a quiet and yet hopeful mood to its listeners. Produced by Yeezy, as lest we forget the studio is where Mr West began his illustrious career, you cant help but wish that he'd stayed on the other side of the recording booth. All in all a wonderful melancholy served at just the right temperature; a cool song that never gets too cold but inspires a clarity of thought. Straight up 5/5.

Songs for this week to listen to.

She likes to- Wiley ft Wrigley, Bashy, Chipmunk, J2k, Skepta, Ghetts etc

Dizzee Rascal- Bad Behaviour

Kid Cudi- Enter Galactic (love connection part 1)

Ginuwine ft timbaland and missy elliot- Get Involved

JLS- Everybody in love (lol)

Sean Kingston- Face Drop

Trey Songs Gucci Mane and Soulja boy- LOL :)

A song called Rock and Roll, performed to dance music, by a UK garage artist...I guess that's just rock and rollllllll

Greetings,

This week's song is Rock n Rolla, by the legendary K-A. For some time now I have been a fan of Kano, I mean, sure enough, Ps & Qs fans will be distraught hearing this track for the first time, but my reason for admiring Kano is this ability he posseses to recreate himself as an image of the times. How many other UK rappers are playable characters on Def Jam Vendetta? Answer- none. Kano has created a brand for himself, and he may have sacrificed some of his 'street cred' but in return has become a critically acclaimed solo artist.

I most recently saw Kano perform at a small local gig in Leicester. He was looking tired and was out of place in such a small smoky environment. His performance was dulled and his ray bans stayed on for the entire performance, lending to the opinion gaining momentum at the time that was Kano was a dying man. His rendition of 'This is the girl' should have had the crowed on their feet waving and singing along, instead his lacklustre performance left the small hall full of disappointment.

With Rock N Rolla though, Kano returns to form with this beautiful dance inspired track. Fast synths and drum and bass type instrumentals this was always going to appeal to those four by four ravers and saturday skankers at Liquid, however, Kano's strength, as always, remains his lyrical witticisms and genius. We expect little else from the man that brought us such memorable lines as 'I bought her, her favourite shoes; oh they better be, and she's even my favourite size' and not to forget 'Like Jude Law, in closer, relationship roller coster'. At one stage Kano decides to regale us with his knowledge of other notorious Rock n Rollers, including himself in the company of Jimi Hendrix, Def Leopard and even Elvis. 'When we hit the town, we paint that red, standing on tables and kicking down chairs coz thats just rock n rollllllllll' will be a dance hall chorus, and though 'urban DJs will hate it, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be on their playlists.

Kano for me trumps Dizzee any day of the week, simply because he's a better lyricist. He doesnt rely to heavily on the 'cheeky' idiot persona to make his songs work, instead he lets his thoughts do the talking. Dare I say, close to the UKs version of Kid Cudi, though without the feelings of victimisation (for god's sake Cudi, its not that people dont 'understand' you, they get you, they just don't give a shit sometimes)

All in all, a club banger K. I'd give you a straight 10 but the haters will tear you to pieces, and rightly so, as though you have made something beautiful you have 'sold out'. For that reason, you'll be happy with an 8.

I guess thats just Rock n Roll.

Tracklisting

Poison- Beyonce

Miami trick- LMFAO

Digital Girl remix- Drake, Kanye, J Foxx, The Dream

The one- Mary J Blige, Drake

Forever- Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne, Eminem

Hate- Jay Z and Kanye,

If he's 'tryin to find a way to describe this girl without being disrespectful' why didnt he call the track 'Nice Lady'?

This week's track is called 'Sexy Bitch'

The feminists out there will no doubt point out that the song title is a disgrace, and I would agree...if not for the fact that the radio release is called 'Sexy Chick' (which is slightly better) and also that if you've ever seen David Guetta who produced the song, you know he would never intentionally offend anybody; he looks like a cross between Nicky Clarke and Avril Lavigne.

