What' s going on

Hip Hop fashion

2007-12-14T12:52:00.000Z

Like Country 'n' Western and Rock music, Hip-Hop has it's own definitive style. But unlike other music genres, Hip-Hops' style has more versatility and mass market appeal regardless of the wearers taste in music.

From the casual relaxed, tracksuit, t-shirt, trainers and cap often sported by Rappr/proucer, Pharrell Williams, soccer star David Beckham Rock star Kid Rock and many a WAG.

to the more formal, tailored suit often sported by P. Diddy, Mr Bentley, Outkast and fitted dress worn by Hip Hop wives such as Jay-Zs fiance Beyonce Knowles.

Then you have the tweenies (the inbetweens) as often worked by Usher and Omrion where they wear a tailored jaket with jens and trainers.

Gone are the days of identifying Hip-Hop fans with breakdance tyl Addidas tracksuit and rope chains. Hip-Hop style can be whatever you' like!

We wish you a bling Xmas

2007-12-14T11:58:00.000Z

Wondering what to buy for Xmas this year? Have you seen the Omarion 'Entourage' video and wondered where he got his custom made bling t-shirt? Well, believe it or not, he got it right here from Toney the T-shirt maker in London, England. Toney, from North West London graduated from Middlesex University in 2006 and has been a huge success, providing t-shirts for Kanye West, Jazzy B, Busta Rhymes and Jon B. Check him out at www.myspace.com/toneyandco or www.Toneyandco.com for your very own custom made bling t-shirt or top from £25.

Swarovski recently had it's musical/fashion Swarovski Rocks show, with all your favourite stars sporting the latest designs. If diamonds are out of your price range but you wish to own or give some bling but retain high quality, Swarovski crystals are definitely for you. Check out www.swarovski.com for your nearest store

The Current Flavour of Hip Pop

2007-12-10T16:57:00.000Z

After a recently released album from the uber talented, back to roots rappers from the Wu Tang Clan, you could be left wondering whether their efforts will really be appreciated in this current climate of Hip Pop. The lyrics of Rappers such as Kanye West, and even ex-gangsta rapper 50 Cent seem to have no relevance to what Hip Hop was ever about.

What was it about? The community of course. Poverty, the fight against injustice amongst Black Americans, the political voice of the youths, raw talent, quick thinking, the love of music and physical skill. Now it has become a watered down version of itself and after the influx of threatening gangsta rap being highlighted, scandalised and blamed for the current rise in youth gun crime (by the media and government officials), hip hop has moved on from being one of the biggest sold music worldwide to almost obsolete, artists at the forefront of the blame have now turned to collaborations with singers and dancers such as Justin Timberlake just to salvage what is left of their careers. The battle between gangsta rapper, 5o Cent (Curtis Jackson) and Hip Hopper, Kanye West in which 50 threatened to leave the music industry if Kanye outsold him proved that mindless gangsta rap has finally and thankfully left the building. But what next? Hip Pop?

Hip Pop seems to have reared it's ugly head again, but then in truth it never went away, there has always been an alternative happy go lucky version of Hip Hop, 'Vanilla Ice Ice Baby' 'Hammertime!' 'The P the I the D D Y it's Diddy!' Need I go on; without this version of Hip Hop how do we reel the punters in? We start with baby steps and then when they least expect it we throw in KRS 1!!
The funny thing is the producers of Hip Pop have substantial reputations from the old school. 50 Cent's boss Dr Dre was in the highly acclaimed NWA (Niggers With Attitude, eighties west coast rap group), who highlighted the problems in South Central Los Angeles Dre also worked with Hip Hop Legend Tupac.

We have recently seen more substantial entrants into the Hip Hop forum in the way of Lupe Fiasco, and Common even Nas is spitting out bits an pieces, and the forever retiring Jay-Z is returning to his original style could the tides be turning?
Fashion recycles it's style all the time maybe Hip Hop is about to do a u-turn (excuse the us of your song Usher!!) and get back to basics again!

Lets hope the originality and intelligence of Hip Hop is about to resurface, let's get back it's dignity and replace it's crown...

The Clan are back

2007-12-10T14:55:00.001Z

The day has now arrived. The Wu Tang Clan have, today, released their new album, 8 Diagrams.
One of Hip Hops finest groups have, after six years, regrouped and recorded a new album. This is, to the Hip Hop world, what the Spice girl reunion is to girl power pop. All original members including leader GZA RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon are featured, the excitement in the Hip Hop world is second to none, these men, including the late great ODB who recently died of an overdose, have, unlike the Spice girls, forged excellent solo careers since the group burst on to the scene in the late eighties early nineties.

GZA says the members being away as a group for so long have allowed them to develop a new hunger for music, which shows in the lyrics on the album. The Wu's last album Iron Flag was disappointingly unsuccessful but this could be attributed to the fact that head man RZA did not wholly produce it and ODB was incarcerated at the time of recording, he was only able to contribute over a prison telephone. Of course ODB will not have been physically part of this album but previously recorded performances have been added. The album has input from respected old school producers Eric Sermon, which promises to bring hip-hop back to its honest roots.

This album release has hard core fans drooling at the mouth at the anticipation of finally getting a supper of quality Hip Hop, instead of the takeaway 'snack box' the likes of 50 Cent and his group G-Unit have been providing.
Junk food is great at the time but it will make you ill in the long run 'Supersize me' need I go on! Add to the fact that the Wu Tang members have continued to be individually successful and respected in the Hip Hop scene this album could be the album of the year for Hip Hop worldwide... Welcome back boyz supper is ready...