Utter Rubbish: Music

Naija music

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:27:59 GMT

Oh well after my [mostly] coherent blog yesterday, I decided to talk 'bout Naija music duh......like d title doesn't say that already. Anyhoo, I was watching the 3 first minutes of Fringe (yes, that $10m pilot), with all the melting people (cool. I was waitin' 4 d plane to nose dive, then I rememberd d dude had it auto-pilot. So it will run out gas, and THEN nosedive), then I got distracted by the wikipedia page on pilots. Then I got distracted by the Asa's page on wikipedia, then I watched Naija music videos on utube. Which in turn lead to this blog. Yes people, sometimes I've the attention span of a gold fish.
Anyhoo, I read a review of Asa's Fire on the Mountain and the last paragraph - "She could be one of the stars of this year, or she could be an underground voice that only gets recognition in fleeting moments, either way if you like soul, funk or reggae you need to get on this girl now." - [especially those two phrases] got me thinking. I realised she could be actually really big. C'mon d media's always going on 'bout Duffy, I finally listened to Mercy & I went "Is that it?", then I tried to justify it - "It actually a good song, but I have an issue with her voice" - then I remembered why I have issues with Miley Cyrus - I can't stand her speaking voice, but never stopped me from screeching out "The Best of Both Worlds" @ random times. Yes, all my thoughts r actually this disorganised. Now back to the topic, Asa should be big. If she was some American, she would be called the new Dylan. Don't worry Dylians, I'm just makin' an example. Anyhoo, I think she is one of the few Nigerian artistes who can get moderate to crazy success in the international mainstream market.
Lyrically, sometimes she sounds like a goody two shoes activist envisions Fela with baked cookies, a smile, waving a flower & saying peace & love, sometimes like a woman in love, but always gearing towards hope. Asa's best when she's live, especially when it's only her & her guitar.

I'm sure your wondering who the others are, **breathes in**well here we go **breathes out**:

D'banj - The self appointed koko master, with his producer buddy Don Jazzy make a very formidable team. D'banj yells mainstream to a fault, his catchy singles almost always tops the Nigerian charts. Plus his music videos are almost always on point, lets just say some Naij music videos would win a Razzie for "Worst All-Time Music Video Fullstop". His hooks are all always catchy, think T-Pain with a harmonica minus autotune. While his lyrics can be border line nonsensical, raunchyish (since koko seems to mean a lot of things) and more or less about women. Gosh, he sounds like R. Kelly minus the over the top bumping & grinding & chestering.

2face Idibia - Everyone expected African Queen to be his international breakthrough single, well it kinda worked, it bagged him a MTV Award (Best African Act). He is still a talented brother tho. Now if only Kennis Music/his manager could step their game up.

Honourable mentions

P-Square - Naija's own twin Ushers. They could be big, if they don't get sued for copyright infringement 1st.
Styl-Plus - Naija's own Boyz II Men. kinda
Modenine - One of Naij's best rappers no question. For those Arsenal fans, you can hear his "Arsenal Anthem" here.
Dare Art-Alade - Former radio presenter turned singer, he went on the first Project Fame came third. More or less the Lamar story. Plus being the son of Art Alade, a late great Nigerian singer, has its perks.

Some videos
Close to You - Mo Hits All Stars (i.e D'banj, Wande Coal, Sid & D'Prince for d ignorant kiddies out there.)
Jailer - Asa
Fair on the Mountain - Asa (love the colours in this video)
2step - 4th Republic (actually like d video, but have a few issues.)
Jailer (cover) - Soji (not an official video, but I like the cover.)
Baraje - Ruggedman (Em loves this song with a passion, this's the only video available on utube)
Move Your Body - D'banj ft. Wande Coal
Why Me - D'banj
Fuji - Dare Art-Alade ft. Ikechukwu, Dekunle Fuji
Young Man (Skillz) - Dare ft. Tyrbesmen
Bizzy Body - P-Square
Get Squared - P-Square (This video has d case of extra bassness, while this has the lower quality issues.)
Omoge Mi - P-Square
Do Me - P-Square ft. Waj
Imagine That - Styl-Plus
Drive Me Crazy (Remix) - Styl-Plus ft. 2-Shotz & Big-Lo. ("What hell did Zeal do to his hair?!" said the woman with the jacked up afro.)
Olufunmi - Styl-Plus
Runaway - Styl-Plus (cheezy as hell, plus d dance scene always cracks me up.)
Cry - Modenine ft. Nnena
Carry Dey Go - Dare ft. 2face Idibia (Dare sounds like Cameo in d begining)

I know I forgot a lot of 'em, but little old me only makes this stuff as she goes along.

