So Solid is back...

Vis talks to Megaman (& Neutrino) about the return of one of UK music's biggest success stories for the last 20 years... 

I was invited to a music seminar in London last year - Megaman was one of the industry guests - he is a very skilled speaker & this interview goes some way to letting you see why he was pushed to the forefront by the rest of the crew.

Interview link

Lil Wayne meets Mo'Nique & intros Young Money...

Young Money keeps growing & Wayne leaves the syrup at home... 

Interview & introduction

James Brown Unauthorized Bio...

Short tribute to the man who was responsible for touching/inspiring more genres of music than any artist in history... 

Unauthorized Biography of James Brown

The Carter Doc...

New documentary about Lil Wayne by QD3 Entertainment

Ryan Leslie Interview

Anthony Ryan Leslie has been putting in the work as a producer / writer / artist & accomplished musician for years - but is only just beginning to see the kind of success & acclaim he deserves.

I recently linked up with him - during a brief UK promotional tour - where we discussed everything from his time at Harvard University, climbing the music industry ladder, being the man behind the "Cassie phenomenon" & how he's gone about marketing himself as a recording artist in his own right.

Special thanks to:

Ryan Leslie & Next Selection

Martin In Full Swing (Camera)

Maurice & Anita at Soul2streets

Watch more at Late Manoeuvres TV

JMJ Documentary... The Life & Death

New documentary about legendary RUN DMC DJ - Jam Master Jay...

12 Months Later...!

The Late Manoeuvres Live mixtape dropped exactly 12 months ago - so it's time to put it out there for anyone who missed out... recorded live at a University performance... shout out to Danger the sound engineer who also did a big solo performance himself (check Late Manoeuvres TV) plus also shout outs to Toy Soldiers representatives - Action Jackson, Soopa Jay, Lee Bee & Rach, also Monique, DJ X Flow, Drastik on Cam & not forgetting Leanne Davies the SU Ents Manager who booked us & all the students, security & staff who all helped make the show turn out special!!!  

Extra special thank goes out to all those who supported the mixtape from it's release!

Please click on mixtape cover to go to preview/download link:

Amerie Mi Marie Rodgers

One of the standout singles for 2009 - "Why R U" cleverly plays on old skool samples, laced with RnB melodies... the album "In Love & War" drops next week on Def Jam...

Hear more of the forthcoming album here: http://www.myspace.com/ameriemimarie

Late...

Original "X-Men" DJ Roc Raida & original New York Radio DJ Mr Magic both passed away in recent months having contributing much to Hip Hop culture:

Thoughts go out to their family & friends!

The evolution of Ashley Thomas...

Seriously steppin up his game this year Bashy has really taken UK music a step further. Whether you love or hate the new directions he has taken his sound - you can't deny that he has become one of the most consistent artists of this decade!

This video reminded me of the Dallas TV show intro - for all those 80s babies (or was that Dynasty...?)

Simple but effective tho still...

Catch Me If You Can out now...

http://www.bashy.com

Young G-City DJ to perform winning set in Bristol!

I have been working as a New Music specialist at Chequers Bridge Youth Arts Centre, Gloucester for nearly 4 years - during this time I have had many young people try their hand at DJing... most find it much more difficult than they originally thought.

One young DJ has over the last 6 months shown serious interest & dedication which is essential for any young musician who wants to take their chosen discipline forward.  DJ Red Devil was entered for the Dubstep category of the B2B DJ Contest in Bristol organised by DJ Jagos in association with REMIX & Kiss 100.

Having been selected as the winner of his category, DJ Red Devil will be performing a set back 2 back with Joker at the New Generation Takeover, Colston Hall, Bristol this Saturday.  

For more info on Red Devil and to here his winning set go to his new myspace page here: 

http://www.myspace.com/reddevil

http://www.chequersbridgeyac.co.uk

The evolution of Shawn Carter...

September 14th 2009 and The Blueprint 3 finally gets an official UK release (still waiting on my copy...) this promo video is one of the ILLEST I've seen in TIIIME!!! & will mos def appeal to longtime Jay-Z fans...

Shout out to DJ Stretchinald on this one...

http://djstretchinald.wordpress.com/

Over shadowed by A Rose...?

By now everyone who has atleast one eye on the popular media will by overly aware of Kanye 'doin it again' at the 2009 Video Music Awards last night - but what was the real reason for the outburst... did Kanye really feel that Beyonce had been cheated? Was he feeling the Hennessy too hard? Or was it an attempt, by a man with a notoriously giant ego, to compete with the undoubted attention that the lady on his arm was once again drawing...? 

Jay-Z back at the Garden...

If anyone has ever seen the docu-film Fade To Black you'll know this would be a hard one to follow but as a tribute to the events that occurred on the 11th September 2001 (9/11) in NYC Jay-Z came back to Madison Square Garden with a few friends to perform a benefit concert on behalf of New York Police and Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Fund.

'Fuse Presents Jay-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call' 

Jay's album 'The Blueprint 3' drops in the UK on Monday 14th Spetember 2009.

Shout out to http://www.radioplanet.tv

Return of the Roc...

