New album by Bethany Marcus a Rnb singer from London. Also signed to Island records. Even if RnB isn't your thing I can assure you she is amazing and extremely pretty. So pretty she could be the new Cheryl Cole. If you don't download or buy this album you are a fool because i sense this girl is going to be big. If she wasn't I wouldnt continue, so plaese read furthur to see what I think of her album Little by Little.
Little by little - awesome club banger, can also imagine this in Glee sung by Rachel or Mercedes, coz its a big powerful tune.
Don't let it die - Love ballad, Whitney Houston style lyrics, not feeling the backings would suit a less clubby backing track. But thats my opinion, great vocals though.
Played our song - Makes me dance like Usher, awesome song reminisent of Jasmine Sullivan.
Living for the moment - great club banger, makes you sing into your hair brush.
Take it to the streets - Can imagine this in a dance film like the streets, sounds a little like early Rhianna.
Am I invisible? - Slower song but very deep, not a song for the depressed as would make you feel more so.
Closet full of clothes - Typical girl song which the title suggests. Awesome song, makes me feel empowered when I'm having a bad day.
Float - Slow jam, beautifully written and sung.
It's Destiny ft Liam Heart - Beautiful love duet, perfect song for any couple who is deeply in love. The cynical amoungst my readers will appreciate the beautiful nievity in the lyrics.
Girls are all alike - True song, helpful to guys who are confused by women because we all desire the same stuff from guys.
Dance - Electro/disco beat I would play this on full blast before going out clubbing just to get in the mood. Mind you i would be worried if tweens were singing this song as its a bit adult in theme.
High - Lady Gaga style beat but i love the lyrics.
colours for you - My fav song on the album, poetic and melodic. Sounds like Rhianna when she started out.
Fairytales and make believe - Beautiful lyrics and makes you feel young and old at the same time, I'm not sure why i feel that but I like it.
19 October 2010
14 October 2010
Review of Damien Simpsons' album Waiting for you
One day I was on myspace and got a friend request from a Damien Simpson and being me just accepted it and got talking. As one thing lead to another I discovered he is a UK RnB artist, lovely sweet guy with a sexy honey voice. I'm not a big fan of RnB as it is a vistage of my younger self, back in the day when I was 14 and listening to Ray Charles and Chris Brown (way before finding out he was a wife beating thug). Me naturally a massive music fan thought OK i will take a listen to his music. I was not prepared to fall musically in love!I'm not a mushy person but if I was in a relationship or a young teenager I would totally have a crush on this guy and blast his album on repeat reeatedly on full blast. I can't begin to explain how profoundly his music struck my ears. His melodies are beautifully executed, the harmonies have an amazing counterpint that Bach would be proud of. His lyrics are catchy and very romantic. Thank god this young man is signed otherwise I would have to say there is something wrong with the world. He is signed to Island Records, who also signed big names like Titchy Styder. (No comment on the theme my blog is progressing to.) Enough of me drooling and on to some professional criticism.
Track list (Bonus edition)
Waiting for you - Bit of a soft rock love ballad with the electric giutar, very chris brown, slow and very romantic
Find a way - Very poetic, like a modern version of Marvin Gaye
Kiss - a respectful song about kissing, respecting a woman holding off from more than just a kiss
Love my girlfriend - Cute, realising he loves his girlfriend after he lost her.
Tender love - Very tender, a male version of Alicia Keys, the piano is what makes me think this, the rhythm is perfect for slow dancing or if you're in a romantic mood for sensual sex.
Real pretty tonight - A perfect song for getting ready on a friday night with the girls, makes you feel cute, would also be very romantic if a guy sung this to you. Very Chris Brown style.
Calling for you - Makes you wanna sing into your hairbrush, a very Neyo style love song. His voice is like cadburys milk chocolate, very sweet and makes you feel amazing.
We in love ft Miss Perfect - First song I heard, reminds me of my first relationship in school, the one with your first kiss. Its beautifully nieve and Miss Perfect has a lovely tone to her voice, these two voices work very harmoniously together.
