Thursday, June 19, 2008

NEW TRACK - KERI HILSON: ENERGY


Many of you might have already noticed Keri Hilson in videos such as Timbaland's "The Way I Are" and "Scream" and Usher's "Love In this Club", but what you might not have known is that the sultry singer and video vixen is the talent behing many of your favourite tracks.

The Atlanta native has been in the music game since 2001 and has penned a number of chart-topping R&B and hip hop hits such as Chris Brown's "Young Love", Usher's "Love in this CLub Part 2", Britney Spears' "Gimme More", Omarion's "Ice Box" and Mary J Blige's "Take Me As I Am", amongst others.

But now, it seems like the volumptious songstress is no longer statisfied with just being behind the scenes. She has inked a record deal with Polow da Don's Zone 4 and Timbaland's Mosley Music Group to release her debut album later this year. If any of her guest appearances are anything to go by, one can expect an energy-filled, progressive R&B album that hits the right notes.

To jump things off, we present to you her first single, Energy:


Trust me, this lady is the future of R&B. Ya heard it first here on Encore!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

LIL WEEZY CRACKS A MILLION COPIES



Lil Weezy, the self-proclaimed Best Rapper Alive, achieved a career milestone this past week when his latest album, Tha Carter III, pushed more than 1 million copies in its debut week. That is a crazy number in this digital age where albums are downloaded for free on the net.

The last time this six-figure threshold was crossed was in March 2005 with 50 Cent's "The Massacre".

Sales for "Tha Carter III," Lil Wayne's first No. 1, were helped along by several of the rapper's new singles, including the chart-topping "Lollipop" featuring Static Major. His previous biggest sales week was a 238,000-unit start for "Tha Carter II" in 2005.

The man that Kanye refers to as a living rap legend joins an elite league of artists that have cracked a million copies in the first week. According to Billboard the prestigious list includes the following artists:

1. 'N Sync, "No Strings Attached" (2.42 million, 3/26/00)

2. 'N Sync, "Celebrity" (1.88 million, 7/29/01)

3. Eminem, "The Marshall Mathers LP" (1.76 million, 5/28/00

4. Backstreet Boys, "Black & Blue" (1.59 million, 11/26/00)

5. Britney Spears, "Oops ... I Did It Again" (1.32 million, 5/21/00)

6. 50 Cent, "The Massacre" (1.14 million, 3/6/05)

7. Backstreet Boys, "Millennium" (1.13 million, 5/23/99)

8. Usher, "Confessions" (1.10 million, 3/28/04)

9. Garth Brooks, "Double Live" (1.09 million, 11/22/98)

10. Limp Bizkit, "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" (1.05 million, 10/22/00)

11. Norah Jones, "Feels Like Home" (1.02 million, 2/15/04)

12. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (1.01 million, 6/16/08)

Friday, June 13, 2008

GOLDFISH INTERVIEW - CONTINUED



Perceptions of Pacha is so entitled because of the fact that you have recently signed on to the record label Pacha, which is also part of the massive overseas nightclub group, Pacha (in particular centred around the club in IBIZA called Pacha .) In addition, Perceptions is a series the label does each year and it’s your turn this time around. How do you feel you compare to previous artists who have made a Perceptions album with the label? And how does Perceptions of Pacha differ from Caught in the Loop? How did you change and grow musically?
The last three years of touring solidly have had an enormous effect on our sound as Caught in the loop was recorded largely before we started performing live. I think Perceptions takes off from Caught in the loop and just cranks it up a notch!

It is a great honour to have been asked to do the perceptions album this year, we have also just finished a mix cd for the Pure Pacha release this year which is a double cd alongside Pacha resident Sarah Main.

Which song on your new album is your favourite and why?It changes daily I love them all as they are all special moments in our musical landscape.

Who are you listening to right now? What CD is in your car / Cd player or top on your iPod playlist?
Deadmau5, Koop – Koop Island, All the incredible remixes of the album that are coming in from all over the world and from the remix competition (www.goldfishlive.com) and Mix’n Blend’s Help is on the way mix (bootleg). Panic at the disco’s – 9 in the afternoon,

What is the craziest thing a fan or person in the crowd ever done at one of your performances? How did you respond?
Some drunk guy in Jozi decided to do a run and jump onto the stage and succeeded in snapping two of the double bass strings and one of the machine heads. We didn’t do anything we let the very large bouncers, who should have stopped him in the first place, sort him out…

Has anyone ever thrown panties onto the stage or at you? What did you do?No, but we had a massive Bra thrown at us at the Armchair theatre once, I hurled it back into the crowd.

How important is a slick media image to you as Goldfish? I am referring to the slick website design and the YouTube video Goosebump Productions created for you (both of which I like very much!). You have a very distinct style and you’re sticking to it. And when one compares your style to musical heavyweight, Kurt Cobain and the way he “hated” media exposure and being in the limelight, Goldfish and the way you handle the media tells a very different story. How do you approach or view the media? What kind of a relationship would you or do you seek to maintain?
Things where very different back in 1994 in the music world especially, people where still buying cds, at one stage Nevermind was moving 500 000 units per week!!!!!
That was part of his image and it worked for him.

These days it has become more accepted that music and media need each other to keep head above water. The internet has revolutionised all forms of media with those not able to move swiftly and adapt finding it the most difficult. We always wanted as many people as possible to experience our music and the only way we could achieve that was with huge media support.



Since signing to Pacha and thus becoming part of the Pacha lifestyle brand (owners of restaurants, hotels, record label, clothing label etc), what exactly does your contract entail? Do you have to wear the clothes and be seen at their hotels and clubs? Are you ‘slaves’ to the Pacha brand or are you still maintaining a certain amount of independence?
We have signed a one album deal with the record label which is associated with the Pacha brand as a whole but it doesn’t make us there gimps.

As a proudly South African band, why isn’t Goldfish registered on Load the Show – www.loadtheshow.co.za?

Everyone is trying to adjust to the internet revolution and coming up with new fancy ways to offer music to people but at the end of the day our strategy differs from theirs in this regards as we feel music is of value to people and we are all trying to foster this as a lot of people do not understand that if they download a song or whole album illegally they are making it harder for that artist/producer/dj/whoever to make more music in future.

On the other hand The load the show idea is great for up and coming bands who would have put their stuff out for free anyway and now they are earning some revenue out of it. We gave away loads of free music when we where starting out and it helped us progress faster to a point where our music was of enough value to people and they wanted to buy it. The music world has changed from a business model of Buy – Listen to nowadays where its Listen – Buy. So basically I am saying that there is a place for Loadtheshow and other sites like it but I don’t think we fit into it.

You (Dave) said on the YouTube vid that you take the studio into the clubs and play there live. How long does it take to set up the equipment? Is it stressful travelling around with your entire musical studio and all your costly equipment?
Yes it is a pain from time to time with airlines losing bags etc. but it is worth it in the end.

Our touring setup is not the same as our studio setup as we would need a small truck to move our studio around with us everywhere! Travelling is probably the main stress in our lives at the moment!

What’s the worst thing that has happened to you or your equipment while travelling to gigs? Do you pay for extra insurance on your equipment? Do you wish you could keep it all with you in the overhead compartments?
Definitely wish we could keep all our gear in the overhead compartments. Insurance companies don’t like insuring musical instrument so its very expensive…like each year you could buy yourself all new gear instead.

The worst thing to happen to our luggage so far was thanks to Air France and Charles De Gaul airport in Paris (avoid like the plague). They lost Dom’s bag with keyboard in and clothes and it never surfaced…other than that America is fun the double bass takes an extra day to pitch up each time as the TSA (transport security agency) thinks it’s a bomb or something suspicious! Come on didn’t these guys all go to band camp?