Anyway, Guetta, he of 'When love takes over' fame, has worked with the self proclaimed worst lyricist in the world, Akon, to create this over the top dance track which really, though it pains me to say it, hits the spot with regards to filling the dancefloor. Watching the way that Guetta has melded Dance and RnB is almost like watching a four year old get the bread-filling-bread ratio right on a sandwich for the first time. So many (Flo-rida...eurghhhh) have tried and got it so wrong but this song sounds flawless. The synths and echo effects as well as the thumping bass will satisfy even the most hardcore Dance freak and yet at the same time, Akon's terrible lyrics and amazing range will keep the RnB squad begging for more.

The song starts strong, a trademark of DG's (see; BEP's 'I gotta Feeling') with echo effects and bass. Strangely, and to great effect, during the verses and Chorus, Akon's voice sounds completely different to the Akon we know and hate. Think more, Ray J, deeper, more serious, less Fresh. Ok, he reverts to his old irritating voice for the bridge but by then the stolen synths from 'Tainted Love' (don't think I didn't notice Guetts...) have hooked us and Akon could even try comparing the woman to meat like he did in Slow Wind and in all honesty, we would not care. This is one of those songs where the lyrics don't really matter.

Sorry Feministas, I don't think you have a case- this song is awesome and should be taken with a pinch of salt and in all fairness, Akon does reliably inform us that he has tried and failed to 'find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful'. Its not his fault his English is limited. Thats just ignorance Ladies, tut tut.

I saw atleast three girls out on graduation night who my best mate worryingly informed me had just obtained A,A,A at A level going crazy for this song. Strong independant women know that the best way to succeed around men is to smile and let us beat our chests and open doors, all the while not rubbing your emotional/intellectual superioty in our faces but just by actually achieving and letting your results speak louder than words

Well, that's what all the women I know who have succeeded in life have done, like Guetta's missus Kelly Rowland. Remember gyaldem; nobody likes Misogynists, but nobody likes whiners either! :P

Playlist

David Guetta ft Akon- Sexy Bitch

Tinchy Strider- You're not alone

Esmee Denters- Outta here

Calvin Harris- You used to hold me

Leona Lewis- Dont let me down feat Justin Timberlake

Frankmusic feat Tinchy Strider- Better off as two

Sugababes- Get sexy

Whitney Houston- Million Dollar Bill

You cant put her in a box...if you try she'll escape like Howard Moon

Greetings to all and sundry,

This week were going to switch the style up a little bit. I was so tempted to cover the new Taio Cruz track 'Break your heart' this week, as its been receiving massive play from Ras Kwame, Trevor Nelson and my i-pod over the last few weeks, but I decided that it was my duty, as a seeker of new music, to find something utterly different for you guys. See the sacrifices I make? I love my work, what can I say?

Well ,this week's track is from South-African-born-but-Brixton-raised Diva in the making Mpho. Pronounced 'Umm'pa' I am reliably informed by her website. So, what's all the fuss about the girl with the difficult name? Box n Locks is a simply beautiful song, lyrically, musically and with regards to what it does and says about british 'Urban music' on the whole. This is the kind of track that could as easily be played by Nelson as it could be by Zane Lowe or even Moyles,it is truely a genre spanner (as opposed to Dizzee last week, who proved for all his success that he was just a 'spanner'). From the outset we have a track in the cast of, I dont know, vocally think the sound of the ting tings but lyrically slighty deeper. We open with the infamous strings from Echo beach by Martha and the Muffins.
What?!?! You've never heard of them?!?!

Don't worry, neither had I. They were a Canadian new wave band from the eighties and produced the song Echo Beach, which to be honest, apart from the opening strings, which are hauntingly beautiful, is a rather standard song. Flash forward twenty years, and Mpho has stripped the strings, looped them and strengthened them with a catch hook and slick verses dealing her own identity as an immigrant but also a die hard Brixtonian, The fickle nature of the british music indstry and the north south divide in Britain....and this is in her first few bars.