The Xmas song - Isn't your standard xmas song but does make you wish you were celebrating xmas everyday, a very lovely love song about family. I love the gentle hint of soprano saxophone in the backings of the chorus.
Fallin' in love - Would be great to see a street dance video to this. Conjours up images of step up and other dance films. Got me humming along and doing a stevie wonder head movement.
In your face - O Tpain type intro, sometimes I have to check whether it is Damian Simpson and not Chris Brown, however the lyrics are very post Ray Charles and reaches even big girls like myself on a deep level. A tune mothers would love as it would make even them feel young. If your mum doesn't tell you to turn this up then there is a problem with my musical instincts.
My girlfriends girl - Uh Oh he has fallen for the wrong girl and it aint his girlfiend. I love this song as some guys will understand the issue sung here.
Forever - Rhianna springs to mind when i heard the intro. But it is a very sensitive song and I just wanna cry with happiness at this song coz they dont make guys like this any more.
Life of the party ft Jay Ray - A great club floorfiller. RnB isn't my main passion musically but this makes me wanna dance and dig out my teen record collection. makes me feel very nostalgic and 14 again.
Track list (Bonus edition)
Waiting for you - Bit of a soft rock love ballad with the electric giutar, very chris brown, slow and very romantic
Find a way - Very poetic, like a modern version of Marvin Gaye
Kiss - a respectful song about kissing, respecting a woman holding off from more than just a kiss
Love my girlfriend - Cute, realising he loves his girlfriend after he lost her.
Tender love - Very tender, a male version of Alicia Keys, the piano is what makes me think this, the rhythm is perfect for slow dancing or if you're in a romantic mood for sensual sex.
Real pretty tonight - A perfect song for getting ready on a friday night with the girls, makes you feel cute, would also be very romantic if a guy sung this to you. Very Chris Brown style.
Calling for you - Makes you wanna sing into your hairbrush, a very Neyo style love song. His voice is like cadburys milk chocolate, very sweet and makes you feel amazing.
We in love ft Miss Perfect - First song I heard, reminds me of my first relationship in school, the one with your first kiss. Its beautifully nieve and Miss Perfect has a lovely tone to her voice, these two voices work very harmoniously together.
The Xmas song - Isn't your standard xmas song but does make you wish you were celebrating xmas everyday, a very lovely love song about family. I love the gentle hint of soprano saxophone in the backings of the chorus.
Fallin' in love - Would be great to see a street dance video to this. Conjours up images of step up and other dance films. Got me humming along and doing a stevie wonder head movement.
In your face - O Tpain type intro, sometimes I have to check whether it is Damian Simpson and not Chris Brown, however the lyrics are very post Ray Charles and reaches even big girls like myself on a deep level. A tune mothers would love as it would make even them feel young. If your mum doesn't tell you to turn this up then there is a problem with my musical instincts.
My girlfriends girl - Uh Oh he has fallen for the wrong girl and it aint his girlfiend. I love this song as some guys will understand the issue sung here.
Forever - Rhianna springs to mind when i heard the intro. But it is a very sensitive song and I just wanna cry with happiness at this song coz they dont make guys like this any more.
Life of the party ft Jay Ray - A great club floorfiller. RnB isn't my main passion musically but this makes me wanna dance and dig out my teen record collection. makes me feel very nostalgic and 14 again.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - KRONZ
My name is Kronz, and I'm a 16 year old Grime MC/Producer from Hertfordshire (Just outside London)
1. what inspired you to get into the grime scene?
Well when I was about 13, I met an old friends older brother, and he was an experienced Grime producer. He told me about producing Grime and then about a week later he gave me a copy of Fruity Loops so I could start producing my own beats. I was inspired by him because I thought if I started making Grime beats, one day I will make something as good as his.