What legacy would you like to leave behind?A great catalog of amazing music.

What are your plans for the future? What are you currently busy with or working on?We just finished the Pure Pacha mix cd, we have also just finished the music video for This is how it goes which will be on our You tube site (www.youtube.com/user/goldfishlive ).

We are also working on the Remix album and a live dvd release of our cd launch concert at Kirstenbosch gardens this year.

How do you feel about the Independent Armchair closing down? The end of an era in Cape Town...
We where devastated by it closing down as it had become such a legendary place with so many special moments for Cape Town and us. It is such a pity that the city council can’t see past all the usual crap and just open its eyes to how culture could be one of our biggest exports and without venues like that it is hard to foster truly creative culture.

And finally, how do you make a goldfish live for decades?Feed it.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

REVIEW: USHER’S “HERE I STAND”


By Nick Kaoma

Usher has come a long way since he released his self-titled debut album at the tender age of 16. The set which was produced under the supervision of a young hotshot Uptown Records executive Sean “Puffy” Combs, failed to ignite any musical flames – I can bet you some 2 cents that even the staunchest of Usher fans would be hard-pressed to single out a good song from that album.

Looking back at those early days, one can’t blame the young Usher for failing to hit the right notes. Sending an upcoming teenage star to the fast-paced city of New York to learn under the tutelage of an incredibly successful producer, who was riding the crest of his wave to the fullest, meant boundless exposure to things that a young’un is not supposed to see till he has at least grown a manly beard. All-night orgies, hard-partying and exotic excursions were de rigueur in the surreal world of Puff Daddy, as he was still known.

The savvy folks of LA Face Records learned from their ways and decided to link up Usher, who had just graduated from high school, with fellow Atlantian Jermaine Dupri. This proved to be a sage move on their part, one need only look at the 30 million copies that the diminutive producer has helped Ush push.

Fast-forward to 2008: the fast-moving, womanising young stud with millions of screaming fans has evolved into a mature husband and father whose life priorities have changed. His new album in four years inevitably embodies and epitomises this growth. Usher’s A&R Director had initially named the album “The Measure of a Man”, after Sidney Poitier’s memoir of the same name. However, after finding out that another artist had already used that title, Usher came up with “Here I Stand”, a good-enough title that signifies his independence, growth and new-found level-headedness.

As per usual, Usher released his fifth album on the back of a scorching-hot single courtesy of on-form producer Polow Da Don (Rich Boy’s “Throw some D’s, Fergie’s “Glamorous” & Nas’ “Hero”). “Love in this Club” featuring Young Jeezy was leaked to the internet by the anxious producer and soon shot straight to the top of American charts. And as they say, when the US coughs the rest of the world catches the cold, so the joint quickly made it to the top of radio charts across the globe.

The question I kept asking myself prior to the official release of the album was, would Usher try take back the musical space that young’uns such as Chris Brown and Ne-Yo have been renting in his absence or would he simply carve new room for his own grown-up sound? After listening to the album for a lengthy period, it is suffice to say that he has wisely chosen the latter option. Everybody knows that you don’t pick fights with lil’ boys, they might just cause you some unwanted embarrassment!

Throughout the album, Usher has strung a golden thread of maturity and decisiveness. He is no longer a groupie-obsessed star; he is now a grown-ass man whose role in the world has been cast in stone.

On his latest single "Moving Mountains", Usher touches on break-ups and the emotional drama that they come with. This is definitely a track that many heart-broken souls, who despite continuous attempts can’t seem to bring the mojo back into their relationships, will relate to. "It's like moving mountains, hey. But I keep climbing and hoping things would change and the sky turns gray, and the water from the rain washes progress away", he sings on the track.

On “Prayer for You”, Usher has an intimate conversation with his new-born baby and promises to give him everything under the sun. This song will definitely resonate with new parents out there; the vulnerability on it is just so sincere.

He then proceeds to remind us of his freaky side on "Trading Places" where he performs all sorts of bedroom acrobatics with a young, wild thang. Good pal, Jay-Z, makes an appearance on "Best Thing" a sexy number produced by Jermaine Dupri that will definitely get booties shaking on dance floors.

"His Mistakes" addresses the thorny issue of the new boyfriend paying for the old boyfriend's mistakes. "Always guilty before the sin, I can't win", he sings. Usher deserves accolades for summing up this common problem that really irks the living hell out of fellas in a 5 minute song.

Overall, Mr Raymond IV has delivered a solid, enjoyable album that can stand head and shoulders above the rest, but nevertheless I can’t help thinking how he has failed to match the exquisite taste of “Confessions”. Oh well, I’m sure I'll be able to live with that!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

KELLY TO PERFORM AT POSI+IVE ROCKS SHOW IN SUN CITY


Kelly Rowland, the pop superstar, is set to perform at the POSI+IVE Rocks festivities at Sun City this weekend (13 – 15 June 2008). According to reports that are doing the rounds, she will be replacing Backstreet Boys, who can no longer make it (we’ll give you confirmation on this at a later stage).

Kelly will find herself in the company of Latino heart throb Marcos Hernandez who’s also set to keep ladies’ hearts pumping.

The annual POSI+IVE Rocks event is billed as a larger than Life “fusion of music, fashion, art and cuisine with a world-class line-up of musicians, artists, and designers”.

It is a unique collaboration between local and international leading fashion designers, musicians, artists and acclaimed chefs, resulting in a three-day POSI+IVE extravaganza which raises funds for Sun International's HIV/AIDS initiatives: Tapologo Aids Hospice, Noah, St Michaels and Missionvale Care Centre.

The POSI+IVE weekend festivities also include; a classical music picnic on Saturday 14 June presenting Lira, Abri and Jannie Moolman; golf days on Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 June on Lost City Golf Course and Gary Player Country Club; and the Wall of Hope which features various paintings donated by global celebrities and sporting icons.

Tickets for the all the shows are now on sale, so if you’re in the North West and surrounding areas, support these events which are for a good cause.

Monday, June 9, 2008

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GOLDFISH



The Boys from Muizenberg, Cape Town have effectively taken over the house scene in Mzansi. Their ability to blend pulsating house beats with live instruments have put them in a league of their own, so much so that promoters from afar afield as Spain and South America have come calling.

The last time that Encore caught up with Goldfish, they had just dropped their debut album and were effectively stealing the hearts of fans in every city they hit. A year-and-a-half later, the duo who not so long ago were holding down a residency at mid-size clubs like Baraza and Ignite in Camps Bay have now graduated to big-time venues such as Kirstenbosch Gardens and opening for international headliners such as Fatboy Slim.

Our intrepid music doyenne, Larissa Focke, hollered at the guys while they were in Ibiza and got the inside scoop on their new album Perecptions of Pacha, their international record deal and much much more.

This is Part 1 of the interview; look out for Part 2 towards the end of the week.


So, is Goldfish ever going to slow down?
Things have snowballed so fast that I don’t think Gold Fish is going to slow down in the foreseeable future. Internationally things are just starting to heat up which could keep us busy for a long long time!!

What have you guys been up to in the 2 years since we last spoke?
We have been touring all over SA and the world. We spent the whole of last year recording Perceptions of Pacha and touring at the same time!! It was a crazy year, and this year looks like an equally crazy one with us just having completed a mix album for Pure Pacha release next month containing our original tracks as well as some exclusive remixes that we have done (including our Bob Marley remix!). We have been bouncing between the studio, the stage and aeroplanes!