I still have Fringe on pause. Counting the seconds to The Stolen Earth, best next time trailer of the season.

Unsigned bands (I think)

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:55:12 GMT

Could sm1 pls tell these unsignd bands 2 stop playin their ratha crap music, I live 8mins away from d Carling Academy & Bar Academy, nxt door 2 pubs, 8mins away from Aston Uni, 1 of 'em's gotta b producin' these awful sounds. Seriously, some metal band or wateva was yellin' a few mins ago. Then I rememba, hearing' some Bhangra (I cud b wrong) music, an hour or so, then more metal crap, 1.5-2hrs (yes, while I was typin' my previous blog). D probelm is d instrumentals r great, till d chickens open their mouths. Oh well, I want a Galaxy Caramalised Hazelnuts & Cookie Crumble [Thank God, Tesco's stoppd their 2 4 £1.50 offer. Almost gave myself, a chocolate induced carpel tunnel].

Mmm....my poor poor health, teeth, body. There goes my GDA.

Update: some dude, just wrote smthin in japanese/chinese on my previous (d 20 things 1, didn't notice till now) 死者已逝去生者当惊醒欢迎访问保平安 according 2 google translate, in japanese it means "d death of d livin' dead", while d link says "keeper of peace". Ratha morbid that dude. + I'm now kinda lost & it didn't translate sm characters. In chinese, it means "The deceased had been awakened when the passing away of Health, welcomed the visit for security and peace". Still a tad bit morbid, still confusin'. Now d kiddies r singin "The Boys r Back in Town". Now I want chicken. Now d fire alarm's gone off, goody.

Update 2: Now, there's fireworks!OOOOhhh....now I rememba 2day's Astonbury. Wit all d daily e-mails, I actually 4got [time's now 22:50:52 7/6/07]. Startd @ noon 2day endin' @ 1am 2mrw. 13hrs of gd/crappy music. Damn fireworks. As 4 d fire alarm, it went on for 45mins, thnx to flat 205 & their cookin'. @ least it wasn't me, this time. Damn fireworks. The firemen came, UNITE operator was a tad stupid, she kept sayin' d firemen were comin', when THEY were d 1s makin' d call. + d asian dude/dudette, left more of d same random comments on 2 of my blogs.

Timbo

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:25:50 GMT

I'm beginning 2 slowly disrespect Timbaland's genius. Everytime I hear a Timbo sound [currently have Get it Girl on repeat, yes I got it 5mins ago.], I suddenly bcom suspect. And have been a Timbo fan since '95, gosh I startd 2ndry skool in '95, bloody hell, I'm old. He doesn't even try to flip or reverse it [damn Blazin' Squad, d 1 song of theirs I actually like] e.g Exodus 04 clearly lifts Aitha Al Menhali's "Meshkeltek", yes everything includin' d groans. I don't have d energy, 2 start listin' 'em, since most of my faves fall under that category. If ur gonna use 'em, credit 'em, thats my only beef. Imagine if he did that to d Rolling Stones, his ass wud hav been broke, look @ how RS messed up d Verve's biggest hit "Bittersweet Symphony". Richard Ashcroft wrote d lyrics & only used RS's "The Last Time" as a foundation, he even made a new continuous riff, Keith Richards & Mick Jagger now have sole writing credits. So RA/Verve don't get royalties off his/their best hit!
One of these days I'll go out of my way 2 "sample" a Timbo sound & credit d original artists & wait 4 Timbo's lawsuit, then bitchslap him wit his own comment "It's only a sample stupid." & a counter-suit, plus if he wins he wil b in deep dudu - a lose-lose situation. I wonder, how am I eva going 2 achieve this, its not like a produce or anythin'. Altho, I always have sick beats in my head. I give him credit 4 havin a good ear & all but seriously dude credit d originals, it's becomin' quite embarassing.