2. How old were you when you first heard grime? and where were you?
Wow, hmmm... I was about 12 when I first heard Grime. I was at school and everyone was just playing Grime beats from there phones... If I can remember, a popular beat back then that everyone knew about was Ruff Sqwad - Pied Piper Instrumental... [Laughs]
3. If you could collaborate with anyone in the scene who would it be?
Right now I've already started making these collabs happen, for example working with Clipson (Formerly Clipper of Fire Camp). Still, if I could collaborate with anyone in the scene, it would be Trim, Little Dee, P Money, Blackz, Dot Rotten, Merky ACE, M.I.K, Maxsta, Big H, Paper Pablo and a few more... I also want to do some work with Michael Hunter, The producer of the GTA IV theme song. He's very big, trust me.
4. Where's the strangest place you have created bars?
[Laughs].. Strangest place? Erm I'm not sure... Ill pass that one [Laughs]...
5. What is your favourite tune you have created?
I don't really have a favourite tune I've created. Every tune I make is a favourite to me because I feel that I'm upping the levels which is a very nice feeling...
6. Who are your influences?
My influences are the old school dogs in the grime scene... None of the new school rhymers really influence me because they all sound the same. Anyway the guys that influence me are man like D Double E, Wiley, Ghetto, Devlin, Dot Rotten, Rude Kid, President T and a couple more. Burial and Snugs influence me as well. If you don't know about them do your research...
7. If you didn't get into the music scene what would you rather do?
I thought about that actually... I would probably be a camera man shooting videos, It looks interesting still...
8. How much of your life and background influenced what you spit and write?
Yeah erm, quite a lot of my life and background really has influenced what I spit and write... Mainly the things that are going on in my life right now influences what I write down on the page..
9. What tunes would you recommend to someone who has never listened to your music?
Kronz - Looking Back ft Shawnie B (Produced By Dot Rotten). That's on my YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/kronzmusic. Make sure you subscribe, comment and rate if your new to my channel...
10. Have there been any women in your life that have been an inspiration to you musically?
No no no. I'm not that type of guy. I don't like to make music about women that inspire me because that's not really Grime. Ill leave that to the sweet boy MC's to do [Laughs]...
11. What advice would you give to anyone who wants to get into the scene?
Its not hard, but at the same time its not simple. If your looking to go into spitting, just make sure you know about the Grime scene, and what's going on everyday, don't act naive. Step out of your comfort zone and learn how to do new things e.g. Mastering a difficult flow, working on content, delivery, projection (which is what I'm working on at the moment). Most importantly learn how to network, so you can get your name around... For producers, learn how to develop your OWN style... I've noticed how a lot of the new skool producers are copying old skool producers styles and sounds, that's not the lick. Also learn how to get your beats around, show them to MCs & DJs, you never know they might like it and want to work with you in the future... But overall the best advice I can give to anyone that wants to get into the scene is work HARD!
12. Is there anyone in the scene you respect and anyone you also hate?
I respect most guys that are putting in work, and are actually getting somewhere for example MC Tigz, he's been putting in a lot of work and I can see that its paying off for him. I also respect Giggs, he's been putting in mad amounts of hard work and look where he is now... I don't hate anyone but I hate the fact that some of these new skool mcs copy each other, they don't wanna develop there own style, I've been hearing a lot of them with the same fast flows lately... The same goes for some of the new skool producers...
13. Do you think that grime could survive if MCs didn't spit about violence and the degradation of women?
Erm, to an extent, it could mainly because of the Grime artists that spit about love, but I wouldnt really call that Grime. A lot of Grime nowadays is about violence and crime and that's the type of grime I would listen to. Its your choice anyway... 14. Do you think that drugs play a major role in the scene for instance spitting about weed or even posing with a joint? [Laughs]... I see some people smoking zoots in videos and all that... I just think it helps you to think of more creative things... To me it doesn't play a major role. Its just weed [Laughs]... 15. What do you think of the grime artists who have gone commercial like NDubz, Titchy Stryder, Plan B, Chipmunk and Wiley? Do you think that has helped grime or killed it? Ill be honest, I don't really rate guys like Chipmunk. The fact that they said they would stay making Grime music and then turn to pop is a par. There tryna make Grime look bad, like there's no money in it, but don't watch that, its a new genre, soon there will be... [Laughs], Wiley? C'mon, he's helped Grime on a major scale! He's on another level, even though he sometimes makes Commercial music he still makes Grime, he sticks to his roots. I look up to him as a good artist all the time. If a Grime MC says that they have never looked up to Wiley, they are lying, trust me. I rate Wiley and always will.