Dave, you have such an amazing voice. Why don’t you sing live or sample your own voice more often?
Thanks! The new album has two more tracks that I sang on ( Just for tonight and Soundtracks and come backs). Being a live vocalist is another kettle of fish altogether, but you never know perhaps I will break out into song sometime soon?? Up until now we have been concentrating on what we do best, but we are always up for trying new things.



Does it ever irritate you when people compare your music to Cafe del Mar, Kruder and Dorfmeister etc? Sure, these artists may have influenced your music but you have your own style! Plus, it’s pretty much a fact that Goldfish’s sound cannot be put into a box. How do you deal with these comparisons?
Once again thanks, the comparisons are great as we are huge fans of most of the comparisons that are made. It would be a worry if we where being compared to Kurt Darren. Everyone always wants to pigeon hole music as it makes it easier to say to someone “I don’t like Dance music” or “I don’t like hip hop” it allows you to make generalizations and not be open-minded. My advice is listen first, pigeon hole later!

Is house music making waves all over the world? Do you see a trend emerging? Should the local scene jump onto the bandwagon and take advantage of house / electronica’s recent popularity? (Plus, is hip hop dead?)
House has been on the back burner and underground for the last few years but there are such Great things happening in the scene that it is once again starting to feature more prominently in all forms of media.

The internet revolution hit dance music the hardest when it arrived But it also made Dance music react first with websites like djdownload.com and beatport.com launching to allow anyone to buy music online legally. On top of this the explosion of social networking websites has been lovingly embraced by Dance music and allowed it to spread through areas that traditional media never let it in the past. Unfortunately like bob, hip hop isn’t dead, RIP soon I hope.

How was Up the Creek festival? And how do South African gigs compare to the international gigs you perform at so often?
We didn’t play UTC this year. We did have a spanking gig at Splashy Fen in the Drakensberg, What a great festival!

SA is our home and we have such amazing support that it is hard to compare the two, the main difference is that overseas most people haven’t heard of us yet but they are more open to new things and even when they see us for the first time they go mad!

What was it like opening for FatBoy Slim?
It was probably our best gig of 2006 and he is such a cool guy too. Had a couple of beers with him after the show and talked about fishing and just arb stuff!

Which international act (Pete Tong, FatBoy, Stereo MCs, Mr Scruff) did you enjoy headlining for the most and why?
I suppose Pete Tong as we landed an international record deal on the back of that gig! We are playing with him tonight again in Ibiza for the closing of the international Music Summit which has been amazing.

What is the coolest place in the world your music has taken you?
A hidden beach in a nature reserve on the Northern coast of Mahe, Seychelles, Eating freshly caught yellowfin tuna sashimi.

Is Kirstenbosch still the best place to perform in SA?
No in the world, by far!

Who is your favourite South African band?
New Academics, Plush, Dirty Skirts.

How important is it for Goldfish to maintain a South African sound ie to have Shangaan and Shona in the samples and mixes?
It is not about maintaining a sound it is just how we make music and how our country has influenced us over the years. We love having vocals on tracks and sometimes a track just screams for an African vocal.

To be continued.....

Sunday, June 8, 2008

NEW VIDEO: DWELE - I'M CHEATIN'



Revered neo-soul singer and songwriter Dwele is gearig up to release his third studio album "Sketches of a Man" on June 24th. Peep the video for his latest single "I'm Cheatin'".

From the sound of it, the song tells of a man who loves his girlfriend’s conservative side as well as her care-free side and dreams of cheating on one with the other as if they were two different people. “It’s based on a true story that I put a spin on. Unless you really pay attention, you might get the wrong idea,” Dwele admits.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

NEW VIDEO: SOLANGE - I DECIDED



A couple of weeks back we announced that Solange (Beyonce's baby sister) was working on her sophomore album. The lil' bits that we heard of her album were enough to get us amped.

This is the video for her latest single "I Decided". I think homegirl has skills that should not be slept on. For those of you who would like to get to know the cute and talented singer better, check out her entertaining new blog: HADLEYSTREETJOURNAL.COM.

Her album, SoL-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams is set to hit stores August 26th.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

A TOAST TO OBAMA



A very funny comedian once said that a black man will never make it to the White House in this lifetime unless if he was a gardener or a cleaner. At the time, those words echoed a sentiment that was shared by any person with a fair ounce of logic.

But lo and behold, a miracle in the form of Barack Hussein Obama has just made history by becoming the first black American to ever receive the official nomination to become the President of the United States.

Early this morning, the Associated Press broke a story saying that Senator Hillary Clinton announced that she will officially concede to Senator and Presidential hopeful Barack Obama tonight in the run for the Democratic nomination –once he reaches the proper number of delegates he needs to officially get the nod.

AP’s updated report indicates that the Democratic Party has officially given Barack Obama the nomination after their tallying of delegates. It’s now a race for the White House between 46 year old Obama, 71 year old John McCain and candidates of other parties.

Mad props to Obama for making history and for having the audacity to dream this big.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

LIRA FEATURES ON "GIRLFRIENDS" SOUNDTRACK



Lira is living proof that artists need to be true to themselves and their art at all times. Ever since she left 999 Music, where the dictatorial Arthur forced her to sing bubblegum R&B music, she has achieved nothing but career milestones by simply making music that fits her essence.

First her 2007 album “Feel Good” received rave reviews and was certified gold. Secondly, her singles “Ixesha” and “Feel Good” shot to the top of the charts on radio stations and video channels across the country. To add to that, the humble songstress also wowed audiences with captivating performances at major festivals in SA and around the world.

2008 is also proving to be equally fruitful for her. She scooped up two awards at the prestigious MTN SAMA Awards in March. As if that is not sweet enough, word has just come out that the reworked version of her smash hit “Feel Good” has been included on the soundtrack album for the popular US sitcom “Girfriends”.

The singer’s song will be ensconced in a collection that also includes contributions from Grammy-winning artists such as Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan and Corinne bailey Rae.

This is a definite milestone for Lira and we at Encore congratulate her for this momentous feat.

NAS' NEW ALBUM COVER


When Nas announced on MTV a couple of months ago that his new album will be titled NIGGER, there was a loud uproar from the black community. Leaders like Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson were quick to condemn the popular rapper's move. Although she didn't release a statement on the issue, I'm sure Oprah must have been turning awkardly in her oversized bed in Chicago at the prospect of such a mainstream parade of the 'highly offensive' N-word.

On the flip side, peeps such as Ice Cube, LL Cool J and even his boss, LA Reid, came in support of him concluding that Nas must have something meaingful and powerul to say by using such a strong word for an album title.

Months later, it seems like Uncle Sam has successully clamped down on this tentative move. Nas' album will no longer be called "Nigger", it will simply be self-titled.
And for shock effect, the Queensbridge rapper has also changed the cover artwork for his album; it now depicts his back with the letter "N" written with marks from whips (slave whips I suppose). Interesting!

He premiered the video for his new single "You can be a nigga too" in New York recently; we should be able to upload it on Encore for your convenience at the soonest.

Monday, June 2, 2008

NERD - SEEING SOUNDS



For all those out there who are tired of the regular hip hop diet that is fed to us by mainstream radio, the good fellas of N*E*R*D have finally released their third album "Seeing Sounds".

The consensus among music pundits is that the Virgina natives have cooked up a masterpiece of an album that enthusiastically fuses elements of funk, hip hop, rock and electro to psychedllic results. This album should be in Encore's posession soon so expect a kick-ass review.

