I haven't blogged in a while so thought I try and make amends by posting a decent track. Well I've failed, this track is more than decent, and it's been blaring out of my speakers constantly since I was first introduced to it.
Special thanks go to @NJC_wontlemmeBe for the recommendation on this track. I struggle to find new music at the moment as I am too busy at work. Luckily for me, @NJC_wontlemmeBe tweeted this track, and I trust his judgement so I gave it a listen!
The track samples Kernkraft 400 from Zombie Nation if I am not mistaken, and it's done really well. Sampling an iconic track like that could easily have turned into something pretty lame. I'm a big fan of both Lil Wayne and The Game so it was great to see them collaborate again.
At the end of last month, Chase & Status released their latest album, No More Idols. Yesterday I bought the album, and here are my first impressions.
As expected, it's quite a diverse album, taking influences from dubstep, drum and bass and hip-hop to name a few. The album features the cream of British talent, with Tempa T, Tinie Tempah, Plan B, Dizzee Rascal and Liam Bailey all contributing their vocals to this album.
The main problem I have with this album is that I have already heard (and in some cases own) a lot of the tracklist. Hypest Hype was a free download at the end of last year, End Credits was the soundtrack to Harry Brown (which I promptly grabbed from iTunes), Let You Go was released as a single last summer, and Blind Faith has been played so much on the radio.
If I gave my views on those tracks they would be dated, and in some cases I have already reviewed them. So, I shall take a look at some of my favourite tracks from the album that I hadn't already heard.
The second track on the album, Fire In Your Eyes is one of my top tracks upon the first listen. The guitars remind me of Distance, or even Pendulum. If truth be told I've been neglecting dubstep lately, but a track like this is enough to get me back on track.
Flashing Lights is the next track I will talk about. This has a liquid feel that I've always loved from Chase and Status, a catchy sample with a clean beat - I really cannot get enough of this kind of music.
Finally, Fool Yourself. This track features Plan B, who has just blown up this year, he's now a household name and for good reason. His latest album The Defamation of Strickland Banks is fantastic, and showed a whole new side to his talents. When I first heard Fool Yourself I wasn't too sure, I really like the start, but I wasn't expecting the track to develop the way in which it does. I have picked this as a favourite though as I can see it growing on me in the same way that End Credits and Pieces.
These are my first impressions, and I'm sure my opinions will develop as I listen to the album more, so I will write a full album review in a few weeks.
Kanye's gone and brought out a half hour long music video entitled "Runaway". Really looking forward to his new album dropping, but for now, we can enjoy what YouTube has to offer us! This feature length movie was premiered on MTV, and is now on YouTube for us all to enjoy.
I was a big fan of Power and Monster, and Runaway only helps add to the expectation by showcasing some of the tracks we will find on the forthcoming album, My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy.
This album has been out for a couple of weeks so I've been able to give it a good listen - and I'm impressed.
I had first heard of Tinie Tempah when he featured on Killa Kela's album Amplified. I had no idea that he was on the brink of something very special. He had made mixtapes before, but nothing that had earned plays on Radio One, or come close to the charts. Pass Out - Which features on the album - Launched Tinie Tempah to stardom. An iconic tune, it took electric hip-hop, and drum and bass influences with catchy lyrics that you will hear people repeating for a long time to come.
So fair enough. Anyone can have a one hit wonder right? This wasn't the case for Tinie Tempah. A strong follow up Frisky came out shortly after. A similar format, Frisky took the same influences and was equally as iconic as Pass Out. I actually prefer Frisky and it is one of my favourite tracks from the album. Would You Risk it for a Chocolate Biscuit?
So now with two strong singles under his belt, Tinie Tempah really caught my attention. I can honestly say that when I first heard Pass Out I thought Tinie had one hit wonder written all over him. I am so glad that he has proved me wrong; there is not a bad song on Disc-Overy.
This is currently my favourite track from the album, Miami 2 Ibiza. I am a massive fan of Swedish House Mafia, and I loved One (Your Name) which they collaborated with Pharrell Williams for. Miami 2 Ibiza is a jumped up, feel good house track that is massive in clubs. It's one of those tracks that makes you want to dance, and never fails to put a smile on your face.
Another single worth mentioning is Written in The Stars. Featuring Eric Turner, this track features guitar solos, clever lyrics, and a catchy hook. All the ingredients needed for a great hip-hop track. I think it's quite incredible just how successful each track has been, and the album itself is very strong.
Where Now for Tinie Tempah?
The PR and promotion for Disc-Overy is far from over. There are concerts, signings and appearances to take care of I imagine, and then work will start on new material.
I hope that Disc-Overy isn't a sign of peaking too early for Tinie Tempah, although the way he proved me wrong with follow ups to Pass Out, I feel he will prove me wrong again. The success of Disc-Overy is sure to attract attention from bigger stars, he managed to get Kelly Rowland to collaborate on the song Invincible, which is extremely impressive for a debut album. Who's next, Beyonce? Lady Gaga? Dare I say it... Cher Lloyd?
Jokes aside, I expect some high profile collaborations in the future, and I think Tinie Tempah is UK hip-hop's best chance of truly breaking America. I would love to see Tinie Tempah work with the likes of Jay-Z, Eminem, or Dr Dre. I could also see him taking the electric route and working with Chase & Status, Jack Beats, or even Magnetic Man.
