The Rise of a Star: Janelle Monae

From her humble beginnings in Kansas City, I have followed Janelle Monae as an artiste and from then till now she has never disappointed. This exuberant young woman who has been likened to Andre 3000 of OutKast has a very unique approach to her music and performances. Decked out in her black and white tuxedo like ensemble, she always bend society's perception of what a female artist should be. Refusing to conform has made Ms. Monae a much needed breath of fresh air.

Monae is striking in every sense of the word, her music encouraged her move from Kansas to ATL where she founded her label the "  Wondaland Arts Society" ... not your average recording label. Under them she produced her first album "The Audition"  a piece of work which many of the music industry's top moguls slept on and it was highly underrated and never officially released. 

However, Monae caught the attention of music's most outstanding duo "OutKast" and it was influential in the exposure which she received from this point forward. Take a listen to "The Audition"

Monae has since moved onto bigger and better things, signing a distribution deal with Badboy, which has proven to be nothing less that vital to her establishment as one of the biggest names in our time. In my opinion it is very important for Monae to hone her craft under her original label, since as we have seen time and time again in the music industry, young talent is robbed of its uniqueness, and being signed results in their music becoming very run of the mill, their image is altered to fit the mould and the majority eventually fall into the shadows.

This can never be said of Janelle Monae who is on the verge of releasing her second major album "  The ArchAndroid"  which, from the sample she has posted on her Myspace is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with. They are no filler tracks on this album, each song is lyrically astounding and the beats are equally iconic.

May 18th is the release date for her album and I look forward to purchasing it ....something I rarely do :). Ms. Monae has my support as a fan as long as she stays true to her music.

xoxo

Risse

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What's That Vid Update

The much anticipated video from my favourite songstress Alicia Keys is HERE. She has pushed the envelope from the usual and mundane, in every sense of the word. The video for "Unthinkable" is a breath of fresh air from the overrated trash we see on a daily with scantily clad women, booty shaking, pole dancing and money throwing that is flooding the contemporary music industry.

Ms. Keys has tapped into one of the most sensitive topics which has faced human nature for centuries to bring a message which is relevant yet timeless. Co starring in the video is "One Tree Hill" actor Chad Michael Murray, her Caucasian love interest that was discouraged from getting involved with her due to their difference in race. What strikes me about this video is the transitions from one time period set in the 50's to that of modern day America, yet the same mindset and racist mentality is constant. One must admit it has a storyline which leaves you wondering what will happen next...a great opportunity for another video from her album "  The Element of Freedom"  .

A. Keys has done it again people...she has brought her wholesomeness to the table and it has paid off well. Stay true to your music Alicia Keys and you will always have me as a fan.

Peep at the video below:

Unthinkable

xoxo

Risse

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What's that Vid??

So since I'm such a music video junkie I decided to start a new thing on here name "What's that Vid?". I'm going to be posting and reviewing videos by artistes who I think really did exceptionally well. This will not be about bashing, so if you don't see the vid here...it's not that it wasn't good just I probably haven't seen it as yet.

So far for the week I have had the pleasure of watching "Why Don't You Love Me" by Beyonce, "Ride" by Ciara and the behind the scenes for "Sex Room" by Ludacris ft. Trey Songs and "Unthinkable" by Alicia Keys (who by the way is my favourite artiste...hands down!).

People are always quick to criticize Beyonce, but honestly is there anything new under the sun? I don't think so we just think stuff is original because we haven't seen it before, doesn't mean it wasn't done. Even though Bey's video is very characteristic of the 60s and 70s, I think she did a great job in capturing the essence of that time period and really bringing it with this video. The lyrics in the song match the entire concept perfectly and she does get a lil cheeky dusting off her Grammys in the end...but that's her right they are hers! I give B.B. Homemaker two thumbs up for keeping it thrilla!!!

Now even though Ci Ci has been off the scene for a bit she hasn't lost her touch. In this collab with Ludacris we see the raw and risque side of the usual girl next door. The song in itself is a play on words and Ciara definitely brought it with the alter-ego ish scenes where she is a diva and a home girl...this vid makes you wanna just go in the gym!!! The ending was somewhat cliche but fitting for the song, riding a bull and dripping wet in a white tee :) Just a bit of Girls Gone Wild!