JIGGA INTERVIEW



Here's a cool recent interview of the Jiggaman. He talks about his upcoming gigs in the UK, amongst other things. Dude's got a fresh outlook towards life!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

INTERVIEW WITH LUNGELO


By Zandile Dlamini

The last time we checked in with Lungelo, he had just released his impressive debut album Collisions, for which he gained and secured a great amount of attention from the media, as well as receiving noteworthy attention from avid masses throughout South Africa. He later went on to being credited as one of Cosmo’s sexiest South African men last year. It was clear that he didn’t let his ego get the better of him, because he has stayed true to his music and since then, has only been too persistent on serving only the freshest music to his eager fans, while progressing from strength to strength.

Lungelo recently collaborated with Morale, on an addictive track titled Promise. Shortly after the song was released, it reached the #1 spot on the Metro FM charts, and is successfully infiltrating popular charts on other radio stations such as Y-FM and 5-FM by the day. It seems as though Lungelo is out to make a mark for himself and his career is definitely looking promising.

After trying to track this remarkable music mogul down for days, he has finally allowed us the time to invade his continuously busy schedule, to fill us in, on what he has been up to lately.

It has almost been a year since you sat down and had a chat with Encore. You've obviously made several moves in your career. Could you please tell us briefly what advancements you have made, and how your style and persona have changed since then?

A lot hey... I moved to Joburg [from Cape Town], opened a kick ass studio, got a house, got married, made a baby , made money ,spent money, topped charts, got a deal and now I’m here.

You recently signed to TS Records. On behalf of Encore, I would like to congratulate you on your massive leap. What is it that you hope to achieve for as long as you are at TS?

TS is a very aggressive family, everyone works hard so there is good inspiration and opportunity my way. I am learning a lot about the music business too. Because initially I thought music school would be enough. I’m hoping for some fire to the kickstart of my career, which has started already, hard work, long days, and days on the road, crowds, corner-to-corner ekasi, and errr-thang!

Are there any artists that you are looking forward to working with in particular?
I’ve worked with a couple already whose tracks you will get to hear, then later on those credits there will read Lungz Beat, so I will leave the names out for the surprise, but, I do want to work with uMam'u Miriam soon, as well as Busi Mhlongo; the legends cannot pass before they record on a soundBourne [his production company] instrumental.

We hear that you tied the knot last year. Do you feel as though being married has worked out positively for you in terms of productivity?
My wife is good inspiration man, I’m all over the show but she gives me good grounding and direction.

Should we be expecting any baby Lungelos any time soon?Yes, expect one later this year... we're working here!

Has the marriage factor managed to ward off groupies?
They are still here...not at all man... its appreciation really. The name groupie has a negative connotation.

What else does Lungelo have in store for us this year?
A banging Xhosa house record and a little something something on the side (shhhh), chart toppers galore and watch me grow.

Listen to Abo'Cheri





Wednesday, May 28, 2008

STANDING UP AGAINST XENOPHOBIA IN GUGS



"The recent string of violent attacks instigated by xenophobia has not only left fear amongst our African brothers and sisters who have come to South Africa seeking refuge, but has also set off a shocking realisation that we as South Africans have no understanding or respect for the other cultures on this continent we call home.

We the youth would like to educate and integrate with these cultures, not only to eradicate the misconceptions South Africans seem to have about cultures outside of our borders but also eliminate what has quickly become a human rights issue.

Join us on 1 June as we learn about these cultures through the form of music and art and find out how we, as individuals can help in eradicating this misguided hatred."

VENUE: Gugulethu Sports Complex, Cape Town

DATE: Sunday, 01 June 2008 at 12pm

PERFORMERS: Blaq Pearl, Jitsvinger, Driemanskaap, Rattex, Nosisi and many more

DONATIONS:Clothes and blankets to victims of xenophobia

Come show your support in these trying times!

KANYE'S HOT FEATURES



Last week we ran a piece that was based on MTV's rating of the Top 10 MC's in the game. In that highly-contested list, Kanye deservedly took the Number 1 spot. The Chicago native has been rapping his ass off in the past year, so much so that he has taken less and less production duties for his peers.

For those of you who somehow doubt that Yeezy has been packing heat, peep these three joints that Kanye is featured on. NERD, Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne have all enlisted him to drop some 16's on their hit singles. You can't front on his much-improved skills:

Young Jeezy feat. Kanye - Put On


Lil Wayne feat. Kanye - Lollipop (remix)

NERD feat. Kanye - Everyone Nose (remix)

Friday, May 23, 2008

EXCLUSIVE NEW MUSIC FROM COMMON


Listen: Common ft. Pharrell - Universal Mind Control

In another editon of B.R.G.I, an Encore term that stands for Before Radio Gets It, we present to you an exclusive new joint from one of our favourite MC's, Common.

"Universal Mind Control” (damn, what a mouthful!) is Common’s first single from his upcoming project, Invincible Summer; itt features Pharrell.

What do y'all think of it? Has Common gone jiggy with it?

NEW VIDEO: USHER - MOVING MOUNTAINS



Usher is heading full steam with a new single of his upcoming "Here I Stand" album which is due May 27th. Check his cool new video for "Moving Mountains".

Thursday, May 22, 2008

XENOPHOBIA – FRUIT FROM A POISONOUS TREE


By Zenzile Khoisan

We require an in-depth education, in South Africa, on our collective African history. The regressive, cultural nationalist impulse, sweeping South Africa currently, is a disgrace.

However, it does not come from an unknown source, as it has clear, identifiable roots. Its genesis can be traced to our brutal history, which our political leadership continues to treat superficially. The fact that we mobilised millions of our people on thin slogans rather than a deep education, and the fact that we opted for expediency, burying our heads in the sand of shallow national consciousness are our own chickens, coming home to roost.

We engage with others, as political opportunist and populists have done, castigating thinkers as if they have no right to exist, ridiculing the call for action against African aberrations such as Robert Mugabe, and caricaturing our compatriots to the North of our borders as the progeny of savages.

What we have failed to do is develop a true sense of solidarity with our compatriots, because the political organisations that are supposed to be the vanguard of this project still cannot grasp the essence of a person such as Thomas Sankara, cannot make a clear call for the integration of the African Diaspora into the African Union, and re-enforce fence sitting on critical issues, by advancing the argument of national interest.

It is precisely this type of rubbish that has dumbed down our people's revolutionary spirit, which has been supplanted by a cognitive dissonance that makes it possible to look the other way, or find humour in the barbaric killing of a pregnant women, savage slashings of African elders, or the socio-pathic petrol bombing of a dwelling where human beings tried to find respite from the loneliness of being forced to live far from the temple of their familiars.

We are no more than animals if we find any reason to justify the barbarism that has been meted out to innocents by rapacious mobs, feeding on the cannibal frenzy of self hatred.

As we approach African liberation day (25 May), let us, once again remind our so-called leaders of their responsibility to use their positions to which we have elevated them about the arguments that raged in May 1963. It was then that the question was posed: What kind of Unity do we want; a unity of states or a unity of the African people? Let us, the ordinary people take the initiative to educate our people that the only path to African liberation is the unity of it's peoples, and if the state should die, so be it, because these states, and the parasitic elites they have spawned, have, invariably, brought more misery than joy, to the masses in whose name they claim to speak.

Let us isolate the haters and embrace our sisters and brothers, in peace, in love, in unity.


Zenzile Khoisan is editor of Rootz Africa magazine and a published author.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

MTV'S TOP 10 MC'S IN THE GAME

MTV is scheduled to air a hip hop special entitled "Top 10 MC's In The Game". The essence of the show is to rate all MCees in the game by judging them on their lyrical and live performances from the past year. MTV assembles a group of experts (or a brain trust as they call it) who have lengthy and heated debates on who deserves what position in the rap game. The result is a fairly accurate and powerful Top 10 List which is set to raise a few eyebrows.