16. Describe your average day as an artist.
Well first, go school as I do A-Levels... Come home and most times I'm just writing tunes so that there ready to record. If I'm not writing tunes, I'm making beats... And if I'm not making beats I'm promoting my shit... But still I ain't been to the studio in a hot second, but I'm eager to get back in there and bang out tunes.
17. Do you think that within the scene there is a lot of racism or do you tend to stay away from it?
Nah, not at all. I don't think there's any racism in the scene.
18. As an MC do you see what you write as a form of poetry/spoken word? Does poetical devices even get thought about when your writing?
Yeah sometimes I do... Erm yeah sometimes poetical devices run through my head when I'm barring. Rarely though, that's all technical.
20. Are there any female MCs that you think could be bigger than some of the biggest male MCs at the moment?
Not sure about that one still... I don't really listen to female MCs too tough. Lady Leshur is doing alot though!
21. What's your opinion about postcode wars in london, does it affect your music in any way shape or form, like who you would collaborate with or clash with?
Its kinda pointless, all this beefing over postcodes shit, but whatever happens, happens, as long as I know I'm cool its nothing really... It doesn't affect me at all, so all of my collabs go down.
22. If you were stuck on a desert island which 3 people and 5 objects/possessions would you take with you and why?
That's tricky [Laughs]... Ill pass that one...
23. What is your secret musical guilty pleasure?
I don't have any [Laughs], I only listen to real music...
24. if you had to be described as anything what would it be?
3 words, down to earth.
25. Most people would consider grime artists as ignorant due to their target audience, do you find that because of this people are actually surprised when you talk because you have a wider vocabulary than expected?
Nah its not even that you know. Most people that are naive to Grime think that, Grime artists are ignorant because their target audience doesn't include anything to do with the "Mainstream" scene... So because of that, they tend to think we know nothing about the big vocab and all that shit.. But all that's all a dead hype, I couldn't care less if someone thinks I'm ignorant because of the people I make music for.
26. Do you think that the way you dress makes you look predictably like a MC?
Nope, not really. I just do me to be honest... I let the music do the talking and not how I dress haha.
27. If you had to chose between your wifey or your mandem if there was a fight who would you back and why?
My mandem obviously. My bruddas always have to come before girls... I don't need to say no more!
28. What are your views on the following - Women, drugs, violence and the police?
With Women, I don't know what's wrong with some them now [Laughs]. Certain girls think there invincible now [Laughs]! I don't even wanna talk about drugs and violence [Laughs]. But yeah my view on the police? F*** them!
29. Where do you see yourself career wise in the next 5 years?
I see myself doing a lot for the Grime scene, I wanna be helping out the youngers that will be coming up because as a younger trying to get known, so many people blocked me out, so I want to do the complete opposite. But yeah, in the next 5 years I wanna see myself up there!
30. If you could be signed to any mainstream/independent label on a recording contract who would it be and why?
[Laughs], you know what! I don't even wanna be signed to any mainstream label! F*** Pop! 100% GRIME!!!
Myspace: www.MySpace.com/kronzmusic
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/kronzmusic
Soundcloud: www.Soundcloud.com/kronzmusic
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/kronzmusic
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/kronzman
1. what inspired you to get into the grime scene?
Well when I was about 13, I met an old friends older brother, and he was an experienced Grime producer. He told me about producing Grime and then about a week later he gave me a copy of Fruity Loops so I could start producing my own beats. I was inspired by him because I thought if I started making Grime beats, one day I will make something as good as his.