In random news, whats with d freaky dicky wind? A sista got seriously light headed yesterday, if it wasn't for d massive Coulson & Richardson textbooks in my bag, I wud have been Keri'd Away [blame Hilson, & her delayed, now shortened titled album, yes I'm a slow typer]. Plus d wind closed my window.
Damn u stage6 for d 3day heads up, I only became a member last week, after years of holdin' back. Oh well, I stil have my other sites.
And an extremely random but kinda music related comment. Try replacing d words "She Will Be Loved" from Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved" wit d movie title "There Will Be Blood", kinda stops d proceedings doesn't it? Been doin' that since I saw d movie title last year 4 some absurd reason - I just bursted out in song when I 1st saw it. Yes ppl I kept going .....and there will be blood, and there will be blooooood, and there will be bloooo-oo-oo-oo-od

Miss Hilson cud u release ur album already, I'm actually tempted to buy it. Tempted to buy being d negligable phrase.

Imogen Heap is crazy

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:32:34 GMT

Been catchin up on her vlog on utube. Petrol, wood & a bonfire - God bless her, its dangerous but fun [vlog #18]. Anyhoo, if u want 2c her utube channel click here. She's nuts [@ d end of #16,she was actin like a dog], crazy, insane, talentd & reminds me of Em [minus d talent]. Em, she makes music wit her shower & window blinds. Y can't u do dat Em?! Anyhoo, wheneva d new album or new single appears, it wil find its way 2 my ipod.

I wud luv 2 chat 2 her, imagine 2 crazies 2gthr - Ring d Alarm, sm crazies hv just been sightd.

i wil eventually......

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:48:39 GMT

speakin of music,em,i got som bargains from woolworths.

songbirds,a 3cd 54 track compilation of billie holiday,judy garland,d incredible ella fitzgerald,sarah vaughan n marlene dietrich £4.97
d best of nina simone songs 2 sing.2cd 39 tracks £5.97
d v best of fleetwood mac £4.97
my way d best of frank sinatra £4.97
love,a 3cd boxset £5.97

now,if i cud get som barry white,some more of miss fitzgerald,mayb some peggy lee n som classical.then we cud ggt d party started.err....yes am stil black,d r&b n rap cud wait,me needs somethin 4 d grown n (apparently) sexy.

or i cud jus dl d rest.nite kiddies,dis old bat's gotta fly.................n mayb go get som victims.

wow

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 05:27:14 GMT

wow,wow,wow.itunes has finally surprised me.imagine my shock/horror/pleasure n wat-not,when i found 9jan musicians all ova d place.i had 2 check whetha i was stil usin itunes uk or whetha d gods were indeed crazy.

yes-o,my ppl itunes don get 2face idibia (d 1 wit d remixes),african china (so u cn harrass OBJ n ur neighbour),plantashun boiz (oya start screechin "dont u know" n "knock me off"),faze dey there sef,oya start singin "faze alone".even azadus n tony tetuila stop singin "my car" dis instant!yes,styl-plus r stil there wit their eps as luvly as they r,they really need 2 move on 2 albums.n eedris abdulkareem dey there 2.*hmm...i wonder if ppl know bout d whole fiddy beef thingy*probably not.n yes d'banj dey there.wasnt surprisd.surprisingly,jjc's missin.freestyle's there 4 once its d rapper nt a rap freestyle.

n yes em,ruggedman's there,d only 1 u knw,n ur song's his top download.well,enuff of dat now.

in other non-related news,i did my 1st wikipedia article (ok,it was an album,but i sat down an wrote d tracklistin n uploaded d pic n blah)well,if ur interested its 2face's face 2 face.they really do let anybody do it.dont they?

n btw,who r blue pie productions??all d naija songs on itunes says they r d label.googled it n got some aussie website.

anyhoo,mes off 2 bed b4 this hiccup kills me

Trapped in d closet chapters 6-12

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 16:26:32 GMT

yes am back again wit dis song(s) aka ghetto drama.dis song as more drama than gen hospital,passions,sunset beach,all my children,days of our lives,lovin n evry other soap opera i hv watchd in my lifetime english,spaniish,french,portugese,indian included,yesw i've watchd a lot,som willingly,som not so willingly,d rest heard em in my sleep.