Here's an extract of the Top 10 MC's in the game. Feel free to chat about its merits.

01. KANYE WEST


”With all due respect to the Diddys and Busta Rhymeses of the world, Kanye West has surpassed everyone as the best live performer in hip-hop. Grooming himself on stadium tours with Jay-Z, U2 and the Rolling Stones over the years has done him good. Even if West didn't release another rap this year, he'd still be the hottest for his Glow in the Dark Tour alone. Without exaggeration, it's the greatest one-man show put on by a hip-hop artist, possibly ever. 'Ye's sold-out set is an orgy of lights, classic songs and conceptual genius. You've never seen anything like it.

And by the way, he can rap and produce as well. From the stage to the studio, no one puts the entire presentation together like Mr. West. Tremendous! Graduation beat Curtis and every other hip-hop album on the Billboard charts. First-week sales of close to a million and double-platinum certification notwithstanding, it stood out from everything else artistically too.

Kanye has been telling us he's #1 for years, and now that he has been given the accolade of Hottest MC in the Game, intelligent bets are that he'll continue creating so he won't have to relinquish the title.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"You don't see just how fly my style is/ I don't see why I need a stylist/ When I shop so much, I can speak Italian/ I don't know, I just want it better for my kids/ And I ain't sayin' we was from the projects/ But every time I wanted layaway or a deposit/ My dad would say, when you see clothes close your eyelids/ We was sorta like Will Smith and his son/ In the movie, I ain't talkin 'bout the rich ones/ 'Cause every summer, he'd get some brand-new hair-brained scheme to get rich from/ And I don't know what he did for dough/ But he'd send me back to school with a new wardrobe." — From "Champion"

02. JAY-Z


“Jay's the "biggest star in the world" Kanye West made an entire song about. You wanna speak success, do you? Last November Hov's American Gangster became the 10th #1 album of his career, tying Elvis Presley as the solo artist with most #1s. Only the Beatles have more, with 19.

You hear his d-boy dreams on songs such as "Pray" and "Hello Brooklyn 2.0," while his trumpeting of affluence on "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is ...)" still reverberates universally. Jay is obviously in a different realm from his peers, but it hasn't affected his drive to be the best. There still isn't a more exceptional lyricist today and, let's face it, when it come to swag, Hov sits in the pole position.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"Own boss, own your masters/ Slave's the mentality I carry with me to this very day/ F--- rich, let's get wealthy/ Who else gon' feed we?/ If I need it, I'mma get it however/ God help me ... And I don't need no hook for this sh--!/ I'm so fa sho, it's no façade/ 'Stay outta trouble,' mama said as mama sighed/ She feared her youngest son be a victim of homicide/ But I gotta get you outta here, momma, or I'mma die inside/ And either way, you lose me, momma, so let loose of me."
From “No Hook”




03. LIL WAYNE


“Simply a master of brayed bars and audacious approach, Lil Wayne's boundaryless microphone-bogarting has made him hip-hop's most exciting man to listen to. How many times have you felt like Weezy was just going to jump right out of your iPod and fall on your shoulders? How many times have you tried to figure out how he can use so many different patterns, tirelessly bulldozing through any track? Cruel! Just cruel, we tell ya. He works the hardest and has legions (yes, legions) of fans — the same ones who treat the leaked tracks that have flooded mixtapes like precious collectibles — who will tell you he's the most naturally gifted spitter in the universe right now.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"Unf---ingbelievable, Lil Wayne's the president/ F--- 'em, f--- 'em, f--- 'em, even if they celibate/ I know the game is crazy, it's more crazy than it's ever been/ I'm married to that crazy b----, call me Kevin Federline/ It's obvious that he'll be Cash Money till the death of him/ The ground shall break when they bury him." — From "I'm Me"

04. RICK ROSS


“Oh, to be loved! Rick Ross' bossin' up is one of hip-hop's most entertaining chronicles right now. Miami's new emperor has been able to coagulate all the right characteristics: unruffled, husky charm seemingly from the B.I.G. lineage, concretely convincing rap elegy and transfixing influence.

In March he went up against veteran friends Fat Joe and Snoop Dogg in a three-way SoundScan confrontation, resulting in a second-straight #1 debut for the Port of Miami representative. Of the hip-hop projects to drop this year, his sophomore album, Trilla — influenced by Michael Jackson's Thriller in title and hopes of impact — is definitely the standard for excellence midway through 2008.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"Am I a target for police because I puff weed?/ Not an artist or regarded as a Puffy/ Like a pimp, I'mma skip past a Kim Porter/ Like a pimp order, pimp, I import her/ Every dime you give her known as a pimp quarter/ 'Cause every time she deliver like a pimp taught her/ She ain't married to the game, just a pimp's daughter/ Every Benz that I gain, I get the limp harder." — From "We Shinin' "

05. SNOOP DOGG



“His latest LP is one of the most consistent of his career, rich with potentially massive singles and grounding cuts with street appeal. Onstage, Snoop is a walking, talking human superlative, as proven by his performance at last year's J.A.M. Awards and earlier this year on an episode of "VH1 Storytellers."

Snoop reeled in even more fans when he launched his reality show, "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood." On the show, the Long Beach native introduced us to his family and let people see him in settings as intimate as his wedding-vows renewal ceremony. He cried on the dance floor while listening to Guy's "Let's Chill" and taught his kids to play soccer with David Beckham. A second season is coming later in 2008, and with Ego Trippin' having a lot more life in its cycle, expect Snoop to contend for next year's list as well.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"They love it when I let down my hair/ From Jessica Alba to Jessica Simpson/ Even Jessica Biel wanna know how I feel/ So I let 'em all come to my back table/ Roll up and lick the paper if they able/ Bottles of everything, models and everything/ Everything goes and, yes, I mean everything/ Cocaine castles, I ain't sniffin'/ But baby that played in that one movie is trippin' .../ Act like you been around a boss, b----, settle down." — from "Deez Hollywood Nights

06. 50 CENT


Curtis underperformed — 50 himself called it a "dud." Still, it sold more than any other hip-hop release last year except, of course, Kanye West's Graduation. And despite the false starts that led to his #8 spot on the 2007 "Hottest MCs" list, "I Get Money," "Ayo Technology" and "I'll Still Kill" maintained his credibility as a musical commodity to close out the year.

The Queens general recently launched ThisIs50.com, which almost immediately became a staple on the Web. In March, more than a million fans went to the site to download Elephant in the Sand. He's been using it not only for social networking and news, but for promoting himself and the Unit. The site features low-budget videos for a gaggle of songs from their mixtapes and Web shorts that play out like mini reality-TV episodes starring the crew.”