From what I have seen from the behind the scenes of "Sex Room" and " Unthinkable" they are definite must sees. Luda and Trey are getting their grown and sexy on with some sharp suits and classy ladies. It's definitely a good look, one that some of these other artistes should take note of...the days of big white tees and baggy pants are so over! See pics here

Last but certainly not least, I am so anticipating Ms. Keys !!! This song has been on repeat in my playlist since she dropped the album "Element of Freedom". She must be commended for always having a message in her videos, one which is lasting and has you just wanting more and more (I'm bias, but I really don't care). From the looks of it she has continued on this trend with the vid, I'm seeing some racial themes and its looking good. Show them how to do it Ms. Keys! See more pics and behind the scene clips here.

That's all for now with "What's that Vid??" stay tune for updates and more reviews to come!

xoxo

Risse

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Quantity Over Quality??? Crop Over Music 2010

Now that I have so much free time on my hands, I have been browsing and surfing even more and I decided to take a listen to some of the releases for Crop Over 2010 over on my favourite website www.bajantube.com.

At this point I think I should have stayed on the clothing websites and Facebook cause from the few tracks I've been able to endure...I hope that its not a reflection on the entire season. Honestly people, 2009 was such a good year where is the consistency????

I have always questioned why everyone thinks that they can be an artiste. God placed everyone here with a purpose and not everyone is blessed to know what their purpose is early in life but some of the people who choose to sing for carnival really taking it as a joke.

Yes we have our comic reliefs like Contone and Pong, John Mohammed and Nard but when you listen to their music you get a good laugh and a good wukkup!!! My mum always told me it takes an intelligent person to play the role of an idiot and I think this needs to be applied here.Too many people are just doing this ting for doing it sake and don't have nah passion nah drive nah natting! (see my bajan seeping in here cause it startin to get to me!)

But who is to blame for the poor quality of music? The chain of command is a long and winding one; too many hands which music passes through. But namely the artiste, the producer and the DJs are the main tenants in the distribution of music for our festival. "

" Yeah tings tight and evabody tryin to mek a dolla"  but does that mean we sacrifice quality for the sake of quantity. Is it better to have 10 not so good songs than 3 great ones?

I am no artiste, producer or DJ ...but I am the part of the general public and we are the final decision makers when it comes down to a song being a HIT or a MISS, and from what I've been hearing so far...alot of misses!

With that being said, I am yet to hear any songs from the heavy hitters in the industry (I int callin nah names wanna know who wanna is!) and I eagerly anticipate what you will bring for me this year. Yes I said me, cause it's my ears who have to endure or enjoy!

You can take a listen below to some of the tracks that are catching my interest so far:

Bajantube.com Skinny Fabulous - Strong Rum "Sumthing"(Crop Over 2010)

Bajantube.com Basil - Forking De Ground(Crop Over 2010)

Bajantube.com Alison Hinds - Dis Is Jouvert (Tone Def Riddim)(Crop Over 2010)

Bajantube.com Biggie Irie - Leave She Alone (Tone Def Riddim)(Crop Over 2010)

This list is not exhausted...so go on over to bajantube and take a listen to the rest of the music for 2010.

xoxo

Risse 

Its So Far From Over...It's Just The Beginning

So on April 30th...at 6pm I was unofficially a graduate at UWI. I wasn't as exuberant as I had expected but I guess it hadn't sunken in as yet. However a week later I am fully adjusted to no studying, no thesis and no boring ass lectures, for now anyways.

Then it dawned upon me that I was so fussy to finish but this is only the beginning. The beginning of the rest of my life and I know it is cliche but all the decisions I make from this point onward will have an everlasting impact on the person I become. Sigh I'm getting way too deep lol I'll leave my rants for later.

The end of exams signal the beginning of another wonderful, fun filled and eventful summer! Summer in Barbados is not just about the weather cause its summer all year round but the entire atmosphere. Everyone is back home, there are too many parties to choose from and last but certainly not least the biggest festival on the island. Some call it Crop Over, other call it Kadooment...I call it the best time of the year. This time I intend to get out to more events, be more involved with the calvalcades, keep in touch with the releasing of tracks and give my reviews on the different party scenes.

So look out for those reviews, costumes and much more on the Y.F.B