Jay-Z, now fully released from his Def Jam association after allegedly buying himself out of his deal for $5 Million last year, and going into partnership with Live Nation for a reported $150 Million to incorporate concert tours and a new home for himself and newly acquired artists at label imprint Roc Nation [a new style 360 degree entertainment company.]  Other artists also thought to be signed include J Cole and established UK girl group the Sugababes, as well as management deals for Wale and Melanie Fiona.  

The Blueprint 3, Jay's 11th studio album, has been a long time coming with teaser tracks such as Swagger Like Us, Jockin' Jay-Z, Brooklyn Go Hard & D.O.A. consistently keeping fans anticipating the follow up to 2007's American Gangster.  

Now with a confirmed distribution deal with Atlantic Records, a UK mini tour next month [with Coldplay] and a release date, 11th September 2009, Jay has dropped the first official single [despite many rumours that it would feature Drake] Run This Town, featuring production by Kanye West [and No ID] as well as a guest feature by the rapper/producer and Rihanna on the hook...

Check the making of the video:

 http://web.me.com/atlanticcontent/JAY_Z_PROMO_2/Making_Of_Promo_2.html

Jay has been doing the necessary promo that it takes to launch a new album, as well as a new label, from making new friends... [http://www.theboombox.com]

To meeting with the team who's gonna help promote his new venture.
I was invited to meet the rapper turned mogul at a secret location in London's West End alongside a select few industry insiders and UK music media heads last month...




More info: http://www.jay-z.com

 

Drake drops hard...

Since having the No.1 mixtape in the world drop earlier in the year... Drake's luck seems to have switched, from badly received videos, stage shows & a serious fall... & all Wayne can do is say he's gonna have to get some extra insurance!!!

Shout out to http://www.soulculture.co.uk on this one!

Warning shots & then some... (Explicit Lyrics)

Eminem goes in hhhard on this one... this track smashes anything on the Relapse album...

could anyone come back from this???

DJ Fade mix on BBC Radio 1

Broadcast on the 1Xtra Mixtape Show Saturday 11th June 2009... shout out to Dellessa James & Mista Jam for bringin me in!

Download this and other mixes here:

http://www.urban-mixes.com/artists/DJ_FADE/

Asher Roth Interview

Recently caught up with Asher Roth after his 1st UK show at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill where we talked about being a college dropout, breaking through into the Hip Hop world & who is his favourite white rapper...

Check Late Manoeuvres Radio for part 2 of this interview:

http://www.youtube.com/latemanoeuvresradio

Beyonce pays tribute...

I Can't Help It...

This is my No.1 MJ tune... Quincy Jones' production is sick!

Zip It Up...

Wiley counteraction...

This track is serious... Wiley's - Race Against Time out now!

Hockley Flyover Show

Last minute trip to Brom on Saturday to check out this free community event organised by Soweto Kinch already in it's second year - with a wide variety of performers throughout the day - Bashy was a popular headliner...

Shout out to Action Jackson, Ricky & Tippa D'Iceberg plus everyone we ran into...

Find out more about Soweto Kinch here: http://www.myspace.com/sowetokinch

Skepta goes in on the Godfather

You're nobody... til you had beef with Wiley...

SB.TV doing big things... http://www.sbtv.co.uk / Skepta's - Microphone Champion out now!

Asher Roth's 1st UK Show

I was lucky enough to get the hook-up for Asher Roth's 1st Live UK show down at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill a few weeks back.  Asher is an MC who has brought something a lil different from your average Hip Hop artist to the table - love him or hate him you've gotta respect his individuality and ability to rock a live show... two things that are increasingly lacking in an over-saturated market!

Shout outs to Maurice, Anita & Serita on this... hold tight for full interview coming this week!

He came equipped with a hype man, DJ & drummer plus a well thought out set to keep everyone involved! Even ended up rapping in just his socks at the end - one thing I've never witnessed before!

Check out his website for more:

http://www.thedailykush.com

Relapse Promotional Campaign

It's not even about having a hot album these days - it's all about how you put yourself out there or in Eminem's case - back out there...

This is one of the illest campaigns I've seen in a minute!

G-City's No1 [Under 18] MC Champion 2009

Monday 1st June 2009 and we finally have a winner... T-Why!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to get involved, as well as Danger and MNP, who helped judge the winning entry and everyone else who has shown support.  T-Why will be getting presented with his prizes at the "Stage 2 Launch: G-City Showcase" event - stay locked for more info coming soon.

Check Kaydie Kay & T-Why's myspace to hear more:

http://www.myspace.com/kaydiekaytwhy

Catch Me If You Can

Monday 1st June sees the release date for 3 albums from 3 of the UKs leading male artists.

Skepta is droppin "Microphone Champion" his follow up to his debut "Greatest Hits", Wiley drops "Race Against Time" & Bashy finally drops "Catch Me If You Can" his long awaited debut album.

Late Manoeuvres TV caught up with Bashy near the end of last year - where he broke down what to expect from his first album, as well as what it was like to be a recording artist with a day job, his acting career & where "Bashy" came from...