anyhoo,bck 2 d song(s),well,if u heard d 1st 5,u'd knw sylvester (nt d cat,r.kelly's character) slept in anoda chic's house (conviently on d 5th floor),kathy's (said chic) husband,a pastor (rufus),came home had some hanky panky wit his wife.durin said hanky,sylvester's phone rings (hes trapped in d closet,hence d title).rufus obviously hears d phone.this gettin ratha lengthy.syl pulls out his beretta n a v interestin affair is revealed.turns out rufus is also on d down low wit anoda man (chuck,who we find out is a deacon in ch 12).anyhoo,syl calls his phone.............n a guy answers it.dats only 1-3,in 4 his stoppd by a cop (y?dude's speedin,hes obviously pissd,duh!)in 5,turns out his wife (gwendolyn) slept wit said policemen (who she met thru kathy,yes she knws rufus n chuck)

now about said 6-12,6 starts wit syl laffin wat wud u do,cry?he tells her bout d stuff dat happend (minus d names),they both laff it off.d cop (1st he was calld billy,then he bcame james) comes bck out of concern,thinks gwen's in danger.in d end,syl n james hv a showdown (western style),som1 gts shot.7,turns out gwen's bro (twan) got shot,ends wit rosie,d nosy neighbour,wit a spatula,which happens 2b facin 2 guns (courtesy of syl n twan).8,d policeman goes home 2 his wife (bridget),smtin smells fishy.9,searches d kitchen n finds a midget (big man,dont ask!).10,james ruffin up big man.bridget calls kathy (she found her no in her hubby's wallet),syl n twan come 2 d rescue.11,we find out y big man's calld big man.we also find out whos d baby's daddy (bridget's preggers).12,bck 2 rufus' joint.agruments n threats amock.gwen calls n finds out twas kathy uh huh.talk bout spoilers.all in all,i luv dis song

my fingers killin me.........go check ur closet

eureka!i remba!

Mon, 10 Oct 2005 19:50:14 GMT

i wantd u yarn bout d pussycat dolls' wait a minute ft timbaland.been playin d song on repeat on my pone.d song's bloody catchy mayb its jus me,yup its jus me.its a shame dat only nicole (d lead singer) dat sings 99.9% sounds familiar,think destiny's child with all d past n present membas n still beyonce..............

anyhoo i think they sud let d others sing esp melody gosh i sound like a 12 yr old.

well dats all folks cuz me thinks i've 4gotten again mayb it sud b my catchphrase....

u tot it was smtin v important,srry mate,its life its neva - fair

dont u like it......

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 20:19:46 GMT

........when u listen 2 a song n d singer seems 2 knw wat he/she/it is doin?e.g hearin s club 8 (juniors,munckins or wateva they r calld these days) singin bout luv i think it was calld fool no more.4 christsakes!d oldest was 11 mayb 13 at d time,jeez luv my arse!they hadnt got out of their nappies at d time......if ur an s club8 fan,u cud vent ur anger,i wish.

anyhoo,as i was sayin,d song am really feelin rite nw is i sud hav cheatd by keyshia cole.she seems 2 knw wat shes on bout,u knw when ur hearin 4rm som1 whos caught her man cheatin yea dat kind of thing.wit d way she sings it,bloody hell,u blive her.all her exs sud b shot n praised.

2 u it mite b a horse's ass horse's donkey ,2 me it's a bloody gd srry great,beautiful n beautifully sung song. dats enuff english 4 2dy

shot cuz they were fools.praisd cuz we'd neva hv this great song.

Trapped In The Closet chapters 1-5 by R. Kelly

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 14:23:07 GMT

i luv dis song so much i hv 2 make a blog of it.talk bout drama.dis is betta than an episode of eastenders.R. Kelly sud b given a grammy jus 4 dis sng alone.as much as i wud luv 2 put dis online,i cnt lets jus say i've been bannd already 4 3days.imajin,on d day i was connectd.

anyhoo,bck 2 d sng,it puts a whole meanin 2 karma,iits a worst case scenario 4 cheatin spouses,it aint a love triangle,its more like chaotic hexagon.i recommend u watch it on www.launch.com.

characters - a married man,whos a closet gay pastor; his wife who cheated wit kelly; his gay partner; r. kelly; policeman; kelly's wife ,who cheated wit said policeman.

additional characters -- a condom(unknown brand),cigarettes(also an unknown),a berretta n misc

on a lightr note

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 12:21:51 GMT

tot i'd give u guyz a sng called olufunmi by styl-plus.they make yoruba sound sexy (4 non-9jans dats d language they r singin in d chorus).

u guys cn stop spoilin d song now.sm of u r givin it a celine dion makeova.