2. How old were you when you first heard grime? and where were you?
Wow, hmmm... I was about 12 when I first heard Grime. I was at school and everyone was just playing Grime beats from there phones... If I can remember, a popular beat back then that everyone knew about was Ruff Sqwad - Pied Piper Instrumental... [Laughs]
3. If you could collaborate with anyone in the scene who would it be?
Right now I've already started making these collabs happen, for example working with Clipson (Formerly Clipper of Fire Camp). Still, if I could collaborate with anyone in the scene, it would be Trim, Little Dee, P Money, Blackz, Dot Rotten, Merky ACE, M.I.K, Maxsta, Big H, Paper Pablo and a few more... I also want to do some work with Michael Hunter, The producer of the GTA IV theme song. He's very big, trust me.
4. Where's the strangest place you have created bars?
[Laughs].. Strangest place? Erm I'm not sure... Ill pass that one [Laughs]...
5. What is your favourite tune you have created?
I don't really have a favourite tune I've created. Every tune I make is a favourite to me because I feel that I'm upping the levels which is a very nice feeling...
6. Who are your influences?
My influences are the old school dogs in the grime scene... None of the new school rhymers really influence me because they all sound the same. Anyway the guys that influence me are man like D Double E, Wiley, Ghetto, Devlin, Dot Rotten, Rude Kid, President T and a couple more. Burial and Snugs influence me as well. If you don't know about them do your research...
7. If you didn't get into the music scene what would you rather do?
I thought about that actually... I would probably be a camera man shooting videos, It looks interesting still...
8. How much of your life and background influenced what you spit and write?
Yeah erm, quite a lot of my life and background really has influenced what I spit and write... Mainly the things that are going on in my life right now influences what I write down on the page..
9. What tunes would you recommend to someone who has never listened to your music?
Kronz - Looking Back ft Shawnie B (Produced By Dot Rotten). That's on my YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/kronzmusic. Make sure you subscribe, comment and rate if your new to my channel...
10. Have there been any women in your life that have been an inspiration to you musically?
No no no. I'm not that type of guy. I don't like to make music about women that inspire me because that's not really Grime. Ill leave that to the sweet boy MC's to do [Laughs]...
11. What advice would you give to anyone who wants to get into the scene?
Its not hard, but at the same time its not simple. If your looking to go into spitting, just make sure you know about the Grime scene, and what's going on everyday, don't act naive. Step out of your comfort zone and learn how to do new things e.g. Mastering a difficult flow, working on content, delivery, projection (which is what I'm working on at the moment). Most importantly learn how to network, so you can get your name around... For producers, learn how to develop your OWN style... I've noticed how a lot of the new skool producers are copying old skool producers styles and sounds, that's not the lick. Also learn how to get your beats around, show them to MCs & DJs, you never know they might like it and want to work with you in the future... But overall the best advice I can give to anyone that wants to get into the scene is work HARD!
12. Is there anyone in the scene you respect and anyone you also hate?
I respect most guys that are putting in work, and are actually getting somewhere for example MC Tigz, he's been putting in a lot of work and I can see that its paying off for him. I also respect Giggs, he's been putting in mad amounts of hard work and look where he is now... I don't hate anyone but I hate the fact that some of these new skool mcs copy each other, they don't wanna develop there own style, I've been hearing a lot of them with the same fast flows lately... The same goes for some of the new skool producers...