Hip Hop Quotable
"I told Jimmy Iovine ass to shut the f--- up/ Got Dre callin' Shady sayin, 'Em, what's up?/ We done came this far, we can't stop now/ Em, 50 off the hook, he got to calm down'/ I guess I'm out of control, my mind, body and soul/ Tell me I'm being pimped and it's makin' me sick/ You know Em made that company over a billion dollars/ And when he ain't around, they sayin' foul sh-- about him/ Yeah, we f---ed up, we both don't know our pops/ We both don't like the cops, we don't know when to stop." — From "Smile (I'm Leavin')

07. LUPE FIASCO




“With swagger that lays somewhere between dope-boy fresh and Louis-Viutton-Don dapper, "He spat the poems that got their domes all geeked up." Did Lupe have a legitimate gripe about being totally ignored by the Brain Trust during last year's list and subsequent sidebar convos? Absolutely. Did the trustees tell the world that their list was neither perfect nor definitive? Absolutely. Nevertheless, Lupe made it impossible to overlook him this time (and not just because of the support he's getting from his peers). A little less arcane and definitely darker than 2006's Food and Liquor, his The Cool LP borders on classic contention.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"She would be my queen/ I could be her king/ Together, she would make me cool/ And we would both rule, forever/ And I would never feel pain/ And never be without pleasure ever again/ And if the rain stops and everything's dry/ She would cry/ Just so I can drink the tears from her eyes/ She'll teach me how to fly/ Even cushion my fall/ If my engines ever stall/ And I plummet from the sky." — From "The Coolest"

08. YOUNG JEEZY




“He can dominate the show on a posse cut with some of his most mic-savvy peers, then successfully facilitate requests from mainstream mainstays like Mariah Carey and Usher, who call him to sanctify their #1 albums and songs with his seamless street swagger. Young Jeezy is at his pinnacle. Don't misconstrue the ranking: He's #8 with a bullet.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"This n---a's insane, yeah a straight fool/ A half-a-million-dollar car and some house shoes/ Call the dealership, like why y'all trick me?/ Then why the hell you put my engine where my trunk be?/ I'm throwing Franklins, I don't need ones/ I smoke a pound every week like I don't need lungs/ ... I said I'm so hot, but my house cool/ So many rooms it looks like a high school."

09. ANDRE 3000


“No album, no single, only two guest appearances — Andre did even less this year than he did in 2007. There's not even a handful of verses to judge him on. Tres Stacks has illustrated natural bravura over brainless bravado, dropping judiciously dope couplets laced with gentlemanly swagger that brew to a crescendo and shed every note in their way. Splendidly subtle N.W.A reference here, magnificent drug metaphor there — before you know it, this legend has had more impact in about 40 bars than many peers can boast on their entire long-play discs.”

Hip Hop Quotable

"She said, 'Why in the club, you don't make it precipitate?/ You know, make it rain when you could make it thunderstorm?'/ I'm like, why? The world needs sun/ The 'hood needs funds/ There's a war going on and half the battle is guns/ How dare I throw it on the floor/ When people are poor/ So I write like Edgar Allan to restore/ The 'hood be requesting my services/ Oh, don't get nervous, it's step-your-game-up time/ These ain't them same old rhymes/ Designed to have you dancing in some club." — From DJ Drama's "The Art of Storytellin' Part 4."

10. T.I.


“While his popularity transcended music years ago, his songs are still the foundation of his ability to generate interest. We've had a few sprinklings of him on remixes here and there, but we just got his full-on return with the first offering from his upcoming Paper Trail, "No Matter What." Although the cut has a few indignant retorts for Shawty Lo and others who he feels questioned his street credibility, Tip's commitment to sincere commentary on his life, no matter how painful, will always keep him at four-star-general ranking.

Hip Hop Quotable

"Pain's a small thing to a giant/ I was born without a dime, out the gutter I climbed/ Spoke my mind and didn't stutter one time/ Ali said even the greatest gotta suffer sometimes/ So I huff and puff rhymes, lyrics so sick with it/ Set the standard in Atlanta of how to get, get, get it/ Whether I still live in the 'hood or just visit/ Whatever you can do in the 'hood, I done did it." — From "No Matter What"


Look out for this MTV special on DSTV in the coming weeks.

Monday, May 19, 2008

TWO MUST-HAVE LOCALLY BREWED ALBUMS

Are you tired of the same ol’ ringtone music that fails to nourish your soul? We present to you two home-brewed albums by forward-thinking fellas who thrive on pushing boundaries. Read on, and be sure to cop these albums.



MXO
MX FUNK


MXO, the Eastern Cape-born soul singer is back after a 4 year hiatus with a brand new album titled “MX Funk”. 2004’s “Piece of Mind” cemented the singer’s status as a soul brother of note. With the backing of big corporates such as Levi’s, MXO was able to take his music on the road where he successfully turned non-believers into followers with his eclectic and energetic performances.

With “MX Funk”, he firstly gives his unique sound an official name; he then proceeds to illustrate his musical prowess with stirring songs such as “Push on Me” and “Ndizo Ndiza”. “Push on Me” features another soulful brother, RJ Benjamin; their combination on wax is as deadly as Ronaldinho and Kaka’s on the football pitch.

Forever the experimental type, MXO samples and incorporates elements of rock and kwaito in his music, thus giving his sound a peerless worldly feel. This easily goes down as one of the best locally produced albums of the year.



MPHUMI DLAMINI
COMBINED ELEMENTS


South Africa has produced quite a number of supremely talented saxophonists. McCoy Mrubata and Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse are just but a few of the legends that have moved mountains and redirected rivers by blowing warm air into their gold pipes.

Now of late, guys like Moreira Chonguica are also stirring things up with inspired collaborations and musical concepts that aim to bring tha cool factor back to jazz.

Dave Thompson, the SonyBMG visionary that brought Zamajobe and Judith Sephuma to the world has just unearthed another gem in the form of Mphumi Dlamini. The rising star has produced a compelling piece of work in the form of his debut album “Combined Elements”.

With the help of musicians such as Fana Zulu, Vusi Khumalo and Justin Holcroft, Dlamini combines old-school jazz elements with new school flavours with aplomb. On a couple of tracks, he even mixes in some fast-paced Cuban rhythms to create tunes worth dancing to till the break of dawn.

An impressive debut indeed!

NEW VIDEO: THE GAME FT. KEYSHIA COLE - PAIN



The Game is back to 'resurrect' the West Coast again with "LAX", an album that is set to drop next month. To jump-start things, he has just shot a video for his new single "Pain" featuring the talented Keyshia Cole.

Word on the street is that the Game intends to release the album on the same day as G-Unit is scheduled to drop "Terminate on Site". It will be interesting to see how that plays out!

2008 BET AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED



Nominations for the prestigious BET Awards were recently announced. For this year’s awards, T-Pain takes the lead with five nominations, while Kanye West and Keyshia Cole notched up three each.

Artists that are scheduled to perform include Mary J. Blige, Nelly, Usher, Lil Wayne and the newly wedded Mariah Carey.

Quincy Jones will receive this year's Humanitarian Award and Al Green will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award., awards which last year were bestowed upon Don Cheadle and Diana Ross respectively.

The awards are scheduled to take place on June 24th, so hopefully we’ll be able to see them on DSTV somewhere. We’ll keep you guys updated.

Here’s an excerpt of the nominations list:

BEST FEMALE R&B
Mary J. Blige
Mariah Carey
Keyshia Cole
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

BEST MALE R&B
Raheem DeVaughn
J. Holiday
Ne-Yo
Trey Songz
Chris Brown

BEST GROUP
Danity Kane
Day 26
Gnarles Barkley
Playaz Circle
UGK

BEST FEMALE HIP-HOP
Missy Elliott
Eve
Kid Sister
Lil Mama
Trina

BEST MALE HIP-HOP
Common
Jay-Z
Lil Wayne
Snoop
Kanye West

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
The Way That I Love You – Ashanti
Honey - Erykah Badu
Just Fine-Mary J Blige
Like You’ll Never See Me Again-Alicia Keys
International Player’s Anthem-UGK & OUTKAST
Good Life-Kanye West Feat. T-Pain

BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Queen Latifah
Jill Scott
Chandra Wilson

BEST ACTOR
Anthony Anderson
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Terrence Howard
Denzel Washington

BEST NEW ARTIST
Estelle
Flo-Rida
Chrisette Michelle
Soulja Boy Tell ‘em
The-Dream

Friday, May 16, 2008

ALBUM REVIEW: ESTELLE - SHINE



By Zandile Dlamini

In 2004, Estelle released her first album titled The 18th day. However, despite the publicity, the sales were lacklustre and the album stalled at number 40 on the UK Charts. This, at the time, seemed like the perfect opportunity for critics to shoot Estelle down and label her as a one-hit-wonder.