You can catch Bashy performing at I Luv Live's 5th Birthday Bash at Sound, Leicester Square on Monday too!

Check Late Manoeuvres TV for part 1 of this interview:

http://www.youtube.com/latemanoeuvrestv

G-City U18 MC Competition 2009 - Winner!

The competition was launched 21st December 2008 & closed 28th February 2009 - we had over 40 downloads of the official competition track [produced by MNP Productions] and finally it's time to announce the Champion as judged by Danger, DJ Fade & MNP Productions.

Shouts out to Pete @ Images Plus for providing the winners t-shirt & also Chequers Bridge Youth Arts Centre, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, The Citizen & Gloucestershire News for helping promote the competition!

Log back onto this site Monday 1st June 2009 to find out who won!!!

Check the DJ Fade myspace blog for full competition rules & info:

http://www.myspace.com/deejayfade

Late Manoeuvres TV - G-City Pt 1 [Explicit Lyrics]

On Wednesday 13th May 2009 I invited some of the biggest MCs repping G-City aka Gloucester to come to the studio for a live set.

This included Villain Dash Villz, Impact, Ultra Dizzle, Danger & Monday (No Morals)

Since Late Manoeuvres - the radio show - came off air back in February 2008 we have still continued to come with big artist interviews as well as footage from live shows & performances...

Check Late Manoeuvres TV for more info:

http://www.youtube.com/latemanoeuvrestv

Drake - The Drought Is Over [Mixtape]

October's Very Own Drake is all over this new mixtape - not a full follow-up to "So Far Gone" that dropped near the beginning of '09 - but more just a compilation of previous stand out mixtape tracks with a few new tunes & freestyles.

Since dropping Drake's track "Successful" on my radio show back in February - I've been telling everyone to expect big things this year from this Young Money affiliate.

Hold tight for the full length debut album "Thank Me Later" coming later this year... 

Check his myspace for more info:

http://www.myspace.com/thisisdrake

Amerie taking it back!

Amerie is back for 2009 with new release "Why R U" and she is taking it back to the 80s with not just a sample from Ultramagnetics MCs "Ego Trippin" track but what sounds like the full instrumental, with just added instruments and her vocal.

This is something we've not heard done in a minute - but Amerie has always shown love for the 80s in previous releases.  Hold tight for her 4th, and Def Jam debut, album dropping this Summer "In Love & War".

Check her myspace for more info:

http://www.myspace.com/ameriemimarie

ILuvLive 5th Birthday 1st June

One of the biggest regular live UK events I Luv Live is celebrating it's 5th Birthday next month at Sound in Leicester Square, as well as the long awaited release of Bashy's debut album Catch Me If You Can, with performances from Bashy, Baby J, Mpho, Kele Le Roc and more... this will be BIG!

For more info check:

http://www.myspace.com/iluvliveuk

The Young Lioness

Been on road last couple weeks attending shows, performing at shows... 1st of May I was lucky enough to see a singer/songwriter who I have wanted to see perform live since I first heard of her back at the start of 2005.

In fact the 1st time I heard of her was not even through her music but it was listening to a radio presenter who was saying how she had to be one of the most underrated artists out there and how he couldn't stop listening to her album. (Thanks for that intro G Money!}

From when you hear someone make up that much noise about an artist you've never heard of before - you kinda have to make an effort to listen - especially with the internet allowing you to do so with such ease (remember when sometimes just had to take that chance when buying an artist's album back in the day!)

When I first listened to her - I could hear how even though her musical style was Soulful - she was just as much influenced by Hip Hop.  Her debut album, "Complex Simplicity", is just as the title describes... complex emotions broken down into the most basic of elements, that of drums, melody and artistic expression.

I had heard that she had already performed once in the UK at the Jazz Cafe, but then her follow up album, The Young Lioness, had been repeatedly put back year after year, so thought it was unlikely to see her in the UK again at least until her 2nd album had finally dropped (2009?)  Luckily when checking her myspace I saw that she had a one-off show scheduled for this year.

After speaking to a few friends who had already seen her first performance at the Jazz Cafe, one who said she was good, one who said I might end up disappointed by her live performance, I decided to see for myself.
 

Despite circumstances not being in her favour, technical difficulties, not having her own band, Teedra put in an impressive performance rising above the frustration of the bad organisation and just let her soul and singing abilities shine through.  With a length of show to rival most 'full concerts' (her performance was billed as a special guest performance) she more than delivered.

Here is a lil' sample footage from the show, the picture quality is poor but you can catch the vibe and hear for yourself that she can actually sing live!

Hear more from Teedra Moses and order her latest mixtape, "Lionhearted - Young Hustla Vol III" here:

http://www.myspace.com/teedramoses

Introducing

12 months since the launch of Late Manoeuvres TV & we have a new blog page for updates on Late Manoeuvres related news & much more...

Check out the footage of live shows, interviews & more already on Late Manoeuvres TV...

http://www.youtube.com/latemanoeuvrestv

Hold tight for the 1st Late Manoeuvres TV MC set recorded this Wednesday plus an interview with one of the most talked about new US artists to break through in 2009 Asher Roth...

watch this space!