Surprisning, her politically fuelled lyrics dont drag, she paces herself beautifully around her bassline, racing through her lyrics with a speedy swagger that usually Mariah Carey can only pull off (listen to allllllll the mumbling in 'Touch my body'). The result is upbeat, a dance track and an instant indie-dance-urban fusion. I saw one of her concerts, Lovebox, and her fanbase looked like a bag of skittles, it was beatiful I tell you; there was every colour of the rainbow. She attracted all races and ages; appealing to the Louis Vuitton dons and the acoustic set alike. When this song lifts off, she is going to be huge.

Well, to wrap things up, I would give my word that this is a song worth listening to. I was hooked in the first few seconds and it only got better, and I would wager most of you out there would be too. This imaginative, great sounding debut from the exciting young star Mpho is a tune that manages to 'please everyone', though her lyrics say otherwise. A brilliant new addition to British music. Mpho, the Beatsmith salutes you.

Beatsmith rating- 5/5


Playlist

Taio Cruz- Break your heart

Serani- No games

Livvi Frank feat Pitbull- Now Im that chick

Pitbull- Hotel Room service

Mimms- One last kiss (feat Soler mesh)

Major Lazer feat Ricky Blaze and Nina Sky- Keep it going Louder

LMFAO feat Little John- Shots

Dizzee Rascal's holiday- Is it a butlins caravan or the 7* hotel in Dubai?

So, I will gladly accept the plaudits for my last post; to all those living under a rock, Beyonce's 'Sweet Dreams' is sweeping the charts rushing its industrial beats and catchphrase 'Turn the lights out' into homes both sides of the Atlantic.

So, this week's song, Dizzee Rascal's 'Holiday'. Holiday has been gaining a lot of airplay recently with radio 1 playing it almost incessantly so I thought perhaps an online dissection for young Dizzee was in order.

The format of the song is supposedly another summer hit from the team that brought us 'Dance wiv me'- namely the awkward looking Calvin Harris, the over-confident lyricist Chrome and the peter pan of rap (atleast in terms of immaturity) UK's prince of grime, Dizzee Rascal. To be fair 'Holiday' is catchy, and the opening ascending bars will have pop fans as well as dance fans hooked, another trademark sound for Harris, who is undoubtedly the genius behind this. The question is, why cant he get to #1 by himself? 'I'm not alone', Harris' last single was undoubtedly better, yet failed to rush the charts in the way that this offer undoubtedly will.

The answer lies in the tastes of the British public. We like Dizzee, we remember 'Bounce' from the roll deep days as well as 'Fix up' and the evergreen 'I luv u'. There is something honest in Rascal's unabashed immaturity. Whereas Harris is smug- I get all the girls? Well, maybe those T4 on the beach girls, but nobody else...

The mixture of trippy euphoric synths and electro break beats has a good overall effect, with Chrome's easy listening 'generic Black-RnB singer' chorus easy enough on the ears. Rascal's lyrics are abominable in places though. The most memorable has to be 'don't watch my passport photo, I know I look a bit loco, and i know that my spanish is so-so, buts lets try and keep that on the low-low'. Though its cloesly followed by 'I'll never let your belly get empty, even with a bellyful you still look sexy'.

What is probably meant to be Dizzee being sweet ends up conjuring an image of a stick thin model with a huge swollen stomach tottering around her handbag in a night club in Kos as Dizzee dances around her with a bottle of flaming Sambuca feeding her kebabs. Creepy...

So all in all, I like this song; Harris is again the unsung hero of what is, aside from the music, a mediocre British rap song. It will be on phones all over the country as 14 year olds prepare for their family's annual migration to the med. Dizzee has done it again, exerting an ability to get the most from his lyrics. A great follow up to bonkers and another top five hit.

4/5

So, to this week's playlist

Jamie T- Sticks and Stones

Ciara ft Missy Elliot- Work

Bashy- My wish is your command

Birdman feat Jay Sean- Written on her

Jay - Z- D.O.A (death of autotune)

Peace x

Sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare for Beyonce?

This week marks the passing of a truly great man, Michael Joseph Jackson.

To commemorate the life of Micheal Jackson at the end of this week's post I will include a selection of songs by the late King of Pop which you may not have heard.