13. Do you think that grime could survive if MCs didn't spit about violence and the degradation of women?
Erm, to an extent, it could mainly because of the Grime artists that spit about love, but I wouldnt really call that Grime. A lot of Grime nowadays is about violence and crime and that's the type of grime I would listen to. Its your choice anyway... 14. Do you think that drugs play a major role in the scene for instance spitting about weed or even posing with a joint? [Laughs]... I see some people smoking zoots in videos and all that... I just think it helps you to think of more creative things... To me it doesn't play a major role. Its just weed [Laughs]... 15. What do you think of the grime artists who have gone commercial like NDubz, Titchy Stryder, Plan B, Chipmunk and Wiley? Do you think that has helped grime or killed it? Ill be honest, I don't really rate guys like Chipmunk. The fact that they said they would stay making Grime music and then turn to pop is a par. There tryna make Grime look bad, like there's no money in it, but don't watch that, its a new genre, soon there will be... [Laughs], Wiley? C'mon, he's helped Grime on a major scale! He's on another level, even though he sometimes makes Commercial music he still makes Grime, he sticks to his roots. I look up to him as a good artist all the time. If a Grime MC says that they have never looked up to Wiley, they are lying, trust me. I rate Wiley and always will.
16. Describe your average day as an artist.
Well first, go school as I do A-Levels... Come home and most times I'm just writing tunes so that there ready to record. If I'm not writing tunes, I'm making beats... And if I'm not making beats I'm promoting my shit... But still I ain't been to the studio in a hot second, but I'm eager to get back in there and bang out tunes.
17. Do you think that within the scene there is a lot of racism or do you tend to stay away from it?
Nah, not at all. I don't think there's any racism in the scene.
18. As an MC do you see what you write as a form of poetry/spoken word? Does poetical devices even get thought about when your writing?
Yeah sometimes I do... Erm yeah sometimes poetical devices run through my head when I'm barring. Rarely though, that's all technical.
20. Are there any female MCs that you think could be bigger than some of the biggest male MCs at the moment?
Not sure about that one still... I don't really listen to female MCs too tough. Lady Leshur is doing alot though!
21. What's your opinion about postcode wars in london, does it affect your music in any way shape or form, like who you would collaborate with or clash with?
Its kinda pointless, all this beefing over postcodes shit, but whatever happens, happens, as long as I know I'm cool its nothing really... It doesn't affect me at all, so all of my collabs go down.
22. If you were stuck on a desert island which 3 people and 5 objects/possessions would you take with you and why?
That's tricky [Laughs]... Ill pass that one...
23. What is your secret musical guilty pleasure?
I don't have any [Laughs], I only listen to real music...
24. if you had to be described as anything what would it be?
3 words, down to earth.
25. Most people would consider grime artists as ignorant due to their target audience, do you find that because of this people are actually surprised when you talk because you have a wider vocabulary than expected?
Nah its not even that you know. Most people that are naive to Grime think that, Grime artists are ignorant because their target audience doesn't include anything to do with the "Mainstream" scene... So because of that, they tend to think we know nothing about the big vocab and all that shit.. But all that's all a dead hype, I couldn't care less if someone thinks I'm ignorant because of the people I make music for.
26. Do you think that the way you dress makes you look predictably like a MC?
Nope, not really. I just do me to be honest... I let the music do the talking and not how I dress haha.
27. If you had to chose between your wifey or your mandem if there was a fight who would you back and why?
My mandem obviously. My bruddas always have to come before girls... I don't need to say no more!
28. What are your views on the following - Women, drugs, violence and the police?
With Women, I don't know what's wrong with some them now [Laughs]. Certain girls think there invincible now [Laughs]! I don't even wanna talk about drugs and violence [Laughs]. But yeah my view on the police? F*** them!
29. Where do you see yourself career wise in the next 5 years?
I see myself doing a lot for the Grime scene, I wanna be helping out the youngers that will be coming up because as a younger trying to get known, so many people blocked me out, so I want to do the complete opposite. But yeah, in the next 5 years I wanna see myself up there!
30. If you could be signed to any mainstream/independent label on a recording contract who would it be and why?
[Laughs], you know what! I don't even wanna be signed to any mainstream label! F*** Pop! 100% GRIME!!!
Myspace: www.MySpace.com/kronzmusic
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/kronzmusic
Soundcloud: www.Soundcloud.com/kronzmusic
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/kronzmusic
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/kronzman
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