But despite all of the heavy tittle-tattle and hearsay thrown in her direction, four years later Estelle has returned, proving to everybody that her talent is too strong and her heart, too relentless to be shut down by pessimists.

Earlier this year she released her latest album titled Shine, and just shortly after its release, the glitzy song American Boy, featuring Kanye West, reached number one in the UK charts and took the rest of the world by storm. Estelle’s second album not only binds together a powerful medley of hip hop, soul and Reggae, making the content attention-grabbing and worthy of note, but has also had the privilege of being produced and shaped into an unmistakable masterpiece by great luminaries in the music industry such as John Legend, Wyclef Jean and will.i.am.

In the end though, it is Estelle’s unwavering and unmistakable talents that truly make the album stand out; her ability to sing and rap in her songs highlight her versatility.

Each track has its very own refreshing sound, which is why songs such as Magnificent and No Substitute Love, which carry elements of Dancehall, might just be the next songs to take over our clubs and infiltrate our homes.

But most of all, it seems as though this album has become Estelle’s personal way of letting critics’ and haters know that she has returned, but only this time, she’s not budging.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

EXCLUSIVE: NERD FEAT. CRS & PUSHA T - EVERYONE NOSE (REMIX)





A while back, we were one of the first sites on the web to break NERD's new single "Everybody Nose". Well, this time around we present to you the remix; it features CRS (Kanye West, Luper Fiasco & Pharrell) and Pusha T of The Clipse.

Check it out.

LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL FOR BLACK DIAMONDS IN JOZI



The highly anticipated Johannesburg leg of the Lifestyle SA Festival – Celebrating Black is set to take place at Gallagher Estate from the 17 -18 May 2008.

This newest edition to South Africa’s annual social calendar was conceptualised by three marketing and communications practitioners, Shiru Githiomi, Zukisa Hani and Zuki Mzozoyana. Their aim is to provide visitors with a tangible and exciting representation of the sights that capture the essence of the quintessential Afropolitan lifestyle.

The festival has succeeded in attracting significant sponsorship from premium brands such as Lexus and Johnnie Walker Black and media partners, SABC, METRO FM and City Press.

As a forum that celebrates local talent in music, fashion and the arts, the festival’s entertainment award-winning artists such as Lira, Jimmy Dludlu, Thandiswa Mazwai, HHP and Siphokazi.

In addition to the music, visitors can also expect to be entertained by local comics such as Loyiso Gola and Trevor Noah.

Entry fee to the festival is R150. So if you’re in Jozi this weekend be sure to check out this awesome showcase of black talent and lifestyle.

OPRAH NAMED RICHEST BLACK PERSON OF THE 20th CENTRURY



We all know that Ms. Winfrey is a respected icon of business, television and philanthropy. But this week, American magazine Black Enterprise made that official by naming her the richest and most philanthropic black person of the 20th century.

The June issue of Black Enterprise also described her as the world’s most influential black entrepreneur. Although Patrice Motsepe is wealthier than Oprah, I would say that’s a fair summation since her celebrity allows her access to literally billions of people. Plus she’s way more philanthropic than our mining Prince.

Black Enterprise had the following to say in a press release:
“She is a legend, an icon—but mostly, a mentor. Her unprecedented success in American business serves as the undisputed blueprint for many minority entrepreneurs. Her leadership has broken down barriers; her business instinct the stuff of legend; and her innovation unprecedented. She has spent her entire career beating the odds—and has inspired millions of business-minded minorities in the process.” Couldn’t have said it better myself!

In the cover feature, Oprah talks about the winning formula that has taken Harpo from a five-person production company to a 430-employee multimedia conglomerate that grossed $345 million last year.

She also explains that, “Treating people with respect is the most important thing to me. It’s not just talk. I don’t yell at people, I don’t mistreat people, I don’t talk down to people. So no one else in this building, in this vicinity, has the right to do it.” You hear that all you so-called bosses, treat your employee’s with respect!

Her show’s distribution contract ends in 2011, but Oprah is looking forward to her OWN network and promises that it will be more expansive than anything she’s ever developed: “My intention is for it to live beyond me, for it to be a living network of possibilities for people in their own lives,” she explains. “To be able to say that my life was used in service, to help people come to their highest potential—I would do it even if my name wasn’t attached to it.”

NEW VIDEO: G-UNIT'S "I LIKE THE WAY SHE DO IT"



Check out G-Unit's new vid "I like the way she do it". The fellas were just in SA a couple of weeks ago and are putting finishing touches on their second group album.

Word on the street though is that the unit has lost a lot of street credibility especially after 50's dismissal of Young Buck from the group. What do you guys think? Is G-Unit as good as dead or are they still on point?

Friday, May 9, 2008

LOYISO HEADING FOR LONDON'S 46664 MADIBA CONCERT



According to a Sowetan report Loyiso Bala has been selected to perform at the annual 46664 Nelson Mandela concert.

Bala will be among the galaxy of stars who will perform at the much-anticipated 46664 Nelson Mandela benefit concert in London’s Hyde Park on June 27.

He will leave for London early in June to prepare for the concert.

“I’m excited about sharing a stage with some of the great talents of the world,” Bala said. “The thought of performing for Madiba is even more exhilarating.”

The multi-award winner who has scooped SAMAs, Metro FM and GQ’s Best Dressed, among other awards, shot to fame after following in his brother Zwai’s footsteps at the Drakensberg Boys Choir.

Other local stars due to mark Mandela’s 90th birthday at the June celebrations in London include Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mabuse and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

USHER IS COMING BACK FOR THAT NO. 1 SPOT



By now you should know that Usher, the phenomenal global superstar, is ready to release a new album with brand new material. On the heels of the top-selling "Confessions" is "Here I Stand", a bold new album that is set to solidify Usher as the King of R&B. The following is an extract from an interview that has just appeared in Billboard magazine:

Outside the windows of a 36th-floor conference-room suite at New York's Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the morning is gray and befit for April showers. Always the trendsetter, Usher has plucked from his wardrobe a navy blue military-style button-up adorned with gold clasps to complete his jeans-and-sneaker ensemble. He is in town to promote his fifth album, "Here I Stand," due May 27 via Jive, and to premiere, later that day, the video for his Polow Da Don-produced hit single, "Love in This Club."

The synthy club track rocketed from No. 51 to No. 1 in its third week on the Billboard Hot 100 in March—the third-highest leap to No. 1 in Hot 100 history and his eighth chart-topper.

Usher is a tough act to follow, though, even for Usher himself. After all, his last album, 2004's "Confessions," has shifted more than 9.5 million units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Still, the success of "Love in This Club" showed that Usher retains his core fan base among the other triple-threat stars that have reigned in his absence. "That's an outstanding performance considering he hasn't had anything new to release for four years," radio analyst Guy Zapoleon says of "Love in This Club." "A lot of new music fans have grown up with Chris Brown and Ne-Yo as their examples of great pop R&B music." Zapoleon further points out that Usher remains a leader in the urban and rhythmic formats. "Usher, because of his huge track record of No. 1s at top 40 rhythm, R&B/hip-hop radio, as well as hot AC and AC, is known to a wider group of music fans."