This week's song is called ' Sweet Dreams' apparently, though I first heard it in a mixtape as 'beautiful nightmare' back in '08, and is definitely going to be a big summer hit (if she releases it in time) and if not will be on the club scene just in time for all those going back to (or starting) Uni in September.

The sixth track from the bizarrely title 'I am...Sasha Fierce' (An album title written as though she really had to think about it before she let herself say something that ridiculous) Is an infectious dance track which will worm its way onto dancefloors as a party starter and then win place as a firm favourite when the video drops. I would say its unlike anything she has produced; think Shirly Bassey meets Kelis produced by. Will have teenage girls singing 'My guilty pleasure I aint goin nowherrrrrrre' in Primark with no shame by august. With regards to the music, it has an up tempo almost industrial feel with random exclamations of 'Oh!' and 'Turn the lights on' randomly inserted. The Times has praised it calling its 'deep bass' and disturbed lyrics 'thrilling'. I would have to agree. Im going to give this a 4/5 for inspired genre changing by the Diva, however I think I wouldnt be alone in wishing for a Cameo from Jay-Z towards the end where it starts to drag.

Playlist

Micheal Jackson feat Youngbloods- Give it to me

Micheal Jackson feat Eve- Butterflies

Micheal Jackson - Just a little bit of you

Micheal Jackson- Billie Jean (Kanye West Remix)

Micheal Jackson- Burn this disco out

Over the moon about the Dream's collabo with Kanyeezy?

Hi

Some of you may not be familiar with me and what it is exactly that I do, so in this, the first BeatSmith blog I will outline a little of what I hope to accomplish here.

I like music; especially RnB, Hip Hop, Rap, Dance and what is generally described as 'Urban Music'. The newer the better, songs that make singing along and dancing in a club exhilarating rather than boring. This is music the way in which it was intended.

The only problem is finding it.

Each and every week I surf the net in search of good new music to feed my addiction and each and every week it's totally hit and miss.

Take Flo-Rida for instance; Low= genius. Right round= Not so much, Sugar= no comment. When looking for new music to listen to I often wish there was a voice that would make suggestions and give an opinion on new music. I now intend to be that voice. The BeatSmith.

Ok, so to this week's feature; 'Walking on the Moon' by The dream and Kanye West. If you are not familiar with the works of the convicted 'Radio Killer' (last year's 'Baby' with LL cool J and 'Cookie Jar' with Gym Class Heroes) now is the time to get acquainted. His new album 'Love Vs Money' is an excellent mix of 80s style synths and angellic vocals, all laced over RnB beats. If there is one thing that the Dream knows, it's how to produce a catchy hook, as many of you will know with his previous release 'Rocking that thang' (I'm speaking to all those who couldn't go ten minutes without chanting 'I'm in love with you babbbbbby....and I want you to knowwww)

If you don't know Kanye, well, crawl out from under your rock and familiarise yourself with the best rapper/producer this side of the millenium.

'Walking on the Moon' can probably be best described as a George Jetson-meets-Micheal Jackson. The music itself is not too heavy, not relying on bass for effect (unlike Rocking that thang) Walking on the moon focusses instead on Synths and a simple snare. The magic of course comes from the Dream's ridiculous lyrics and Kanye's egotistical witticisms. A good example is The Dream telling the girl that the song is about that he would 'Walk through the Sun' for her. Apart from being totally impossible, the idea of doing this for a girl you've just met in a club is a bit far fetched. Kanye's abuse of temrs that even Urban Dictionary would frown upon is hilarious; see his use of the term 'Drunk Texting' .

All in all, its an up tempo fun song, probably better for the gym than the club, but i'm sure that it will be working its way onto an I-Pod near you soon.

I give it 3/5, but please check it out for yourself and venture your own opinion.

At this the last part of the entry, I'd like to give you my chart of hot new music for you to explore until my next blog.

Black Eyed Peas- Alive

Drake- Unstoppable

Ciara feat Chris Brown- Turntables

Tpain Jesse McCartney- Body Language

Kid Cudi feat Crookers- Embrace the Martians

Mr Hudson feat Kanye West- Supernova

Drake feat Santogold- Unstoppable

Peace

BeatSmith