In the span since "Confessions," the 29-year-old entertainer has stayed active, but without new music to promote. He starred in a Broadway musical (as Billy Flynn in "Chicago"). He changed publicists and talent agencies. (He is now at Creative Artists Agency.) In May 2007, he fired his mom, Jonetta Patton, as his manager and replaced her with Benny Medina (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez). He married stylist Tameka Foster and had his first child, Usher Raymond V, events that have placed his personal life under the microscope more than ever.




Usher admits to having anxiety over all the back-end changes, as well as his recording for the first time without former Arista CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid, who is now heading Island Def Jam. "Working with Benny Medina [and] new attorneys would definitely be something that you would be nervous about," Usher says. "It's new people. It's a new team, so you're only hoping for the best. But we're off to a great start, [with] a No. 1 single that's widely been accepted and excited about the prospect of another hit record."

Amid all the business and non-music distractions of the past two years, Usher kept creating new material in his home studio in Atlanta. Early last year, he reconnected with longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, who co-produced several "Confessions" tracks, including "Burn" and "Confessions Part II." "The most important part to me is to make sure that I'm always creating something new, giving you a new sound," Usher says. "That's why I work with Jermaine Dupri before I work with anybody else. And I put emphasis on making sure that this album was more musical than anything, because I wanted it to step outside the norm."

But the homecoming hasn't entirely been smooth. The behind-the-scenes shifts led to an unstructured launch for "Here I Stand," starting with the leak of the club track "Dat Girl Right There" featuring Ludacris late last year. Jive had yet to secure a lead single when the Young Jeezy-featured "Love in This Club" leaked in February. But the enormous chart climb quickly eased concerns. "The greater part about it," Usher says, "is the fact that people are antsy for a record, so they're going to grab onto it."

Realistic about the chances of topping "Confessions," Jive is setting up new partnerships that include a Sony Ericsson deal comprising domestic and international print campaigns, TV and promotional concerts. The label is also banking on Usher's worldwide tour this fall to further drive sales.

GROWING PAINS

When Usher Raymond started out, he was still a boy. L.A. Reid signed him to Arista when he was just 13. Throughout his decade-plus career, his sales and popularity have risen on a steady gradient. Released in 1994, his self-titled LaFace debut has sold nearly 300,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its follow-up, "My Way," went gold. Then in 2001, the six-times-platinum "8701" all but solidified his superstar status before "Confessions" hit three years later.

Usher insists that it's his compelling tales that have kept registers ringing. "It's like an autobiographical experience every time you hear an Usher album," he says. "I don't just release records. I don't put things out and just allow them to fly. There's always a story."

This time, again, Usher's game plan is simple: Tell a story. "The premise of my story is, 'You truly aren't a king until you really find your queen,' and I felt like I found someone who's the foundation for my life," he says. "I married her and had a child with her, so that's going to definitely raise a lot of eyebrows, but I don't really listen to the negativity. I hear it, but at the same time this is my story and you can't tear it down if I don't let you."

"Here I Stand" represents, to many involved in the project, a portrait of the artist as a grown man. This transition is reflected in songs like the soaring Tricky Stewart-produced ballad "Moving Mountains" and the disco-esque dance cut "This Ain't Sex." Another Stewart track, "His Mistake," finds Usher being blamed for another man's follies ("Always guilty before the sin/I can't win"), and on the Dre & Vidal-crafted title track, the singer channels Stevie Wonder.

With the new album ramping up, Usher remains busy with other pursuits. Last summer, he launched his eponymous fragrance line, and he still runs his label Us Records, whose roster includes One Chance and Rico Love. Next, he plans on starting his own consulting company to help develop artists. "I really want to go into these record companies and become the builder of different projects," Usher says. "It's not necessarily my hands, but it's my expertise where the right artist has the right choreographer. The right artist has the right stylist, the right marketing plan to help introduce what they're doing."

As major companies start compensating for dwindling record sales by focusing more on the artist-as-brand, Usher wants in on that, too. Medina stresses the importance of focusing on the music first. "The best all have a certain creative ADD, and he certainly has that. He is a musician, artist, businessman and entrepreneur," Medina says. "More than anything else, that's the greatest challenge—how to manage all the creative opportunities that comes with diversification and still manage to deliver greatness."

T.I. PUSHES BACK "PAPER TRAIL"



We have previously reported that T.I. has been hard at work in studio trying to come up with bangers for his sixth album. The album which will be titled Paper Trail will now only drop in August and will be the follow-up to his lukewarm but platinum-selling T.I. vs. T.I.P.

n a recent interview with Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9, T.I. indicated that the lyrical content on Paper Trail may be "ever so slightly" toned down.

"Not to a great deal or an extra degree of censorship, I'm just making sure this album is much more intelligently and artistically put together," T.I. told 107.9. "I'ma still get loose now. I'ma still do me. But you know when I was living the way I was living, I was rapping the way I was rapping ... A lot of elements that were in my life no longer exist."

The self proclaimed King of the South appeared on BET last night on a half-hour special, "T.I. Speaks." In his first televised interview since a plea bargain on weapon charges, T.I directly answered tough questions from host Toure and a group of at-risk students about his life and future after being sentenced to a year in prison. Tip also detailed how the ordeal has changed his life and delivers a strong message about decision-making.

"I must be a man and stand up and accept responsibility," T.I. said. "I exercised extremely poor judgment, and for that, I must be willing to pay whatever price that comes before me."

In related news, T.I. will also be continuing to show off his acting chops, will be starring in New Line's forthcoming film For Sale, which is being produced by Grand Hustle, and will also make a cameo appearance on the new season of HBO's hit series "Entourage."

Paper Trail hits stores on August 12.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

SO MARIAH AND NICK CANNON REALLY DID TIE THE KNOT



Yep, they did it! If there was any doubt Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's wedding was the real deal, they answer the question once and for all in this week's issue of PEOPLE, speaking for the first time about their surprise nuptials – and showing off exclusive photos from their April 30 ceremony.

"We really do feel we are soulmates," Carey said, following their sunset ceremony at the pop star's Bahamian estate. "I never felt a love like this was in the cards for me."

Cannon adds: "She is beautiful on the outside and 10 times as beautiful on the inside."

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

DJ SBU REJOINS YFM



The charismatic Sibusiso Leope, famously known as DJ Sbu, is officially back on the YFM airwaves - this after speculation, denials and even a podcast stating that DJ Sbu will not be joining YFM or any radio station but was exploring other opportunities off air since he left SABC's Ukhozi FM in March 2008.

On Monday morning, 5 May, Sbu’s husky voice reverberated through the airwaves as he officially announced his return to the beleaguered Gauteng youth radio station. After advertising his return the entire weekend preceding his return, the YFM bosses must be rejoicing that he took the mic in his trademark confident kasi-swagger style of his. The Tembisa born radio/tv/music personality excitedly welcomed listeners to “Unfinished Business”, a breakfast show which he claims will make history.

The debut show featured a tribute to Fana “Khabzela” Khaba, the late iconic YFM DJ who inspired Sbu and many other Gautengers. The show embarked on a campaign to raise funds for the unveiling of Khabzela’s tombstone. In addition to that, Sbu also took listeners on a trip down memory lane, playing unforgettable old-school hits.

From what I heard Sbu has lost none of that radio charm that gained him millions of followers; his return might just be the saving grace for a radio station that has been accused of losing touch with its target market.